I don’t love any of the cars in my budget. How to choose?

[Anonymous]

I don't feel the need to love cars, so I would just pick the one that has all or most of the attributes I need, and the beyond that, the least expensive one since cars values drop the second you drive them off the lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the Toyota 4Runner? It gets crappy mileage, but it's in your price range and is ridiculously reliable. Great resale value, too.

They cost more than a Highlander.

[Anonymous]

"Boohoohoo, I don't like any new $45k car! Should I just pay $60k instead?"is the new "Boohoohoo, I don't like any $1.8M house. Should I just pay $2.5M?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2021 Mazda CX-9, captains chairs, turbo engine.[/quote

OP here. This is one that I haven't seen in person yet but I watched some youtube reviews of it today and I do think I want to go see it. I'm debating if I also want to go see the Telluride - my local Kia suprisingly has several in stock - but they are so in demand I'm not sure I want the hassle. Thanks to all who offered suggestions! If you think of any others let me know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2021 Mazda CX-9, captains chairs, turbo engine.

OP here. This is one that I haven't seen in person yet but I watched some youtube reviews of it today and I do think I want to go see it. I'm debating if I also want to go see the Telluride - my local Kia suprisingly has several in stock - but they are so in demand I'm not sure I want the hassle. Thanks to all who offered suggestions! If you think of any others let me know!

(fixed the quoting)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2021 Mazda CX-9, captains chairs, turbo engine.[/quote

OP here. This is one that I haven't seen in person yet but I watched some youtube reviews of it today and I do think I want to go see it. I'm debating if I also want to go see the Telluride - my local Kia suprisingly has several in stock - but they are so in demand I'm not sure I want the hassle. Thanks to all who offered suggestions! If you think of any others let me know!

I think the Telluride craze is over and demand has died down a bit now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel the need to love cars, so I would just pick the one that has all or most of the attributes I need, and the beyond that, the least expensive one since cars values drop the second you drive them off the lot.

Same. Kind of weird to love a car unless you are a gear head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel the need to love cars, so I would just pick the one that has all or most of the attributes I need, and the beyond that, the least expensive one since cars values drop the second you drive them off the lot.

Same. Kind of weird to love a car unless you are a gear head.

I don't think its weird to love a car, and I don't think its weird to not love a car. People are different and have different interests and preferences. Not sure why you feel the need to call someone weird. Some people spend a lot of time in their car.

[Anonymous]

We got a Highlander Platinum trim. It's pretty nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got a Highlander Platinum trim. It's pretty nice.

OP here. Were you able to get that for $45k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Do not need AWD and would gladly save the upcharge. Have considered so far: (but have only seen some in person so far)

You should try to test drive the ones you haven't seen in person. In the end these are all very similar vehicles that will have really similar features around that price point. Where they feel different is how they handle, road noise, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Do not need AWD and would gladly save the upcharge. Have considered so far: (but have only seen some in person so far)

You should try to test drive the ones you haven't seen in person. In the end these are all very similar vehicles that will have really similar features around that price point. Where they feel different is how they handle, road noise, etc.

OP here. Yes, I know you are right. Was sort of trying to triage how to do the test drives from most likely to least likely in case I found a car and could stop looking. But I think you are right that I will feel more confident in my choice if I just drive them all. This was so much easier when I last car shopped (10 years ago) because I wanted a minivan and narrowed it to Honda or Toyota. Drove them both and chose. Done.

[Anonymous]

We just bought (this week) our daughter a Kia and while at the dealership I checked out the 2022 Kia Carnival. It was pretty sweet. Looks like a Tahoe but has sliding rear doors. It can seat 9. The rear captains chairs (if you choose that configuration) recline back with foot stools. It really caught my eye. The Kia warranty cant be beat. Several family members have Kia's and love them. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Felt exactly the same way two summers ago and wanted to stay in your same price range. I reminded myself that I’ll have plenty of years later where I can choose a car I really love, once I’m done paying school tuitions and my kids are out of the house. Most everything seemed rather boring so it was just a matter of picking the one that checked the most boxes, which meant I tended to focus on the interior because I felt like all the exteriors were blah. I ended up with an Ascent. I did get the top trim level. It’s perfectly fine, but I don’t love it. Really don’t think I would’ve loved anything else I was considering either. If I really bought what I wanted, I’d have gotten the Volvo XC90, but didn’t want to spend that much or deal with reliability issues.

That’s how my husband ended up in a legacy. A car he is completely neutral about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Felt exactly the same way two summers ago and wanted to stay in your same price range. I reminded myself that I’ll have plenty of years later where I can choose a car I really love, once I’m done paying school tuitions and my kids are out of the house. Most everything seemed rather boring so it was just a matter of picking the one that checked the most boxes, which meant I tended to focus on the interior because I felt like all the exteriors were blah. I ended up with an Ascent. I did get the top trim level. It’s perfectly fine, but I don’t love it. Really don’t think I would’ve loved anything else I was considering either. If I really bought what I wanted, I’d have gotten the Volvo XC90, but didn’t want to spend that much or deal with reliability issues.

That’s how my husband ended up in a legacy. A car he is completely neutral about.

I can’t imagine not having at least one Jeep that I love. Ok for the other vehicles to be competent and serviceable.