What vehicle do we want next?

[Anonymous]

Recently in an accident, and it looks like insurance will total our car. So whether we want to or not, we're going car shopping. For the first time in decades, DH and I are not immediately defaulting to "ohmygodyes get ALL the rows and ALL the storage." DCUM car gurus and savvy shoppers, got any suggestions for me? We have a smaller around-town car. The totaled vehicle was our bigger one, with a third row. Do you think we still need that much firepower? What should I be looking at?

- One high schooler, one kid off to college in fall
- College is driving distance, but happy to rent a larger car for stuff-intensive dropoff/pickup
- Our sports are gear-intensive: stuff (and carpools) for high schooler's team sport, golf clubs, skis, etc.
- One of my parents is local, one of DH's parents flies in for visits. It's nice to put everybody in one car when we get together, but I'm willing to sit in the middle-back for short hops.
- I'd love to go all-electric, or electric hybrid
- Would like to keep total cost under $35k

[Anonymous]

Tucson plug in hybrid if you can get it under $35k (not sure about that). It’s only two rows but the inside is very spacious, including the back storage.

[Anonymous]

What do you have now?

[Anonymous]

Highlander or CRV?

[Anonymous]

How about a used X5?

[Anonymous]

Hybrid CRV or Hybrid RAV4

[Anonymous]

Easy choice if you are willing and able to install an electric vehicle charger at home: Tesla Model Y Rear Wheel Drive.

Tesla now applies the $7,500 tax rebate at the time of sale, and they offer lightly used Model Y vehicles (those used for test drives) for $37,000 to $41,000.

The Model Y is Tesla’s smaller, entry-level SUV. In its standard two-row configuration, the Model Y provides 30.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. There's also a 4.1 cubic-foot front trunk, or frunk, that provides extra room, for 76.2 cubic-feet total. By comparison, the Toyota RAV4 SUV and Honda CRV provide 70-75 cubic-feet of storage with the rear seats folded down.

[Anonymous]

+1 I bought my 2021 CX-5 used for 30k about a year ago. It has all the bells and whistles. Love it!

Anonymous wrote:How about a used X5?

[Anonymous]

My 2 kids are the same age as yours. I would do a mid-size SUV. Something more like a Toyota Highlander rather than Rav4 but sounds like you don't need a third row.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recently in an accident, and it looks like insurance will total our car. So whether we want to or not, we're going car shopping. For the first time in decades, DH and I are not immediately defaulting to "ohmygodyes get ALL the rows and ALL the storage." DCUM car gurus and savvy shoppers, got any suggestions for me? We have a smaller around-town car. The totaled vehicle was our bigger one, with a third row. Do you think we still need that much firepower? What should I be looking at?

- One high schooler, one kid off to college in fall
- College is driving distance, but happy to rent a larger car for stuff-intensive dropoff/pickup
- Our sports are gear-intensive: stuff (and carpools) for high schooler's team sport, golf clubs, skis, etc.
- One of my parents is local, one of DH's parents flies in for visits. It's nice to put everybody in one car when we get together, but I'm willing to sit in the middle-back for short hops.
- I'd love to go all-electric, or electric hybrid
- Would like to keep total cost under $35k

Based on all of this. I would still want a 3 row vehicle. I'm keeping it until they are all through college or darn close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 I bought my 2021 CX-5 used for 30k about a year ago. It has all the bells and whistles. Love it!

Anonymous wrote:How about a used X5?

An X5 is a BMW.

[Anonymous]

Lightly used Lexus GX 460. Will last forever and can be had for your price point. 3rd row can stay down and unobtrusive except in those times of need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about a used X5?

For $35k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about a used X5?

For $35k?

They depreciate hard. I wouldn’t buy one for lots of reasons, but the price does down quickly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about a used X5?

If you’re budget conscious, know that These become costly, if after warranty years …labor rate is @$100/hr. We have a 2019 and warranty expired 1.5 years ago. Just bought new tires ((with $$$ rotation) and replace brake pads, on top of regular maintenance.

We knew what we were getting into and the cost is what we signed up for the perfect car, but we are now looking to get a car new this year and in warranty and will likely just do that going forward.