Vehicle hunting.

Honda

Even though I don't like the CRV's.

Hyundai Tucson can be had for under 18,000 brand new off the lot. If you work your awesome debating skills on the salesman, you could probably get a base-line Santa Fe for 18,000 off the lot.

Used, I'd take a look at the Outback Sport and Forrester from Subaru

You might also look into the Honda Element.

Any of those will probably last you for quite a bit. The Hyundai warranty is nice to have, and their reliability has increased to that of Honda/Toyota (pre omg it can't stop!) in recent years.

Edit:

Honda's got a nice sales event going on right now, you could probably snag a new Element in your price range with all the nice bonuses they're offering.

Edited by tallen702 - 04 May 2010 at 10:54pm

Buy a camaro. :)

Edited by __sneaky__ - 04 May 2010 at 10:56pm

No Toyotas on the list? A Highlander seems like it would fit the bill. A 4Runner would too, but not with great fuel consumption. Unless you worry about things like accelerators sticking. Wuss.

tallen702 wrote: Hyundai Tucson can be had for under 18,000 brand new off the lot. If you work your awesome debating skills on the salesman, you could probably get a base-line Santa Fe for 18,000 off the lot. Used, I'd take a look at the Outback Sport and Forrester from Subaru You might also look into the Honda Element. Any of those will probably last you for quite a bit. The Hyundai warranty is nice to have, and their reliability has increased to that of Honda/Toyota (pre omg it can't stop!) in recent years. Edit: Honda's got a nice sales event going on right now, you could probably snag a new Element in your price range with all the nice bonuses they're offering.

Edited by agentwhale007 - 04 May 2010 at 11:11pm

MeanMan wrote: The Ford sounds nice if you like luxury vehicles and it has the premium package. What about the Escape, Compass or Equinox?

Edited by agentwhale007 - 04 May 2010 at 11:19pm

agentwhale007 wrote: tallen702 wrote: Hyundai Tucson can be had for under 18,000 brand new off the lot. If you work your awesome debating skills on the salesman, you could probably get a base-line Santa Fe for 18,000 off the lot. Used, I'd take a look at the Outback Sport and Forrester from Subaru You might also look into the Honda Element. Any of those will probably last you for quite a bit. The Hyundai warranty is nice to have, and their reliability has increased to that of Honda/Toyota (pre omg it can't stop!) in recent years. Edit: Honda's got a nice sales event going on right now, you could probably snag a new Element in your price range with all the nice bonuses they're offering. Thoughts on your thoughts:  My friend (And soon to be apartment mate in Ohio) drives a Tuscon and loves it. It's durable as can be. I'll look into that when I go to the Hyundai dealer.  My car-shopping mentor, a 75-year-old ex husband of my grandmother (My grandma has been married six times. It's a long story) said Hyundai's are great, in his opinion, one of the highest-quality for price cars out there. He told me that their "100k Mile Warranty" is a "Gawd-danged swindle" (He is North Georgia born and raised) because they build them well enough not to have problems until well after 100k miles.  The Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as the Honda Element, have been scratched off my list due to size and economy. If I could find one at a perfect price I would consider it but so far have not looked at them. Also, I went to three different Honda dealerships today, none of which had any used Elements.  My concern with Subaru -- and I like the wagons they make as far as gas mileage and size -- is the same as VW. If something happens to it, can I take it to a general mechanic or will I need to go to a Subaru dealership?  The problem in finding good used Subaru's is the same problem in finding good used Hondas — there is a shrunken market because people don't get rid of them.

My thoughts on your thoughts on my thoughts:

• Hyundai is about where Toyota and Honda were in the early 90's: Leaving the "cheap" care stereotype behind and going for quality at a great price
• I'm considering the Santa Fe myself for my next car. It's the only thing competing with Subaru for me right now
• Generally speaking, in the area where you'll be living, you will find an import mechanic who can work on a subie no proble. The only thing that makes them any different is the boxer engine (which most mechanics are familiar with because they all have owned an old Porshe at one point or another) and the VCD (variable center differential). The only drawback to any AWD/4WD is the center diff. Selectable 4WD tends to be easier on the center diff becuase it isn't always engaged. VCDs tend to have a few more problems, but not many. My family has never had a VCD go out on their Subies even after 150k+miles.
• I think your problem finding a used subie may be due to living in FL. Are you going to be flying/driving up to Athens prior to moving up there? If so, you might want to hop on over the state line to Huntington WV or Charleston WV and see what their Subie dealers have in stock.
• You can get the Subaru Outback Sport for around 18k off the lot, or a 2.5i hatchback (outback sport w/o some of the extras) for 17k or under new.

procarbinefreak wrote: i'm going to be in the same boat soon.  although my haggling skills suck... so i'm screwed

I offer you this advice (Whale, pay attention). Find out what the dealer price for a car is. Go in armed with that and make it your starting price. You aren't going to get it for exactly that, but you should get it for close. It's usually 2-3k off of MSRP at least! Furthermore, dealers get kick-backs from the factory for volume sales, etc. Stand your ground. The dealer has more to lose than you do. If you walk, they lose a sale, and possibly their job. You're out what? A few minutes of your time and driving off the lot that day in a new car, who's to say you can't drive away in it tomorrow when they call you up and say "I talked with my finance manager and he says we can do 'x' better."

Also, Whale, the area you're going to be living in gets some lake effect snow, but more importantly, they tend to get freezing rain and ice. AWD/4WD is a MUST if you can swing it.

tallen702 wrote:  (Whale, pay attention).