My mom has a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. It has served her well, but I'm a little concerned with undercarriage corrosion and I really don't want to have to do super-crusty front subframe or rear axle refurb on anything. It's also buzzy at highway speeds, likely has a roof seam sealant rain leak, and otherwise I think just needing too much TLC for me to want to restore/refurb.
I've been considering a 2014-16ish vintage CRV or RAV4 as the right size/price/application to try to get her reasonable service.
She will likely be OK with whatever I recommend as a budget and mileage/condition/age that I think will be best.
I was thinking CRV since I've had decent service from Honda's and I feel like Toyota is usually too conservative to drive nicely and/or get better mileage than the CRV, however consumer reports overall seemed to like the RAV4 better in a 2016 comparison review:
https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/ho ... d-you-buy/
Replacement car for my mother
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Did you know Edmunds was owned by Carmax?
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Here's a candidate, 2015, 153k miles, $11k:
Tire pressure light is on and I think I see some rust traces in the tailgate surround at the drivers rear lower corner.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing
Tire pressure light is on and I think I see some rust traces in the tailgate surround at the drivers rear lower corner.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sal ... pe=listing
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Don't forget that on lower trim levels, possibly the base model, the Honda CRV was still available with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder through 2019.
Re: Replacement car for my mother
The Equinoxes on my other teen thread seem like they’d be a much cheaper option.
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Yeah I'd skip right over those.
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Did they use the same powertrain as the Malibu you have?
Re: Replacement car for my mother
This is cheaper than a Honda or Toyota of comparable vintage/mileage:
(2015 GLA 250, 141k miles, White, $9900)
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... a8733ef353
(2015 GLA 250, 141k miles, White, $9900)
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... a8733ef353
Last edited by rpaoness on Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Replacement car for my mother
Last edited by rpaoness on Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:56 am, edited 1 time in total.