Topic: New Father needs "new" car...

[ocho]

Hi all,

my fiancee is just about ready to burst, and so i'm in the market to get a "new" vehicle.

Looking for any suggestions/advice on the best route to go (i'm not a "car guy" at all, very limited knowledge on what to look for/watch out for).

here are the things we're considering:

- 15-25k budget
- safety and reliability are prime concerns
- prefer AWD since we live in Calgary and in the winter the roads are terrible
- looking for size/space, but preferably not an SUV (ideally a wagon/hatchback)
- we can go new or used, but likely will re-sell in 3-4 years (moving abroad), so re-sell value is important (and from what I understand, it's crazy to buy new since you lose a huge % of the value the minute you leave the lot)

the cars I've been considering are:

- mazda 6 wagon (test drove a '05, not bad i guess, looking for '06 or '07 but they seem hard to find in Calgary/Alberta)
- VW Passat or Jetta Wagon
- Toyota Matrix (was told by a friend that the VIBE is the exactly same car(built @ same plant), just cheaper... is this true? with pontiac out of business does that make them a better or worse buy?)

my ideal car (though a bit out of my price range) would likely be one of the newer (2-3 years) Volvo Wagons, but that purely from an aesthetic and "safety perception" pov, i have no idea if they are actually worth their relatively large price tags in comparison to the wagons i mentioned above.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

[vdk]

If you like Volvos you could look for a used 2005+ AWD V50. It should be in your price range by now.
I would also recommend a slightly used (demo) 2008 Subaru Impreza Hatchback.


What year VWs are you looking at?

[Cortina]

The Vibe is identical to the Matrix.

Nothing wrong with Civic and Corollas. But appears you are looking for a AWD station wagon and reliable.

So based on that I would start look at used Subaru's. www.autotrader.ca  

VW's and Volvo's are pot luck reliability.......

[blur911]

My GF had a 2005 AWD Vibe, mechanically the same vehicle as the Matrix. (Vibes are made in California, the Matrix is made in Cambridge, Ontario).  She lost control on a snowy road and rolled it into a hydro pole.  Luckily she walked away with a headache.

We replaced it with a Subaru Outback VDC wagon to keep her out of the weeds.  We both couldn't be happier with the much better AWD system and stability control.  Lots of room and much more fun to drive than the Vibe.
Look for the newer Outback 3.0R Premier Package or the VDC for all the goodies.

[Shnak]

Not available in AWD, but it sounds like the Kia Rondo might be a good fit for you. Affordable, roomy, well-equipped, safe, reliable, etc. For the same reasons, you can look at the Mazda5 also.

[quadzilla]

If you add the Rondo also add the Mazda5.

For AWD I think (as you already know) your choices are limited. You might be able to find a 1-2 year old Legacy Wagon which will offer more space in the trunk vs the Impreza. Maybe a Forester?

I use to drive a '05 Mazda6 Wagon and really liked it. Had no issues over two of our worst winters here in Toronto using premium winter tires. Lots of room in the trunk plus add the roof rails and box = tonnes of space. The market price on these tanked so you should be able to get them for cheap now.

[mmorriso]

2004 Matrix AWD

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=1387897&pgno=1&srt=10&r=calgaryalberta

+1 for winter good winter tires

[Flinter]

I would suggest the following:

1) Subaru Imprezza Hatchback
2) Suzuki SX4 AWD
3) Toyota Matrix AWD - No Manual Transmission option for AWD
4) Pontiac Vibe AWD - No Manual Transmission option for AWD, I'm not sure what the effect of the elimination of the Pontiac brand will have here??

Happy Shopping 

[Cortina]

You can't beat Subaru's for the AWD best in the business IMO. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Mazda5 (sliding doors are a blessing strapping them into car seats), Kia Rondo, pre-owned Mazda6 Sport Wagon, Pontiac Vibe, or a plain ole' minivan like a discounted Kia Sedona or Dodge Grand Caravan on the cheap. Impreza if you really want the AWD and the space is sufficient.

[rrocket]

You can get a new Subaru Impreza AWD for your price point.  Maybe not as supremely reliable as a Toyota...but certainly a very good, reliable car.

As someone else said..the SX4 Suzuki with AWD is a neat car.  But again..the Subaru's AWD system is one of the best-if not the best-on the planet.

[ktm525]

Buy a 2-3 year old CPO Volvo wagon from Valentine. Something in the air in Calgary but Volvos are very popular and the resell is high in these parts. Your $25k car should still be worth high teens in 3 years. IMO Try one out.

[safristi]

I've heard of breaking in a new car.........but never breaking water in one.................marry the dame    and then worry about TransPO..............BURSTIN' Wif PRIDE

[rrocket]

Buy a 2-3 year old CPO Volvo wagon from Valentine. Something in the air in Calgary but Volvos are very popular and the resell is high in these parts. Your $25k car should still be worth high teens in 3 years. IMO Try one out.

My brother, from Calgary, bought a Volvo.  Although he loved it, there were too many issues and trips for warranty work to the dealer.  It was never anything major mechanically wrong, but everytime it required a trip to the dealer to resolve.  

He finally ditched his new Volvo..and did get good money for it like you said.

[mmret]

Gently used Legacy Wagon?

[The Mighty Duck]

First, read through THIS THREAD.  It's more or less the same question, and it might help you find what you're after...  or just confuse you more. 

If AWD is your most-desired feature, I would go with a Subaru Impreza and not look back.  New or used, the AWD system is the same, the only difference is the bodywork.  A used Legacy or Forester is a good option, too.  All have the same AWD system, and as mentioned it's the best in the business.

I think a Ford Fusion can be had with AWD for under your price cap (don't quote me on that, though!), but of course it's not a wagon.

Matrix/Vibe is a good vehicle, although the AWD system is nowhere near as good as the Subaru one.

Honda Fit, while smaller and FWD, is surprisingly roomy.  And it scores high in reliability and safety with six standard air bags.  Good on gas, too.  And since it's a Honda, good resale value is inherent in the name - I've seen used Fits on dealer's lots asking more than MSRP on a brand new one.  Owners here report very good winter performance on proper winter tires.

But really, very little beats the reliability, safety, and winter prowess of the Subaru lineup.  They tend to have quite good resale, too.  I'd put a Subie at the top of your list, honestly.

[mmorriso]

+ 1 new Impreza.  especially since Electronic Stability Control is standard equipment. 

[kevlar]

i have a new ish baby (14 months) and i have a a4 wagon.  i love it.   my brother has a 2 year old passat wagon because it fits three baby/infant seats abreast.  i have three other friends with mazda 3's with babies and they don't seem to have a problem.  i think the new mazda 3 is awesome and well within your price range.  it's much better looking than the matrix but if you insist on awd i guess the matrix is a solid option.  if you need something a bit bigger the subaru outback or legacy wagon is still within the "i am not old near death" crowd.  although i have to admit the wife put the hand up when i mentioned the subaru.  oh and congrads!!  it really is one of the most amazing experiences in the world.

[dr_spock]

Congratulations.  Baby is small and will fit into anything.  Get something that you yourself and spouse to be will enjoy driving.  It'll make driving around with crying baby in back much easier and enjoyable. 

 

[dorin]

+1 new Impreza.