[9iron]

I need to buy my wife a new (used) car/suv in November. We have a limited budget ($30k max) and need room for two kids...an infant and a toddler. Im thinking "buy and hold" philosophy with this car, so low maintenance and reliability is key. As much as i like performance, this does not need to be an exciting car. It will mainly be a grocery getter and will only be driven ~10k miles/year....maybe one or two long trips each year.

What would you suggest? I was initially thinking CRV, but fear it may be too small. We have an 2014 Edge (FWD) lease currently, and it is ok, but buyout is ~$22k and im not a huge fan. We really want/need AWD (4x4) since we are in MI. I will buy dedicated snow tires/rims for whatever car we buy.

Ive narrowed my choices to a used 2016 Pilot (probably EXL trim) or a used 2013 4Runner (Limited). What else should i consider?

[BEM-S4]

Not sure what prices are like on the XC60/ CPO but we loved ours.

[Rain49king]

Subaru Outback?

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by 9iron

I need to buy my wife a new (used) car/suv in November. We have a limited budget ($30k max) and need room for two kids...an infant and a toddler. Im thinking "buy and hold" philosophy with this car, so low maintenance and reliability is key. As much as i like performance, this does not need to be an exciting car. It will mainly be a grocery getter and will only be driven ~10k miles/year....maybe one or two long trips each year.

What would you suggest? I was initially thinking CRV, but fear it may be too small. We have an 2014 Edge (FWD) lease currently, and it is ok, but buyout is ~$22k and im not a huge fan. We really want/need AWD (4x4) since we are in MI. I will buy dedicated snow tires/rims for whatever car we buy.

Ive narrowed my choices to a used 2016 Pilot (probably EXL trim) or a used 2013 4Runner (Limited). What else should i consider?

We just got a CPO X3 28xdrive for just over $30k, 2013 model with premium, cold weather, and tech packages. We came out of an E53 X5 3.0 and the size difference is minimal. The X3 has a bit less cargo room and is narrower but has more rear seat room. We have 2 kids.

We've had the X3 for 4 months now and it's been great. Decent power and with the BMS Stage 1, we don't pine for the N55. Enough room for 2 car seats including a rear-facing, although it makes the front passenger a bit cramped - but that was true in the X5 as well.

Our search was lease or buy and also safety was a big concern. The 2013 X3 was a top safety pick and also recommended by CR.

Other vehicles we looked at were RDX/MDX, X5, Pilot/CRV, Highlander, Land Rover Discovery Sport. In the end it was RDX and X3. Almost too close to call.

[mkvigli]

2011+ VW Touareg. I have one and absolutely love it. Reliability is hugely improved over last gen, drives like a dream, and you can find plenty around your price range. They are built like tanks too. Great for Michigan weather as well (I'm in SE Michigan--the all wheel drive works great.)

[9iron]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Not sure what prices are like on the XC60/ CPO but we loved ours.

I need to look into Volvo. I was looking at the XC90, but they may be a little out of budget. An XC60 might fit....ill look into it. Thanks

[9iron]

Originally Posted by Rain49king

Subaru Outback?

We considered a Forester XT. Seems like it had some head gasket issues. I bought a new '04 WRX when i was in college and it was a great car. Didnt give me any trouble over 90k miles and was a great value.

I like Subaru, but not sure if i can handle a wagon for 5+ years....even though a Pilot or CRV isnt much better.

[///mawana]

x5.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

We just got a CPO X3 28xdrive for just over $30k, 2013 model with premium, cold weather, and tech packages. We came out of an E53 X5 3.0 and the size difference is minimal. The X3 has a bit less cargo room and is narrower but has more rear seat room. We have 2 kids.

We've had the X3 for 4 months now and it's been great. Decent power and with the BMS Stage 1, we don't pine for the N55. Enough room for 2 car seats including a rear-facing, although it makes the front passenger a bit cramped - but that was true in the X5 as well.

Our search was lease or buy and also safety was a big concern. The 2013 X3 was a top safety pick and also recommended by CR.

Other vehicles we looked at were RDX/MDX, X5, Pilot/CRV, Highlander, Land Rover Discovery Sport. In the end it was RDX and X3. Almost too close to call.

Wow. That describes our situation well. My only concern is the maintenance on a BMW. I have an '08 328i with 100k miles (also had an '08 M3), and they are expensive to fix and can be a pain to work on.

The X3 is nice, but im not very familiar with it to be honest. Does the 2013 X3 have a turbo?

[Rain49king]

Originally Posted by 9iron

We considered a Forester XT. Seems like it had some head gasket issues. I bought a new '04 WRX when i was in college and it was a great car. Didnt give me any trouble over 90k miles and was a great value.

I like Subaru, but not sure if i can handle a wagon for 5+ years....even though a Pilot or CRV isnt much better.

No head gasket issue's with the current generation XT (2014-current) and you would be hard pressed to find a safer car for the family. I personally don't own a Subaru of any kind but I have managed a Subaru Dealership for last 5 years and if I was working with a 30K budget it would be my choice. They are definitely not the sexy choice although styling has improved drastically the last few years. Full disclosure all there radios suck even the H/k.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by mkvigli

2011+ VW Touareg. I have one and absolutely love it. Reliability is hugely improved over last gen, drives like a dream, and you can find plenty around your price range. They are built like tanks too. Great for Michigan weather as well (I'm in SE Michigan--the all wheel drive works great.)

Im scared of German cars due to the long term maintenance costs, but ill look into it. I havent considered the Toureg. Thanks.

[M235iguy]

I had a 15 Forester XT, A nice sleeper suv that has some pep when you want to step on it. Lots of space for the back cargo area with the seats down, plenty of backseat room and never had any issues, The Touring has approach lighting with the better headlights and leather and a skyroof and can be had for under 30k with low miles. 2014-2016. Worth considering.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by Rain49king

No head gasket issue's with the current generation XT (2014-current) and you would be hard pressed to find a safer car for the family. I personally don't own a Subaru of any kind but I have managed a Subaru Dealership for last 5 years and if I was working with a 30K budget it would be my choice. They are definitely not the sexy choice although styling has improved drastically the last few years. Full disclosure all there radios suck even the H/k.

Good to know. Thanks for the response. Im not big on the styling, but Subaru does make a pretty damn functional, safe, and reliable car. I love the AWD too. Do you think a Forester is big enough for two rear facing car-seats?

My problem is i have champaign taste on a beer budget.

[Rain49king]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Good to know. Thanks for the response. Im not big on the styling, but Subaru does make a pretty damn functional, safe, and reliable car. I love the AWD too. Do you think a Forester is big enough for two rear facing car-seats?

My problem is i have champaign taste on a beer budget.

Yeah plenty of room for your family situation. If you decide to go pre-owned I would seek out a CPO it will give you balance of factory warranty and 7 yr 100k power train warranty. Also I am not a fan of the regular Forester's looks but the New XT looks pretty good IMO. I believe I have a 2015 white touring at my store with 18000 miles and it's a CPO. Go to billbryansubaru.com and look it up. If you decide on a Subaru and find one locally feel free to PM me the vin before you buy and I can do an internal search for you to make sure there are no issues that might not show up on a carfax. Best of luck with the search.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by Rain49king

Yeah plenty of room for your family situation. If you decide to go pre-owned I would seek out a CPO it will give you balance of factory warranty and 7 yr 100k power train warranty. Also I am not a fan of the regular Forester's looks but the New XT looks pretty good IMO. I believe I have a 2015 white touring at my store with 18000 miles and it's a CPO. Go to billbryansubaru.com and look it up. If you decide on a Subaru and find one locally feel free to PM me the vin before you buy and I can do an internal search for you to make sure there are no issues that might not show up on a carfax. Best of luck with the search.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

We are not in the market until November, but ill let you know if we decide on a Subaru.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Wow. That describes our situation well. My only concern is the maintenance on a BMW. I have an '08 328i with 100k miles (also had an '08 M3), and they are expensive to fix and can be a pain to work on.

The X3 is nice, but im not very familiar with it to be honest. Does the 2013 X3 have a turbo?

The CPO covers the car for another 3 years and 70k miles. Thinking ahead, we purchased an extended maintenance program for it as well. It was an additional $1500 (if I recall, that's close to cost).

It has the N20 4-cyl turbo. It does 0-60 in just around 6 seconds.

We're either gonna get another aftermarket warranty after 3 years OR ditch it after 5 years.

BMW parts aren't too bad, but labor is a bitch. You can still change the oil and fluids and there's a lot of DIY support on the forums to do more complex stuff. But you'll need a CAN tool.

[Kenny's X5]

Acura MDX? Bought mine new in 09 and currently have around 85k miles on it. No issues whatsoever...just basic maintenance.

[FriskyDingo]

You can just stop at the 4Runner. Or a Higlander. Nothing else will have the long-term reliability or resale value of those two. Not even the Pilot. If the 4Runner Limited is clean and has records, do yourself a favor and just go buy it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mkvigli

2011+ VW Touareg. I have one and absolutely love it. Reliability is hugely improved over last gen, drives like a dream, and you can find plenty around your price range. They are built like tanks too. Great for Michigan weather as well (I'm in SE Michigan--the all wheel drive works great.)

Maintenance such a bitch in those still? I had the first gen and everything was VERY expensive. Tires, brakes were a $3k job, etc.

[G8rGrl]

You can get a low-mileage Lexus NX in that price range by November. Either a demo vehicle or a dealer loaner vehicle, CPO with free Lexus maintenance and an extended warranty. http://www.lexus.com/lcertified

[TSM330i]

For your situation, with two kids and wanting something that is cheap to run, you're not going to get anything better than the Pilot. Nothing else will come close for the money in terms of room and low maintenance.

Anything else anyone suggests will be smaller and more expensive to maintain.

[Mywifes335]

OP, a wide variety of opinions here, some substantiated, some anecdotal.

Honestly, I'd cross check with both US News & World Report rankings as well as Consumer Reports.

To me, safety is #1, then it has to meet our practical requirements, then reliability, then maintenance costs... Fuel economy is probably last on the list.

Anyway, you'll find that most of these suggestions are valid. It's up to you to pick the winner.