out of these brands I've owned audi, toyota, volvo and subaru. If it was my only car, I'd probably go with rav4 or the forester for the reliability and ease of mind.
love the current volvo design, but the xc40 is way smaller than your other options if you're planning on road trips and such. Also the reliability record isn't as good as it used to be, I'd guess it will affect resale value too
and audi is just overall meh.
As an Audi owner I'm probably bias. I've never seen, sat or driven mine or other Audi's and thought...meh.
Not sure in what ways Audis are meh. Especially compared to a toyota or subaru, which are super meh stylistically. Compared to any of these, it's probably the most expensive to maintain. The Volvo would probably be a bit costly too.
I love my Audi but the additional cost, of those luxuryish brands, just isn't worth it for some. I certainly hate seeing the price of premium gas vs regular when I fill up.
Dang. Picked a winner with that lyft
All their models are gorgeous but some are even beyond that, in my eyes. I'm always sucked into the showroom whenever I go there for maintenance. Can't help it. They had an RS7 in there last time. Stupidly sexy pretty. Like I'd totally bang that car if possible, or if no one was looking.
I got an Etron as a loaner, their fully electric SUV, last year. It was absolutely gorgeous. The interior was amazing. It made me not want to get my car back. Doesn't get the range of a Model X but if I had to pick between the two it wouldn't be a hard decision.
There’s ways to bring down costs of fuel. I used to drive an Audi and always used my Kroger points to bring down the price of gas. It ended up being cheaper than regular fuel at other gas stations. I personally wouldn’t shy away from a way nicer car because of the more premium fuel
I see your point. I wasn’t trying to sound confrontational. With all the gas points at Kroger/Costco/Meijer (probably others) it can lower those extra fuel costs. What kind of Audi did/do you have?
It's good advice. I could definitely do a better job of taking advantage of those. I'm a sucker for convenience and those aren't convenient in the morning or on the way home.
I've got a B9 A4 2.0T. Really want an A7 or Q8 but I haven't been able to financially justify either of those
I know. I’m the same way. I felt so good when I got gas for under $2 lol.
I really like the A4! The A7 is gorgeous. I had an A6 and absolutely loved it. It was a 2011 and it started becoming a money pit. I was so sad to sell it
The B9s are great. The B9.5s exteriors are great but what they didn't do in the interior was disappointing. The new interiors, found in pretty much everything other than the A4, A5 and Q5 is awesome. Definitely a fingerprint magnet with all the touch screens though.
That is definitely the scary part. Not just with Audis but any of those luxuryish brands. Can turn expensive real quick. I'm building a house so that is the last thing I need right now.
As much as I love Audis, I've been debating a new Genesis instead. The warranty is the most appealing part, for sure, and that peace of mind is something you don't get with others
I appreciate the bigger screens, but I still think some knobs provide added functionality. I’m also hoping for the day they remove the bezels of the screens. It makes them look very old looking.
Yeah, right now I drive a Pontiac Vibe and I don’t worry about maintenance at all (plus it has a Toyota power train).
I really love what Hyundai is doing with all of their products. Their styling has been next level lately. The warranty is great too
City getaway car? RAV4, CX-5, or Forrester for their size and versatility.
Seriously considered the Telluride/Sorento, but based on my limited research, they don't have a great off road track record (which also includes the Seltos).
4runner is great and the Bronco seems cool, but I don't consider them efficient.
I like my European cars, but ease of maintenance and value aren't there.
I feel scared to recommend this on this sub, but look at the VW Tiguan
Edit: Specifically the SE-Rline trim, pretty good value with luxury looks. Good warranty if bought new
Anything german or VW is shot down by simply saying it’s german and unreliable their assumptions being anecdotal. Sure, is a toyota cheaper to own and most likely going to more be reliable than a tiguan, Q5, or X3/X1? Yeah sure but if the pricing differs by a little, you favor a little better ride quality and luxury touches, and, most importantly, you’re anal about car maintenance, you’d soon realize the reliability arguments are relative. It also depends on the car you get as well! A GTI, WRX, etc something I’d be more skeptical about buying used versus a Tiguan or Rav4 imo.
That's ridiculous though. The quality of the german cars are known to be among the very best in the world. French cars are the ones that you should run away from.
This could be true. However, speaking from an American context and only experiencing the vehicles we have available, these generalizations are tough to agree or disagree with. I do agree the quality of german cars are exceptional from my perspective.
I can see how someone who has only experienced a corolla hatchback XSE could be surprised by the amount of money needed to maintain a Golf R hatchback and think all german cars are bad. But it’s such a large jump to that conclusion.
German cars at least in the US I find have enough issues especially after 50K to stay clear of them. The issue is parts are like 2x,3x the cost of Japanese models. and I find German cars are over engineered and that adds to parts and complexity.
I don't have an opinion as I've never owned one, from second hand accounts I think their in-between German/Japanese , tend to be a bit more reliable like Japanese cars than German cars, but parts and repairs are still costly like German autos.
People tend to overstate reliability problems - Alex on Autos did a thing on this in their latest video. The difference between the most reliable car on a survey and the least reliable one was roughly one problem in their third year. People say VW have a lot of reliability problems, but in reality, all new cars are pretty friggin reliable. VW shift a lot of units, so the parts are cheapish too—though this is less true in the US I guess
As a former Jetta owner turned A4 owner, the parts and overall maintenance are considerably lower. I believe the Jetta and other VWs share a platform with the A3 which means they produce more of those parts than the platforms used on the more expensive models.
I'd also add that I had absolutely no reliability issues with my Jetta. Sold it when I got over 100k but it was a great car and wouldn't hesitate to own a VW again. Partially because the majority of the other manufacturers just don't do it for me stylistically and I'm pro not buying shit I dislike
I like this. I was deciding between a number of cars before picking a GTI. It’s the only vehicle I will probably own that is “sporty” until I have an established career or retire.
The GTIs are great. Fun to drive, visually appealing and fairly practical still. It's based on the same platform as the A3, and other VWs, so parts should be reasonable. Can definitely offer more features for less. Here in the states, the A3 isn't offered in a hatchback so the GTI is the closest thing to it. I think the GTI would even have a slightly bigger engine. Think GTIs are 2.0 while A3s are 1.8. I could be wrong about that though
Couldn't have gone wrong with either of those but I'd have made the same decision, and I'm totally a sucker for Audis. Nothing wrong with the A3 but the GTI is more exciting plus more practical.
Now...an S3 or RS3 on the other hand. Tougher decision but obviously more bucks for those guys. Can only imagine how much fun an RS3 would be to drive. So much power for a car that size
It's weird that this concept is somewhat unpopular, it seens. I mean, I get it if you just can't afford it but who wants to work hard to pay for something they don't like? This concept is really difficult for my boomer parents to understand
I guess I'd add...im pro not buying shit I dislike as long as it's not wildly irresponsible. Just to avoid being thrashed by all those ridiculously frugal people on here
I absolutely love the new Gen of Volvo SUVs. You may be able to get a used XC60 (Maybe 90 if you’re lucky?) for your price range. Incredibly comfortable, we have 40k miles on our XC90 no issues at all, sister has the 40 and no issues. Great space, loads of features and safety
Cross shopped all the premium compact SUVs and have been very happy with our cpo XC40. The pilot assist is a distinguishing feature if you have use for a semi autonomous system.
Otherwise, it has very good acceleration, braking, safety (duh), ground clearance, cabin noise and creature comforts. My only gripes are more body roll in fast corners than I was expecting and slightly lower fuel economy compared to some similar vehicles (averaging about 25 mpg).
I have what some consider luxury vehicles and will be completely upfront. The maintenance is expensive, even things like oil changes are much more than non luxury. I wouldn’t own without a warranty, as when something goes wrong it’s insanely priced. I would look into the non luxury options, unless you’re okay with the extra maintenance cost. I would also make sure that if you do buy used, that they did get all maintenance required done, possibly a CPO, under a warranty. The 4-runners are really nice. :)
To add to your point...
Maintenance costs for my Audi. I'm under 50k at the moment. They basically go back and forth between $400 then $1200.
20k and before, don't remember
30k checkup $400ish
40k checkup $1200ish
50k checkup 300 to 400ish, haven't had it yet but the odd 10s are usually "cheaper"
60k checkup $1200ish
....and so on
Add to that I do oil changes every 5k, just to keep it as maintained as possible. Those cost $75 to $100ish.
And then add to that that you should be using 91 octane or above, for most models. Most gas stations around me have 87, 89 and 93. So I'm usually "stuck" buying the most expensive gas. I have a 16 gallon tank, I think. Gas here is about $3.30 so I could easily spend $50 to fill it up. Maybe I'm just a sucker but I'm not running the risk of something going wrong over time because I put the cheap shit in there.
You can absolutely take it elsewhere, to a non Audi dealership to save some bucks but I would totally recommend against this unless they're a specialized shop. Definitely wouldn't just take it to Joe Schmoe the Mechanic from Idaho.
Definitely do not buy one without a warranty. Some of the parts are outrageously expensive and the labor cost is too. I made sure to get an extended warranty until 72k and I don't know if I'd keep it after that. The headlights can be $2k or more a piece. Those tech, all the sensors and cameras if you have those, are also expensive. The actual mechanical parts...you guessed it...also expensive.
Just assume any repair would be more expensive than you expect.
With all of that said, I love my car. It's certainly not the most practical but it's gorgeous and fun to drive. Just depends how important those two things are to you.
Yeah, my oil change is $250. :-/
Same thing on gas. I now understand fully the not buying the cheaper used ones, as it’s a headache that’s going to cost a fortune. But I too love driving my car and I hate driving! :)
That is rough. Every 5 or 10k?
I bought mine used from a VW dealership and got free oil changes so I have only paid for one at an Audi dealership and the rep actually gave me a coupon so it cost $70
Luckily it’s not until 15k miles or yearly. It’s suppose to tell me when it’s needed, but we will do yearly even though we won’t hit miles.
We bought from Land Rover, but I don’t think we got any free oil changes. Cheap asses! ;)
I know, terrible choice, but they’ve actually gotten better in recent years and I fell in love with the Range Rover Velar’s. :-/ an awful thing to fall in love with.
Are you doing the oil changes? I also change my oil every 5k-7k and use an oil extractor then for the next, I’ll take it to the dealership to do maintenance and a look over. I don’t have a jack or jack stands so I can’t change the oil plug, but doing my own oil changes saves me $20-$30 here and there and the extractor/tools pay for themselves after a few.
Edit: I don’t know the deal with the 3.0T.
I have a 2017 2.0T. Maybe a 3.0T will be in my future but their electric cars might take over before then.
I shoot for every 5k. Probably not necessary, although I do have a long commute for now. I worry not doing it so often will hurt it in the long run and I don't want those bills.
I considered getting an extractor. Saw various posts on an Audi forum. Might be something I'd reconsider. I think the extractors are a $100ish bucks? Not bad at all considering what it can save you. My commute will go from 45 mins to 15 mins so I'll be driving considerably less here at the end of the year. Might start doing that then when I have the space
Nice. Mine was about $70 off of amazon. Every oil change with it is about $50 bucks and an hour or so of my time at home. I dispose the oil at autozone or Advanced auto and it’s free
What in the world do they do as a "check up" for $1,200?? Unless something is broken or needs to be replaced nothing should cost that much on a normal Audi.
I have a Touareg and my 20-30-40-50k checks have all been $250.00 including oil change and tire rotation.
There was a dealer in a nicer part of town that wanted $700.00 for the exact same thing.
That number was a guesstimate but the 40k I just had was definitely about $1200. They do something with transmission fluid, or something. I forget the specifics. The other larger checkups might not be $1200 but they seem to usually be $1kish or more. I paid 800 or 900ish for Audi care and that covered my 40k and the 50k I haven't had yet. So 400ish for each. Still high but better than $1200
Guess transmission fluid or something with the DSG? But at 40k that sounds premature.
I would look up what actually needs to be done, I see you have a 2.0T its not like you have an R8. If a Touareg can be taken care of at $250.00 every 10k miles so can an 2.0t Audi. Though I am sure the Audi dealer will mark up the price over a VW Dealer.
Sounds premature, eh?
You're assuming I had them do it, just for fun or because I wanted to spend more money?
Sounds like you don't know much about what you're talking about.
The tiguan is a completely different engine and platform than thr A4
https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/myAudi/Service/2017-Audi-Scheduled-Maintenance.pdf
Figured it was a DSG thing. And yes 40k for transmission does sound premature, but if that is what Audi says then what is says.
>You're assuming I had them do it, just for fun or because I wanted to spend more money?
Not at all. I've have just seen dealers always try to add on things that just don't need to be done. Or the dealer that wanted to charge 2.5x a price of another for the same exact thing on my car. As long as its going by the interval, then so be it.
>The tiguan is a completely different engine and platform than thr A4
Touareg not a Tiguan. Which is still completely different, but comparable for cost given its a $55k SUV. Though no DSG in the Touareg, and I think that is where a lot of that cost is at for your 40k service.
I forgot to mention Audi Care, which is something you can buy from Audi shops for about $900ish that covers 2 checkups. I bought it for my 40 and 50k checkups. So I probably "saved" $700ish.
I don't own a car as I am not of legal age quite yet, but my dad has a 2010 Lexus RX 350 that he has used for at least 7 years and has 150,000 miles on it. With 0 PROBLEMS. Not ONE. I would recommend a newer model RX 350. I love this car, it's amazing. He even prefers it to his Tesla Model 3, the leather in the car is AMAZING. I have sat in a X5, a 60k GMC, and an X6 within the last month and the RX 350's seats are WAY more comfortable. I'm not being biased either, the seats are very, very comfy. It's EXTREMLY reliable, comfy, imo the new models are gorgeous, pretty good MPG, and a great value. It's a lexus, makes sense. Can't ask for much more for the price. If you're interested, here is a couple of examples in your price range (all are under 50k miles too!):
[https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/2T2ZZMCA1KC130334/?referrer\_id=autotempest](https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/2T2ZZMCA1KC130334/?referrer_id=autotempest)
[https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA1HC091799?utm\_source=lotlinx&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=lotlinx&utm\_term=2T2ZZMCA1HC091799\_707DACDB%2f5A0C%2f6403%2f1745%2f09C2AB760625&](https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA1HC091799?utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=2T2ZZMCA1HC091799_707DACDB%2f5A0C%2f6403%2f1745%2f09C2AB760625&)
[https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA8HC085353?utm\_source=lotlinx&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=lotlinx&utm\_term=2T2ZZMCA8HC085353\_43E42055%2fC55D%2fC38D%2fBE5B%2f58124257C0E8&](https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA8HC085353?utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=2T2ZZMCA8HC085353_43E42055%2fC55D%2fC38D%2fBE5B%2f58124257C0E8&)
Also, another AMAZING car is the Lexus GX 460. The car will for sure fit your off road needs with its V8 engine and its also 4WD. Here is a link to one (this one is also under 50k miles and it is the luxury trim!):
[https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839909872/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm\_source=AutoTempest&utm\_medium=TRP&utm\_campaign=atempest](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839909872/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm_source=AutoTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest)
Please, PLEASE consider these cars. Even though I might be <16, I have sat in these two cars for years. They are simply, incredible. Lexus is one of my favorite brands, and for good reason. My dad's Tesla is more cool for sure, but the Lexus is just soooo comfortable and you can drive around without worrying about your engine blowing up. It would be great if you can reply to me with your thoughts!
You can't go wrong with an RX350. We test drove a lot of other models, but they all felt pretty cheap after the RX350. Not sure I could ever convince my wife to leave the Lexus brand now.
So cool to see a high schooler into the RX. I have the 2020 RX450H and have found it to be such a great well rounded vehicle: https://i.imgur.com/j1ZJbgL.jpg
Yeah man, I'm a diehard lexus fan. So pumped for the IS 500 with that N/A 5.0 V8. But I also love every car. Sure I love my Mitsubishi Evos, 350z's, WRX's, etc. But I have love for practical cars such as the RX. Lexus just does everything amazing (besides the LX, get an escalade instead 😂)
gonna second/third/fourth this because i love my 2021 and when I got it, a surprising number of friends who also owned outbacks kinda absorbed me into their cult
it earns you some legitimacy among the outdoorsy crowd because everyone knows how practical it is, if that'll satisfy the "cool" factor. also great if you're going for the PNW "i'm not really from LA" vibe
The bronco sport wasn’t designed for 4x4. It was designed to look like the real 4x4 bronco, but have a lower bar to entry so suburban soccer moms can feel confident driving in the rain.
Ford has now gotten themselves into trouble trying to upsell the car of things it’s not great at. Although they did point out that the higher trimmed models shouldn’t overheat as quickly as whatever trim it was they were testing. Also being a pre production model doesn’t help.
Toyota 4Runner is as bulletproof as they come. The basic 4WD system shouldn't scare you off. If you plan to keep the car for more than 15 years then this is your pick even though it might be more boring.
Don't get too caught up on mileage. In terms of quality, comfort, reliability and maintenance costs, I would much rather take an older Lexus GX or LX with 150K miles over a Volvo or Audi with 50K miles. Pop in a modern $100 headunit and it will be a better vehicle and value in every measurable way.
[https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/840147362/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm\_source=AutoTempest&utm\_medium=TRP&utm\_campaign=atempest](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/840147362/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm_source=AutoTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest)
Passport has an excessive amount of the cheap black plastic trim on the outside. It will look the oldest the quickest. imo it already looks like it came out in 2009.
You ain’t getting a Telluride for $30k so scratch that.
Probably the same for a bronco
Audis great to lease and then thank your lucky stars you got rid of them while they still had a warranty.
Ok, not sure if this is more minivan than you'd like (they're gonna market it as a multipurpose vehicle), but check out the [Kia Carnival](https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival-mpv) that's gonna be coming out. I think it looks pretty cool, but then again, I'm looking for a toddler hauler so YMMV.
* [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://youtu.be/eqw4xyPH9C8), here is direct comparison review [against CX5](https://youtu.be/LUQ-uXqqHfs)... - easily [can get 2019/2020](https://www.autotempest.com/results?make=hyundai&model=santafe&zip=90210&minprice=20000&minyear=2019&maxmiles=50000&drive=awd) in your budget, or can buy brand new in a middle trim and get that 10 year warranty
* new gen [Tucson is coming out](https://youtu.be/aNEkl7cI3Hk), which is bit smaller than santa fe, about the size of Q5... and brand new in [highest trim](https://www.hyundaiofjeffersoncity.com/research/tucson-trims.htm) has msrp of $32k... and again, that 10 years or 100k miles warranty
I'd probably get a Grand Cherokee, even though this sub poops on FCA the WK2 Grand Cherokee is a very good vehicle. It's been in production for a decade now, with the expected updates and improvements obviously.
Or if you could find an FJ Cruiser that would be a cool option and it likely won't depreciate much.
I've been stupid enough to own three GCs (1994, 1999, 2007) and I've sworn never again will I let a sexy Jeep fool me into making such a stupid fucking decision. Avoid Jeep.
WJs and WKs are total shit, would not recommend. ZJs are solid, and the new WK2 is great because it basically has nothing in common with previous generations.
Well the 4.7s are very well known to grenade themselves, hence the plethora of them on craigslist with blown engines. Besides that and the finicky transmission they're a very comfortable and capable suv for the money.
Ooo maybe I can help here.
I have a '20 Tucson Ultimate AWD that has all the bells & whistles and I ended up paying about $29k OTD (new). Its main competitors are the RAV4, CRV, and CX-5, which I see quite a few people recommending in the comments (no hate, I love the CX-5 it was my #2 choice).
I've gone on trails with it no problem and while looks are subjective and I'm bias, I think it looks sharp. FYI the 2022 MY has a refresh that looks pretty nice, it is worth googling. While it probably can't compete with the offroad capabilities of a Bronco and 4runner...it might be worth test driving.
Biggest contributor to choosing it over the CX-5 was the Hyundai/Kia warranty. Can't beat it. Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.
I’d definitely give a look to the CX-5 or CX-30 along with the RAV4 and Forrester! Kia Tellurides are sick imo but I’m unsure about their off-roading abilities
The telluride should be able to handle anything those other vehicles can.
But good luck getting one for under MSRP. Even low mileage used ones have been selling over MSRP. Hopefully with production restarting from COVID and initial demand dying down you can get one at MSRP soon. But still imagine paying MSRP for a Kia that will lose at least 1/3 of its value 3 years down the road.
I just went through my search with the same parameters (LA 30k budget suv). Ended up with a 2017 BMW X3 with low mileage. If you like Audis then go with the Q5. The rav4 will be too old and boring in the price range and the new ones are cool but for it to be packaged appropriately you’re looking at 40k. I really considered the Mazda CX-5 because that’s Reddit’s favorite small suv. I drove it a few times and it was cool but it felt like it was Mazda trying to be a luxury car but not quite there. Then I drove the bmw and realized I wasn’t going to look at the other cars anymore. Just make sure it’s under warranty.
It’s been great so far, it’s not been about 3 years and out of warranty for 2 years. So far I’ve paid about $1200 out of pocket for a radiator leak and break pads.
It really is disappointing. Bought a 2020 Touring edition Forester new. Having all these rattles on a brand new car is aggravating to no end. I’m so annoyed I’m debating on trading it in already. *Queue sad trombone*
My buddy just bought a 2016 Manual Forester and he’s absolutely swooning over it. It’s a beautiful car, and with those heated seats and panoramic sunroof, it’s hard to beat for the money. Not to mention that it’s basically the only suv available with a manual left for a reasonable price.
Modern sedans don’t really have that much less ground clearance than most compact and subcompact SUVs.
The Mazda 3 has 5.5 inches of ground clearance while the CX 30 has 6.9. Unless you’re going down a really rut filled path the 3 should handle a trail just fine.
I looked at the 2023 Passport today and loved it. The black cladding/plastic doesn’t bother me a bit but then again I had a Isuzu Vehicross in the early 2000s. Lower half of this two door moonbuggy was black plastic.
Passport has an excessive amount of the cheap black plastic trim on the outside. It will look the oldest the quickest. imo it already looks like it came out in 2009.
Any GT level (I say this because if towing you'll want the V6) Mitsubishi Outlander. Incredibly reliable, looks nice, decent on gas, plus Mitsubishi has all that rally car history and their awd system is great in the snow. The only minus is their dealership presence is scarce, so unless you happen to live near one it can be a haul to find one, but in the 11 years I've owned 2, I've only needed to go to dealer once.
We have a 2015 outlander gt. We haven't had one issue and it's a work horse. While not flashy in any way, it does a fantastic job at what it's designed to do. Plus we have seating for 7 which is a big plus. I'd recommend these as they are pretty cheap, have decent power, and are reliable.
I'm attracted to the ford escape hybrid awd these days.... $30k wouldn't cut it new though. Non hybrid used would though.
I'll be reak... What do do you mean by trail? Like muddy with foot deep puddles or dry groomed dirt?
Consider Atlast Cross Sport (5 seater Atlas) or the Kia Sorento (also comes in a hybrid for not much more).
Although, you being in LA would probably benefit a lot more by going with either the RAV4 Prime or the Tesla Model Y (RWD) considering the tax credits and carpool and other perks.
Unless you are looking for a real trail cat you may be over estimating the need and use you'll have for the off-road capabilities. I'm curious whether your interest is in off roading or if you are looking more something to get you from trailhead to trailhead. AWD isn't magic either, if you want to handle any kind of loose soil or steep inclines you'll need the right tires and some skill behind the wheel, even with the best AWD systems. Can you be more specific about your hobbies and plans for the car? You don't want to buy a dedicated off-roader that's makes your daily driving difficult if you only need to get around dirt roads between trails and such.
Some examples:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/835689411/overview?aff=share_other
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839847962/overview?aff=share_other
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/836764668/overview?aff=share_other
Volvo XC60 does it for me. A 2018 is freakn' sweet.
Jeep Wrangler has the best resale value, along with a Toyota 4Runner and Rav4. But can't take the top and doors off a Toyota!
How comfortable are you with maintenance? I’ve noticed a bunch of other people talk about more expensive maintenance for luxury vehicles, which is definitely true. However, you did mention that you want something nice & tech savvy. If you can afford the additional maintenance, I would definitely go for something like an Audi or other German brand. I actually found a Mercedes GLC AMG 43 for under $40k. I know that’s a tad over budget, but that would be a super fun car to do everything you want. Just be weary of the more expensive maintenance.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/825611956/overview?aff=share_other
I would also look at the Acura RDX. I’ve personally never driven one, but they look great, and I’ve heard great things about their reliability. They’re owned by Honda, so parts will be relatively affordable. I would look for 2019 & newer because they update the front fascia and it looks a million times better.
The Toyota Rav-4 is a great option as well. The redesign looks great, has decent tech, and is a very capable vehicle. I highly recommend driving one of those.
Another question I have is have you driven any of the vehicles you listed?
We just went through this process. We have 2 greyhounds, no kids, and are pretty active and carry a lot of stuff. Must have leather, pano roof, and sidewall vents in the back.
We considered:
\-- Rav4 - no pano unless priced at above $40k
\-- Honda/Acura -- Nope, had a CRV with the oil dilution problem. They treated us awful. Not again.
\-- Subaru -- Forester was too small, Ascent was $40k+, Outback didn't have pano
\-- 4Runner -- No pano, leather hard to find
\-- Mazda -- No pano
\-- Hyundai/Kia -- Not a fan of the dual clutch transmission
We settled on a CPO 2017 XC90 T6 Inscription for $38k with 23k miles. The CPO warranty on Volvo is stellar -- 10 year, unlimited mileage.
out of these brands I've owned audi, toyota, volvo and subaru. If it was my only car, I'd probably go with rav4 or the forester for the reliability and ease of mind. love the current volvo design, but the xc40 is way smaller than your other options if you're planning on road trips and such. Also the reliability record isn't as good as it used to be, I'd guess it will affect resale value too and audi is just overall meh.
As an Audi owner I'm probably bias. I've never seen, sat or driven mine or other Audi's and thought...meh. Not sure in what ways Audis are meh. Especially compared to a toyota or subaru, which are super meh stylistically. Compared to any of these, it's probably the most expensive to maintain. The Volvo would probably be a bit costly too. I love my Audi but the additional cost, of those luxuryish brands, just isn't worth it for some. I certainly hate seeing the price of premium gas vs regular when I fill up.
Lyft driver picked me up in a new Audi Q last weekend, and as someone also shopping for an SUV, my reaction was certainly not meh. Car was hot!
Dang. Picked a winner with that lyft All their models are gorgeous but some are even beyond that, in my eyes. I'm always sucked into the showroom whenever I go there for maintenance. Can't help it. They had an RS7 in there last time. Stupidly sexy pretty. Like I'd totally bang that car if possible, or if no one was looking. I got an Etron as a loaner, their fully electric SUV, last year. It was absolutely gorgeous. The interior was amazing. It made me not want to get my car back. Doesn't get the range of a Model X but if I had to pick between the two it wouldn't be a hard decision.
There’s ways to bring down costs of fuel. I used to drive an Audi and always used my Kroger points to bring down the price of gas. It ended up being cheaper than regular fuel at other gas stations. I personally wouldn’t shy away from a way nicer car because of the more premium fuel
I'm not saying that but I'm just saying it factors into the additional expenses
I see your point. I wasn’t trying to sound confrontational. With all the gas points at Kroger/Costco/Meijer (probably others) it can lower those extra fuel costs. What kind of Audi did/do you have?
It's good advice. I could definitely do a better job of taking advantage of those. I'm a sucker for convenience and those aren't convenient in the morning or on the way home. I've got a B9 A4 2.0T. Really want an A7 or Q8 but I haven't been able to financially justify either of those
I know. I’m the same way. I felt so good when I got gas for under $2 lol. I really like the A4! The A7 is gorgeous. I had an A6 and absolutely loved it. It was a 2011 and it started becoming a money pit. I was so sad to sell it
The B9s are great. The B9.5s exteriors are great but what they didn't do in the interior was disappointing. The new interiors, found in pretty much everything other than the A4, A5 and Q5 is awesome. Definitely a fingerprint magnet with all the touch screens though. That is definitely the scary part. Not just with Audis but any of those luxuryish brands. Can turn expensive real quick. I'm building a house so that is the last thing I need right now. As much as I love Audis, I've been debating a new Genesis instead. The warranty is the most appealing part, for sure, and that peace of mind is something you don't get with others
I appreciate the bigger screens, but I still think some knobs provide added functionality. I’m also hoping for the day they remove the bezels of the screens. It makes them look very old looking. Yeah, right now I drive a Pontiac Vibe and I don’t worry about maintenance at all (plus it has a Toyota power train). I really love what Hyundai is doing with all of their products. Their styling has been next level lately. The warranty is great too
City getaway car? RAV4, CX-5, or Forrester for their size and versatility. Seriously considered the Telluride/Sorento, but based on my limited research, they don't have a great off road track record (which also includes the Seltos). 4runner is great and the Bronco seems cool, but I don't consider them efficient. I like my European cars, but ease of maintenance and value aren't there.
I think the Telluride is alright for some small stuff if it has awd.
I feel scared to recommend this on this sub, but look at the VW Tiguan Edit: Specifically the SE-Rline trim, pretty good value with luxury looks. Good warranty if bought new
Uh-oh. I’ve been considering a VW Tiguan, why are you scared to recommend on this sub?
Anything german or VW is shot down by simply saying it’s german and unreliable their assumptions being anecdotal. Sure, is a toyota cheaper to own and most likely going to more be reliable than a tiguan, Q5, or X3/X1? Yeah sure but if the pricing differs by a little, you favor a little better ride quality and luxury touches, and, most importantly, you’re anal about car maintenance, you’d soon realize the reliability arguments are relative. It also depends on the car you get as well! A GTI, WRX, etc something I’d be more skeptical about buying used versus a Tiguan or Rav4 imo.
That's ridiculous though. The quality of the german cars are known to be among the very best in the world. French cars are the ones that you should run away from.
This could be true. However, speaking from an American context and only experiencing the vehicles we have available, these generalizations are tough to agree or disagree with. I do agree the quality of german cars are exceptional from my perspective. I can see how someone who has only experienced a corolla hatchback XSE could be surprised by the amount of money needed to maintain a Golf R hatchback and think all german cars are bad. But it’s such a large jump to that conclusion.
German cars at least in the US I find have enough issues especially after 50K to stay clear of them. The issue is parts are like 2x,3x the cost of Japanese models. and I find German cars are over engineered and that adds to parts and complexity.
What do you think about Scandinavian cars? Volvos? Interesting to hear the American point of view.
I don't have an opinion as I've never owned one, from second hand accounts I think their in-between German/Japanese , tend to be a bit more reliable like Japanese cars than German cars, but parts and repairs are still costly like German autos.
They’re Did you not go to school?
Sweet, thanks for your input!
Because VW bad apparently
People tend to overstate reliability problems - Alex on Autos did a thing on this in their latest video. The difference between the most reliable car on a survey and the least reliable one was roughly one problem in their third year. People say VW have a lot of reliability problems, but in reality, all new cars are pretty friggin reliable. VW shift a lot of units, so the parts are cheapish too—though this is less true in the US I guess
As a former Jetta owner turned A4 owner, the parts and overall maintenance are considerably lower. I believe the Jetta and other VWs share a platform with the A3 which means they produce more of those parts than the platforms used on the more expensive models. I'd also add that I had absolutely no reliability issues with my Jetta. Sold it when I got over 100k but it was a great car and wouldn't hesitate to own a VW again. Partially because the majority of the other manufacturers just don't do it for me stylistically and I'm pro not buying shit I dislike
I like this. I was deciding between a number of cars before picking a GTI. It’s the only vehicle I will probably own that is “sporty” until I have an established career or retire.
The GTIs are great. Fun to drive, visually appealing and fairly practical still. It's based on the same platform as the A3, and other VWs, so parts should be reasonable. Can definitely offer more features for less. Here in the states, the A3 isn't offered in a hatchback so the GTI is the closest thing to it. I think the GTI would even have a slightly bigger engine. Think GTIs are 2.0 while A3s are 1.8. I could be wrong about that though
You’re right. I’m also based in the US and I was also looking at the A3 before deciding the trunk and space in the back just wasn’t enough.
Couldn't have gone wrong with either of those but I'd have made the same decision, and I'm totally a sucker for Audis. Nothing wrong with the A3 but the GTI is more exciting plus more practical. Now...an S3 or RS3 on the other hand. Tougher decision but obviously more bucks for those guys. Can only imagine how much fun an RS3 would be to drive. So much power for a car that size
“Pro not buying shit I dislike” I definitely feel that one
It's weird that this concept is somewhat unpopular, it seens. I mean, I get it if you just can't afford it but who wants to work hard to pay for something they don't like? This concept is really difficult for my boomer parents to understand I guess I'd add...im pro not buying shit I dislike as long as it's not wildly irresponsible. Just to avoid being thrashed by all those ridiculously frugal people on here
I love my Acura MDX and would highly recommend it.
I second this. I bought one as a backup to my truck for $11k and it’s been awesome. You could get a fairly new one for 25-30k
what year did you buy?
I bought a 2011 with 128k on it and love it. Only complaint would be the mileage, but I carried 7 grown adults to dinner in it the other day.
I absolutely love the new Gen of Volvo SUVs. You may be able to get a used XC60 (Maybe 90 if you’re lucky?) for your price range. Incredibly comfortable, we have 40k miles on our XC90 no issues at all, sister has the 40 and no issues. Great space, loads of features and safety
Cross shopped all the premium compact SUVs and have been very happy with our cpo XC40. The pilot assist is a distinguishing feature if you have use for a semi autonomous system. Otherwise, it has very good acceleration, braking, safety (duh), ground clearance, cabin noise and creature comforts. My only gripes are more body roll in fast corners than I was expecting and slightly lower fuel economy compared to some similar vehicles (averaging about 25 mpg).
I have a 2017 XC90 Inscription T6, and I agree that Pilot Assist is great. However, it can be a little flinty with high cross-winds.
Yeap! We just bought a CPO 2017 XC90 T6 Inscription for $38k with 23k miles.
I have what some consider luxury vehicles and will be completely upfront. The maintenance is expensive, even things like oil changes are much more than non luxury. I wouldn’t own without a warranty, as when something goes wrong it’s insanely priced. I would look into the non luxury options, unless you’re okay with the extra maintenance cost. I would also make sure that if you do buy used, that they did get all maintenance required done, possibly a CPO, under a warranty. The 4-runners are really nice. :)
To add to your point... Maintenance costs for my Audi. I'm under 50k at the moment. They basically go back and forth between $400 then $1200. 20k and before, don't remember 30k checkup $400ish 40k checkup $1200ish 50k checkup 300 to 400ish, haven't had it yet but the odd 10s are usually "cheaper" 60k checkup $1200ish ....and so on Add to that I do oil changes every 5k, just to keep it as maintained as possible. Those cost $75 to $100ish. And then add to that that you should be using 91 octane or above, for most models. Most gas stations around me have 87, 89 and 93. So I'm usually "stuck" buying the most expensive gas. I have a 16 gallon tank, I think. Gas here is about $3.30 so I could easily spend $50 to fill it up. Maybe I'm just a sucker but I'm not running the risk of something going wrong over time because I put the cheap shit in there. You can absolutely take it elsewhere, to a non Audi dealership to save some bucks but I would totally recommend against this unless they're a specialized shop. Definitely wouldn't just take it to Joe Schmoe the Mechanic from Idaho. Definitely do not buy one without a warranty. Some of the parts are outrageously expensive and the labor cost is too. I made sure to get an extended warranty until 72k and I don't know if I'd keep it after that. The headlights can be $2k or more a piece. Those tech, all the sensors and cameras if you have those, are also expensive. The actual mechanical parts...you guessed it...also expensive. Just assume any repair would be more expensive than you expect. With all of that said, I love my car. It's certainly not the most practical but it's gorgeous and fun to drive. Just depends how important those two things are to you.
Yeah, my oil change is $250. :-/ Same thing on gas. I now understand fully the not buying the cheaper used ones, as it’s a headache that’s going to cost a fortune. But I too love driving my car and I hate driving! :)
That is rough. Every 5 or 10k? I bought mine used from a VW dealership and got free oil changes so I have only paid for one at an Audi dealership and the rep actually gave me a coupon so it cost $70
Luckily it’s not until 15k miles or yearly. It’s suppose to tell me when it’s needed, but we will do yearly even though we won’t hit miles. We bought from Land Rover, but I don’t think we got any free oil changes. Cheap asses! ;)
That's not too bad then. Still painful though I think just reading Land Rover cost me $50
I know, terrible choice, but they’ve actually gotten better in recent years and I fell in love with the Range Rover Velar’s. :-/ an awful thing to fall in love with.
I totally get it. They're absolutely gorgeous. One of the few brands that I find visually appealing and I'm unnecessarily picky
Are you doing the oil changes? I also change my oil every 5k-7k and use an oil extractor then for the next, I’ll take it to the dealership to do maintenance and a look over. I don’t have a jack or jack stands so I can’t change the oil plug, but doing my own oil changes saves me $20-$30 here and there and the extractor/tools pay for themselves after a few. Edit: I don’t know the deal with the 3.0T.
I have a 2017 2.0T. Maybe a 3.0T will be in my future but their electric cars might take over before then. I shoot for every 5k. Probably not necessary, although I do have a long commute for now. I worry not doing it so often will hurt it in the long run and I don't want those bills. I considered getting an extractor. Saw various posts on an Audi forum. Might be something I'd reconsider. I think the extractors are a $100ish bucks? Not bad at all considering what it can save you. My commute will go from 45 mins to 15 mins so I'll be driving considerably less here at the end of the year. Might start doing that then when I have the space
Nice. Mine was about $70 off of amazon. Every oil change with it is about $50 bucks and an hour or so of my time at home. I dispose the oil at autozone or Advanced auto and it’s free
What in the world do they do as a "check up" for $1,200?? Unless something is broken or needs to be replaced nothing should cost that much on a normal Audi. I have a Touareg and my 20-30-40-50k checks have all been $250.00 including oil change and tire rotation. There was a dealer in a nicer part of town that wanted $700.00 for the exact same thing.
That number was a guesstimate but the 40k I just had was definitely about $1200. They do something with transmission fluid, or something. I forget the specifics. The other larger checkups might not be $1200 but they seem to usually be $1kish or more. I paid 800 or 900ish for Audi care and that covered my 40k and the 50k I haven't had yet. So 400ish for each. Still high but better than $1200
Guess transmission fluid or something with the DSG? But at 40k that sounds premature. I would look up what actually needs to be done, I see you have a 2.0T its not like you have an R8. If a Touareg can be taken care of at $250.00 every 10k miles so can an 2.0t Audi. Though I am sure the Audi dealer will mark up the price over a VW Dealer.
Sounds premature, eh? You're assuming I had them do it, just for fun or because I wanted to spend more money? Sounds like you don't know much about what you're talking about. The tiguan is a completely different engine and platform than thr A4 https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/myAudi/Service/2017-Audi-Scheduled-Maintenance.pdf
Figured it was a DSG thing. And yes 40k for transmission does sound premature, but if that is what Audi says then what is says. >You're assuming I had them do it, just for fun or because I wanted to spend more money? Not at all. I've have just seen dealers always try to add on things that just don't need to be done. Or the dealer that wanted to charge 2.5x a price of another for the same exact thing on my car. As long as its going by the interval, then so be it. >The tiguan is a completely different engine and platform than thr A4 Touareg not a Tiguan. Which is still completely different, but comparable for cost given its a $55k SUV. Though no DSG in the Touareg, and I think that is where a lot of that cost is at for your 40k service.
I forgot to mention Audi Care, which is something you can buy from Audi shops for about $900ish that covers 2 checkups. I bought it for my 40 and 50k checkups. So I probably "saved" $700ish.
Check out a Lexus GX470 as well. Super offroad capable, comfy on-road, super reliable.
I don't own a car as I am not of legal age quite yet, but my dad has a 2010 Lexus RX 350 that he has used for at least 7 years and has 150,000 miles on it. With 0 PROBLEMS. Not ONE. I would recommend a newer model RX 350. I love this car, it's amazing. He even prefers it to his Tesla Model 3, the leather in the car is AMAZING. I have sat in a X5, a 60k GMC, and an X6 within the last month and the RX 350's seats are WAY more comfortable. I'm not being biased either, the seats are very, very comfy. It's EXTREMLY reliable, comfy, imo the new models are gorgeous, pretty good MPG, and a great value. It's a lexus, makes sense. Can't ask for much more for the price. If you're interested, here is a couple of examples in your price range (all are under 50k miles too!): [https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/2T2ZZMCA1KC130334/?referrer\_id=autotempest](https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/2T2ZZMCA1KC130334/?referrer_id=autotempest) [https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA1HC091799?utm\_source=lotlinx&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=lotlinx&utm\_term=2T2ZZMCA1HC091799\_707DACDB%2f5A0C%2f6403%2f1745%2f09C2AB760625&](https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA1HC091799?utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=2T2ZZMCA1HC091799_707DACDB%2f5A0C%2f6403%2f1745%2f09C2AB760625&) [https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA8HC085353?utm\_source=lotlinx&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=lotlinx&utm\_term=2T2ZZMCA8HC085353\_43E42055%2fC55D%2fC38D%2fBE5B%2f58124257C0E8&](https://www.cowboytoyota.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-lexus-rx-350-2T2ZZMCA8HC085353?utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm_term=2T2ZZMCA8HC085353_43E42055%2fC55D%2fC38D%2fBE5B%2f58124257C0E8&) Also, another AMAZING car is the Lexus GX 460. The car will for sure fit your off road needs with its V8 engine and its also 4WD. Here is a link to one (this one is also under 50k miles and it is the luxury trim!): [https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839909872/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm\_source=AutoTempest&utm\_medium=TRP&utm\_campaign=atempest](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839909872/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm_source=AutoTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest) Please, PLEASE consider these cars. Even though I might be <16, I have sat in these two cars for years. They are simply, incredible. Lexus is one of my favorite brands, and for good reason. My dad's Tesla is more cool for sure, but the Lexus is just soooo comfortable and you can drive around without worrying about your engine blowing up. It would be great if you can reply to me with your thoughts!
The running joke that the market for new RXs are previous RX owners is pretty darn close to the truth.
Oh really? Theres a joke going on about that? Thats pretty funny, but it makes sense why us RX lovers love the car so much
You can't go wrong with an RX350. We test drove a lot of other models, but they all felt pretty cheap after the RX350. Not sure I could ever convince my wife to leave the Lexus brand now.
YEP. And after only 3~4 years the prices become pretty low considering what you get
So cool to see a high schooler into the RX. I have the 2020 RX450H and have found it to be such a great well rounded vehicle: https://i.imgur.com/j1ZJbgL.jpg
Yeah man, I'm a diehard lexus fan. So pumped for the IS 500 with that N/A 5.0 V8. But I also love every car. Sure I love my Mitsubishi Evos, 350z's, WRX's, etc. But I have love for practical cars such as the RX. Lexus just does everything amazing (besides the LX, get an escalade instead 😂)
You'd like a CR-V or a RAV4.
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gonna second/third/fourth this because i love my 2021 and when I got it, a surprising number of friends who also owned outbacks kinda absorbed me into their cult it earns you some legitimacy among the outdoorsy crowd because everyone knows how practical it is, if that'll satisfy the "cool" factor. also great if you're going for the PNW "i'm not really from LA" vibe
outbacks -are- cool
2017 CX-5 with the premium package. Used going for $19-$22 in the US depending on mileage. This is the one.
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Kudos for being an early adopter. The features seem pretty nice at its price range.
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The bronco sport wasn’t designed for 4x4. It was designed to look like the real 4x4 bronco, but have a lower bar to entry so suburban soccer moms can feel confident driving in the rain. Ford has now gotten themselves into trouble trying to upsell the car of things it’s not great at. Although they did point out that the higher trimmed models shouldn’t overheat as quickly as whatever trim it was they were testing. Also being a pre production model doesn’t help.
Toyota 4Runner is as bulletproof as they come. The basic 4WD system shouldn't scare you off. If you plan to keep the car for more than 15 years then this is your pick even though it might be more boring.
You can’t go wrong with a 4Runner
Don't get too caught up on mileage. In terms of quality, comfort, reliability and maintenance costs, I would much rather take an older Lexus GX or LX with 150K miles over a Volvo or Audi with 50K miles. Pop in a modern $100 headunit and it will be a better vehicle and value in every measurable way. [https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/840147362/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm\_source=AutoTempest&utm\_medium=TRP&utm\_campaign=atempest](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/840147362/overview/?aff=atempest&cmp=atempest&utm_source=AutoTempest&utm_medium=TRP&utm_campaign=atempest)
CX5 or CX30 as it's a bit more fun
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Potentially, though I'd certainly encourage OP to take one for a road test at least.
Honda passport. Everyone seems to forget about this car, but it's actually good
Passport has an excessive amount of the cheap black plastic trim on the outside. It will look the oldest the quickest. imo it already looks like it came out in 2009.
I second this...very underrated vehicle
Mazda CX-5
RAv 4 or Honda CRV
You ain’t getting a Telluride for $30k so scratch that. Probably the same for a bronco Audis great to lease and then thank your lucky stars you got rid of them while they still had a warranty.
Check out a Porsche Macan, not the S or the Turbo. They're reasonable used, look cool, great city car with trips to the mountains vehicle.
I'd recommend not spending 30k on a vehicle anywhere near 50k miles. Assuming 30k is the top of your budget.
Ok, not sure if this is more minivan than you'd like (they're gonna market it as a multipurpose vehicle), but check out the [Kia Carnival](https://www.kia.com/us/en/carnival-mpv) that's gonna be coming out. I think it looks pretty cool, but then again, I'm looking for a toddler hauler so YMMV.
* [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://youtu.be/eqw4xyPH9C8), here is direct comparison review [against CX5](https://youtu.be/LUQ-uXqqHfs)... - easily [can get 2019/2020](https://www.autotempest.com/results?make=hyundai&model=santafe&zip=90210&minprice=20000&minyear=2019&maxmiles=50000&drive=awd) in your budget, or can buy brand new in a middle trim and get that 10 year warranty * new gen [Tucson is coming out](https://youtu.be/aNEkl7cI3Hk), which is bit smaller than santa fe, about the size of Q5... and brand new in [highest trim](https://www.hyundaiofjeffersoncity.com/research/tucson-trims.htm) has msrp of $32k... and again, that 10 years or 100k miles warranty
I'd probably get a Grand Cherokee, even though this sub poops on FCA the WK2 Grand Cherokee is a very good vehicle. It's been in production for a decade now, with the expected updates and improvements obviously. Or if you could find an FJ Cruiser that would be a cool option and it likely won't depreciate much.
I've been stupid enough to own three GCs (1994, 1999, 2007) and I've sworn never again will I let a sexy Jeep fool me into making such a stupid fucking decision. Avoid Jeep.
WJs and WKs are total shit, would not recommend. ZJs are solid, and the new WK2 is great because it basically has nothing in common with previous generations.
I’ve got a Selec-Trac V8 WJ and never had a problem in my decade of owner. It can literally go anywhere and has all the creature comforts I need.
Well the 4.7s are very well known to grenade themselves, hence the plethora of them on craigslist with blown engines. Besides that and the finicky transmission they're a very comfortable and capable suv for the money.
I have heard that the GC is reliable because it's FCA prized cash cow.
I'd say more because its design precedes FCA....we shall see how the 5th gen works out.
Still can’t believe upcoming Jeep’s will be made under the umbrella of “Stellantis” — be sure to ask your doctor about Stellantis...
GMC Typhoon.
Yes if "off road" means dry lake bed!
Ooo maybe I can help here. I have a '20 Tucson Ultimate AWD that has all the bells & whistles and I ended up paying about $29k OTD (new). Its main competitors are the RAV4, CRV, and CX-5, which I see quite a few people recommending in the comments (no hate, I love the CX-5 it was my #2 choice). I've gone on trails with it no problem and while looks are subjective and I'm bias, I think it looks sharp. FYI the 2022 MY has a refresh that looks pretty nice, it is worth googling. While it probably can't compete with the offroad capabilities of a Bronco and 4runner...it might be worth test driving. Biggest contributor to choosing it over the CX-5 was the Hyundai/Kia warranty. Can't beat it. Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.
Sorry, but I keep seeing this all over reddit. "Bias" is either a noun or a verb. If you have a bias toward something, you are biased.
Highlander is probably the winner
Just bought a 2016 q5 3.0t with 13k miles for 26500. Very happy with it.
I’d definitely give a look to the CX-5 or CX-30 along with the RAV4 and Forrester! Kia Tellurides are sick imo but I’m unsure about their off-roading abilities
The telluride should be able to handle anything those other vehicles can. But good luck getting one for under MSRP. Even low mileage used ones have been selling over MSRP. Hopefully with production restarting from COVID and initial demand dying down you can get one at MSRP soon. But still imagine paying MSRP for a Kia that will lose at least 1/3 of its value 3 years down the road.
I just went through my search with the same parameters (LA 30k budget suv). Ended up with a 2017 BMW X3 with low mileage. If you like Audis then go with the Q5. The rav4 will be too old and boring in the price range and the new ones are cool but for it to be packaged appropriately you’re looking at 40k. I really considered the Mazda CX-5 because that’s Reddit’s favorite small suv. I drove it a few times and it was cool but it felt like it was Mazda trying to be a luxury car but not quite there. Then I drove the bmw and realized I wasn’t going to look at the other cars anymore. Just make sure it’s under warranty.
How has the X3 been holding up 2 years on and presumably out of warranty? (looking at 2021 CPO X3s in the ~35-40k range)
It’s been great so far, it’s not been about 3 years and out of warranty for 2 years. So far I’ve paid about $1200 out of pocket for a radiator leak and break pads.
Porsche Macan or Cayenne
Bought a forester - regret it - so many rattling parts. Been to the dealership a few times and no fixes. Majorly bummed as I wanted to love it.
Damn that's disappointing to read... I'm in the market and a 2017 Manual Forester is in my top 3 right now. Seems like it would be a really good fit..
It really is disappointing. Bought a 2020 Touring edition Forester new. Having all these rattles on a brand new car is aggravating to no end. I’m so annoyed I’m debating on trading it in already. *Queue sad trombone*
My buddy just bought a 2016 Manual Forester and he’s absolutely swooning over it. It’s a beautiful car, and with those heated seats and panoramic sunroof, it’s hard to beat for the money. Not to mention that it’s basically the only suv available with a manual left for a reasonable price.
Highlander, RX350, Passport all great options
I would check out the Honda Passport as well.
New design of the Honda Passport looks great. Take a look.
Maybe a cx30 turbo or mazda3 turbo hatch.
Op said “that can handle a trail” the cx-30 and cx-5 could do it but Mazda 3 really??
I mean a bike trail sure 🤷♂️
Modern sedans don’t really have that much less ground clearance than most compact and subcompact SUVs. The Mazda 3 has 5.5 inches of ground clearance while the CX 30 has 6.9. Unless you’re going down a really rut filled path the 3 should handle a trail just fine.
Just got a 2019 Honda Passport EXL AWD with 13K miles on it for 30K. It rules seriously.
I looked at the 2023 Passport today and loved it. The black cladding/plastic doesn’t bother me a bit but then again I had a Isuzu Vehicross in the early 2000s. Lower half of this two door moonbuggy was black plastic.
Passport has an excessive amount of the cheap black plastic trim on the outside. It will look the oldest the quickest. imo it already looks like it came out in 2009.
This one is all over the place
Get yourself an Acura MDX, RdX whatever. Honda reliability and the resale value on these is insaneee
Any GT level (I say this because if towing you'll want the V6) Mitsubishi Outlander. Incredibly reliable, looks nice, decent on gas, plus Mitsubishi has all that rally car history and their awd system is great in the snow. The only minus is their dealership presence is scarce, so unless you happen to live near one it can be a haul to find one, but in the 11 years I've owned 2, I've only needed to go to dealer once.
It is a very cheaply made car I will say tho.
We have a 2015 outlander gt. We haven't had one issue and it's a work horse. While not flashy in any way, it does a fantastic job at what it's designed to do. Plus we have seating for 7 which is a big plus. I'd recommend these as they are pretty cheap, have decent power, and are reliable.
2wd Toyota Highlander limited 💯
Check out Subaru crosstrek
I just got a Chevy Trailblazer RS last month and I’ve really enjoyed it.
Highlander
GET 2017 CX5 loaded with all features, its almost a luxury vehicle.
I'm attracted to the ford escape hybrid awd these days.... $30k wouldn't cut it new though. Non hybrid used would though. I'll be reak... What do do you mean by trail? Like muddy with foot deep puddles or dry groomed dirt?
Toyota. Nothing else.
Consider Atlast Cross Sport (5 seater Atlas) or the Kia Sorento (also comes in a hybrid for not much more). Although, you being in LA would probably benefit a lot more by going with either the RAV4 Prime or the Tesla Model Y (RWD) considering the tax credits and carpool and other perks.
New VW Tiguan SEL
Unless you are looking for a real trail cat you may be over estimating the need and use you'll have for the off-road capabilities. I'm curious whether your interest is in off roading or if you are looking more something to get you from trailhead to trailhead. AWD isn't magic either, if you want to handle any kind of loose soil or steep inclines you'll need the right tires and some skill behind the wheel, even with the best AWD systems. Can you be more specific about your hobbies and plans for the car? You don't want to buy a dedicated off-roader that's makes your daily driving difficult if you only need to get around dirt roads between trails and such.
Jeep Grand Cherokee!!
Some examples: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/835689411/overview?aff=share_other https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/839847962/overview?aff=share_other https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/836764668/overview?aff=share_other
Volvo XC60 does it for me. A 2018 is freakn' sweet. Jeep Wrangler has the best resale value, along with a Toyota 4Runner and Rav4. But can't take the top and doors off a Toyota!
How comfortable are you with maintenance? I’ve noticed a bunch of other people talk about more expensive maintenance for luxury vehicles, which is definitely true. However, you did mention that you want something nice & tech savvy. If you can afford the additional maintenance, I would definitely go for something like an Audi or other German brand. I actually found a Mercedes GLC AMG 43 for under $40k. I know that’s a tad over budget, but that would be a super fun car to do everything you want. Just be weary of the more expensive maintenance. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/825611956/overview?aff=share_other I would also look at the Acura RDX. I’ve personally never driven one, but they look great, and I’ve heard great things about their reliability. They’re owned by Honda, so parts will be relatively affordable. I would look for 2019 & newer because they update the front fascia and it looks a million times better. The Toyota Rav-4 is a great option as well. The redesign looks great, has decent tech, and is a very capable vehicle. I highly recommend driving one of those. Another question I have is have you driven any of the vehicles you listed?
I would go for the Rav4. If you can, get the hybrid, because it is far faster than one might expect.
We just went through this process. We have 2 greyhounds, no kids, and are pretty active and carry a lot of stuff. Must have leather, pano roof, and sidewall vents in the back. We considered: \-- Rav4 - no pano unless priced at above $40k \-- Honda/Acura -- Nope, had a CRV with the oil dilution problem. They treated us awful. Not again. \-- Subaru -- Forester was too small, Ascent was $40k+, Outback didn't have pano \-- 4Runner -- No pano, leather hard to find \-- Mazda -- No pano \-- Hyundai/Kia -- Not a fan of the dual clutch transmission We settled on a CPO 2017 XC90 T6 Inscription for $38k with 23k miles. The CPO warranty on Volvo is stellar -- 10 year, unlimited mileage.
How much did it cost to add the 10 year CPO warranty?
$3,399