porkbutt 897 Posted August 14, 2006 - Passat Wagon (front runner right now) - Subaru Forrester - Dodge Caravan (i like buying american...she hates all the models i mention)...i know Odyssey/Sienna...but they want like >30k for them things...fock that...i'm paying cash - don't want loan... - CRV or RAV4 any pros cons of above would be helpful...TIA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dolfan06 1 Posted August 14, 2006 You should do some research and maybe test drive a few different models, then buy the one that best meets her needs for the best value. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GutterBoy 2,900 Posted August 14, 2006 I'd say Passat Wagon depending on how many kids you got and what age. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fricker66 93 Posted August 14, 2006 FWIW, I have the 2006 Passat sedan and really like it. However, I don't think that the wagon version is any roomier than my sedan. I have a good friend who has the Forrester and says he'd never buy anything but a Subaru again. Personally, I could find no reason to get a CRV or RAV4. My wife has the Sienna. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 14, 2006 I'd say Passat Wagon depending on how many kids you got and what age. i got a 1yr-old boy and another kid due any day. i do like them things. they look & drive nice. did test drive one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usurpers26 26 Posted August 14, 2006 Well not so much and pros and cons - but 2 close friends of mine both purchased Forresters within the last 2 years and they both rave about them. I think they are kinda ugly...would rather get an Outback...but I don't know the price difference. - Passat Wagon (front runner right now)- Subaru Forrester - Dodge Caravan (i like buying american...she hates all the models i mention)...i know Odyssey/Sienna...but they want like >30k for them things...fock that...i'm paying cash - don't want loan... - CRV or RAV4 any pros cons of above would be helpful...TIA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GutterBoy 2,900 Posted August 14, 2006 My neighbor had a Passat Wagon and loved it but after kid #2 was born she said it wasn't big enough for all the kid crap they had to lug around. She traded it in for a Sienna, the king of all minivans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 14, 2006 i have no problem with minivans. other car is an explorer that i drive...don't want 2 SUVs...want something roomy enough for 2 kids & not bad on gasoline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 Stay away from VW's. Your Welcome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 14, 2006 Stay away from VW's. Your Welcome why? we had a Golf before that ran forever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fricker66 93 Posted August 14, 2006 Stay away from VW's. Your Welcome My last three cars have been VWs. My cabriolet had over 150K on it when traded in. My Golf was over 110K. the Passat has been great thus far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
golden eagles 0 Posted August 14, 2006 FYI - The 2007 CR-V will be a complete redesign & is due out in September 2007 CR-V Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 Personal preference. Horrible ergonomics in my opinion. Plus, I hate working on the damn things. Less people buy them, less work for me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GutterBoy 2,900 Posted August 14, 2006 Personal preference. Horrible ergonomics in my opinion. They have great ergonomics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D'ohmer Simpson 0 Posted August 14, 2006 - Passat Wagon (front runner right now)- Subaru Forrester - Dodge Caravan (i like buying american...she hates all the models i mention)...i know Odyssey/Sienna...but they want like >30k for them things...fock that...i'm paying cash - don't want loan... - CRV or RAV4 any pros cons of above would be helpful...TIA Only the Subaru, the Honda and the Toyota are considered GOOD BETS by CR, but it does depend on the model year. It's a crapshoot with the others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 They have great ergonomics. Ergonomics is all opinion based on what you like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riddlen 1 Posted August 14, 2006 over the last 15yrs VW have ranked at the bottom of the overall quality metric lists... right by ford. Honda still dominates, GM is higher than you think and toyota lower than you think (as in right next to the better performing M lines). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 over the last 15yrs VW have ranked at the bottom of the overall quality metric lists... right by ford. Honda still dominates, GM is higher than you think and toyota lower than you think (as in right next to the better performing M lines). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brown Eyed Girl 1 Posted August 14, 2006 My BIL, who is a mechanic - keeps telling me to stay away from VW because I really am interested in getting a Jetta or a Passat. He says VW is terrible. istillwantonethough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GutterBoy 2,900 Posted August 14, 2006 My BIL, who is a mechanic - keeps telling me to stay away from VW because I really am interested in getting a Jetta or a Passat. He says VW is terrible. istillwantonethough. Tell your BIL he's a tool. They are not terrible cars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Isotopes 1 Posted August 14, 2006 A good friend's wife has a Forrester. She likes it but wishes that she would have bought an Outback wagon instead. They gave her an outback twice while her car was in the shop and she liked it better that the Forrester. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 My BIL, who is a mechanic - keeps telling me to stay away from VW because I really am interested in getting a Jetta or a Passat. He says VW is terrible. istillwantonethough. Smart BIL Mechanics -2 Gutter - 1/2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GutterBoy 2,900 Posted August 14, 2006 Smart BIL Mechanics -2 Gutter - 1/2 I'm not saying they are the best built cars in the world, but every VW doesn't fall apart when you drive it off the lot. I've owned a VW and VW Elite (Audi) and neither had abnormal reliability issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spergon Wynn 0 Posted August 14, 2006 Odysseys can be bought for well under $30K. And they are built in Alabama with 82% domestic content (unlike the Dodge Caravan, which is owned by a German company and assembled in Canada ) Itsatip that the base LX models can be bought for under $23K and the EX models can be bought for around $24K. I just bought a low-end Odyssey because they are the only van -- make that the only vehicle -- that comes with side airbags, head curtain air bags, stability control, and 4 wheel disc brakes on the BASE MODEL! It's nice to see a car company put all the safety features in the base model. I ended up buying an EX because it comes with an extra seat to turn it into an 8-seater in a pinch (the base LX can't - otherwise I would have bought it). Check out the edmunds.com odyssey "prices paid and buying experience" forum if you don't believe me. Also, you said you are paying cash, but Honda Finance is offering 2.9% for 48 months on Odysseys now too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SUXBNME 1,595 Posted August 14, 2006 I'm not saying they are the best built cars in the world, but every VW doesn't fall apart when you drive it off the lot. I've owned a VW and VW Elite (Audi) and neither had abnormal reliability issues. I'm not saying that they are the worst cars ever made. I just don't like them as much as some do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
golden eagles 0 Posted August 14, 2006 I just bought a low-end Odyssey because they are the only van -- make that the only vehicle -- that comes with side airbags, head curtain air bags, stability control, and 4 wheel disc brakes on the BASE MODEL! It's nice to see a car company put all the safety features in the base model. Every Honda except for S2000 & Insight has those features plus ABS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 14, 2006 Odysseys can be bought for well under $30K. And they are built in Alabama with 82% domestic content (unlike the Dodge Caravan, which is owned by a German company and assembled in Canada ) Itsatip that the base LX models can be bought for under $23K and the EX models can be bought for around $24K. I just bought a low-end Odyssey because they are the only van -- make that the only vehicle -- that comes with side airbags, head curtain air bags, stability control, and 4 wheel disc brakes on the BASE MODEL! It's nice to see a car company put all the safety features in the base model. I ended up buying an EX because it comes with an extra seat to turn it into an 8-seater in a pinch (the base LX can't - otherwise I would have bought it). Check out the edmunds.com odyssey "prices paid and buying experience" forum if you don't believe me. Also, you said you are paying cash, but Honda Finance is offering 2.9% for 48 months on Odysseys now too. thanks. what are you approx. getting on gas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spergon Wynn 0 Posted August 14, 2006 thanks. what are you approx. getting on gas? It's rated 19/25 - I am getting just over 20 so far in mixed city/highway driving, but I only have 1,000 miles on it. Megathread on mileage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mobb_deep 920 Posted August 14, 2006 Porsche Cayenne 450 HP V8 with plenty of room for your little brats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 15, 2006 are saturn vues worth looking at? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DWYN 0 Posted August 15, 2006 You should do some research and maybe test drive a few different models, then buy the one that best meets her needs for the best value. Oh wait...wrong thread. My bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Concrete Charlie 0 Posted August 15, 2006 gotta look at priorities. cargo room? fuel economy? power? What's most important? VW's look great, have top notch interiors, and good handling.........and middling repair records overall. Subaru's have that can do feel to them, all wheel drive, and Subaru quirkiness(a good thing IMO) like their boxer engines, better than average repair records, but are generally ugly IMO. Can we agree that minivans just plain suck and were invented for women and unsung men who are afraid to go out without every possession the store ads told them to buy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirRam 3 Posted August 15, 2006 Passat's blow donkey balls. The Forrester is a good one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riddlen 1 Posted August 15, 2006 we need more info... can size? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWC 0 Posted August 15, 2006 Subaru makes good vehicles, although what will the mileage be like with the Forester? I think Subarus' mileage suffers a bit due to their traction control systems/quasi-all-time-4wd If you are looking at smaller engine vehicles, i.e., 4 cylinders, have you taken a look at the Jeep 2007 Compass? I think it is supposed to get around 30 mpg highway, even with 4wd. It's pretty similar in size to the other vehicles you are looking at, and is at least partly American made. I'm not saying they are the best built cars in the world, but every VW doesn't fall apart when you drive it off the lot. I've owned a VW and VW Elite (Audi) and neither had abnormal reliability issues. I had a different experience with the only VW I've ever owned, although it was admittedly used. From the minute I got it the electrical systems failed in pieces, from windows to guage lighting to the heater/vent fan, it was just a mess. Just my experience, but worth considering. I'll admit that there are undoubtedly a lot of better VW's out there than the one I had, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porkbutt 897 Posted August 15, 2006 Subaru makes good vehicles, although what will the mileage be like with the Forester? I think Subarus' mileage suffers a bit due to their traction control systems/quasi-all-time-4wd If you are looking at smaller engine vehicles, i.e., 4 cylinders, have you taken a look at the Jeep 2007 Compass? I think it is supposed to get around 30 mpg highway, even with 4wd. It's pretty similar in size to the other vehicles you are looking at, and is at least partly American made. i'll take a look...a lot of mileage...i'll probably be driving it a lot cause my explorer is the suck on gas also, don't even really know can size...let's just say small...31A? preggo now though so there's some hope. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electric Mayhem 35 Posted August 15, 2006 My Mom drives an Outback wagon and I've driven it a few times. It's roomy. Not a lot of power, but enough for normal use. I have a friend that bought a Hyundai whatcha-ma-whoosits wagon thingy and he loves it. I don't know if it's roomy enough for 2 kids + accessories though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted August 15, 2006 FWIW, I have the 2006 Passat sedan and really like it. However, I don't think that the wagon version is any roomier than my sedan. I have a good friend who has the Forrester and says he'd never buy anything but a Subaru again. Personally, I could find no reason to get a CRV or RAV4. My wife has the Sienna. The CRV is great. Decent power for a 4 cylinder with great fuel economy. Plenty of room. Comfortable. Get the EX with anti lock...4WD...6 disc in-dash changer (not as big of a thing now with MP3 players though)...it is one of the safest cars on the road. Great for tailgating too...the floor in the trunk area pulls completely out and turns into a table. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
He Like Me 0 Posted August 15, 2006 Nothing says I love you like buying her a space shuttle. Discovery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franknbeans 46 Posted August 15, 2006 Smart BIL Mechanics -2 Gutter - 1/2 Chalk up another one for a dissatisfied VW customer. Very poor fit and finish in my experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
