What kind of car should I buy?

[riverwed070707]

Been pretty content in my 06 accord for the last several years. She's pushing 170k miles and still running fine. Its completely fine for a daily commuter but really lacks space when it comes to home projects and road trips which I've been taking a lot of lately, plus it barely (and sometimes doesn't) make it up the hills near my house in the snow. I don't want something new, I don't need something fancy, higher miles doesn't bother me but I think I want a small-ish SUV that's roomy and practical and comfy for long drives.

My priorities
-I have to have leather seats. Huskies and cloth seats don't mix
-I'd ideally like to have something new enough to have bluetooth but I suppose I could purchase an aftermarket adapter if needed
-I like vehicles with flex seating where you can configure them the way you need like take out a seat or fold them completely flat. I'm a rustic traveler and have been known to sleep in my car on the regular
-I have about about $12-15k to spend.

I started looking at what's available and its just been so long since I've car shopped I'm completely overwhelmed. Tell me about your adventure car you love.

[cypher1]

I'm a huge Honda fan, having grown up working on them. So high mileage never bothered me on vehicles.

My go to car is a 2010 Honda CRV I bought last Aug. for 12500 with 84K. Overall they can be overpriced, and I don't need 4WD, but its pretty convenient for MN winters. I also like 4 cyl for gas efficiency and easier maintenance than a V6. I also have a trailer receiver for my trailer.

While I don't care for leather personally, they do come with it and heated seats in EX-L type. I think bluetooth and rear camera options are available.

I've also been a sucker for hatchbacks and sportswagon for practical uses. I miss my 03 Toyota Matrix XRS which is basically a Corolla wagon with 6spd manual transmission. I'm actually trying to a find that same generation for a beater. Besides being a wagon, I like that rear glass window flips up, so I could haul long pieces of wood sticking out. Something not as common anymore on newer SUVs, while you have to keep the whole trunk open for anything that doesn't fit completely inside. People may think I'm being too picky, but that is a must for my next older vehicle purchase.

[riverwed070707]

I'm a huge Honda fan, having grown up working on them. So high mileage never bothered me on vehicles.

My go to car is a 2010 Honda CRV I bought last Aug. for 12500 with 84K. Overall they can be overpriced, and I don't need 4WD, but its pretty convenient for MN winters. I also like 4 cyl for gas efficiency and easier maintenance than a V6. I also have a trailer receiver for my trailer.

While I don't care for leather personally, they do come with it and heated seats in EX-L type. I think bluetooth and rear camera options are available.

I've also been a sucker for hatchbacks and sportswagon for practical uses. I miss my 03 Toyota Matrix XRS which is basically a Corolla wagon with 6spd manual transmission. I'm actually trying to a find that same generation for a beater. Besides being a wagon, I like that rear glass window flips up, so I could haul long pieces of wood sticking out. Something not as common anymore on newer SUVs, while you have to keep the whole trunk open for anything that doesn't fit completely inside. People may think I'm being too picky, but that is a must for my next older vehicle purchase.

I had a crv a while back and did kind of love it. Think mine was an 06. We traded it for a truck for my ex. Feel like I could definitely go that direction again but it was very low key for the price you pay. Love that they hold their resale if I’m buying something newer but overall there was nothing luxury about the inside and if I’m looking older/higher miles I’m conflicted what I’m paying the extra price for. Maybe because I’ve owned Honda’s for so long I’m underestimating what I’m saving in maintenance

[cypher1]

I had a crv a while back and did kind of love it. Think mine was an 06. We traded it for a truck for my ex. Feel like I could definitely go that direction again but it was very low key for the price you pay. Love that they hold their resale if I’m buying something newer but overall there was nothing luxury about the inside and if I’m looking older/higher miles I’m conflicted what I’m paying the extra price for. Maybe because I’ve owned Honda’s for so long I’m underestimating what I’m saving in maintenance

I agree they're nothing to brag about for luxury/options. However, a friend just got a 2018 model and is pretty awesome for features and sensors, which makes road trips even more convenient. Resale value is nice (used models typically overpriced), but the biggest thing I like is lack of maintenance, and consistent history for reliability.

Another comparable model would a Toyota RAV4. A little more for cost, but you get a V6 with very similar gas mileage with more power. While I prefer a 4cyl, my two friends love their RAV4.

With your budget range you definitely have plenty of options for selection of models/types.

[TexasHusker]

The Toyota Highlander is one of the highest rated SUVs of all time in terms of performance, value, and resale. With your needs and budget in mind, I would find a used Highlander.

[riverwed070707]

The Toyota Highlander is one of the highest rated SUVs of all time in terms of performance, value, and resale. With your needs and budget in mind, I would find a used Highlander.

Thanks for the rec. Feel like this wouldn't have even been on my radar because 3rd row seating seems excessively large for just me and the kid and occasionally the dogs but I like all the space with the seats folded down and the fact that it has a little bit more towing capacity. Maybe need to go test drive one!

[TexasHusker]

Thanks for the rec. Feel like this wouldn't have even been on my radar because 3rd row seating seems excessively large for just me and the kid and occasionally the dogs but I like all the space with the seats folded down and the fact that it has a little bit more towing capacity. Maybe need to go test drive one!

Regarding the space, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[JoeP]

The CR-V is an excellent vehicle, and fits what you listed as requirements. You can add a roof top carrier to expand the capacity when needed. The extra height is very good for visibility.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'd do the highlander too but I don't think you can get one between 12-15k that isn't already really old. They start probably in the 30k. I would probably look in the price range and see what you can get unless the range is flexible and it's more about the car than the price.

[TexasHusker]

I'd do the highlander too but I don't think you can get one between 12-15k that isn't already really old. They start probably in the 30k. I would probably look in the price range and see what you can get unless the range is flexible and it's more about the car than the price.

Looks like there are around 100 or so Highlanders in the US for sale with under 100K miles that are $15K or less. That's a pretty good selection.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePageModel&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d298&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=&zip=79121&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&maxundefined=15000&maxundefined=121000&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true

[Tabs]

If you like to sleep in your vehicle on the regular, as you say, I would suggest taking a good look at a minivan, preferably one built by either Honda or Toyota. You'll be hard pressed to find more cargo space for home projects and road trips, and it is possible to go so far as to convert it into a camper. I'm sure your Huskies will appreciate the additional space too. Search around and you should be able to find one that is within your budget as well.

I was more of a Prius-camper myself. They are tiny, under-powered cars, but the one great thing going for them is the combination of automatic climate control, and the great fuel efficiency in powering it. With it, it is literally possible to sleep and live in your car as though you are at home... provided that you are not claustrophobic, and yeah, probably no huskies either, but amazingly enough, it really worked.

I went and visited a couple of buddies last year, and I actually much preferred sleeping in my car than the beach villa room that we rented out. No joke, my car was just that much more comfortable, and doing so saved me hundreds per night from not having to rent my own hotel room (on my way there and back as well).

However, space was tight no matter how you sliced it, and if I had to do it all over again, I would probably try to find something more along the size of a minivan at least, but with the Prius' automatic climate control as well. Here's hoping that, someday, such an unicorn will exist.

[riverwed070707]

If you like to sleep in your vehicle on the regular, as you say, I would suggest taking a good look at a minivan, preferably one built by either Honda or Toyota. You'll be hard pressed to find more cargo space for home projects and road trips, and it is possible to go so far as to convert it into a camper. I'm sure your Huskies will appreciate the additional space too. Search around and you should be able to find one that is within your budget as well.

I was more of a Prius-camper myself. They are tiny, under-powered cars, but the one great thing going for them is the combination of automatic climate control, and the great fuel efficiency in powering it. With it, it is literally possible to sleep and live in your car as though you are at home... provided that you are not claustrophobic, and yeah, probably no huskies either, but amazingly enough, it really worked.

I went and visited a couple of buddies last year, and I actually much preferred sleeping in my car than the beach villa room that we rented out. No joke, my car was just that much more comfortable, and doing so saved me hundreds per night from not having to rent my own hotel room (on my way there and back as well).

However, space was tight no matter how you sliced it, and if I had to do it all over again, I would probably try to find something more along the size of a minivan at least, but with the Prius' automatic climate control as well. Here's hoping that, someday, such an unicorn will exist.

I wouldn't drive a minivan if I had 5 kids and a soccer mom sticker, let alone a single mom with one kid and a couple dogs lol Now a conversion van with a bed and bath I would do... but thats not in the cards just yet

I test drove some things. Didn't love any of them. Started thinking about all the other things I could do with $15k and am kinda feeling like holding off. Haven't gotten to look at a CR-V yet - best one I found so far is about 40 miles away but I want to go see it when I get some time

[TexasHusker]

I wouldn't drive a minivan if I had 5 kids and a soccer mom sticker, let alone a single mom with one kid and a couple dogs

I'm with you on that.

[bjl584]

My Ex had a CRV and loved it. It was a really nice car. Looking back, I liked the car more than I liked her.....

[TexasHusker]

My Ex had a CRV and loved it. It was a really nice car. Looking back, I liked the car more than I liked her.....

must have liked the handling better.