Finding a Car for Mom!
 

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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

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