Looking for a replacement car

[GHarman]

Any advise from you folks that would help me determine a good replacement for my Mothers car? Her existing vehicle is a 94 Ford Taurus, 4 door sedan with the 3. 0L V-6 and slush-o-matic transmission which is about to go belly-up.

I would prefer a used, car based SUV-AWD.

We looked at a 2008 Subaru Outback Legacy wagon and a 2006 Ford 500 AWD, yesterday. Both had around 20,000 miles and still had factory warranty. Price, mechanical reliability, 20+MPG and comfort are requirements.

I was studying the Ford CVT drivetrain concept in the wee hours this AM. Sounds good, but, how maintainence intensive is it? I understand it is derived from a Volvo AWD drivetrain? A 60,000 mile Ford CVT service requirement costs $300-$450, with $100 for the proprietary Synthetic transmission Fluid cost, alone! I do like the Ford but it is an Electronic Nightmare! From my own experience with Subarus, they are much more maintainence friendly, but their seats are not real comfortable. You sit with your legs straight out in front of you. Rear seats are limited in leg room. Ideas? Thoughts? GregH

 

[PWitteveen]

Have you compared the prices of a new car compared to a 2 year old one? I would think with the deals available now, the difference in price would be negligible.



JMHO

 

[GHarman]

Thanks for the reply. I was given the price of $16,900 for the Limited Ford 500AWD. Its loaded! I think they would take alot less for the Ford! The Subaru Outback Legacy was quoted to me at $19,100, but that same car is on the internet for $17,999. Thats considerably less than a new car. The Taxes and plates on a New Car are very high in Colorado, compared to a used vehicle. The Ford 500 is no longer in production, as I have heard. Not sure if I like the CVT transmission. Its like a snow mobile transmission 'cept it is electronic, uses a metallic belt and runs wet. It doesnt cost anything to look! GregH

 

[TKarnas]

Subaru Forester are great Cars/ SUV. I have a 06 and I get about 24-27mpg. Good safe car.

 

[Grizzly]

I'd also go for a new car. You can't go wrong with a Subaru Forester or a Toyota Rav-4. Anything by Toyota and Honda are also good.

 

[AHarris]

Get the Ford

 

[sarj]

I spent quite a bit of time looking for something for my grandmother, and I looked at everything. Ended up buying her a used outback, fully loaded. She was totally stoked with it, and it's been a very good reliable car. She liked it better than the forrester. The outback wagon is a perfect little old lady car, especially if she has a dog. She was especially happy with the outback because it was easy on her knees getting in and out. The only maintenance issue was a check engine light because some rats ate through a vacuum hose, otherwise flawless.

 

[opjohnny]

Greg that Ford 500 has been renamed Taurus. Solid car shares alot with the big Volvo.



John

 

[GHarman]

Greg that Ford 500 has been renamed Taurus. Solid car shares alot with the big Volvo.



John

John, Thats really interesting! (I do like Volvos, but they are to expensive and are made in Sweden. ) I am wondering about the CVT transmission and steering. The old '94 Ford Taurus had completely inadequate brakes for any driving, but to the corner store on a flat road ! The Steering would wobble around a sharp curve like a big 4X4 locked in low range, on dry pavement. The Ford 500 AWD that I test drove did some fine figure 8's in a parking lot but did have a harmonic drivetrain noise? The brakes were impressive. I am interested in the Ford for the room and comfort. I am not totally sold on the reliability and maintainability. Made/Assembled in USA figures into both the Ford and the Subaru. Total projected mileage is the key. We have a 15 year old Ford with 103,000 miles and the transmission is failing. I have a 13 year old Subaru that lost a head gasket at 223,000+ miles. Both cars have had other costly maintainence items. It seems that the Fords repair issues reared their ugly heads much sooner than the Subaru, mileage wise. GregH

 

[JLEONARD]

advise from you folks that would help me determine a good replacement for my Mothers car?

Greg... steer her in the right direction but... better let mom try one out for herself... or else you may be on the wrong list for a long time:-laf

 

[GHarman]

advise from you folks that would help me determine a good replacement for my Mothers car?

Greg... steer her in the right direction but... better let mom try one out for herself... or else you may be on the wrong list for a long time:-laf

JLEONARD, Thanks, I am aware of the issue here, but I am also responsible to care for and maintain the vehicle. She does trust my judgement and integrity in this matter. We still might do a repair on the old Taurus or buy a used replacement motor for the old Subaru. We are not wealthy, by any stretch of the imagination. Its just that, if you are gonna pay the money, there better be a proper return on the expense (a car is not an investment). The newer vehicles are really nice and hopefully not as trouble prone as old iron that has been pretty much been through the mill. You fix one issue and you get two more that crop up to take its place! I'm sure you know what I mean. GregH

 

[Grizzly]

Incentives on a new car are really great right now. Japanese cars have a much better reliability record then Ford and Chevy.



I believe that the worst made Japanese car is far better then the best made American car.

 

[GaryOwen]

Might want to check out JD Power ratings. Quality ratings are sometimes different than we perceive.



JDPower.com | Autos

 

[Grizzly]

Might want to check out JD Power ratings. Quality ratings are sometimes different than we perceive.



JDPower.com | Autos

Don't put too much faith on JDPowers ratings. They rate vehicles on how much advertising they do on their magazine.

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm a big guy and sat in the 2009 Subaru Forester. It's really come of age being much larger and a noticible improvement in the interior. That being said,we love our 2005 Pilot AWD. It's roomy and extremely manueverable with a very tight turning radius. Low mileage two year old certified Pilots can be had for $15,000 around here in San Diego. This thing is extremely quick,solid and rattle free. Maintenance is negligble. Honda's got a good reputation.

 

[opjohnny]

I think the new Fords have improved in reliability. That Flex needs a small diesel in the worst kind of way!



John

 

[AMcCormick]

TDI Tourag AWD loaded

 

[GHarman]

TDI Tourag AWD loaded

:-lafNow thats a Stretch fer us! What are they goin for, now? About $70,000. Ifn I had that much money I could bail out MadhoffOo. :-laf. GregH

 

[AMcCormick]

I can dream cant I, some day

 

[AHarris]

There's no denying that Subarus, Hondas, and Toyota are good cars... but right now I would feel compelled to buy American and go with the Ford. Ford cars have really improved in quality and are right up there in Consumer Reports ratings with the Toyotas and Hondas. Plus have you ever tried getting parts for a Subaru? Lot easier with the Ford to get work and maintenance done. Stuff like brake pads, air filters, etc are generally much cheaper with the more common and easier to source American brands. Just my . 02 worth but you'd get a better deal and doing something good for the economy buying American and going with the Ford. Just my . 02 worth.