Suggestions for a new car

[DanaSD]

After today I may be looking sooner rather than later, :(

I currently have a 2003 4Runner which I love and has been great (no repairs other than batteries and tires until the last 6 month) and is around 160,000 miles.

I'm tempted to buy another 4Runner but want to look into other options.

I use my car for my business (delivering cakes) so I need a decent amount of flat cargo space. Our other car is a mini so another reason I need a decent amount of space in my car. Also the space needs to be protected from light (my SUV has a cover that can be pulled over the cargo space). A remote closing hatch would be ideal since I often have a cake in my hands and need to close the hatch. I also need a smooth drive - bumps are bad for cakes. Doesn't have to be a SUV - minivan or car are options too (though DH wants to veto the minivan idea).

I would love a hybrid

We have 1 kid

Previous to the 4Runner I had a Honda Civic and Ford Escort.

Not really what I wanted to focus on right now and feeling a little overwhelmed (I HATE car shopping)

budget - I"m not even sure but I guess similar to a 4Runner or less. My car has been paid off for 5 years so its been so great not having a car payment and DH's mini is kind of a lemon so that will need to be replaced soon too.

[wallycat]

DH and I had considered an Element.
Not in the market but a definite contender.

[mkc]

I would love a hybrid

If you "would love a hybrid" solely because you're interested in the fuel economy, keep in mind that the cost adder of most hybrid options far outweighs the overall fuel economy savings for the identical model vehicle. So you may be burning less fuel in some driving (mostly the city portion), but you'll pay a lot more for the vehicle and it will take a long time to recoup the cost delta (I've seen some analysis that says 7-15 years, depending on model).

And you lose storage space because the batteries for the hybrid take up space.

Not to discourage you, but just some things that many folks don't realize with a hybrid.

Now a clean diesel - there's something to consider for serious fuel economy improvement without as high a vehicle premium.

Michelle

[Cafe Latte]

I have a Lexus RX 330 which I love, but recently sat in a new Toyoya Highlander Limited. It's larger than the previous models, I think. Really nice. It may have a Hybrid version, but I am not sure. Lexus has a Hybrid, but for approx $10k more, and a few miles to the gallon difference, I don't think it is worth the extra $$.

[JustD2Me]

I have a 2010 Subaru Forrester. Love it! I don't have the cover over the back hatch and the door isn't self closing. I think you can buy a cover. Not sure whether self-closing is an option.

[VictoriaL]

I don't know if I could buy anything other than a 4-Runner! We bought our first the year they introduced the model (1985) and are on our 4th (each "lasts" about 8 years and we have always sold our "old" 4-Runner to a friend. In fact, we have a waiting list...)

Obviously, they are an awesome vehicle. :)

And, really, it's not as though we don't consider other models. Once all of the comparisons are made, we just always return.

[charley]

With Toyota's spate of problems the past few years I'd be hesitant to buy new right now. I have a 2000 4Runner that I'd like to keep another 10 years if possible. I love it as much as I did my Celica for 15 years.

Dh bought a Honda Odyssey 3 years ago (end of the year model fully loaded ... great deal). We both love it. Don't know anything about the current models. It's a sweet all purpose vehicle. My dh works in the oil field and a lot of the guys gave him grief about buying a van until they actually sat in it and went for a ride. If that's your dh's issue ... let him take a test drive.

[Gumbeaux]

A Ford Transit has a lot of space and is dirt cheap.

http://vehiclewrapoftheday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/caseys-cupcake_2.jpg

[Beth]

I've got an Odyssey and have loved it, but I think the light protection would be an issue with a mini van. You might be able to address that with films or the wraps.

The Element is a fun vehicle, but it does not have the ride you need for cakes. Also, I've heard Honda is discontinuing it.

My rent car this past week was a Jeep Patriot. I thought it rode well, but at least the one we had didn't seem to have a cover in back.

My dad has a Ford mini-SUV/crossover -- can't think of the name of the model, but his does have a read cover and might fit your needs.

[Robyn1007]

As soon as you said hybrid I thought Toyota Highlander which does have a hybrid and a remote hatch. With 3rd row seating it must have a good amount of space without that 3rd row installed.

[DanaSD]

4Runner, Highlander and Subaro Forrester are all on my list to look at. I think some of the cross overs would be good because they might also have a softer ride. But some don't have covers to keep the sun out (but may be able to get some kind of after market solution). DH keeps suggesting the Volvo SUV but I"m sure its in the higher price range.

I agree with minivans - I find them to be a great ride. We used to have them as company cars in my old job and was really impressed. I don't think DH has ever been in one but I don't think it would help.

I would like a hybrid because its better for the environment. I do mostly freeway driving so I don't think the savings would be as good for me. I don't see it as money savings but would hope I could break even while making a better choice for the environment. My other concern is because they're relatively new, they could be problematic.

The good news today is my car isn't dead yet. Was spark plugs and not engine as they thought. You'd think they would have checked that first but I already know I don't like this repair shop and I'm just waiting until my favorite mechanic opens his new shop in two weeks. I'll have him do the struts/shocks it needs but I do still hope to buy a new car by the end of the year (and start looking now!). Hoping to get some value out of the 4runner as a trade-in/sale.

I've seen several models of 'business vans' that are really being marketed to cake/cupcake shops (like Gumbeaux/s photo) but I also use my car as my family car and my son needs to sit in the back seat and I would like him to have a window - most of these vans don't have rear passenger windows. Someday when my business is much larger maybe I can have a delivery van.

[DanaSD]

I've got an Odyssey and have loved it, but I think the light protection would be an issue with a mini van. You might be able to address that with films or the wraps. .

that was my concern with minivans. Tinted windows is not good enough. Some icing colors are very sensitive to light and many of my cakes don't fit in cake boxes. Also chocolates melt fast with sunlight even if its cool.

[Gumbeaux]

that was my concern with minivans. Tinted windows is not good enough. Some icing colors are very sensitive to light and many of my cakes don't fit in cake boxes.

So what is the work-around to this in the 4Runner that you are using now to transport your cakes?

[DanaSD]

My 4 runner has a retractable cover that can be pulled across to cover the cargo space. Not all SUVs have this and haven't seen this in minivans.

[Beth]

You may be right about an after market option. I googled cargo cover and got cargo liners for pickup truck beds and for car interiors to protect from dog fur and dirt (or cake icing?) but the only roller shade type I saw were the Honda parts. Might have been more if I kept looking, but I wonder if you couldn't use a roller shade (blackout, of course) and figure out a way to install it and brackets to hold it at the end into the car -- take it out when you don't need it. If so, it would be a pretty cheap accessory and open up your choices.

Good luck, and glad you have new spark plugs and more time to make the decision.

Enjoyed looking at your blog again. I want to come play in your shop!

[mkc]

My 4 runner has a retractable cover that can be pulled across to cover the cargo space. Not all SUVs have this and haven't seen this in minivans.

I think my SIL has this in her Honda Pilot.

-M

[charley]

Dh's Odyssey has retractable sun shades for the 2nd and 3rd row seats. Maybe available for the cargo area too.

[syzygy]

The newer CRV's have a dual deck cargo shelf (http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/interior-photos.aspx?num=cargo), so there's the cover you are looking for. They also have the 60/40 split rear seats so there is plenty of cargo room without even having to take out your son's car seat.

DH got a new CRV last year (mine is a 2003) and it's a totally different car than before. Almost a luxury car compared to mine (which was the "top of the line" at the time), with all the improvements and extras they have added over the years.

I love my CRV (and DH's!!!) and will most likely get another when the time comes to replace it. Meanwhile it's got a lot of miles and still going strong, so I'm not looking yet. :D

[clairea]

I was also going to suggest the CR-V. DH got a new one in May, and we love it. I would say the ride is not quite as smooth as my 2010 Accord, but much smoother than the 2000 Odyssey we got rid of (we are Honda people :) ). There is lots of leg room in front and back. We have taken it on a couple of long trips, and my 5'10" 14 year old has been perfectly comfortable.

It does have a cargo cover, and we have found the cargo space to be more than adequate. Of course, there is no 3rd row option if that is something you need for the "family car" days.

[mkc]

The CR-V is being redesigned for the 2012 model year and is rumored to be released in November. Some spy shots have hit the car sites within the last month if anyone is interested. Since it's a redesign, the 2011's remaining on the lots at that time could potentially have some good incentives.

When shopping for a CR-V, if it matters to you there are (were) 3 countries of origin for final assembly and you can determine this from the VIN number. Those with VIN numbers starting with JHL are assembled in Japan (not many of those remaining since production was shifting to America even before the devastation in Japan), 5J6 are US (Ohio, I believe), and 3CZ are Mexico.

We've been researching the CR-Vs for a while now. We have an '03 and have been looking to replace my car with a second CR-V to share the workload.

Michelle

[Beth]

I thought I'd seen something -- we get emails from Honda and some recently have had info about new models. Here's what I found on the 2012 CRV (http://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/?SP_RID=MjM4MjUyMTkwNDcS1&SP_MID=3566329&PROGRAMID=RPNEWS&CAMPAIGNCODE=AT3196&OFFERCODE=AT3196&CELLCODE=CO&PID=784802837&FROM=EMAIL)

Not a whole lot other than the photo, but it confirms a new model later this year and there are links to the other new models at the bottom.