Starting to Plan for New Car

[ruleof72]

After nearly 10 years of reliable use, our 2014 Volt is starting to show signs of battery degradation. I think there's a leak in the battery coolant loop. Getting checked tomorrow but coolant is dropping and I don't see any on the floor......

So, starting the search for a newer car that we can use for road trips and around town. We're good with lower miles used/CPO in addition to new. Budget is definitely under 40k. We have a 2017 Impreza with low miles that we plan on keeping as 2nd around town car, pretty much what the Volt has been. We don't drive a lot. My guess is that we'll put ~7,000/yr on the car with 60% in-town and 40% highway. Our plan is to keep the car for at least 10 years so reliability is key. We also want good efficiency and decently quiet cabin for highway. It's just the two of us, no kids, dogs or regular hauling of stuff. I'm fine with a hatchback but my wife is hinting that she'd like something that sits a little higher. I like the instant torque of the Volt around town so thinking hybrid or PHEV. I guess the usual suspects would be Rav4, Cr-V, Sportage or Tuscon in the smaller SUV or maybe Civic, Camry.

We haven't looked at cars since 2017 when we got the Impreza so we're out of the loop a bit. Any other options or experiences with similar vehicles that you can share?

 

[skyactiv]

Rav4 LE with the 17" tires. Having once owned a Corolla Hybrid, Toyota hybrids feel powerful off the line because both the gas engine and the electric motor are powering the wheels when giving it enough gas and drive very nice under normal conditions when it gets off the line using electric only and or gas. You wont be disappointed. Does Toyota still have a 10 year 150K battery warranty for the first owner?

 

[CarbonToast]

Because of your low annual mileage you would put 70k miles on in 10 years. I think this shifts your equation to lowest purchase price as a high influence of your TCO. The premium paid for a hybrid likely doesn't pay back in 70k miles.

For under 40k you can get any of the mid size SUV non hybrids and pretty much any sedan.

Im a Forester fan, but i don't consider it quiet/ refined. I also dont think Hondas have a particularly quiet cabin.

Is a used Lexus in the cards? That checks the quiet and reliable boxes. With your low mileage depreciation is probably low.

 

[ruleof72]

Rav4 LE with the 17" tires. Having once owned a Corolla Hybrid, Toyota hybrids feel powerful off the line because both the gas engine and the electric motor are powering the wheels when giving it enough gas and drive very nice under normal conditions when it gets off the line using electric only and or gas. You wont be disappointed. Does Toyota still have a 10 year 150K battery warranty for the first owner?

I'm definitely going to test drive one. And yes, the warranty is 120/150k on the battery.

 

[ruleof72]

Because of your low annual mileage you would put 70k miles on in 10 years. I think this shifts your equation to lowest purchase price as a high influence of your TCO. The premium paid for a hybrid likely doesn't pay back in 70k miles.

For under 40k you can get any of the mid size SUV non hybrids and pretty much any sedan.

Im a Forester fan, but i don't consider it quiet/ refined. I also dont think Hondas have a particularly quiet cabin.

Is a used Lexus in the cards? That checks the quiet and reliable boxes. With your low mileage depreciation is probably low.

Yeah, that's what I'm starting to look at. We won't be driving a lot of miles so the extra $$ for a hybrid might not make sense purely from a TCO perspective. I have to admit that I am somewhat addicted to the instant torque that electric/hybrid provides, especially around town. I have the Volt to blame for that!

I do plan on looking at CPO vehicles so Lexus will probably get added to the list.

 

[Burt]

I’d look for a 3 year old relatively high mileage vehicle ( ~50,000 miles). By this time it should have replaced new tires or priced for such. That you can keep for another 10 years and it will have average mileage. Then just buy what fits your needs. After 6 years or so you can drop collision insurance.

 

[macarose]

You're in my neck of the woods!

The quietest vehicle you can own is an EV. However that may not be your bullseye.

What I would do is the following.

1) Take your top three picks.

2) Rent them for a day. You would be surprised what you can find on Turo in Atlanta. You can also go the traditional rental car route but if you do, stick to the ex-urbs of Atlanta where the prices are reasonable.

3) If you're looking at driving only 7,000 miles a year and a long-term commitment, you can opt for higher miles. Your purchase price will be lower at the beginning. By the time you have enjoyed the car for seven to ten years, that car will have the same amount of miles as the average Atlanta vehicle. It will have a similar value in the marketplace and will cost less to own for the duration.

I have a car buying service that purchases vehicles nationally along with my dealership here in Atlanta for over 20 years. Most of my customers are small to medium sized businesses but you can PM me if you like.

I've learned that the best vehicle for most folks is their top choice. So start there. Drive it. And see where it leads you.

 

[CarbonToast]

Also, you have a proven track record of buying a car and keeping it. You did your time in the "value" segment being frugal and saving money.

So buy whatever you want. Get something nice.

The fact that you won't re-up after 5 years brings your annual cost over 10 years way down.

 

[FZ1]

After nearly 10 years of reliable use, our 2014 Volt is starting to show signs of battery degradation. I think there's a leak in the battery coolant loop. Getting checked tomorrow but coolant is dropping and I don't see any on the floor......

So, starting the search for a newer car that we can use for road trips and around town. We're good with lower miles used/CPO in addition to new. Budget is definitely under 40k. We have a 2017 Impreza with low miles that we plan on keeping as 2nd around town car, pretty much what the Volt has been. We don't drive a lot. My guess is that we'll put ~7,000/yr on the car with 60% in-town and 40% highway. Our plan is to keep the car for at least 10 years so reliability is key. We also want good efficiency and decently quiet cabin for highway. It's just the two of us, no kids, dogs or regular hauling of stuff. I'm fine with a hatchback but my wife is hinting that she'd like something that sits a little higher. I like the instant torque of the Volt around town so thinking hybrid or PHEV. I guess the usual suspects would be Rav4, Cr-V, Sportage or Tuscon in the smaller SUV or maybe Civic, Camry.

We haven't looked at cars since 2017 when we got the Impreza so we're out of the loop a bit. Any other options or experiences with similar vehicles that you can share?

Camry.

 

[ecotourist]

Teslas are said to depreciate rapidly. If that's true, buy a used one. In my opinion, the 2022 Model 3 would be the pick of the litter. [We own a 2021 SR+ bought new, which is almost as good as the 2022, which has a couple of extra features. But we like our '21 a lot.]

There are 2 types of batteries for the Standard Range model depending on the date of manufacture. Depending on which battery, you either "typically charge to 80%" or "must charge to 100% at least weekly". The 80% maximum version is a bit lighter, provides faster acceleration and when charged to 100% for that occasional long trip has slightly longer range, the charge to 100% is said to have a longer (theoretical) battery life.

The Long Range models all come with the charge to 80% batteries.

 

[grasscutter]

Be a rebel and buy a pure 100% gasoline vehicle.

 

[MParr]

2026 Ford Escape Hybrid.
If you can find a 2025 gasoline powered Ford Escape, that's a good choice too.
Our 2025 Ford Escape ST Line 1.5 is averaging 34.2 mpg.

 

[andrew_j]

Be a rebel and buy a pure 100% gasoline vehicle.

For instant torque he mentions he likes a gas version of hybrid available driveline would be serious let down! I mentioned to brother to buy RAV4 hybrid for daughter and instead got gasser. They got a loaner hybrid and he was sorely disappointed now in gas RAV4 , the engine is just coarse and noisy .

 

[UNC031]

Drive the hybrid and gas only version of the vehicles back to back. That's what me and my wife did when we were looking for a new vehicle. You'll pick the hybrid version every time. Quieter, more zip and just feel more refined.

 

[PMT133]

Being most of the market is 4 cylinder now, my opinion is that they're all coarse and noisy. I mean they inherently are by design and no matter the amount of refinements that go into it... its still a 4 cylinder. I'm also a little more sensitive to sound and the frequency a 4 banger operates in is right in my annoyance range lol.

I'm at the point where when I do replace my daily I either need to go used, hopefully get a full size or get a EV because I have yet to find a 4 banger I can stand being in for more than a short trip...

 

[Cujet]

If I were in the market for a fairly conventional sedan, the only choices I like are Camry or Accord hybrids. Big enough, 40mpg.
As far as EV's go, any long range or performance Tesla. Check out the Model X, big, tall, efficient.
For SUV's, I am simply not a fan of small ones or anything Hyundai/Kia. The Ford Explorer size is a minimum for practical reasons.

I guess instead of a small SUV I'd rather drive a wagon-ish vehicle such as a Toyota Venza or the Lexus version NX 350h.

 

[Kurtatron]

Nissan Leaf.

 

[PandaBear]

So, low mile per year, good efficiency, quiet, instant torque. You didn't mention budget but since Lexus is within reach, probably a CPO Lexus CUV or Tesla model Y? Something 3 year old with 55k miles and extended warranty from CPO seem like a good fit.

7k miles a year I wouldn't even worry about good efficiency. I'd probably get a Miata or BRZ / FRS / 86 instead if I don't have to worry about ride height.

 

[jsean]

Another vote for the Escape hybrid. You can buy them fairly cheap and Ford hybrids have been pretty reliable. IMO, the Escape is slightly quieter and rides better than the RAV4.

 

[ruleof72]

Thanks for all the replies. It really helps as we consider our next vehicle. I may have some more time to make a decision as it appears there is no coolant leak in the battery of the Volt. They found a defective cap that was probably allowing fluid to leak/evaporate. Hopefully the issue is fixed.

This means we have some additional time to consider the options, test drive vehicles and narrow the field. I think the biggest decision will be car or SUV/crossover (for a higher seating position) as well as hybrid/electric or gas. Waiting a bit might also get some of the new 2026 vehicles into the CPO space.