Finding a Car for Mom!

[Matt Herring]

So my mom is on the hunt for a new car and she's got her heart set on a used Jeep Liberty (I shot a flare in the air to rescue me when she told me!). Not that the Jeep Liberty is a bad vehicle, but from a fuel point of view she could do much better in that SUV class. Unfortunately, there's no chance she's going to do much over EPA and she has no intention of learning (I tried...no chance!). My top secret mission is to talk her into a similar size used SUV with lower fuel consumption, better mileage, etc, etc, etc. without her knowing it!

She's driving an old, rusty, oil leaking, Chevy Tracker right now so just about any suggestions are an upgrade from what she has now. I'm looking for ideas to pitch to her that would be better from an eco viewpoint. A few requirements:

1. Has to be used, mid-compact SUV
2. Has to be manual 4wd or awd

Thanks for the help...look forward to the suggestions!

[pint]

Off the top of my head I would say a Honda CRV or Toyota Rav4. What kind of price point is she looking at? My brother has a new CRV and gets around 30 mpg on the highway is he's driving reasonably.

[trikkonceptz]

If AWD is the sticking point and not size, see if she'll like the Pontiac Vibe or Matrix, both have AWD versions and obviously have potential to get great mileage ... Not to mention because of their utility they are mysteriously large inside. I managed to get an 8ft folding ladder inside of my vibe with the hatch closed and not having to fold down the front seat.

Plus they have all the creature comforts.

Then go look at the Subaru's, I know most of those are AWD and also roomy and built for utility.

But from first hand experience the jeep liberty's suck as far as FE, those tranmissions are not friendly to coasting at all in gear. The one I drove had me convinced that I had the e-brake engaged when I wasn't in the gas.

[Matt Herring]

Price point is around $15-20k. 2006-2008 preferred.

[RH77]

I'm thinking Toyota RAV-4 or Honda CRV or even a Sube Forrester. If she insists on domestic, the Ford Escape or Saturn Vue are good choices. The Mitsu Outlander is another choice. All are available in 4-cylinder, AWD configs.

If she likes a 5-speed, I think the Vue is the only one without a manual option.

I rented a "Libby" for a rally race medical vehicle last year -- it's a capable 4wd, but very thirsty, rough riding, and IMO, uncomfortable (the trans tunnel forces the driver's right leg into an cramping angle).

Happy searching...

RH77

[SuperTrooper]

Ok Matt, we'll do all the leg work for you. The following manual tranny SUVs will get at least 3+ city and 3+ hwy over the Liberty:

Toyota RAV4 (2005 or earlier)
Honda CR-V (2006 or earlier)
Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute 4 cyl

Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Auto only)

Jeep Liberty DIESEL (Auto only)

The Escape/Mariner Hybrids are pricey, but are significantly more fuel efficient. Especially if your mom does mostly city driving (28!!!)

Good luck!

[Matt Herring]

Call me lazy, uneducated, etc, etc, etc...I'll admit to half to those labels!

Bottom line is if you want good info and you're not as skilled as others...ask for help...what better place than here...keep the suggestions coming...thanks guys! As long as I don't have to see her driving a Jeep Liberty for the next 10 years I'm happy.

My mom lives in Pennsylvania and I live in Boston, MA so I'm not there on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to maintain the car, monitor driving habits/skills, help her save fuel, etc. At least getting her in a good vehicle accomplishes half of my goal!

[SuperTrooper]

Try a search for an Escape/Mariner Hybrid on autotrader.com using her zip code. Using a Danvers zip I found 4 Escape Hybrids under $20K within 100 miles.

[greenitup]

i would recommend an escape, cr-v, rav4 or a tribute.
the nissan rogue also gets decent mpg, and comes in awd

[cfg83]

Matt Herring -

I was going to say Rav4, but I forgot about the Matrix/Vibe AWD options, so I say Vibe/Matrix/Rav4 in that order.

CarloSW2

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Matt Herring -

I was going to say Rav4, but I forgot about the Matrix/Vibe AWD options, so I say Vibe/Matrix/Rav4 in that order.

CarloSW2

Lots of people (particularly women) like the mid-sized SUVs because of the higher seating position and the more "substancial" feel than a small car. The vibe/matrix might not provide enough of that feeling.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by greenitup

the nissan rogue also gets decent mpg, and comes in awd

I forgot about that one. The CVT gets pretty good FE for its size.

[Daox]

Why the need for more than 2wd? I just ask because 99% of people that have it don't need it.

[Matt Herring]

My mom lives in the sloped hills and winding back roads (sometimes unpaved) of Pennsylvania where 4wd is a must. She works a 12 hour swing shift and often has to travel to work at 4-5am when most local roads are not plowed yet or are covered with ice.

I lived there myself for 18 years and can remember going to friends houses to visit and sometimes having to park at the bottom of their hill (country backroads) with my car and have them drive down the hill to pick me up!

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Matt Herring

She works a 12 hour swing shift and often has to travel to work at 4-5am when most local roads are not plowed yet or are covered with ice.

Does she switch-out to snow tires in the Winter? In any vehicle choice, snow treads make an amazing difference. I had them on an Evo one Winter and the grip was great. The same would apply to a 2wd, but perhaps ground clearance is a concern with thick snow?

With the description of driving, I would lean towards the Subarus. The low center-of-gravity of the H-4 engine and full-time AWD has made it a favorite of many in the same situation. Depending on the "feeling" of height, I would add the Outback wagon to the list.

Otherwise, the options detailed by others so far, are good alternatives.

RH77

[Matt Herring]

She's a buy it and drive it mom! Wish I lived closer to help her out with the routine maintenance on the car (like switching to snow tires in the winter) but it's not possible. I just helped her learn to turn her cell phone on and off so you can understand my dilemma!

[jdwave]

How about a (relatively) new Caliber R/T?

My friend has one on coil spacers with a push bar and takes it offroad all of the time.

He says it's the best car he's ever owned.

But he's only owned a beater Accord, besides.

EPA rated 23/26

EDIT: Caliber R/T's are Auto only

just helped her learn to turn her cell phone on and off

...and I don't know how easily she could learn the Tiptronic