I have to buy a new car soon

[Mike Johnson]

My '99 CR-V was totaled. The insurance company will eventually pay me $7500 to put towards a replacement. I have enough in my savings to pay cash today if I had to. But I have no idea what to buy.

The CR-V was okay; handy, reliable, but not particularly comfortable. I'm tempted to go buy another one. However, I usually spend a couple weeks researching all the different models out there, and their safety records. I don't really have time to do that right now. I still don't even know what the other manufacturers offer in that class.

I would normally be looking at a car that was 2-3 years old, rather than new, just because it makes financial sense. But is that still true right now with dealerships in a world of hurt? I've heard rumors of people scoring some amazing deals on new cars, getting them cheaper than a used car.

I have a six year old son, so safety is important. I don't like gas guzzlers, on general principles, but I only drive about 7500 miles a year so mileage isn't my top concern.

I'd like to drive something built in the USA, but it has to have a good reliability record and be at least as good as the CR-V in interior styling and comfort. I'd be willing to get something a bit bigger than the CR-V but I don't need it.

Any advice or opinion is welcome!

[dmann]

I have the 07 CRV and love it. Someone else on the forum was posting about buying a car a few weeks ago and I, along with several others gave some input. I can't remember who the OP was but if you search dmann and CRV you should find it.

DM

[iaJim]

Why not just go to the dealer and ask for the best deal on whatever car you are interested in. They are really ready to deal, and since you won't have a trade in, you will know exactly where you are. Still don't be afraid to offer less. Dealers are willing just to get their money back right now, even less than they paid for the cars. If you have the money, it's a good time to buy new.

[DRR]

Dealerships are hurting but can you get a better deal on a new car than a used car? I doubt it.

It sounds to you like a new-ish CRV may be the way to go. They've gotten a lot better since the redesign last year. Honda reliability, much less spartan inside. Good crash test results.

I don't really like the RAV4. I guess you could get a highlander but those are a fair amount more expensive. Nissan has the Rogue, another smallish SUV-crossover. I think they're ugly.

I would not buy a domestic car, especially now. I doubt I could convince you to look into an Audi Avant, although that would be my personal choice.

[Rolando]

I'd go for a Ford Escape, if you need an SUV. I test drove a Toyota Matrix and found the seating excruciating, but the interior is about the same. I like the Honda Fit.

Are you buying something you need or like? BTW Toyota is marking down their profits for the next quarter, so it's not just American company's that are hurting.

[Wags]

I've been thinking about the Scion xB or xD. They've got lots of room and seems pretty well built. We've been using the new xB's as taxicabs this year and they hold up very well. Several have well of 100k miles on them without any problems so far. I don't know if they build them in the US, though.

[DRR]

It's not just American companies that are hurting, but I also did not see any foreign automakers crawl to Washington to beg for money from the American people.

[olnacl]

I have a 2007 CRV and I'm very happy with it. I went from a 2005 Element and wouldn't go back - ever. Before buying the CRV though, I did spec searches on all the compact SUVs and the Honda was the winner for me. It has the most interior space (cargo) of all in the class. (That was a year ago, mind you). I was able to put a 10' stepladder inside and close the hatch.

[mrbigstuff]

Here's the list from IIHS:

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr112508.html

Large cars
Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A3, A4
BMW 3 series 4-door models
Ford Fusion with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord 4-door models
Mercedes C class
Mercury Milan with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

Midsize convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit

Minicar
Honda Fit with optional electronic stability control

Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX, RDX
BMW X3, X5
Ford Edge, Flex, Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser, Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V, Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup
Toyota Tacoma

also this for smaller cars (which I find personally interesting since I will be in the market this coming year:

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr121708.html

[Robert M]

Mike,

Sorry to hear your car got totaled. I hope everyone who was in the cars is 100% a-okay and safe and sound. That said, the Honda CR-V is similar in size and capacity to my 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Since I've been look for a replacement for my car, you are likely to look at models that are similar to what I am considering these days. At this point, safety is a must. But, also comfort and capacity for lugging stuff around are important, too.

So far, there are only two vehicles on the market that meet what I am looking for in a car - The Hyundai Tucson and its twin the Kia Sportage. They are about the same size and shape as my Cherokee, fairly reliable at least based on Consumer Reports, great for carrying stuff around because the seats fold flat and come very much loaded for the money. You can't get a power seat but you can get power everything else. Looks-wise, the vehicles are like generic more truck-like SUVs instead of the more mini-van like models I see from the competitors. I hope to take one for a test drive in the very near future.

I'm also considering a Subaru Legacy Wagon or Outback Wagon and one of the Volvo Wagons. I'm also considering the Chevy Malibu Maxx, which is considered one of the better "American" cars these days.

Hope that helps,

Robert