help picking older second car. wagon/small suv

[ryan2022]

Hi guys, im looking for a wagon, small suv, hatchback my wife and I can do some campling in.

Room for the two dogs as well.

awd wouldvbe nice. I want reliability and im trying to keep it under 8k
any thoughts?

 

[tommygunn]

First thing that comes to mind is the Matrix/Vibe. It's a Corolla with a wagon body.

The Scion xA and xB are also great choices.

The Focus wagon from 02-07 should work well, too. If you stick with 02-up they are reasonably reliable. The earlier cars are not as good (00-01)

If you're lucky you can get a Fit for under 8k.

A Versa should be easy to find in your budget. VERY roomy for the exterior dimensions.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks. Im actually thinking about a 2005 vibe for 5900. Would the automatic be a better choice seeing how the 5 speed issues of the corolla matrix cars?

 

[Ramblejam]

http://ww2.copart.com/us/Lot/28101194/
http://ww2.copart.com/us/Lot/27797714

 

[Pajamarama]

Can't say enough good things about our Fit. Interior room of a small SUV in a subcompact. We've actually fit 4 dogs back there before with the rear seats down. And reliable - never had any trouble with it. Not AWD though.

 

[C1KLTX]

More of a Hatch recommendation... you could look into Kia Spectra 5.. great cars and pretty darn cheap used. 2008 65k $6900.

 

[ryan2022]

The spectra5 isnt a bad idea. Im liking cars that get you good bang for the buck as resale in calgay is insane.

im still leaning toward the vibe/matrix. Anyone know what to look out for? Ive heard of oil consumption issues. Is the auto ok?

 

[needsducktape]

I'm thinking a nice used Subaru Forrester- It has a lot more room than the Matrix/vibe, its AWD and the seats fold pretty flat. I think most of the room comes from it being taller ( than the Matrix) so you get a better 360 view of the road in addition to the space-

They are pretty popular so you can find them used fairly easy.

I pulled about 29mpg on the highway which is pretty good considering the added weight of AWD

I bought one last year for $4500 and it had just hit the 100K (it was a 2001)
I think 8 grand could find you one with decently low miles.

 

[IndyIan]

Trackers are quite cheap if you want to get out into the wilderness. The focus would probably take 2 dogs without folding the back seats but it's a poor off roader.

 

[EdwardC]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
I'm thinking a nice used Subaru Forrester- It has a lot more room than the Matrix/vibe, its AWD and the seats fold pretty flat. I think most of the room comes from it being taller ( than the Matrix) so you get a better 360 view of the road in addition to the space-

They are pretty popular so you can find them used fairly easy.

I pulled about 29mpg on the highway which is pretty good considering the added weight of AWD

I bought one last year for $4500 and it had just hit the 100K (it was a 2001)
I think 8 grand could find you one with decently low miles.


I like that suggestion, maybe an Impreza or an Outback as well. AWD sound like it could be a useful bonus.

 

[ram_man]

Pt cruiser ours has been wonderful and they are cheap to buy

 

[JOD]

I just went through this decision myself, and I opted for a '05 Focus wagon. I looked at all of the cars mentioned, and here's why I went for the Focus

-Matrix isn't as big; it's a hatchback, not a wagon. It's not really that close, 21/53 cu. ft vs 36/73 cu. ft seats up/down. (if I did go for the Matrix, I'd probably opt for the AT for reason you mentioned).

-Fit also has less cargo capacity, and the highway gearing with the MT is way too short for my tastes. I do a lot of highway driving and that's a deal breaker for me.

-Subaru Legacy or Forester. I don't want the extra complexity and fuel economy hit of AWD, and I'll be using this car in the snow. I've opted for FWD and snow tires.

Good things about the Focus wagon:

-depreciation! They're cheap. I got mine for 5K, '06 with 89K miles, 1 owner excellent condition, along with a set of almost new steelies w/snow tires.

-highway gearing is reasonable.

-from '03 on they seem quite reliable and pretty low-maintenance, and parts are plentiful and cheap.

-SPACE! At some point I'm going to swap the seats with some from an SVT, as the rear seat bottom isn't split (not a bit deal for most folks but I need the flat floor on one side). Right now I'm using it as a two-seater and I can fit 4 bikes, 2 dogs and a weekend of gear all inside the car, no problem:

-handles surprisingly well, engine and transmission are quite nice.

There are a couple of small maintenance issues (wheel bearing longetivy, hatch wiring and PCV hose cracking), but overall these cars seem solid. I opted for an '05 or later because I wanted the Duratec vs. the Zetec, but I wouldn't rule out a really good condition Zetec.

Two big potential issues: these seem prone to rust (not an issue in my hood) and the automatic transmissions seem pretty questionable. I saw a lot of these that looked in great condition with AT's, but I decided to bide my time. Finding one with a manual transmission may take some patience.

I'm on my 3rd tank of fuel, first tank was 31 mpg in mixed driving, next tank was 34.5 on about 80% highway in the mountains. No way an older small SUV will be close.

One other car worth considering if you really want a small SUV: A Saturn Vue 4 cylinder with a manual transmission. Again, hard to find but they're undervalued with a very solid drivetrain.

 

[Lolvoguy]

OP, get a Matrix/Vibe

I wish I had got one over my 07 Focus now that I've had it for a year. This is the third post 03 Focus we've had and it also suffers from electrical gremlins. Something we never encountered on our 97 Escort which was also loaded from the factory except for 5 speed stick over auto.

My 07 Focus is only at 120kms and it already needed a new battery. Ford has a stuipd way of hiding the alternator under the exhaust manifold that causes it to bake with the lack of air movement. It also makes it a real bear to change it when it fails...and it will fail, trust me

Also, in the last year I've had it, it has a lot more buzzyness in cold weather than any other car I've owned (cheap plastics in the interior).

Pay a little more for the Vibe and you'll be glad you did! and make sure to opt for the auto, as it has far better reliability ratings than the sticks

 

[eljefino]

My dad had an 05 matrix, it ate an AWD transmission and it was apparently a design defect related to using lower gears to descend hills. The first ones are also primed to explode in rocker panel rust, in defiance of the $5000 they're still commanding.

Consider Volvo wagons as well. Unlike other makes they still have space in the back.

HHRs are about to follow PT cruisers in the passing/past fad depreciation curve. Check inside space though; huge plastic trim blobs block useful cargo capacity.

FWD VUE 4 cyl/ 5 speeds are worth looking at. Not CVT autos!!!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Here's another recommendation, if you can stomach the appearance of it (I don't find it terrible myself): a Honda Element. They're sort of custom-designed for what you're looking to do, and they're popular enough where you have a lot of accessories designed for the Element by third parties, like pet cages and camping tents and all of that. The floors are vinyl, so they wash out easily. The K24/5A powertrain is extremely reliable in that vehicle.

But otherwise, the Vibe/Matrix is an excellent choice. I had a Corolla and really liked it. Mine had the 5-speed, but it had lower miles, so I never experienced any issues with it. The 1ZZ engine is fantastic and pretty much bulletproof (as are the automatic transmissions). To my knowledge, the Vibe/Matrix got an independent rear suspension while the Corolla made due with a twist beam...so that's a plus.

 

[rjundi]

PT Cruiser or GM equivalent. My guess is once the public lost interest the reliability was decent enough. They got flooded into fleets diluting resale even more beyond the lack of interest in them making a reasonable bargain used.

My MIL did pick up a Saturn Vue FWD 2007 with 45k for $6k two years ago as-is from a dealer. It turned out to be reliable albeit screams cheap with touch/feel/engine noise/[censored] radio/idiot control placement/seat comfort/everything(old GM). It is roomy and sits three child seats across for future if camping goes too well.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guy. So many great replies!

I agree with all of you, its good to get some positive feedback on what ive been looking at.

I have a few lined up. Ill keep you posted.

 

[Novichek]

Previous gen. Scion tC may also be a good candidate. I had an '06. Its back seats fold both ways. Fronts can be reclined almost level with backs making fairly comfortable double bed.

 

[Nick1994]

Why not just use your Murano? A lot of people are recommending Ford Focus's and Toyota Matrix's, yet your Murano is far more offroad capable and bigger. Plus you don't need to buy another car.

 

[Volvohead]

A late Volvo 855 or early V70 wagon, unless this camping involves serious off-roading, are worth a look.

Those cars were designed precisely for your climate, and run forever with reasonable maintenance.

They also don't rust very often and are inexpensive to buy, even in great condition.

Otherwise, the GM compact trucks and SUVs from '95-'00 are still cheap and rugged beasts in my book, with inexpensive parts seemingly still everywhere. An old two door Jimmy still just looks ready for outdoor fun.