Need New Car input please

[Digger54]

In research mode and I am looking to replace our 07 Honda CRV with a similar sized SUV in the next 6 months. No trade in as the CRV has skin cancer and a TPMS warning light issue for the 4th time since we have owned it. We have had so many problems with our POS CRV that Honda is off the list. Ford is off the list as well due to the closest dealership having a service dept that is incompetent, deceitful, and slow. I want gas only. Have a 40-60K budget. I understand this start-stop tech is EPA mandated but willing to wait for a 2027 model if it comes without. We live in a medium sized town and don't do a lot of long distance driving but do make several one hour trips each month to nearby cities. Not into hi tech as we are old as dirt.

Should we capitalize on shopping in Dec when many dealers are looking to move out 2026 inventory or wait for 2027 models? Recommendations to look at?

 

[pepperj]

We still use our 2011 CRV, the engine light works for the emission sensor
Dumped a can of cleaner in it last year and the light went out for 8 months.
Seems to reappear when idling around when we go to the city.

Buying newer anything that has been produced in the last few years?
Full of computer sensors that basically track your everything.
Need to turn off somethings, but most are built in so there's no turning it off.

Just bought a 2008 Mazda B4000 this past year.
66,000 on the truck
I call her my 3/6'er
Bought it for $3K and have $6K invested into her now.

Just talking with somebody and their truck stops immediately if the door is opened.
"I like to crack my door when backing my trailer into the yard"
Technology is great to a point-but when it tracks your eye/head movements then it's time to buy something older.

 

[k0bgalan]

If you tow the vehicle, there is one item to note. Later model CRVs cannot be towed unless dolly wheels are used. I don't remember the cutoff year, but that's easy to find. If there is another item of note, it would be the turbo'd units, but they can't be towed at all.

 

[Digger54]

We still use our 2011 CRV, the engine light works for the emission sensor
Dumped a can of cleaner in it last year and the light went out for 8 months.
Seems to reappear when idling around when we go to the city.

Buying newer anything that has been produced in the last few years?
Full of computer sensors that basically track your everything.
Need to turn off somethings, but most are built in so there's no turning it off.

Just bought a 2008 Mazda B4000 this past year.
66,000 on the truck
I call her my 3/6'er
Bought it for $3K and have $6K invested into her now.

Just talking with somebody and their truck stops immediately if the door is opened.
"I like to crack my door when backing my trailer into the yard"
Technology is great to a point-but when it tracks your eye/head movements then it's time to buy something older.

I also have a 2010 F150, but my asian wife wont drive it as it is too big for her, and it is a PITA parking in cramped parking lots which is why we want to stay small with our 2nd vehicle.

 

[Digger54]

If you tow the vehicle, there is one item to note. Later model CRVs cannot be towed unless dolly wheels are used. I don't remember the cutoff year, but that's easy to find. If there is another item of note, it would be the turbo'd units, but they can't be towed at all.

I will not buy another Honda vehicle.

 

[TaylorO]

I just bought a new Jeep Gladiator Willy’s . It’s in your price range and we love it!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I also have a 2010 F150, but my asian wife wont drive it as it is too big for her, and it is a PITA parking in cramped parking lots which is why we want to stay small with our 2nd vehicle.

My wife is Asian as well and will not drive my Tacoma.

I personally highly recommend looking at a Mazda, I have had 7 Mazdas over lifetime, not 1 single lemon. We currently get 30-31 mpg on hwy (no electric), on our current Mazda CX5 (SUV).

 

[k0bgalan]

Digger, neither will I, and I've owned eight in a row!! And I blame it all on one employee's lack of integrity.

 

[AU Seeker]

End of year for best deals, clearing out new last's year models and also plenty of trade ins if looking for used.

I say Toyota all the way.

 

[Digger54]

End of year for best deals, clearing out new last's year models and also plenty of trade ins if looking for used.

I say Toyota all the way.

Not sure what is going on with Toyota. Looked online at the two dealers closest to me and they dont seem to have any RAV4s that are not in a "build" status. Also they appear to be hybrids which I wanted to avoid as I see that being an expensive repair down the road with Hybrids.

 

[BennyV]

We just got an Infiniti QX60. I’m a huge fan.

Had a pathfinder and jeep in the past. Quality wasn’t the best on the jeep. Pathfinder was just OK

 

[The Rebel]

Don't knock the hybrids too much. They do cost a bit more but with gas being so high it'll pay for itself in no time.

My wife has a hybrid camery and l have a gas only camery, our cars are 2018 and 2019 and haven't given us any issues.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Had a bunch of cars and trucks through my lifetime....and the best, most reliable one we've
ever owned was a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. Ran it to 250k, and apparently that is the "trigger
mileage", as we sold it and it immediately began falling apart for the new owner. Only thing
we ever did, aside from basic maintenance was replace the alternator.

I believe they are designing and building cars to automatically break down at certain intervals,
and only the dealer can work on it. IMO, a criminal act.

 

[Digger54]

Had a bunch of cars and trucks through my lifetime....and the best, most reliable one we've
ever owned was a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. Ran it to 250k, and apparently that is the "trigger
mileage", as we sold it and it immediately began falling apart for the new owner. Only thing
we ever did, aside from basic maintenance was replace the alternator.

I believe they are designing and building cars to automatically break down at certain intervals,
and only the dealer can work on it. IMO, a criminal act.

Agree with the service life theory. Original paint on my Honda began fading and peeling at the 11 year mark even though I kept up with waxing etc. Honda only warranties paint to 10 years. We don't live near any industrial area. Window seals went out at about the same time as the paint and allowed water to ruin the door speakers. For the 4th time we have a TPMS warning light. Honda's remedy is to replace a tire sensor then drive it. Once they go through all the sensors they then replace the TPMS module. Not investing that much money on a 19 year old car, I will check the tires manually until we get a new car.

 

[beepbleep]

On my 3rd Subaru and they are tough little buggers. The low center of gravity and reliability are first class. They've gotten the CV transmission figured out and the safety features are outstanding. My last Volkwagon was from Mexico and falling apart. Subaru has been problem free.

 

[Digger54]

Don't knock the hybrids too much. They do cost a bit more but with gas being so high it'll pay for itself in no time.

My wife has a hybrid camery and l have a gas only camery, our cars are 2018 and 2019 and haven't given us any issues.

Thanks. We are in our 70s, so this purchase is for longevity. It's not the added purchase price increase with hybrids that concerns me, but the repair costs. I would want to see how the manufacturer's warranty applies to hybrid components before deciding.

 

[rginn]

Due to some bad experiences with new vehicles, I've gotten to the point that I'll do better buying slightly used, around 20,000 miles. Anything wrong should be figured out by then. And I don't care for them, but Subaru's are the state car here in Colorado, and they seem to do well in all kinds of weather.

 

[newnan man]

I've had several Dodge Ram 1500 pickups. I really never did much but change the oil and typical belts/hoses thing for preventive maintenance. 4 door with a quality fiberglass capper. Towed boats with two of them, no issues.

 

[pepperj]

Not sure what is going on with Toyota. Looked online at the two dealers closest to me and they dont seem to have any RAV4s that are not in a "build" status. Also they appear to be hybrids which I wanted to avoid as I see that being an expensive repair down the road with Hybrids.

Friends bought a Highlander last year.
Everything is being tracked, they disable the computer screen, and everything they can.
Basically they hate that part.

Anything new you need to get the bare bones model.
Miss the floor vents myself.🤣

 

[gemee]

Buy USED!!! Never buy new. I just found a sweetass deal a month back. The proverbial "little old lady that only drove it to church on Sunday" car. A 2017 Ford Escape with 9,000 original miles on it. Always garaged and only taken out on Sundays when she drove to church. Absolutely PRISTINE. I did not "steal" it at $14,000 , but I DID get myself a "new" car that still smells new inside. I could buy any new car I wanted, but in the last 20 years I have come to see that is foolish. I simply instead look for vehicles that have already been "depreciated", but well taken care ot. I am far ahead in the car game now.