Mama wants a hatch!

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pandus13

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OK and Hello BITOGers,

so first excuse me for my previous too many car questions threads.

so seeing my itch for a newer car, now Mama started to look around for a replacement for the '08 Yaris sedan.

requirements:
- has a hatch (not necessarily hatchback, deemed too small; no scion XB or kia soul, deemed too boxy ; another mazda5 not agreed because of space distribution/seating issues): that leaves Suv/Cuv, some hybrids, Wagons, etc
- no minivans (we are a family of 4)
- no 3rd row
- second row spacious, no captain chairs/divided chairs, just one row bench
- preferably front seating not the drop-in-down racing type
- automatic trans
- mpg over 32-35 :that takes out some bigger SUV's
- production years: 2015-2017
- miles: 25k or less
- preferably under $16k-$18k used


contenders:
- 2015 toyota prius two/three
- 2015 ford c-max
- 2016 vw golf sportwagen (a little bit of wining in mpg department; of course compared with hybrids)
-
- 2015 honda cr-v
- 2015 mazda cx-5/cx-7/cx-9 (i know, i know, mpg; man can dream)
- 2015 ford escape


So dear Bitogers, yay, nay, other options

much appreciated
 
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If you can make the Golf Sportwagen (GSW) work for you, size-wise, I heartily recommend it.
You should be able to buy a new 2017 for under $19k if you dealer shop and get some competition going. Cannot beat that value!

A CRV or CX5 is also a great choice. Test drive and compare... do you prefer more seating room and upright, vs a sportier driver? That's the main difference between a CUV and the GSW.

see: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/697325334/overview/
or a TDI https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/699964055/overview/
2015, but domes with extended warranty on emissions stuff (covers all the major items for 11/162k). That'll kill all others on MPG, but the 2015 GSW does not have android auto / apple carplay and only comes in leatherette.

If you're not worried about driving experience, I can heartily recommend a Prius also. Reliable and cheap to own/drive. Usually can't be beat for long term ownership costs, of comparable vehicles (yes a base Yaris might win, but its not in the same class)
 
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Maybe a lexus ct 200h, it's a hybrid though don't know if that would meet your criteria.
 
why not a recent, used toyota yaris hatch? my snowbird car is a 2014 L ex hertz rental to which i added cruise control (see yarisworld). very handy, reliable and tossable. as a bonus driving a car with crank windows is a fountain of youth.
 
Originally Posted By: surfstar
If you can make the Golf Sportwagen (GSW) work for you, size-wise, I heartily recommend it.
You should be able to buy a new 2017 for under $19k if you dealer shop and get some competition going. Cannot beat that value!

A CRV or CX5 is also a great choice. Test drive and compare... do you prefer more seating room and upright, vs a sportier driver? That's the main difference between a CUV and the GSW.

see: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/697325334/overview/
or a TDI https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/699964055/overview/
2015, but domes with extended warranty on emissions stuff (covers all the major items for 11/162k). That'll kill all others on MPG, but the 2015 GSW does not have android auto / apple carplay and only comes in leatherette.

If you're not worried about driving experience, I can heartily recommend a Prius also. Reliable and cheap to own/drive. Usually can't be beat for long term ownership costs, of comparable vehicles (yes a base Yaris might win, but its not in the same class)


Thank you.

I don't think I can push a TDI/Diesel. Besides vacations, we don't really drive a lot of high-speed/low traffic highways.

probably we want a 5-7-10 years reasonable cost to own

(GSW is my push, wink wink...)
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Escape, CX-5, or Golf. Me, I'd go with the Mazda.

Thank you, mee too

But i need to put some chair/butt time first and trying to get informed
 
Originally Posted By: wkcars
Maybe a lexus ct 200h, it's a hybrid though don't know if that would meet your criteria.

kind of small, which also excluded the regular hatchbacks (mazda3, kia rio5, fiesta, etc)
Thank you
 
Originally Posted By: jstert
why not a recent, used toyota yaris hatch? my snowbird car is a 2014 L ex hertz rental to which i added cruise control (see yarisworld). very handy, reliable and tossable. as a bonus driving a car with crank windows is a fountain of youth.

good car for a single/bachelor (my future BIL had one). i have the sedan version, but seating is really cramped

but for what we need, not that really spacious


Thank you
 
Originally Posted By: Andy636
Hyundai Elantra GT or GT Wagon if you have it over there.

Andy636
first, Multumesc Mult! Eu sunt din Timisoara.

We don't have the true Elantra/GT wagons here. it was actually the lower trim european I30 wagon/hatchback sold as Elantra Touring, up to around 2010-2011. also they where rare....
 
surfstar, Dareo, other GSW owners,....

does any details surfaced of the TDI emissions fix? (dealers/states handling...)
 
As you don't do enough freeway driving, scratch the TDI.

I'd say look at a used CX5/CRV vs a new GSW. Test drive them all and see how they work space-wise. The CUV will be more upright and might have more rear seat space (or at least feel like it), but the GSW has a longer cargo area that may be beneficial. For example, our large cooler can fit lengthwise in the GSW but would not in one of the CUVs, as their cargo area is taller instead.

Those should all be safe, reliable options. GSW will provide a better driving experience, and the 1.8T is peppy while getting decent mileage. (also do you DIY? the VW 502 oil changes cost more at dealers, if you go that route. Not much difference if you DIY, though. If you are a dealer-user, I'd go against the VW, as it could cost more to maintain)

IMO the impreza/crosstrek is too small for the price. Not enough cargo area. Stepping up to a Forester/Outback gains you tons of room and not much mpg penalty.

Test drives should be the deciding factor - whichever feels and fits best for you guys...
 
Have you looked at the Buick Encore? I'm not normally a GM guy, but I took a friend of mine to look at some of these a year or two ago, and I have to say I like them a lot.

Having never actually owned one, I can't speak to the overall owner experience, but I did get a chance to drive a couple and they rode very nice and seemed to have some pretty decent build quality.

MPG is right in your range, and it has a hatch in the back.
 
sufstar, i remember from your GSW review, it has 15" wheels/tires... i'm guessing the priuses/prii too.
CUVs/SUVs have gone 17"-19" and up

what would you think is the better cost-to-own for 5-7 years?
 
Can't really find a used one yet, but maybe a Civic Hatchback? We test drove the sedan last year and really liked it.

Another option, it's a little older, probably harder to find, and the mileage is on the low end, but maybe a 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon?
 
Originally Posted By: pandus13
sufstar, i remember from your GSW review, it has 15" wheels/tires... i'm guessing the priuses/prii too.
CUVs/SUVs have gone 17"-19" and up

what would you think is the better cost-to-own for 5-7 years?


Good point - the 15" wheels on the S GSW run 195/65/15 tires. Cheap to replace! But, as it sounds like you're not doing the high miles (I'm at 18-20k / year), this is less a difference for you. I think the lower optioned CX5 and CRV run 16s, and shouldn't be too costly.

Its quite hard to predict exact maintenance and reliability for a particular car.

For me, as this was my first VW and first new car, I am/was worried about the turbo or something else expensive (heck its a new VW, anything could be costly if I can't DIY), so opted for Geico's Mechanical Breakdown Insurance. A cheaper version of an extended warranty, and it goes out to 7/100k, at at cost of around $8/mo, but has a $250 deductible. It really is insurance against a big cost. I wouldn't get that if I was in a CX5/CRV - especially if you get a CPO, then you'd have a longer warranty.

I'd assume similar costs for the cars over time, and focus on whichever one is the best fit. Seats, interior layout, etc. One might jump out at you as leagues ahead of the other.
 
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