Car advice - Need a new car

[O RLY]

I'd like to get a new car and hoping anyone here has experience with the following cars. I'm looking for something that gets decent gas mileage and is comfortable to be in for long hours. Prefer to stay under 35k but will go a little over and put more money down if needed.

More in my comfortable range $$$
- Ford C-Max
- VW Golf / GTI
- Ford Escape
- Subaru Forester

Considering these but will need to put more money down
-Volvo CX70
-Volvo S60

 

[Swimalie]

My Forester just turned 3 years old and I love it. We drove 10 hours in it the other day and were all comfortable. The roominess in the back seat is amazing. You can't go wrong with a Subaru.

 

[sbarisch]

I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid and drive quite a bit. It's comfortable, gets good gas mileage, and rides well.

Just my two cents

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I know two people who have the Forester and have been very happy with it. Personally, for me, I'd stay away from Ford. VW has a poor trade in/resale value.

 

[ellochka]

My vote is for Forester, too.

Personally, I think $35K for a car is a bit too much, unless you really in love with the car and can easily afford to buy it for cash. I would probably look for something right out lease, around $20K, under 30K miles.

 

[tvguy]

All but the VW would be good choices. VW just has too many continuing quality issues, which maybe why VW resale value is so bad as someone else posted.

 

[MillauFr]

I got a Forester 3 years ago and love the car. I would buy one again. It was a great deal at $25k. Works great when we are driving through the mountains in blizzard conditions. Everyone else has to chain up and we get to drive right on by since it has all wheel drive.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

My grandma and cousin each just bought a Subaru. They bought them because they're supposed to be the safest cars available. This was suggested to them by my cousin's fiance who is a fireman and has seen a lot of deadly accidents.

 

[LJSquishy]

The Subaru Forester is probably the best choice. They are rated extremely well. I want the Forester when I get to buy my next car (currently drive a 2000 Nissan Sentra).

My husband drives a 2005 Subaru Legacy and it's been perfect...no issues, just lots of happy trips. We plan to keep the Subaru forever, as well as whatever car I end up buying which again is likely a Forester.

 

[barkley]

we had a 2006 escape and would have continued driving it forever but dd needed a reliable car so we sold it to her and purchased a 2014 escape. we like both very much.

whatever you choose-if you are a Costco member try their auto purchasing program. we are very good at negotiating car purchases, and their program had the same results with no haggling.

 

[cvjw]

Another vote for the Subaru. We have an almost 3 year old Subaru Outback and have had ZERO problems with it. What a great car and more importantly, a safe car. It is recommended by police and firemen because of the way it performs in accidents. The body of the car crumples in a certain way that first responders have to be trained on how to get people out of them.

You might want to check out this link of Consumer Report's least reliable cars. There are Ford's and Volkswagon's on here.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/10/the-10-least-reliable-cars/index.htm

 

[Gumbo4x4]

All but the VW would be good choices. VW just has too many continuing quality issues, which maybe why VW resale value is so bad as someone else posted.

^^^This

 

[a742246]

Just got an Subaru Cros-trek, excellent car 34 mpg. You should look into it. Around 25K.

 

[DawnM]

I am not a car person, so I have no idea about the differences between all of these cars, but DH was looking at a VW Golf TDI for a long time.

We ended up with a Toyota Camry hybrid. I would have loved the Toyota Avalon hybrid, but I just couldn't justify spending that much on a car.

People do seem to love the Escape and I rented one on my Phoenix trip last December and really enjoyed it. It is quite comfortable.

Dawn

I'd like to get a new car and hoping anyone here has experience with the following cars. I'm looking for something that gets decent gas mileage and is comfortable to be in for long hours. Prefer to stay under 35k but will go a little over and put more money down if needed.

More in my comfortable range $$$
- Ford C-Max
- VW Golf / GTI
- Ford Escape
- Subaru Forester

Considering these but will need to put more money down
-Volvo CX70
-Volvo S60

 

[PlutoPony]

Volvo seats have long been known for their comfort, you cannot beat them. We have a 2003 XC70 and a 2012 S60, both purchased new. Have 130k+ miles on the XC70 and still love that car, should be able to get to 200k with it easily. I honestly don't see anything out there now I'd trade this for and don't know what I'll do when I have to give it up. Gas mileage is decent but engine in current model is different and don't have 1st hand knowledge of the mpg. Happy with the S60 as well, it's smaller than the XC70 but don't consider it a small car. Great for 2 people all the time, wouldn't want to use it for 4 big people on regular basis though. Gas mileage is GREAT - we have the FWD, hear AWD mileage is a little lower because of increased weight.

See what the current deal is on Volvo paying for the maintenance for first years, that was a big saver for us on the S60 when we purchased.

Had a 2000 Passat that started to have expensive things go wrong about 8 years in. Drove ok but the seats and car in general were no where near as comfortable as either Volvo. So not huge VW proponent unless you get a really good deal.

Good luck!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Not the VW. They are very stiff and not comfortable if you spend lots of time in them. I also don't ind the redesigned Escapes to be as comfortable as the old design. They just feel cramped to me.

 

[ParrishMama]

We currently own a VW (5 years old) and a Ford (10 years old). While we do enjoy being in the VW, it is a very different driving experience than any other vehicle. Additionally, the maintenance on the VW has been quite expensive for being a newer car.

If we were to purchase a car tomorrow, we would go with a Ford again but not a VW.

 

[starwart]

Test drive a mazda cx5. Automobile magazines best rated cuv. It gets good mpg and drives like a sports car.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I have a Forester and DH has an Outback. Obviously, we love Subarus! DD has a Volvo that she loves, but I don't find it as comfortable as a Subaru.

 

[undertheradar]

I'd like to get a new car and hoping anyone here has experience with the following cars. I'm looking for something that gets decent gas mileage and is comfortable to be in for long hours. Prefer to stay under 35k but will go a little over and put more money down if needed.

More in my comfortable range $$$
- Ford C-Max
- VW Golf / GTI
- Ford Escape
- Subaru Forester

Considering these but will need to put more money down
-Volvo CX70
-Volvo S60

Just purchased a Volvo XC60 AWD. I would look at the 2015 XC60 Drive-E. Very comfortable to drive and energy efficient. Would have bought the Drive-E but wanted the AWD.