New or used.

Mazda3 is fine but with the kid now the trunk seems to fill up rather easily. Stroller takes up almost the whole trunk. Same with my M3.

SO been tossing around the idea of getting rid of the 08 Mazda 3 and replacing it with a small AWD wagon or suv as we plan to make more road trips in the near future.

Havent started looking around yet but any parents out there with suggestions? Are the smaller ones like the CRV/Rav4/CX7 too small for cargo?

Like mention this is just an idea currently as the Mazda3 only has 26k miles on it.

 

We love our Rav4. It's amazing how much room it has for its exterior dimensions. I personally hate the CRV interior with the mini van like dashboard shifter and the 4 banger is way under powered. If you're looking for a sporty small SUV I'd highly recommend the Rav4 Sport V6 4x4. Plenty of room for two child seats and cargo.

 

Thats how much out of the loop I am in this segment, had no idea the Rav4 had an V6 option!

 

Doesnt seem to be a Rav4 Sport V6 on the Toyota site..

 

Most of the mini SUVs don't have much more storage than a sedan.

I do have to admit that toyota makes a ton of space in their vehicles even though I don't love the Rav4.

What about a smaller wagon such as a Jetta Wagon TDI?

 

The V6 option has been discontinued for the 3G RAV4. The smallest SUV we've used for family transport duty (me, wife, 5 y/o and 2 y/o, city select stroller, etc,...) was the 13 RDX loaner we had for one weekend. If the CRV/RAV4 have similar utility (if not performance) then they'll do fine.

 

I have an equinox, it's a pos, don't even think about it. My buddy has a cr-v and for vehicle roughly the same size his cargo area can accommodate substantially more. I.e he can put bags of golf clubs across the width of the cargo area, mine you can't because of the suspension bump outs so they have to go in diagonal which drastically reduces the space. I consider clubs probably the same as a stroller so keep in mind how that cargo space can function.

 

They dropped the V6 option for 2013. You have to go used.

 

As grumpy as I am about the Focus ST right now, I'd still look at an Escape. And the Mazda CX-5 has been getting good reviews for the 2.5L.

 

I will say, during my trip to Austin one of my friends just got a new GMC Terrain...that thing was really nice, and really spacious. Tons of rooms in the back seat. Nice interior design as well.

 

What's the resale on these beasts? It can't be that high.

 

My friend loves his 5gt so much he is on his 2nd lease with one, and just ordered the 3gt to replace his wife's 335 lease.

 

[QUOTE=MTEAZY;14638980]What's the resale on these beasts? It can't be that high.

Considering they are as much as $70k new, that's not likely.

The cheapest 535i Xdrive GT with < 30k miles within 500 miles of me is $40k.

 

There is also the Ford Explorer , Nissan Rogue , Nissan Pathfinder , Chevy Traverse.

 

Subie

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4022872199.html

 

My brother has a 2013 Forester XT and it's a decent but a very utilitarian vehicle.

I don't know that Jesal wants to go so pedestrian

 

I know a used Honda Pilot isn't anywhere near "small" but they can be had for below 28k. I actually drove one in 2006 (the previous gen Pilot) and it was a solid car. And yes, it is kid friendly/kid proof. Just food for thought.

 

Cx-5.

 

LOL wouldn't be for me either, but it was just a suggestion.

 

I have an Equinox (same platform) and 2 of my co-workers have the terrain, all the most recent models. We all gripe about the same issues. The transmissions don't shift correctly from 2-3 which results in them banging into gear, GM continues to say this is normal As I mentioned above the cargo area is not engineered well at all, so there's tons of wasted space. Mine has become rattle city as well and it's only got 60,000km on it which is like 40K miles. If GM would fix the shifting in the trans the vehicle would at least be a reasonable value, but the way it drives has me really sour on the car which is unfortunate cause I stuck with it. If you check out the Equinox/terrain boards it's littered with posts about trans issues and start up issues.

 

+1 on used Pilot. LOTS of room, handling is decent, lots of J35 engine goodness. Mileage sucks (we get 19 with lots of city driving) but whattaya expect, it's an SUV.

 

I have a Traverse that has 50K miles on it and LOADED. Bought it for $24.5K. We love the thing.

 

Maybe if you searched properly, instead of posting what your wife tells you to, you would have found this.


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ngId=343310992



And before you say anything about the miles, German cars are considered to be highly reliable on this forum. I made a thread about this earlier.

 

I hardly think his post required the vitriol of your response.

 

I agree...maybe look at getting a wagon. Also the Nissan Xterra. My wife has one and its a great mini SUV. Not much storage space but I think all of them come with the roof rack.

 

I like the Jetta Wagon TDI idea but still would like awd.

WHAT? Issues with your ST now?! I love those things!

Yea plan to check those two out. Will bring the stroller and suitcase to test them out. Sheesh im old.

Too large, keep in mind my indian wife will be driving this.


Well now you are stretching things.

I personally would not buy any car for $28k with that many miles for a daily driver. Reliable or not! Unless it was a weekend toy like an NSX.

 

I have a Tahoe, 4wd and can tow almost anything... Not small but gets 20mpg on trips, plus the dogs can ride along.

The strollers will go away soon, i'd just keep your current ride, why lose money on getting something else.

 

Whatever. I'm always getting trolled by you and charlie. Consider it a wash.

 

 

I would call the Xterra a mid size SUV...Rogue is mini.

 

if no on the pilot, my other suggestion was CTS wagon. Unless that has absolutely no soul compared to the beloved V wagon.

 

CX-5, CRV, Juke (lacks back space but is fun).

I have a 2012 CRV, Traded a 2003 CRV for it. They are bullet proof, just as any other honda.

Rav 4 to me felt like a tuna can with a V6 and wheels.

CX-5 is the only one that made me regret our purchase. But on road trips we see 31 mpg on the highway with the CRV loaded and 2 adults.

 

I was just gonna say a CRV, I used to see them all the time but now I hardly see them at all, guess people are giving them to the kids for college or something.

 

Especially when his example had 70k miles on it in order for him to make his point.

As if Jesal is going to buy something like that

 

Do you ever stop trolling? It's not about the OP. It's about principles, on the internet. I made a thread saying German cars were statistically unreliable and everyone got butthurt. I already went over this. What am I going to do with you two?

 

If you aren't actually trying to respond to Jesal's question, then your posts don't belong in his thread.





Back to the point of this thread; Jesal, I've seen a few magazine comparisons of the small-ute contenders and they each seem to come back to the CX-5 (hence, my earlier recommendation). Here's an example of a recent review - http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...5_first_drive/. Also here - http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ng_first_test/

 

+1 on the CX5. Sharp looking SUV

 

Yep, leaning towards that currently, then the CRV, then Rav4.

I like the Mazda on paper so far. Will check it out sometime this week hopefully.

 

I have a 2012 CR-V EX-L NAVI with 28,000 miles and I love love love it!

The CX-5 with the 2.5 is the only small SUV that would make me think twice about buying it again.

 

Friend of mine has a Honda Element, the guy swears by it. The back doors are suicide style and once they are open access to back seat/child seat is a breeze. Plus it comes with adequate space in the back.

You'd think with the suicide style back doors it would be a deal killer but it actually works in its favor since its not that high and you can easily access the kid/s. Plus the seats can be arranged or moved out of the way to accommodate your needs.