Car question.

[naijahorn]

My sis wants to buy a car and is leaning towards a RAV4 or CRV cause of winters up in the Northeast. What is a good alternative sedan, with a cap of $28K. thanks

 

[Dr Fear]

I would look at an Acura TSX; well within the price range with options. You could go Accord, but IMO they are a bit pricey (but still a good car).

]Acura TSX

 

[2xHORN]

I have a TSX. Its a great lil car.

Not so litle, but a great car.

HOOKEM

 

[naijahorn]

I'm thinking Volvo or Passat as early leaders...

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

got my Acura TSX in February - LOOOOVE it. had an audi a4 with quattro before, when i lived in maine. was fine in the snow, but was **** car and i did not like how it drove after 5 years. had a billion problems (broken timing belt at 40,000 miles!, replaced the radiator, broken power steering, among other ridiculous problems).
anyway, the TSX is bad ***, a million times cooler than the audi, tons of additional features (6 cd in dash changer, leather, etc) all include in the base price, which is very reasonable, generally around $26k.

 

[hornface]

You can probably get 2 Honda Civics for 28K. I guarantee 2 Civics will last longer than anything, except maybe a old-school Beetle.

 

[Boozehound]

Northeast... hmm... I'd say go for a subie - a WRX is killer fun to drive, and it's AWD for the inclement periods. And it should only set her back about 24-25.

 

[Ags_EE]

A FWD car with proper snow tires for the winter would be much better than any AWD car with all season tires. It'd also be at least somewhat cheaper, given that you have some space to store tires for the rest of the year.

If you're shopping in the RAV4 and CRV range, I'd say get a 4-cyl Altima. Decent enough power for a 4 banger and you can get one for 17-18k when they offer rebates for them.

Still, CRVs are decent enough. My parents got an automatic FWD one for 16k.

 

[Teasip63]

I have a 97 CRV and still love it. it is perfect for my running around town and occasional trip. I have even pulled two motorcycles on a 1500 mile trip with no problem. It has been a very reliable, problem free car. I want a newer car but just can not justify getting rid on my 97 CRV.

 

[Boozehound]

Ok... by that logic, put snows on an AWD car. And I'm guessing that in the summer you might have a helluva lot more fun than a mini-ute or most front-drivers.

 

[7Titles]

RAV-4, CRV argh

Try the new Chevy Equinox, or the Nissan Murano.

 

[Ags_EE]

Heh, not disagreeing with you. Just trying to remove a common misconception. Course, I'll disagree with you in the choice of Subie. The Forester XT is what the WRX wagon should have been. Same price, more power, more space, less rice. So it's is a bit uglier, but if you're buying a Subie, looks probably aren't your thing.

I dunno about the Equinox or the Murano. The Equinox is a first year model and those can be very iffy. I also know a couple of Murano owners that hate that car's CVT transmission. Regular mode is too conservative, and sport mode is too psychotic for them apparently.

The given range is kinda weird though. Thinking RAV4 or CRV, but with a range of up to 28k. If you're thinking Euro though, the Passat is probably the best bet in that range.

 

[Boozehound]

Could also go with the new Mazda 6 five door. The thing has awesome lines, fun to drive, and has a lot of usable space.

 

[Smurfette]

I too have a TSX, bought it last August-- it's the most car you can get options wise for the $$.

A slightly cheaper really great car is the Mazda 6, they're more like 18K with comparable options.

Stay away from any european cars if you live in an area that puts additives in the gas to protect the enviroment-- it's kinda the same thing as putting untreated gas in a lawnmover, it won't ruin it, but it won't work right-- I went with it with a Saab, which is why I got an acura... long ******* story!)

 

[longhrnfan]

x5. spend the money.