My wife took a job with the federal government, serving veterans at the Department of Veteran's Affairs. She's really done well and is ready to get her first brand new car. We have always driven stripped down low mileage cars purchased from local dealers. Never new.
I used to be pretty brand specific, and loved Toyota, we owned several that went a long time. Now we are less brand specific, and we are looking for nice features, and a quality feel. We only want to keep a car to 100k miles then get rid of it. Pretty much anything new will run until 100k miles and I can get there with extended warranty.
My key item for her is SAFETY. We have had three collisions in the past three years, and we are a little jossled to say the least. San Antonio, and Dallas traffic is like a demolition derby. We were rear ended twice by non insured drivers, once in hit and run fashion.
Second item is size of vehicle. I am 6'5'', and we frequent the Texas Coast, and loading up a cooler and some lawnchairs, with a few friends. Needs to sit two people, maybe 3, and a couple suitcases.
We are also planning to take non winter trips to Colorado. I don't need all wheel drive, front wheel drive is fine.
My limit is $35000 out the door including extra warranty.
1.) GMC Terrain- We loved the size of it, and it seemed like a nice car. Roughly $30k, and we can get a 72 month 100k warranty added for $1700-$2000. GMC dealer is upscale compared to Hyundai, and they are a fair dealer (Cavendar GMC Buick)
2.) Buick Envista- We have yet to see this one at our dealer, but we did look at an encore and did not think it was big enough at all. My wife likes the looks of this car, I don't think it will be large enough for our needs.
3.) Corolla Cross- Dead reliable, but seems too much like every one of our old cars (Matrix, Camry, Corolla). May not be large enough for our needs.
4.) Mazda CX5- Wife thinks it looks too much like our current Tuscon, and I agree. Probably the highest quality car out of the group but may be too bland.
