Flip This Forum: Non-Subaru?

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

Depending on space needs, you can get into a new Ford Fusion or Chevy Cruze for under $20k. I tend to be a GM fan (though my Outback certainly has me liking Subarus), but I have friends with new Fusions and they love them.

[1stgenfarmboy]

hold off a few months and get a chevy cruze diesel, should be able to get a base model for under 20k, and 42mpg

[PossibleOutbacker]

Originally Posted by jwvess00

Hi there!

Depending on space needs, you can get into a new Ford Fusion or Chevy Cruze for under $20k. I tend to be a GM fan (though my Outback certainly has me liking Subarus), but I have friends with new Fusions and they love them.

I was pricing the new Ford Fusion and they seem to cost more than 20k. Almost around $23-26,000. I guess they have been getting good reviews and I think Ford is running a special on them til February 28th. Something like no money down, zero interest, etc.

[rasterman]

Originally Posted by 1stgenfarmboy

hold off a few months and get a chevy cruze diesel, should be able to get a base model for under 20k, and 42mpg

I just rented a 1.8L gas cruze last week: 340 miles driven on 10.2 gallons for 33mpg average.

In that area last week, 87 octane was 3.799/gal, and diesel was 4.399/gal.

11.4 cents per mile measured in the gas car.
Diesel at 42mpg would come in at 10.4 cents per mile.

If you drive 30k miles a year that's a $300 difference at those fuel prices. The diesel version can't cost much different and sell well, at least not on these numbers alone.

The 6-speed auto in the car handled nicely, I'm sure it's the real key to the car's efficiency. The engine didn't have a lot of oomph, and buzzed its way up to 5k quickly if I put the pedal in. Most of the time I had the cruise control set and the tach hovering at 2k.

The seats were characteristically uncomfortable, with very poor lumbar support and almost no thigh support. Steering was without effort or road feel, like turning the dial on a stove. That said, the car handled reasonably well.

Dash instruments were poorly lit- even after I mastered the confusing illumination control, I just couldn't make the gauges bright enough to satisfy me in daylight driving. Other displays and indicators in the car were appropriately bright, so I'm not sure if one bulb or element had failed or if it is just a poorly lit cluster.

I found that it was extremely easy to inadvertently move the cabin temp control with my right knee. I thought to look this up and judging from the results of googling "cruze heater knee" I am far from alone in finding this design flaw.

Stereo & console were nothing to phone home about. Clunky system with too many buttons and too little quality. Looks like it would be difficult, expensive or both to replace with standardized DIN gear.

Fit & finish were acceptable, materials as you'd expect for a low trim chevy.

I drove the car in snow and one destination involved a driveway it couldn't climb until later after we laid sand tracks. Traction control did its thing without being too obtrusive.

Brakes were a high point on this car- beautiful pedal feel, adequate power assist, and though the ABS did trigger a bit early on the driveway attempt, it was polite and easy to manage. Exactly right for the type of car it is.

Overall, I liked the car other than the whole interior. I'd like it if they engineered a better seat for taller drivers and took a fresh stab at the dash & console.

[Dajeepman]

I would find a newer 4 door jeep wrangler i know the rubicon would be out of the question with 20k price

[4wheeldog]

I have 2 toyotas and a year old subie, so I am replacing 1 of my motorcycles with the $20k. Maybe I'll buy used, and get 2.

This has to be the best answer.
What do I win?

[Boxxerace]

Toyota FR-s. Scion : FR-S DS-4 BOXER 200HP in Scion | eBay Motors

But with a manual transmission. :P

[BlueCorn]

I'd have kept the Honda S2000 I traded in for my Subie.


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[there4igraham]

Going new really narrows it down. I'd probably plant myself in either a VW Golf or a Ford Focus hatchback. Maybe even a Honda Fit. I'd suffer through a few others but I have to enjoy what I drive.

[Startiger]

One question with the Under $20,000 rule. Are you looking at new cars or used? New you are pretty limited.

Used, you have a whole world of options. I like buying slightly used, low mileage cars. Low mileage so you still have the majority of the factory warranty. (Subaru and Toyota both have better warranties, 100,000 miles, for their certified used cars than you get with a new cars.) You also get a whole heck of a lot more for your money with slightly used.

When I replaced my Corolla, We ended up finding a 2 year old Ford Fusion SEL V6. The car was loaded with just about everything you could get. To buy it new, it would have been a $32,000 car, we paid $16,000 for it.

Back to the original question, if you can't buy a Subaru and have a $20,000 budget, here are my thoughts:

Slightly used Toyota Rav4. Locally, they are listing a 2010 Rav4 with 4wd for $16,000 to $19,000 depending on mileage.
Slightly used Ford Escape, If you can catch a good deal, you can probably find a new generation Ford Explorer used that is within your budget.
Slightly used Kia Sorento.
Slightly used Hyundai Touscon. Spacious, peppy engine, good mileage, and you can get them cheap. The problem there is I don't like the road handling. Take the money you save and buy good tires and some suspension upgrades like front and rear sway bars.