Which car does this describe?

[bicker]

Which car best fits this specific set of descriptions?

Absolute Requirement - AWD
Absolute Requirement - Integrated Bluetooth Communications System
Absolute Requirement - Very low incidence of breakdown
Absolute Requirement - Superior touring comfort for two
Very Important Priority - Great gas mileage
Very Important Priority - Low overall cost of ownership
Nice to Have - Modest size (i.e., not so large that parking in a small garage will be a problem)
Nice to Have - Alternative fuel/hybrid
Nice to Have - Integrated GPS
Not Important - Third and fourth passenger comfort
Not Important - Lots of trunk storage
Not Important - Superior performance

 

[taylor3297]

Ford Fusion sounds about right. We just ordered a 2011 for my DH. We got everything on it but the navigation. We got the V6 but they do make a hybrid. It was car of the year and consumer reports give it a good rating. We also asked folks who owned one if they like it and everyone so far they said they did.

 

[Darsa]

All I know is, it's sure not mine!

 

[bicker]

Ford Fusion sounds about right.

Interesting. Could you refer me to where the Ford Fusion was rated best with regard to touring comfort? I haven't seen any indication that it qualifies, on that count.

Those first four criteria are absolutes... the car needs to be rated among the best for all four of them, or my wife won't even give the car a first-look. I'm going to have to show her the ratings before she'll give the go-ahead, so I am going to need to get my hands on the sources, whether it is Car & Drive magazine or Consumer Reports or whatever.

 

[Tee it Up]

Unless I'm mistaken the Fusion doesn't have 4WD

 

[golfgal]

Interesting. Could you refer me to where the Ford Fusion was rated best with regard to touring comfort? I haven't seen any indication that it qualifies, on that count.

Those first four criteria are absolutes... the car needs to be rated among the best for all four of them, or my wife won't even give the car a first-look.

Do you subscribe to Consumer Reports-that would be a good place to start. The online version is really nice.

 

[bicker]

Do you subscribe to Consumer Reports-that would be a good place to start. The online version is really nice.

I don't subscribe anymore. I was hoping to get specific pointers to the specific resources, and then borrow the issues I need. However, it may make sense to resubscribe to Consumer Reports, at least... but aren't there better resources, like Car & Driver, for cars?

 

[PUZZLDY5]

Sounds like a Nissan Pathfinder would fit the bill. Not sure about the 4wd though.

 

[bicker]

Unless I'm mistaken the Fusion doesn't have 4WD

So much for that idea then.

 

[bicker]

Sounds like a Nissan Pathfinder would fit the bill. Not sure about the 4wd though.

I thought the Pathfinder was second-rate with regard to reliability. Was is more highly-rated by one of the analysts more recently?

EDITED: Yeah, Consumer Reports puts Pathfinder in second category for comfort. Needs to be in first category for my wife to consider it.

 

[DrCavin]

Audi A4 or A6 - not sure great gas mileage & 4WD will go together

 

[taylor3297]

For some reason I read the 4wd as AWD. Sorry about that. The Fusion can come with AWD. My sister in law that lives in CT has a 2007 Fusion with AWD and she says it drives great in the snow.

 

[taylor3297]

Audi A4 or A6 - not sure great gas mileage & 4WD will go together

Do any of the hybrids even come in 4WD?

I agree 4WD and great gas mileage don't really go together.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

Which car best fits this specific set of descriptions?

Absolute Requirement - 4WD
Absolute Requirement - Integrated Bluetooth Communications System
Absolute Requirement - Very low incidence of breakdown
Absolute Requirement - Superior touring comfort for two
Very Important Priority - Great gas mileage
Very Important Priority - Low overall cost of ownership
Nice to Have - Modest size (i.e., not so large that parking in a small garage will be a problem)
Nice to Have - Alternative fuel/hybrid
Nice to Have - Integrated GPS
Not Important - Third and fourth passenger comfort
Not Important - Lots of trunk storage
Not Important - Superior performance

This sounds a lot like my 2009 Volvo V50 and certainly a Volvo sedan/suv

4WD may be an option(suv?), I have all wheel-drive.

Bluetooth integrated system on steering wheel, able to put up to 3 or 5 phones, can't remember which

Breakdowns, LOL, Volvo is also known as the 200,000 mile vehicle(s)

Comfort for touring 2 ppl and the occasional 3-4 person, come on, it's a Volvo LOL

MPG...I get 34 highway 24 city, 15 gallon tank

Cost of ownership...mine is under full warranty, I bought it new 14 months ago. Any dealer part is expensive LOL, Volvo really last a long time.

Size...mine is a called a Sport Wagon, not as long as the normal Volvo wagon and it fits easily into our one-car garage.

Hybrid...not sure that's offered but it probably is.

GPS is an option...if it's not installed, have one put in.

Trunk... again, mine is a sport wagon. I just took 4 adults on a 2400 mile round-trip, plenty of room for 7 suitcases/garment bags/etc.

Performance....never a problem, superior performance/handling, one of the reasons I love my Volvo.

 

[bicker]

Audi A4 or A6 -

The Audi is our "Shop Them Last" option... we know that it qualifies, but it is so expensive that we're hoping to find something "just as good" but much more affordable.

not sure great gas mileage & 4WD will go together

Yeah, that's why 4WD is an absolute requirement, while great gas mileage isn't.

 

[Explodo]

Volvo XC-90.

Excellent car

 

[bicker]

This sounds a lot like my 2009 Volvo V50 and certainly a Volvo sedan/suv

Hmmm... Volvo.... that's one I hadn't thought about. Sounds plausible. I need to check into that a bit.

 

[taylor3297]

The Ford Escape can come with the sync and naviagation and 4WD. Not sure how comfortable it is to ride in though. I have never driven or ridden in one.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Have you tried Perfect Car Finder on Kelley Blue Book? You can put in your requirements and options come up.

http://www.kbb.com/perfect-car-finder#

 

[abdmom]

Which car best fits this specific set of descriptions?

Absolute Requirement - 4WD
Absolute Requirement - Integrated Bluetooth Communications System
Absolute Requirement - Very low incidence of breakdown
Absolute Requirement - Superior touring comfort for two
Very Important Priority - Great gas mileage
Very Important Priority - Low overall cost of ownership
Nice to Have - Modest size (i.e., not so large that parking in a small garage will be a problem)
Nice to Have - Alternative fuel/hybrid
Nice to Have - Integrated GPS
Not Important - Third and fourth passenger comfort
Not Important - Lots of trunk storage
Not Important - Superior performance

A Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited may fit the bill. They have 4WD, Bluetooth, GPS and are very comfortable. Gas mileage is around 24 mpg.