JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Hi, you guys. One of my little cousins is coming to the States to study abroad, so my mom needs to purchase a safe and affordable SUV or Van.

Budget is around $30,000.

Any suggestions?

Thank you AZ.

mrchan625

iTrader: (3)

odyssey? my parents have one its pretty comfortable and in your budget

S A CHO

A wagon wouldn't work?

Volvo V70:

Crazy Bimmer

You need an SUV/Van to drive one little cousin around?

I recently drove the Honda Odessy and i was really impressed with it.

Or a slightly used RDX?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Thank you all for inputs!! That was fast... lol


Odyssey.. Yea, I should go check one out. Any particular trim that you guys recommend?

My mom currently drive the 04 V6 Accord, but it's time to get a new car anyways.

Any other suggestions!?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I never had a change to experience any of Volvos. How are they in reliability and gas consumption?

S A CHO

I cant really comment on reliability,but my cousin has an 05 S60 that hasn't been to the dealer once for any unscheduled work. I'm sure some searching around the internet could find some of the problem areas (if any).

Fuel economy:


Inline 5 Turbo Inline 5

5-speed manual 22/29 --/--


6-speed manual --/-- 18/24


5-speed automatic 21/29 17/25


Doesn't necessarily need to be a Volvo either, have a look at the Ford Freestyle, or Dodge Magnum... anything to keep her out of an SUV.

Shoofin

Pilot?

orgnlprankster7

my mother has a honda pilot. she loves it, good on gas, plenty of room.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good, but I just went to Volvo online to build one and came out to be almost $40K with just some minor options....

S A CHO

Wasn't thinking about the price....

Will Y.

As Crazy Sellout asked, do you really need a vehicle bigger than a sedan?
If so, the Odyssey and Sienna are safe, reliable choices. FWIW, we have an Odyssey and I detest SUVs (all that weight, no sliding side doors or walk-through interior).
I would prefer a station wagon, but none of the available new ones (Volvo, Audi, BMW, MB) has a reliability record like the Honda and Toyota minivans, and the BMW and MB are $50K+.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

She really doesn't need an SUV/Van, I guess.

If we are looking for a sedan, which one?

She has the 04 V6 Accord Coupe.


Maybe Camry??

Zippee

Odyssey is a great choice, we use one for our cross country trips and love it. Sienna is supposed to be good but the local Toyota dealer is a dick so I haven't driven one.

Will Y.

Accord, Camry ( ), Avalon (larger inside than the Camry; just below $30K), Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan or Ford 500/Mercury Montego (slow but larger interior), Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu or Impala (assuming reliability has increased to above average- check MSN autos and Consumer Reports)...

No European makes because of $$ and below-par reliability.
G/L!

is300eater

I really like the new CR-V's... they've gotten bigger and the new design is quite pleasing aesthetically

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

If I had to choose one now, I woudl go with the new CRV with navigation.

However, it soulds like the OP doesn't need an SUV. I would just get a sedan.

Mokos23

No one ever mentions Subaru's they're safe cars, but subpar resale.

Subaru Forester or Outback would be good.

Odyssey is everywhere

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Hyundai Entourage. I was just in one the other day and I was truly impressed with it.

is300eater

yeah, I was going to say Subaru, but I took the title literally "SUV or Van"

I've seen these Subaru Leggies in black with nice limo tint... and it was a HOT car... I mean wagon... (I think it was slightly lowered too, not sure)

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Wow.. Thank you guys for all of inputs!!

I'm making a list of all cars you guys have mentioned.. My mom's gonna have to test drive all of them!!! lol

Personally, I would pick the Subaru Forester(performance ), but it's my mom's.. so I'll let her pick the one that she likes the most among the list.

Thank you guys again!!!

is300eater

ahhhhhhhh love test driving cars... how fun.

test driving cars
dealing with the sales/finance people

KRT-1

My wife and I bought this two weeks ago, and we love it. It's a Mazda CX-9.



Here is the brochure (6mb)

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...9_brochure.pdf

Have your Mom test drive one if she gets the chance. It is quite a vehicle.

S A CHO

^ Those are actually really nice, inside and out.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

My anut has a toyota sennia and its alright I guess for 30K you get a lot of stuff but its still a minivan which sucks.

leedogg

Yeah I like that one too. Turns my head every time I see one. I'm like damn, looks better than the RDX

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

You guys are talking about the Honda CR-V right?? let me check it out online quick.

By the way, I sent email to every Honda dealers nearby and got a quote:

1. 2007 Odyssey EXL in white : $28,500 plus tax and license

2. 2007 Honda Odyssey EX-L
MODEL: RL3867JW
MSRP: $31,690.00**,***
Your Special Internet/Fleet price: $28,185.09** + tax, license & DMV fees


How do these quotes sound? reasonable, if we decide to go with the Ody?

Mokos23

I don't know I don't like minivans personally. Plus, like I said earlier they're about as common as seeing brunettes and blondes on the street.

is300eater

btw, the black ones (w/tinted windows) get my attention most

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Dude, I agree with you... but I mean it's for MOMS, u know..?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Just checked out both the CR-V and RAV4.

I think CR-V looks better than the RAV4, but CR-V only has 144ish HP...... whereas RAV4 has 269 HP . Although the difference in the HP rating is huge, the gas consumption is about the same... 23/30 (CR-V) vs. 22/29 (RAV4). What's up with this...

Anybody has any experiences among them?

Mokos23

Toyota has better engineering?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

It should be about 166 HP.

And you'll pay out the ass for that RAV4.