Augh – Car shopping is so frustrating!

[JSH]

Vehicles I've found that meet my needs so far:

Ford Focus Hatch
Chevy Cruze Hatch
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Nissan Rogue Hybrid

[JSH]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

If you do go the Subaru route, off roading modifications are popular so I'm sure you could find a small lift kit.

True but a lifted Impreza Hatch is a Crosstrek. For some reason the Crosstrek gets poor fuel economy for its size. For 1 mpg I'd take the much larger and more comfortable Outback

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by OP

Augh – Car shopping is so frustrating!

I've always had the best luck buying out of farmer's fields.



It's losing it's parking privileges in 30 days. I need to find space but -- selling cars is so frustrating!

[Vwbeamer]

I had a C-Max. It's going to be too small for what you want. The crosstek is kinda small also, and very under powered.

I had a 2018 Subaru forester 6 speed, that I wish I would have kept. But it wouldn't quite get 30 mpg, it got about 28.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Vwbeamer

I had a C-Max. It's going to be too small for what you want. The crosstek is kinda small also, and very under powered.

I had a 2018 Subaru forester 6 speed, that I wish I would have kept. But it wouldn't quite get 30 mpg, it got about 28.

Just looking at some Crosstreks in parking lots I figured it was going to be too small. My Sportwagen just fits everything and when loaded rides a bit low in the back.

I'm concerned the Focus and Cruze hatchbacks will be too small as well but I haven't seen them in person. On paper the cargo area is 1/3 smaller than my wagon.

The Chevy Equinox has a slightly larger cargo area than my Sportwagen for a 10% hit in fuel economy (28 vs 31 mpg) However, diesel averaged 12% more than regular here last year so there are no real savings. I've rented the Equinox enough to know it is easy to beat the EPA ratings.


The Ford Escape is even slightly larger than the Equinox but is only rated at 25 mpg combined.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

For some reason the Crosstrek gets poor fuel economy for its size.

Even the regular Impreza is quite a gas-guzzler for its size, plus it's also too cramped inside.

[Piotrsko]

The korean builds seem bigger. I actually fit under the steering wheel in an elantra without having the seat hit the back stops. Didn't have the two pedal problem in the footwell either. I just dont fit in Toyotas.

[rmay635703]

Or could just follow a loss leader and get something you didn’t ask for.

A few “real world” tests have found the Maverick hybrid good for 40mpg at steady double nickel speeds in warm weather.

A few folks have managed to get “out of inventory “ already though orders extend a year out

[Xist]

You guys have mentioned lift kits, but you can make cars faster, too.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Xist

You guys have mentioned lift kits, but you can make cars faster, too.

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.)