The time has come for youngest daughter to get a different car.
What with the baby coming, her old 2001 Subaru Forrester just isn't going to get it done.
It's old, I am not sure how safe it is anymore.

We're thinking in the 15Kish range, needs to be all wheel drive, have really good crash rating.
Included in our thinking are cars like 2013 Honda CRV, Subaru of some time type (but not a Forester), Ford Escape et al.

I suppose a sedan of some type might work, but nothing comes to mind unless maybe an AWD Ford Fusion?

Does anyone have any ideas before we venture out into the hinterland and attempt to hold the hordes of salesmen at bay while we look around?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lbj,

Maybe a used Toyota venza? Their crash ratings are fantastic, they are reliable,, and they are fantastic for a mother of a small one. Not too high to get in to, but higher than a sedan, put the baby I. Without leaning over.

My wife loves it.

A used Legacy/Outback is what I would look for, if she liked the Forester.

Bruce

Subaru Outback. The Legacy is similar--just a sedan version of the Outback.

The AWD is phenomenal.

Why not another Forester? As they get newer they get bigger.

Outback is the other obvious choice. But if she doesn't want a Forester because it is really just a squared off Impreza (car), then realize the Outback is just a slightly lifted Legacy (car).

Subaru AWD is the best of any similarly priced (and many more expensive) vehicles.

If they made an actual taller SUV I would still be driving a Sube.

Three of my children drive Honda CRV's.
While none have an AWD version, all three have performed admirably.
Our second daughter has a 2007 with about 100K miles. Never an issue. She's had it since about 2008.
Fourth child (another daughter) has a 2011 with about 40K miles.
Fifth child (younger of two sons) has a 2013 with about 30K miles.
Other two older children drove Honda Pilots for many years, older son still drives his with 85K miles.
As a disclaimer, all five received their vehicle from my father in law (their grandfather, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 82 in Fall of 2015). I've been very fortunate (and thoroughly blessed).

Timing belts for the Pilots have been the only expensive maintenance (the CRV's have timing chains).
I plan to give our 2nd daughter my car (an Accord) this Fall, and pass the 2007 CRV along to our youngest child (4th daughter, sixth overall), who'll be 16 in January, 2018.

While they're not a Mustang (hahahaha), CRV's are worth a look. I'm 6'2", and have comfortably driven the 2007 back and forth from Nashville to Chattanooga a few times over the years.

My 2012 Outback just rolled over 109,000 miles of Southern California traffic, twisty steep mountain roads in the Sierras, dust storms of Vegas, up and down the coast to Canada, all around the American Southwest, and dozens and dozens of nights camping in the back.

Regular maintenance, regular fuel, and a few upgrades here and there keep her running. Fitting 3 car seats across the back might be challenging, but the car doesn't complain when hauling 5 adults and camping gear up a fire road. The seats fold down flat enough to sleep on, and is long enough for at least a 6'2" guy with a little creative re arrangement of the back seat headrest.

The a AWD is great. I've don't get snow down here, but the car sees snow every winter when I take it up to the mountains for camping and snowboarding. Tons of YouTube videos showing Subarus leaving other cars in the snow.

My only regret is that I didn't get the 6 cylinder. The CVT does a good enough job of keeping the car moving up a hill loaded with people, but extra passing power would be welcomed.

Go to the Subaru Outback, it offers more room than the Forester.

My family has had used Escapes with good luck, and I wouldn't hesitate to give them a good look.

Both that you listed are pretty much the best choices. CRV's are pretty bullet proof as well as the Subaru variants (as long as they aren't modded or raced).

We are going this morning to look at used Ford Escapes.

As per usual when used car shopping, one finds the original amount set aside for purchase is insufficient.

I am going to add another 3K to bring it up to 18K and many more options open up.

We are now looking at 2014/2015 Ford Escapes with 30K miles.

Plus in an hour, we are heading out to start the search.

I would get a new forrester or outback. make sure you get one new enough to have the new transmissions. drastic gas milage improvement.

I mentioned another Forester but she says no.
Something about how she looks in one.
I dunno.

We will test drive an Escape this morning to see if she even likes them.

She is very excited this morning.

Look at the newer Toyota Rav4. My mom has an '09 with 126,000. Only repair was to replace an O2 sensor, and new spark plugs.

quote:

Originally posted by ptruck:
Look at the newer Toyota Rav4. My mom has an '09 with 126,000. Only repair was to replace an O2 sensor, and new spark plugs.

I love the Toyota's but not particularly the Rav 4. The wheelbase is short and every pothole will feel like a crater. I have never driven one but if I were looking for an AWD, I would be looking at a Venza.

The Chevy Equinox our 2012 is AWD. Excellent safety rating.Problem free.

Looking at all of the above.

For whatever reason (surprising) she says she wants to try the Escape first.
I am down with it.

Don't ignore the Kia/Hyundai SUVs.

Not sure if too late, but.
A little bigger & may need to go to about a 2013-2014, but an AWD Ford Flex could be a good option.
We have a 2013 SEL FWD & it's fantastic. Drives like a car, huge amount of space inside without feeling like you're driving a limo.

Have her test drive a 2014 forester. Totally different car than what she has. That was the model year change. Bigger inside and we have gotten 32 mpg on long trips.