Decision fatigue on what car to get

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

[Anonymous]

A Buick wagon! Who would’ve thunk that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

Hah! I’m the OP and my last car was an Acura TSX sportwagon. Doesn’t look at that much different!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

Hah! I’m the OP and my last car was an Acura TSX sportwagon. Doesn’t look at that much different!

True, looks like the TSX wagon, but this "Buick" is actually an Open Insignia, built in Germany (for the German market), shipped over here and rebadged to a Buick. Under the hood you'll find a GM's 2 liter EcoTech turbo engine, which with a simple 5 min tune you can increase power/torque by about 20-30%, ending up with an engine w/more torque than a 3.5L NA V6 (I know as my daily driver is an older Saab w/older variation of same engine and tuned). Plus this "Buick" comes w/standard AWD. Only problem is they've stopped making or importing to the US and only sold here for 3 or 4 years, so parts may be hard to find down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the look of the new Bronco. Supposedly an electric one is out or about to come out.

The look is fugly. Just hideous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

Hah! I’m the OP and my last car was an Acura TSX sportwagon. Doesn’t look at that much different!

True, looks like the TSX wagon, but this "Buick" is actually an Open Insignia, built in Germany (for the German market), shipped over here and rebadged to a Buick. Under the hood you'll find a GM's 2 liter EcoTech turbo engine, which with a simple 5 min tune you can increase power/torque by about 20-30%, ending up with an engine w/more torque than a 3.5L NA V6 (I know as my daily driver is an older Saab w/older variation of same engine and tuned). Plus this "Buick" comes w/standard AWD. Only problem is they've stopped making or importing to the US and only sold here for 3 or 4 years, so parts may be hard to find down the road.

Standard wagons never seem to do well in the US. I liked my TSX wagon quite a bit, but the A/C was so weak (never could find out the problem). I’m thinking maybe I should go with a newer Accord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CR-V and call it a day.

This would be my choice. One Suburu in a lifetime was more than enough for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

Hah! I’m the OP and my last car was an Acura TSX sportwagon. Doesn’t look at that much different!

True, looks like the TSX wagon, but this "Buick" is actually an Open Insignia, built in Germany (for the German market), shipped over here and rebadged to a Buick. Under the hood you'll find a GM's 2 liter EcoTech turbo engine, which with a simple 5 min tune you can increase power/torque by about 20-30%, ending up with an engine w/more torque than a 3.5L NA V6 (I know as my daily driver is an older Saab w/older variation of same engine and tuned). Plus this "Buick" comes w/standard AWD. Only problem is they've stopped making or importing to the US and only sold here for 3 or 4 years, so parts may be hard to find down the road.

Omg, how did I not know this about the Buick?? I’m a longtime Saaber and have tuned both our 9-5s. I considered the Buick a few years ago but wasn’t sure about the look. If I had known about the engine, I might have sprung for it. Thanks for the tip, I guess I could still get one someday!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m having a tough time pulling the trigger on my next car. DH has a strictly work car, and I work from home. We currently have one personal vehicle: a 2006 V8 4runner with 160k miles. DH bought that car years ago so he could tow his small fishing boat. He babies it, so we expect it to keep going for a while. I don’t really like driving it, mostly because it’s a gas guzzler. We have one son, age 11, who plays hockey, and we have a dog.

I’d like to buy a second car for long road trips and city driving. Was thinking Toyota Camry hybrid but found a 2018 Avalon Hybrid Limited that seems like a pretty decent deal at $23k. The high trim Camrys are similarly priced or even more, so seems like it’s a viable option.

I’ve been crowd-sourcing opinions and I’m getting a lot of old man jokes. I prefer being low to the ground, so most people are suggesting an Outback. I’m nervous to get a Subaru, but it would be nice to have a “go anywhere” car that could possibly replace the 4Runner when it goes. I did drive one and liked it quite a bit. Haven’t liked much else I’ve tried. Really disliked the Rav-4.

Can anyone help me sort this out? I’m all jumbled. Budget is under $30k.

Easiest decision is to wait out the market—but I think DH hates me driving his car and I’m excited to get something new.

There is only one answer for this..... a sweet lookin' wagon!

Hah! I’m the OP and my last car was an Acura TSX sportwagon. Doesn’t look at that much different!

True, looks like the TSX wagon, but this "Buick" is actually an Open Insignia, built in Germany (for the German market), shipped over here and rebadged to a Buick. Under the hood you'll find a GM's 2 liter EcoTech turbo engine, which with a simple 5 min tune you can increase power/torque by about 20-30%, ending up with an engine w/more torque than a 3.5L NA V6 (I know as my daily driver is an older Saab w/older variation of same engine and tuned). Plus this "Buick" comes w/standard AWD. Only problem is they've stopped making or importing to the US and only sold here for 3 or 4 years, so parts may be hard to find down the road.

Omg, how did I not know this about the Buick?? I’m a longtime Saaber and have tuned both our 9-5s. I considered the Buick a few years ago but wasn’t sure about the look. If I had known about the engine, I might have sprung for it. Thanks for the tip, I guess I could still get one someday!

Yup, GM hardly marketed the Tourx (wagon) in the US at all, so it was sold only a few years, and those who bought it (wagon-fans) are holding on to them so they're hard to find. The sportback version (sedan) is somewhat easier to find. Even the pre-2017 Regals used the EcoTech engine, but the pre-2017 Regals weren't too pretty to look at. Also, if you don't like the Buick badge, you can get Opel badges and replace them, think there are youtube vids on how to do that. It has a sweet engine, and due my experience with working on the 2.0T engine in the Saab, I should be able to work on the Regal engine also, thus considering it. Those EcoTech engines are good for 200k+ miles if you replace a few things in timely manner, things not mentioned in the maintenance schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CR-V and call it a day.

This would be my choice. One Suburu in a lifetime was more than enough for me.

Another vote for CRV. There is a reason it’s so popular. We looked at Suburus also and lack of a/c vents in backseat was deal breaker as we have kids. My in-laws have an Avalon and it is just a boat. (Nightmare for parralell parking, etc). Love the CRV. We have the Touring model, 2016, bought new then. Going strong. It’s just a solid & practical car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CR-V and call it a day.

This would be my choice. One Suburu in a lifetime was more than enough for me.

Another vote for CRV. There is a reason it’s so popular. We looked at Suburus also and lack of a/c vents in backseat was deal breaker as we have kids. My in-laws have an Avalon and it is just a boat. (Nightmare for parralell parking, etc). Love the CRV. We have the Touring model, 2016, bought new then. Going strong. It’s just a solid & practical car.

Thanks. Higher trim Subarus (limited and up) have rear A/C vents, right? I tried the CX-5 this weekend and didn’t like how it drove (was surprised by this). I will try a CRV. Top contenders are still the Avalon hybrid and the Outback. The Avalon is 4 inches longer than a Camry or an Accord —but that’s what makes the back seat so nice. Yeah I’m probably going to end up with an Avalon. It’s the only high trim hybrid I can find at a reasonable price. Loved driving the Accord hybrid and Camry hybrid too. But once you bump up to a trim with rear A/C vents, you’re paying more than the Avalon and still not getting all the nice upgrades like ventilated seats, a sunroof, and heated back seats.

[Anonymous]

With an 11 year old and a dog I would get a small SUV, especially if you want it for road trips. I'd go with the CRV. I think they might even have hybrid models.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With an 11 year old and a dog I would get a small SUV, especially if you want it for road trips. I'd go with the CRV. I think they might even have hybrid models.

I hadn’t thought about the hybrid CRV. Good suggestion…

[Anonymous]

Just bought a 2019 hybrid Avalon. Feel a little unsure but we decided it wouldn’t be great for the car to tow with an outback anyway—and so we’ll keep the 4Runner for that. And then probably just get another used one if that one ever dies. The Avalon gets 43/44 miles per gallon, so we’ll at least be offsetting our carbon footprint a bit. Plus the hockey equipments fits in the trunk (and the seats fold down).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just bought a 2019 hybrid Avalon. Feel a little unsure but we decided it wouldn’t be great for the car to tow with an outback anyway—and so we’ll keep the 4Runner for that. And then probably just get another used one if that one ever dies. The Avalon gets 43/44 miles per gallon, so we’ll at least be offsetting our carbon footprint a bit. Plus the hockey equipments fits in the trunk (and the seats fold down).

I think you made the right choice, considering you already have a 4 Runner for towing.
I have the Outback and I’m disappointed with the mileage. It usually averages around 28 mpg with the way I drive it. I have a heavy foot.