My sister is car shopping...
- Thread starter The Critic
- Start date
Lexus NX
The new hybrid Venzas have a lot of virtues, but the awful Ecopia OEM tires were very noisy at highway speed and it infuriated me that I was never able to pump more than 11 gallons into the tank, which killed the range.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
What kind of climate? Is AWD really needed?
driving only 7k miles a year, a hybrid makes no financial sense in most states...if you are strictly talking about payback period.
she can do the math herself: insert gas $, miles, etc.
she can do the math herself: insert gas $, miles, etc.
and since I'll get the "well aktuallie" treatment from someone, i'll spare them the hassle..
other costs to think about with the Toyota hybrid system (dunno about others): no alternator to change, longer brake pad life (assuming same pads), etc.
and fewer trips to the pump per month.
everyone puts a different value on those things
other costs to think about with the Toyota hybrid system (dunno about others): no alternator to change, longer brake pad life (assuming same pads), etc.
and fewer trips to the pump per month.
everyone puts a different value on those things
Years ago I'd say yes maybe the Japanese built Lexus was a bit better in the fit and finish department. When I worked for a Lexus dealership I actually on several occasions had the same vehicle side by side one built in Ontario and one in Japan. There wasn't anything that showed the Japanese built Lexus was assembled any better. In fact when the Ontario Canada assembly plant was installed Lexus installed the exact same machinery as what was used in Japan.
She might drive the Forester and see what she thinks.
Wife loves hers and they aren't all that different mechanically from what they were when her car was new.
Unrivaled outward visibility, plenty of interior space and a very soft ride.
Would also probably be the low-buck pick among the cars you've mentioned.
Fuel economy is not bad and with the miles your sister drives is of no real importance.
Wife loves hers and they aren't all that different mechanically from what they were when her car was new.
Unrivaled outward visibility, plenty of interior space and a very soft ride.
Would also probably be the low-buck pick among the cars you've mentioned.
Fuel economy is not bad and with the miles your sister drives is of no real importance.
I agree, but in that case, the NX and CR-V Hybrid will be disqualified.
She drove the CX-50 and said it was too noisy. 2025 Forester isn't really an all-new vehicle, the guts are more/less unchanged.
Agreed, but from my experience, you'll be working on them a lot.
No kids, but wants the space and a car to "grow into."
Absolutely. In-law's 24 RX was made in Canada and I was less than impressed by the build quality and the amount of debris in the paint. NX's are built in both Japan and in Canada.
It is about 15" too long.
We drove a Corolla Cross. NVH characteristics were pretty poor so it is off the list.
CA climate, but it gives her the geographic flexibility if she moves.
Gotcha... IMHO the rest of the package outweigh that one downside, while saving money. Good luck with the final decision!
Hmm, that's me just changing the spark plugs on the Forester /
(#4 was the most 'fun'....)
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
What about a BMW X3?
Don't listen to these spend-a- holics. They know not the value of five million pennies!
Your choices are very simple. On the one hand you can buy a 'Cult Of Elon' Model Y Long Range with vegan leather seats and enough software capabilities to enjoy real autonomy by the year 2030. Or 2035... Or 2040...
Seriously, if you're looking for an SUV the Model Y is right now the global gold standard. Nothing else comes close at $50k.
Another option is to buy a 20 year old rust-free Suzuki Vitara that has been garage kept its entire life for $3500. This is the easiest SUV to drive and maintain in the 21st century (according to me 15 seconds ago) and with only 121k miles, it still easily has another 7 to 10 years on the road IF you're a BITOG OCD kinda guy. Make sure you get a spare for parts and keep it in her backyard. Not yours.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/ctd/d/powder-springs-one-owner-garaged-since/7805901581.html
On a serious note, if she wants to spend $50k more power to her. But a Toyota Corolla XLE hybrid with all the trimmings would probably make her just as happy for $30k. Have her drive one. If she still wants an alternative I see a beautiful Suzuki in her future.
Your choices are very simple. On the one hand you can buy a 'Cult Of Elon' Model Y Long Range with vegan leather seats and enough software capabilities to enjoy real autonomy by the year 2030. Or 2035... Or 2040...
Seriously, if you're looking for an SUV the Model Y is right now the global gold standard. Nothing else comes close at $50k.
Another option is to buy a 20 year old rust-free Suzuki Vitara that has been garage kept its entire life for $3500. This is the easiest SUV to drive and maintain in the 21st century (according to me 15 seconds ago) and with only 121k miles, it still easily has another 7 to 10 years on the road IF you're a BITOG OCD kinda guy. Make sure you get a spare for parts and keep it in her backyard. Not yours.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/ctd/d/powder-springs-one-owner-garaged-since/7805901581.html
On a serious note, if she wants to spend $50k more power to her. But a Toyota Corolla XLE hybrid with all the trimmings would probably make her just as happy for $30k. Have her drive one. If she still wants an alternative I see a beautiful Suzuki in her future.
Isn't it amazing how little choices a $50k budget brings?
How about the Venza replacement, the Crown Signia?
How about the Venza replacement, the Crown Signia?
GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
If you sister does not require AWD, I would consider a brand new Acura RDX. The FWD models do not sell as quickly as the AWD RDX's, and I suspect you can get a FWD RDX under sticker and under 50k USD.
My Wife can have zero vehicle issues while I work OCONUS. The RDX provides total piece of mind.
Here is a list of RDXs in your area under $50k USD:
https://www.cars.com/shopping/resul...&stock_type=new&year_max=&year_min=&zip=95123
This one has the technology package and is just under $50k USD:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/be56b55f-d52c-4cae-8cbc-033b5e9b3560/
My Wife can have zero vehicle issues while I work OCONUS. The RDX provides total piece of mind.
Here is a list of RDXs in your area under $50k USD:
https://www.cars.com/shopping/resul...&stock_type=new&year_max=&year_min=&zip=95123
This one has the technology package and is just under $50k USD:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/be56b55f-d52c-4cae-8cbc-033b5e9b3560/
I would get the Honda CRV-Hybrid. Gas won't stay cheap forever. The top seller for Honda is now the CRV.
In the grand theme of things, gas is cheap, especially for someone driving 6K/yr. CRV hybrid doesn’t have a spare tire, has injector issues (for now), broken camshafts and doesn’t have a 10/150k battery warranty.
We have a winner:
2025 Forester Touring.
It still drives like a Subaru but the 2025 “redesign” brought significant improvements in refinement.
They are being heavily discounted — I got 12.4% off MSRP with no dealer add-on’s.
I also added a genuine Subaru 10/100k extended warranty with $0 deductible. Don’t worry, I got a good price on it. I simply don’t have a lot of confidence in the reliability of these cars and I think I’ll be taking full advantage of that warranty.
2025 Forester Touring.
It still drives like a Subaru but the 2025 “redesign” brought significant improvements in refinement.
They are being heavily discounted — I got 12.4% off MSRP with no dealer add-on’s.
I also added a genuine Subaru 10/100k extended warranty with $0 deductible. Don’t worry, I got a good price on it. I simply don’t have a lot of confidence in the reliability of these cars and I think I’ll be taking full advantage of that warranty.
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I've driven them all:
Forester has the best visibility
CR-V has the most amount of interior/storage space, and best fuel economy
Lexus has the best resale value, but why not the RAV4?
You should also consider the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. It has the best interior and Toyota's hybrid drivetrain.
Edit: I guess I was late to the party, congrats!
