Do you like to give advice? Help me pick a used compact SUV!

[Anonymous]

I know this forum must have some folks who love to give specific advice, so lay it on me.

It's time to give up my trusty 2010 CRV and I'm looking for a replacement in roughly the same size, maybe a bit smaller.

* Two kids, so no need for a third row

* Safety is my highest priority, and available AWD would be great for our regular skiing trips

* Car would only really be used a few times a week, as schools and extracurriculars are mostly walking distance

* Enough trunk space for a weekend camping trip

* Budget of about $20K so I realize I'll need to buy used, so if there is a specific year where a car got better or worse, I would care about that

* I love my CRV, but recently test-drove a Rogue and found it kind of lagged on acceleration. So whatever it is that makes those different (is it engine size?), I would prefer the one like the CRV

Alright, sages. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Why are you giving up the 2010 CRV? How many miles does it have?

If I were you, I'd drive the CRV for 5 more years, then when you replace it buy something new for $26k.

[Anonymous]

You could get a new Kia Niro. I get about 50 mpg, fit two kids easily, and love my car.

[Anonymous]

Check out the RDX through Acura's certified pre-owned program. Essentially a Honda with nicer finishes for road trips, and getting it CPO is good peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you giving up the 2010 CRV? How many miles does it have?

If I were you, I'd drive the CRV for 5 more years, then when you replace it buy something new for $26k.

+1 The whole point of getting a Honda/Toyota is reliability. You won't get much of a discount on a two or three year old replacement vehicle, so just drive this one until the wheels fall off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you giving up the 2010 CRV? How many miles does it have?

If I were you, I'd drive the CRV for 5 more years, then when you replace it buy something new for $26k.

It's closing in on 150K (mostly from long road trips to visit family rather than daily commuting) and things are starting to break down even though I've taken good care of it. At some point I'll hit the point of diminishing returns and want to have a plan for when that day comes. It may not be this year, but don't think I'll get another five years out of it.

[Anonymous]

RAV4. But, really what's wrong with 2010 CRV? Nissan might only drive better brand new for a couple of years, and their CVT is notorious. Honda's CVT is much more reliable overall.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I guess this matters for judging my frame of mind since a couple of folks have asked why I'm starting to think about giving up the 2010 car.

I'm a single (widowed) mom, so there is no backup car or easy "help" if my CRV breaks. So I might be a little more risk averse than your average two-parent, two-car, family because I'll have very little time to come up with a plan.

[Anonymous]

We have a later model Ford Escape that we're quite happy with. I feel like we got a lot of bang for our buck with it.

[Anonymous]

My sister was just in the same market. She was planning to buy used, but ended up with a new CRV (from a RAV4) because there wasn't too much discount for a used CRV.

DO NOT get a Nissan!! Look up all of the transmission problems they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess this matters for judging my frame of mind since a couple of folks have asked why I'm starting to think about giving up the 2010 car.

I'm a single (widowed) mom, so there is no backup car or easy "help" if my CRV breaks. So I might be a little more risk averse than your average two-parent, two-car, family because I'll have very little time to come up with a plan.

Do you have $20k or you want to cap it at $20k? Because if it's the first I'd just get a new CRV or RAV4, put $20k down and pay like nothing a month for 3 years.

If it's the second, I think you have at least another year or two in this car. Start saving your "car payment" each month now and you'll have another $5-10k for the down payment. When you buy a really popular, reliable car like this, you don't save very much buying used unless it's like 5 years old, and replacing a 9 year old car with a 5 year old car doesn't seem worth it to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess this matters for judging my frame of mind since a couple of folks have asked why I'm starting to think about giving up the 2010 car.

I'm a single (widowed) mom, so there is no backup car or easy "help" if my CRV breaks. So I might be a little more risk averse than your average two-parent, two-car, family because I'll have very little time to come up with a plan.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband, Op. I totally understand why you don't want to deal with older vehicles and the potential for random breakdowns. You've got enough on your plate as it is.

I'm not really a "car person" and I also just want a vehicle that will start and drive when I need it to. I get no joy out of working on vehicles or diagnosing mechanical problems. Just give me a good reliable vehicle that runs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I guess this matters for judging my frame of mind since a couple of folks have asked why I'm starting to think about giving up the 2010 car.

I'm a single (widowed) mom, so there is no backup car or easy "help" if my CRV breaks. So I might be a little more risk averse than your average two-parent, two-car, family because I'll have very little time to come up with a plan.

Do you have $20k or you want to cap it at $20k? Because if it's the first I'd just get a new CRV or RAV4, put $20k down and pay like nothing a month for 3 years.

If it's the second, I think you have at least another year or two in this car. Start saving your "car payment" each month now and you'll have another $5-10k for the down payment. When you buy a really popular, reliable car like this, you don't save very much buying used unless it's like 5 years old, and replacing a 9 year old car with a 5 year old car doesn't seem worth it to me.

It is the second, and I think you are right. If I can get another two years out of the 2010, I will definitely be able to save a little bit more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check out the RDX through Acura's certified pre-owned program. Essentially a Honda with nicer finishes for road trips, and getting it CPO is good peace of mind.

NP. I'm actually looking at this, but you have to go pretty far back in years to get it around $20K.

[Anonymous]

Basically, I guess the point is that I'll drive this car until the wheels fall off but then want to know my next step ahead of time, which is why I'm planning now.

Now that I type it out, I wonder if I'm just trying to keep anything unexpected from happening.

DCUM - it's like therapy!