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Time for a new DD.

NEK5

NEK5

3/4 ton status
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As we get closer to our daughters arrival, I'm starting to think more and more that we should look into getting a new DD. The scion xa I got now is just going to be a too small.

My first choice is a 2007-2009 Toyota Camry. I'm finding them used with 70-100k miles for $10-12k.

I haven't considered too many others, although I did just see a 2009 Subara Forester Awd with like 90k miles for $10k. Anything I should look out for? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance :thumb:

ETA: been a while since I posted in a forum other than the shooting range. If this belongs someone else please move :)
 
Bought my wife an 06 Malibu last September. 48k on the car. 3 small dings in the hood was it. $10,500. Other than a warped rotor, car has been flawless.
 
If you encounter snow at all, go the subaru route. They are reliable, fairly inexpensive, and its hard to beat AWD.

If snow isn't an issue, i'd go with something else. You lose a bit of mileage out of the awd.
 
Living in NH, well New England in general we get quite a bit of snow in the winter, especially this winter.
 
Can I expect the same mileage/reliability I can from the Subaru like I could a toyota?
 
NEK5 said:
Can I expect the same mileage/reliability I can from the Subaru like I could a toyota?
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reliability, yes.

Mileage, you gotta check the spec numbers. I'd guess slightly less with the AWD, but still respectable.

That being said, i prefer the outback to the forester (until about 2011 or 2012), but that is just personal/style preference.
 
Is the outback the pick up one?

Just not sure the AWD is worth losing the MPG. Once I get a job in the water field, I will likely be traveling some more too....
 
No, the outback is the longer/larger wagon.

In the years you are looking, they are very similar in overall size, but the forester is taller/shorter.
 
I wouldnt put a subaru on the same level as a camry. Subaru's are decent and will last a while, but i think a camry is a notch above. My dad loves camry's hes had two of them that hes driven to about 250k and they were still running good when he got rid of them. If i was to get a new car, i would probably get a camry...as sad as it is hahaa
 
What about nissans? Looking at a 2009 Altima with 103k miles. Will they run like a toyota/Honda?
 
NEK5 said:
What about nissans? Looking at a 2009 Altima with 103k miles. Will they run like a toyota/Honda?
Click to expand...

from what ive heard nissans are very good cars, but most people put toyotas and hondas slightly ahead of them. No personal experience though :doah:
 
The Camry is a good choice, but some have oil burning issues. I work on them daily. Seem to be a good value, also hold their resale value. My mother is on here 3rd, my sister has her old one.
 
Looks like the Camry, Accord, and Altima are around what I'm looking for...time to search some more! Looked at an 07 Camry today that was in rougher shape than the dealers web site made it seem so I passed on that one.
 
My wife DD's an '07 Camry (and we're expecting our first child in a week or two). Its been a great car except for 3 different recalls: rear brakes (she wore out 3 sets before 30k - apparently something to do with the proportioning valve), carpet mod along with the gas pedal (during the "runaway" car syndrome). Its comfortable to drive with decent power but I was never a huge front drive fan...she might give it to her brother if it ends up being too small for our needs and so we've also been looking into a Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder or a Subie. Personally, I wouldn't mind a crew cab truck.
 
Interesting. Thanks for the info. I found the Camry to be quite roomy (and a huge step up from my scion xa). I also like the 07-09 Chevy Impalas, but I just don't think they're going to run as long as the toyota/Honda etc.
 
My wife drives her '06 Subaru Forester daily and she loves it. I'm military so I've moved and had the opportunity to drive it in several different conditions.

Her family is from CT and in the snow it's been flawless. We lived in Tampa, FL for 4 years with it and it was great in he heat and storms. I live in Virginia Beach now and I've driven it all over this hell hole of a state with no issue. I did take it to the Outer Banks once for a weekend beach trip. It drove flawlessly on the sand, I was surprised to see a friend with a brand new Ford Explorer get stuck while we were able to get through the dunes with little issue.

Overall... I've changed the front rotors and new pads... everything else has been standard routine maintenance you would expect from any car. Performed flawlessly and I do like the way it performs.

Oh yeahhh... Crash Rating is phenominal. Just something to think about.
 
Crash rating is definitely an important thing. All about the safety of my family at this point. How's the MPG on the forester?
 
I second the forester. Or any subaru for that matter. Forget what year hte forester became ok looking.

All my friends drive subarus. If i didn't have to tow, and needed a 4x4 DD, i'd be driving a WRX wagon, for sure. Probably with some added insulation, haha.
 
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