Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary
You could also mod any wind brick so it gets better fuel mileage (boat tail).
I also like the Ford Maverick, even if it isn't proven to be reliable yet.
High ground clearance (assuming).
Lots of cargo space (maybe add a camper shell if needed).
$20,000.
And gets 40mpg.
Sounds like a winner to me, except that $20,000 is right at the limit of the budget and it may be cramped inside for 4 adults. (I'd have to check the specs to be sure.)
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I REALLY like the Ford Maverick. Roomy, excellent fuel economy, a bed to throw wet paddling gear or smelly waders. Add a shell (or bed cap, topper or canopy depending on region of the country you live) and it is perfect. The cabin is roomer in every dimension front and back compared to our Sportwagen.
A few problems:
Price.
It is over the $20K budget. That budget normally could be more flexible but I only plan to have either the VW or a replacement vehicle for 18 months. By Mid-2023 the plan is to have sold the house, vehicles, and most our possessions and started our nomadic wanderings. It seems a bit silly to pay more than I ever have for a new vehicle and then sell it a year or so later.
My hope was to trade the VW for something similar without paying much more out of pocket.
Availability:
Supposedly the Maverick is sold out for the first year of production. That said, I see local dealers offering them for sale but only the 2.0T version that gets 25 mpg.
AWD:
Ford is not offering the Maverick with the hybrid engine and AWD for the first year. I would hate to buy a new vehicle and not get EXACTLY what I want. If I'm going to buy a truck or SUV I want it to be RWD or AWD.
Working in the Maverick's favor is the completely ridiculous price of late model used vehicles right now. It makes way more sense to me to buy to spend $25K on a new 2022 Maverick than a used 2016 RAV4 with 75K miles.
The other option is to do like rmay635703 suggested and throw out one of my criteria. I could go the ECO as in economical route and toss my MPG requirement and save a bunch on the vehicle and pay a bit more for gas. I could likely buy an almost fully depreciated 4WD Tahoe, get 15 mpg, and come out financially ahead over 18 months compared to overpaying for something like a $25K used RAV4 Hybrid.
Of course doing nothing is also an option. Keep driving the VW and hope it doesn't have an expensive failure in the next 18 months. A coworker has an identical car to mine (same year, trim, miles, even color) and had the panoramic sunroof replaced at a cost of $7K.