Car recomendations

agave

New member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #1

After being hit 4 times in the 5 1/2 years I've had my xB I'm ready to get a new (to me) car. I'd like to keep it under 15k under 10k would be even better. I have 2 kids and have no plans for more but I would love to have more seating and cargo space. A 3rd row would be great but something that would work easily for a 3 across (usually 2 carseats and an adult) would be ok.

I really miss driving a truck, so I'm leaning towards an SUV but I would go for the right deal on a minivan. Gas mileage is important, I live in the boonies and nothing is a short drive. Anything that comes in yellow, orange or red is a bonus, I want to be seen on the road, I feel like I'm driving a target now.

So throw your ideas at me. What do you like and why?

 

agave

New member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #2

I forgot to mention I also want something radian friendly.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Jul 28, 2011

• #3

I'm a huge fan of my Mazda 5. It's not Radian-friendly in the 3rd row, but it's great in the 2nd row so with 2 kids it might not be a problem for you.

I think it's the only way to get 25+ mpg with a 3rd row unless you go hybrid. There should be plenty of used ones under 15K, though I don't think any in decent shape are under 10K.

Only thing is, it does not drive like a truck or a van at all. It drives like a car, which is one of the things I love about it, but not what you're looking for. They do come in red! (I'm like you, apparently I drive invisible cars. I drive with my lights on now to try to help that.)

 

agave

New member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #4

Thanks, in many ways the Mazda5 is exactly what I need but not quite what I want. I did test drive one and liked it a whole lot better than the rental Carolla I was driving. I think I need to drive a few other things for comparison.

The official name of the paint on my car is camouflage, unfortunately it seems to work really well. I'm driving with my lights on when I remember.

 

safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician

• Jul 28, 2011

• #5

I was hit 3 times in 2 years driving a car that was neon green. Seriously, it practically glowed in the dark, but people kept running into it.

 

Pixels

New member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #6

safeinthecar said:

I was hit 3 times in 2 years driving a car that was neon green. Seriously, it practically glowed in the dark, but people kept running into it.

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Gazing danger? Other drivers were so busy staring at you, they drove right into you.

 

M

mkmama

Active member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #7

Toyota Siennas are Radian friendly....minivan, but at about 19-20 mpg gas mileage isn't terrible -- lots of flexibility in arrangements in the 8 passenger version as well.

If you decide to go with a car, Impalas are also great...that wide back seat will easily accomodate two car seats and an adult, esp if some of the car seats are Radians. I'm personally not thrilled with Radian install RF in the center (too reclined for my likes) but like it outboard just fine, and center FF is just fine as well.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Jul 28, 2011

• #8

mkmama said:

If you decide to go with a car, Impalas are also great...that wide back seat will easily accomodate two car seats and an adult, esp if some of the car seats are Radians.

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And as for cargo space, you can practically sleep in the trunk!

 

agave

New member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #9

I have never had a trunk before that would just be weird. I also need space for the dog, he can't ride in the trunk or next to the monsters, uh I mean kids.

 

M

mkmama

Active member

• Jul 28, 2011

• #10

Defrost said:

And as for cargo space, you can practically sleep in the trunk!

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:yeahthatlove: Seriously, I can get more in my Impala trunk than I could in my Ford minivan!

No room for a dog though, really

 

agave

New member

• Jul 29, 2011

• #11

How tight is the back seat of an Escape? I know it's smaller than what I really want but I found a good deal on an orange one. It looks like it may be the same color as the Ranger I had. That thing was super easy to find in parking lots and no one felt the need to run over me in it.

 

agave

New member

• Jul 29, 2011

• #12

safeinthecar said:

I was hit 3 times in 2 years driving a car that was neon green. Seriously, it practically glowed in the dark, but people kept running into it.

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Where you being hit by color blind people? My dad claims red and green are non-descript colors. I'm pretty sure a glow in the dark car wouldn't help me either I always get hit on nice sunny days.

 

Last edited: Jul 30, 2011

K

kwijibo

New member

• Jul 30, 2011

• #13

agave said:

So throw your ideas at me. What do you like and why?

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Have you taken a look at the Elantra Touring Wagon ? We love the cargo room in ours. When we went to pick up our crib, the guy in the store who was helping to load it asked "is it going to fit?", and was surprised when it slid right in (seats folded down) with no issues

 

A

acoro

New member

• Jul 30, 2011

• #14

Not very helpful but useless fact of the day, I'd heard/read a statistic many moons ago that red cars are hit more often then any other colour. also my friend had a day glow yellow car and I swear people "almost" hit it while parked/stopped daily.