Small, "boxy", and awd?

[Duck Vader]

I think I have made the wife narrow it down to 3 possible vehicles.

What are the pros/cons of each of these?

Keep in mind, paying under $10k, preferably closer to $8k or less. So looking at early to mid 2000s for probably all of these.

Honda Element
Honda CRV
Subaru Forester

Element seems to be the most expensive for what you get. Looking at well over 100k miles to get one.

CRV I know next to nothing about, but seem to be cheaper than the Element.

Forester is kind of last on her list. She likes the AWD, but doesn't like the look all that much.

[Duck Vader]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 287524941/

[Duck Vader]

She still can't decide between the three.

Also weighing the option of keeping the kia.

Kia Pros:
Safety
Reliability
Had since 20 miles on it
5/60 bumper to bumper 10/100 powertrain warranty that started in 2017
Convenience features
She enjoys it
Works well for us so far

Kia Cons:
$12k residual value that we will need to pay for in order to keep it
Not AWD
Much higher insurance

Element/CRV/Foresters Pros:
About 1/2 the cost (looking at around $6000)
AWD
Reliable
Cheap insurance
Good safety scores
cheap/easy to maintain

Element/CRV/Foresters Cons:
100k+ miles on them in the price range (Soul has about 25k on it)
long term reliability at high mileage questionable
no warranty
unknown background


You all think I am indecisive, she is 1000x worse than me. She keeps saying she wants to do what is best for "us". I honestly have no idea what to tell her. That is a big difference in money to keep the kia, but it comes with warranty, modern tech, complete knowledge of maintenance history, etc.

Any input from you all?

[aaronatstate]

Keep the Kia. It'll be better in the long run. Don't need AWD if you have good winter tires. I just drove around Denver for a week with zero issues in a rental car that only had all season tires. We had up to 5" of snow on the road at times, and it still wasn't a problem.

[Duck Vader]

That's what I've been thinking. But in the end it's her car.

[alienviking]

I have said this over and over - AWD is so overrated. Also, I'd much rather rely on the Kia than the older other cars.. both for daily driving reliability (goodness knows your Jeep isn't reliable) and I'd definitely much rather be in an accident in it.

[Chris GTO TT]

I also agree, keep the Kia. Get dedicated winter tires if necessary.

[DCIV]

Get a crv. Stupid reliable and Awd. I drove mine almost to 250k and I am 90% sure it was original timing composites. I changed the rear diff fluid once, radiator fluid once, transmission once, and oil changed ever 5k. Went through a radiator and a couple sets of front cv’s.


Coop

[Monochrome]

[quote=""alienviking""]I have said this over and over - AWD is so overrated. Also, I'd much rather rely on the Kia than the older other cars.. both for daily driving reliability (goodness knows your Jeep isn't reliable) and I'd definitely much rather be in an accident in it.[/quote]

This!

Cheap set of steel wheels with whatever is on sale on Tire Rack. You’ll never get stuck.

[Duck Vader]

Her tires now suck so bad. Whatever they put on at the factory. Tire rack gave them like a 5/10 score. Lol. If she keeps it will probably get a good set of all seasons that are also snow/traction rated.

[Chris GTO TT]

Just an FYI the M&S designation is meaningless BS. From my research it's arbitrary based on if the Mfg thinks it looks like it's better for snow. The only rating meaningful is the sever snow (3peaks mountain) rating it actually is required to meet some actual tests and requirements.

[DCIV]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Just an FYI the M&S designation is meaningless BS. From my research it's arbitrary based on if the Mfg thinks it looks like it's better for snow. The only rating meaningful is the sever snow (3peaks mountain) rating it actually is required to meet some actual tests and requirements.[/quote]

Good info.


Coop

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""DCIV""]Get a crv. Stupid reliable and Awd. I drove mine almost to 250k and I am 90% sure it was original timing composites. I changed the rear diff fluid once, radiator fluid once, transmission once, and oil changed ever 5k. Went through a radiator and a couple sets of front cv’s.


Coop[/quote]

Fair point. Coop does know about not servicing vehicles at scheduled intervals. If he can sign off on it then that is good enough for me.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Just an FYI the M&S designation is meaningless BS. From my research it's arbitrary based on if the Mfg thinks it looks like it's better for snow. The only rating meaningful is the sever snow (3peaks mountain) rating it actually is required to meet some actual tests and requirements.[/quote]

That's the one I'm talking about. My bfg ats have that rating. Some all seasons for the kia do too I think.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Fair point. Coop does know about not servicing vehicles at scheduled intervals. If he can sign off on it then that is good enough for me.[/quote]

People like coop are the reason why I'm apprehensive about buying used. Lol

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]People like coop are the reason why I'm apprehensive about buying used. Lol[/quote]

Aren't we all.

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]That's the one I'm talking about. My bfg ats have that rating. Some all seasons for the kia do too I think.[/quote]

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/t ... techid=125

[DCIV]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]People like coop are the reason why I'm apprehensive about buying used. Lol[/quote]

Anyone who buys a 250k mike vehicle better know how to wrench on it. As it’s not worth getting fixed and it’s gonna break. You arnt buying that. You are buying something like I did, around 100k (preferably less) and driving it to 200k.


Coop

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/t ... techid=125[/quote]

Ya. Not as good as dedicated but better than normal all season. My all terrains do have the triple peak. I've had them in deep snow on steep inclines and did great.

That said, was thinking these for the kia if we keep it.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... oYear=2017

[vr4]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Fair point. Coop does know about not servicing vehicles at scheduled intervals. If he can sign off on it then that is good enough for me.[/quote]
Truth
[quote=""Duck Vader""]People like coop are the reason why I'm apprehensive about buying used. Lol[/quote]

Also a very good point.


You shoulda bought my 55k mile outback.


Either of the Honda's with maintenance records or keep the Kia. The Honda's are very solid but will stretch the timing chain when neglected. Starter and knock sensor are a fairly common failure. Both are a little bit of a pain to change if you haven't done them before.

No matter what get dedicated snow tires for the winter.