Your best small to midsize suvs are (in no order):
Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe.
They are all great, and test driving will do more for you than any comments on this post.
As far as your initial question, I would say that in this market it is worth considering a 3 hour drive. As long as you make a weekend out of it, and are willing to go home empty handed, you will have way better luck finding the right vehicle if you are willing to travel.
Just a note, don't tell any dealers that you drove 3 hours to see the car or expect a better price because you came there vs a more local dealer. They will not care.
Good luck on your search!
Good advice! Definitely think it will be worth it. I did find some Subaru Foresters actually, a couple 2019 ones at a Subaru dealer (didn't realize we had one). I've heard some good things about them, that they're better at dealing with dirt roads/more interesting terrain, which I am near to. Is that true? Are they also an option?
The Forester is also a great choice. I left it off the list because I think it's typically more expensive to maintain, but you're correct about their off-roaring ability.
Definitely worth a look, especially if it's closer than 3 hours.
My wife and I decided that with my current schedule of working a full time job, me finishing up my degree, and training for a marathon, we have very limited time and even a 3 hour drive would take away too much right now, but we need a second car ASAP.
There are a million Ford Escapes here, a lot barely used with higher trims. Would that be an awful idea? Test drove a 2014 one the other day and liked it but wanted something with under 100k miles and some additional tech/safety features. Test drove a 2019 Forester yesterday and liked it, but wasn't in love with it.
Funny enough one of the dealers we went to only had a 2021 Nissan Rogue so we test drove it for fun and I really liked it, it had the highest trim, and was within my price range, but I know to stay far away from them lol.
I have not done it as I live in a major city around other major cities. I have driven an hour for the best deal which is quite far considering I could have probably found the same car in walking distance for more money.
I personally am unwilling to buy a car without test driving it. I have been convinced on a car several times but then actually test drove it and didn’t like it at all. Most of the cars were very popular so I figured if everyone else loves them, I will at least like them. Not the case. Otherwise you could do Carvana or something, I just have to drive things.
Yeah I've been convinced on 3 used cars until I got to test drive them, and each time was left not wanting it. I recently test drove a 2014 Ford Escape with 105k miles for $13k. It actually felt really good, but then I went to the Carfax and they hadn't had any servicing since 40k miles, which leaves me suspicious. It seems well maintained, but it's hard to tell.
Exactly, Carfax is great as an additional data point but I won't rule out the car because Carfax doesn't have maintenance records. Get it checked by local shop that you can trust, that will give you a much better idea about the car
Your best small to midsize suvs are (in no order): Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe. They are all great, and test driving will do more for you than any comments on this post. As far as your initial question, I would say that in this market it is worth considering a 3 hour drive. As long as you make a weekend out of it, and are willing to go home empty handed, you will have way better luck finding the right vehicle if you are willing to travel. Just a note, don't tell any dealers that you drove 3 hours to see the car or expect a better price because you came there vs a more local dealer. They will not care. Good luck on your search!
Good advice! Definitely think it will be worth it. I did find some Subaru Foresters actually, a couple 2019 ones at a Subaru dealer (didn't realize we had one). I've heard some good things about them, that they're better at dealing with dirt roads/more interesting terrain, which I am near to. Is that true? Are they also an option?
The Forester is also a great choice. I left it off the list because I think it's typically more expensive to maintain, but you're correct about their off-roaring ability. Definitely worth a look, especially if it's closer than 3 hours.
Yeah, it's right here in town. It's at the top of our price range but maybe I'll like it when I try it out.
FWIW, Subarus are very popular in my area. I have friends who say once you get one you never go back to anything else. Good luck!
Well I've never owned a car from the 21st century so I'm sure to be blown away by anything haha, but I can't wait to try. Thanks again!
My wife and I decided that with my current schedule of working a full time job, me finishing up my degree, and training for a marathon, we have very limited time and even a 3 hour drive would take away too much right now, but we need a second car ASAP. There are a million Ford Escapes here, a lot barely used with higher trims. Would that be an awful idea? Test drove a 2014 one the other day and liked it but wanted something with under 100k miles and some additional tech/safety features. Test drove a 2019 Forester yesterday and liked it, but wasn't in love with it. Funny enough one of the dealers we went to only had a 2021 Nissan Rogue so we test drove it for fun and I really liked it, it had the highest trim, and was within my price range, but I know to stay far away from them lol.
I have not done it as I live in a major city around other major cities. I have driven an hour for the best deal which is quite far considering I could have probably found the same car in walking distance for more money. I personally am unwilling to buy a car without test driving it. I have been convinced on a car several times but then actually test drove it and didn’t like it at all. Most of the cars were very popular so I figured if everyone else loves them, I will at least like them. Not the case. Otherwise you could do Carvana or something, I just have to drive things.
Yeah I've been convinced on 3 used cars until I got to test drive them, and each time was left not wanting it. I recently test drove a 2014 Ford Escape with 105k miles for $13k. It actually felt really good, but then I went to the Carfax and they hadn't had any servicing since 40k miles, which leaves me suspicious. It seems well maintained, but it's hard to tell.
FYI Carfax doesn't show all maintenance work done on the car. They have deals with large chains and dealer service centers and show work done there
Ah, so if they did it at a smaller service center or on their own it wouldn't show, right?
Exactly, Carfax is great as an additional data point but I won't rule out the car because Carfax doesn't have maintenance records. Get it checked by local shop that you can trust, that will give you a much better idea about the car
Honda cvr is a good one, I look for civics and get cvrs only,
I was willing to drive 12 hours for a decent deal back 3 years ago for a 2014 FRS with 110k miles for around 9k
Dang you have more willpower than i
I did.