Author Topic: Car Help (Read 7600 times)

zedpol · « **on:** September 18, 2015, 01:36:33 PM »

Hi All,
I currently have a 2001 toyota corolla that is going strong but isn't going to cut it anymore on account of a new addition to our family. I need something that will carry Me, My wife, 2 children and a dog. I'd also like something with side airbags plus any of the newer safety stuff people think is worth getting. Any thoughts fellow mustachians, make model and years? Max we would want to spend would be 20k but hopefully much less than that. Our other car is a 2006 toyota prius.

Current ideas
Nissan Leaf 2011-2012 ~8-10k
Chevy Volt 2012 ~16k
Subaru Outback might be too big and expensive.

Sibley · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2015, 01:44:14 PM »

I can't help so much with the type of car, but you're going to get this question anyway. Why do you need 2 cars that can fit 4 humans +dog? Or can you not fit everyone in the prius? My roommie has a prius, and I can totally see a dog fitting in the "trunk".

bobechs · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2015, 02:45:08 PM »

Dog goes on the roof.

waffle · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2015, 02:48:20 PM »

I'm not seeing how the Volt or the Leaf would help you any. They are about the same size as a corolla or are you just wanting a hatchback for the dog...? The outback would comfortably fit a dog in the back.

I think you should just go all out and get a F-350 crew cab long bed with the Power Stroke diesel, and give it a 6 inch lift while you are at it.

bobechs · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2015, 02:55:11 PM »

Quote from: waffle on September 18, 2015, 02:48:20 PM

I think you should just go all out and get a F-350 crew cab long bed with the Power Stroke diesel, and give it a 6 inch lift while you are at it.

This.

Plus, room for more dogs on top.

AZDude · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2015, 03:58:07 PM »

A corolla is a small car. Fitting two car seats and a dog in the back would be a tight squeeze. That said, a Prius probably fits all three easily. A volt or a leaf are both small, and dont change much. If you need a new car, or just want one and can afford it, go with something like Focus hatchback, or Fit, or something like that.

zedpol · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2015, 08:51:19 AM »

Both the leaf and the volt are hatchbacks of sort for the dog. I'll have a look at the fit or focus, thanks for that suggestion. f-350 sounds nice, but if i'm going that route why not just go all the way and get a hummer

alsoknownasDean · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2015, 09:22:15 AM »

What about an old Camry?

nobodyspecial · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2015, 09:27:29 AM »

Quote from: zedpol on September 20, 2015, 08:51:19 AM

Both the leaf and the volt are hatchbacks of sort for the dog. I'll have a look at the fit or focus, thanks for that suggestion. f-350 sounds nice, but if i'm going that route why not just go all the way and get a hummer

You get a separate hummer for the dog - the pickup is for the kids

TMM · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2015, 07:45:20 AM »

As you're shopping, actually put both carseats in the back seat, stroller in the trunk. Can you reach the crying baby, fighting toddlers from the front? Adjust a bottle or snack? Then see if the dog fits with all that stuff in there. A new car has to be functional and practical, those car seats and boosters will be with you for years.

waffle · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2015, 08:11:09 AM »

An F-350 crew cab is going to have a lot more room and functionality than a hummer. Unless you get a gen 1 military surplus hummer then you really aren't getting anything special. An H2 is big still, but the H3 shouldn't even be called a hummer anymore.

HipGnosis · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2015, 09:02:05 AM »

Jetta Sportwagon
Preferably TDI

nobodyspecial · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2015, 09:37:29 AM »

If you have kids ideal family car is a London black cab.
Seats 5 passengers in the back can remotely lock the back doors, and there is a little locking window you can close to isolate the little treasures.

zephyr911 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2015, 10:48:27 AM »

Quote from: zedpol on September 18, 2015, 01:36:33 PM

Hi All,
I currently have a 2001 toyota corolla that is going strong but isn't going to cut it anymore on account of a new addition to our family. I need something that will carry Me, My wife, 2 children and a dog. I'd also like something with side airbags plus any of the newer safety stuff people think is worth getting. Any thoughts fellow mustachians, make model and years? Max we would want to spend would be 20k but hopefully much less than that. Our other car is a 2006 toyota prius.

Current ideas
Nissan Leaf 2011-2012 ~8-10k
Chevy Volt 2012 ~16k
Subaru Outback might be too big and expensive.

Your price for the Volt sounds high. I own a 2012 and was just looking at comps out of curiosity on AutoTrader. Even the Premium with leather, bedpan cameras etc. can be had for $15K with half the powertrain warranty remaining. Mine is base as base can be and comps were $12-14K.

FTR, I've never been so happy with a car. My lifestyle is still semi-car-clowny for now (10mi each way to work, frequent side work across town, etc) and the Volt meets my needs spectacularly for $.02/mi. It is slightly less roomy than the current Prius (not sure how it compares to your '06, probably very similar) but does haul a decent load with the seats down, and is twice as efficient for the first 50 miles (if you hypermile) and almost as good thereafter.

DollarBill · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:11:02 AM »

I have a 2012 Ford Focus hatchback, 5 speed (Don't get the auto because it has many issues) get about 32 mpg's on hwy and in city. Overall I'm very pleased with it. There has been some times when I had four adults in it and it was a tight fit but it works for me 98% of the time...plus if you have a full load then maybe someone else will drive :). I did add on a hitch and have a cargo box that is handy for extra luggage or hauling dirty stuff or bikes.

I do have a friend with a Chevy Equinox that I was impressed with because the size is great and still gets about 32 mpg's on highway and the 4 cylinder engine didn't feel like it lacked power for the size...but it comes with a hefty price tag too. There's probably better choices out there for md size.

lbmustache · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:54:25 AM »

I think it would help to know the size of the dog and the ages of the kids (one sounds like an infant) - are both in rear facing seats? That takes up a TON of room, and it might be cramped especially if OP + spouse are on the tall side.

Leaf is not particularly big and neither is the Volt.

A used Forester (not Outback) would be big enough IMO. Have you looked at used Rav4s... the 2013 models are around $20k or a bit less now. You might be able to get a CRV for that price too, although in my experience they're always a bit more than Rav4s.

Or are you specifically looking for a wagon? A Golf/Jetta wagon will have plenty of space and be reasonably reliable.

southern granny · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2015, 09:18:20 PM »

Two years ago I bought a Hyundai Sonata because I needed to fit three grandchildren in the back seat (two in car seats). It was tight, but it worked. Now that they are out of the car seats, they fit comfortably. I like the car and haven't had any trouble with it. Gas mileage on the highway is 35, but only about 19 in town. No regrets.

heitzrun · « **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2015, 07:01:02 AM »

See Phil Edmunson's Lemon-Ade. He recommends Japanese standard ICE models. The battery cars don't make up for the purchase price and don't have a robust repair network.

zedpol · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2015, 09:13:55 AM »

Quote from: HipGnosis on September 21, 2015, 09:02:05 AM

Jetta Sportwagon
Preferably TDI

nice :)

zedpol · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2015, 09:15:07 AM »

Quote from: zephyr911 on September 21, 2015, 10:48:27 AM

Quote from: zedpol on September 18, 2015, 01:36:33 PM
Hi All,
I currently have a 2001 toyota corolla that is going strong but isn't going to cut it anymore on account of a new addition to our family. I need something that will carry Me, My wife, 2 children and a dog. I'd also like something with side airbags plus any of the newer safety stuff people think is worth getting. Any thoughts fellow mustachians, make model and years? Max we would want to spend would be 20k but hopefully much less than that. Our other car is a 2006 toyota prius.

Current ideas
Nissan Leaf 2011-2012 ~8-10k
Chevy Volt 2012 ~16k
Subaru Outback might be too big and expensive.
Your price for the Volt sounds high. I own a 2012 and was just looking at comps out of curiosity on AutoTrader. Even the Premium with leather, bedpan cameras etc. can be had for $15K with half the powertrain warranty remaining. Mine is base as base can be and comps were $12-14K.

FTR, I've never been so happy with a car. My lifestyle is still semi-car-clowny for now (10mi each way to work, frequent side work across town, etc) and the Volt meets my needs spectacularly for $.02/mi. It is slightly less roomy than the current Prius (not sure how it compares to your '06, probably very similar) but does haul a decent load with the seats down, and is twice as efficient for the first 50 miles (if you hypermile) and almost as good thereafter.

I'll keep an eye out for the better price. Seem to be way fewer volts for sale than leafs. People seem to love their volts.

zedpol · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2015, 09:17:27 AM »

Quote from: lbmustache on September 21, 2015, 11:54:25 AM

I think it would help to know the size of the dog and the ages of the kids (one sounds like an infant) - are both in rear facing seats? That takes up a TON of room, and it might be cramped especially if OP + spouse are on the tall side.

Leaf is not particularly big and neither is the Volt.

A used Forester (not Outback) would be big enough IMO. Have you looked at used Rav4s... the 2013 models are around $20k or a bit less now. You might be able to get a CRV for that price too, although in my experience they're always a bit more than Rav4s.

Or are you specifically looking for a wagon? A Golf/Jetta wagon will have plenty of space and be reasonably reliable.

We have one 2.5 year old, a new infant on the way and a 65 pound dog. I think I have talked myself out of the small SUVs due to price. Wagons/hatchbacks are going to be big enough as long as the dog fits in the back. My family is all small, i'm 5'7", wife is 5'1" so i'm not concerned with getting a small car.

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Author Topic: Car Help (Read 7600 times)