Sport-ute shopping
Ask Alexandra: Three women seek advice on a new SUV
Thanks to all those who have sent in emails asking for advice on new car purchases. This week, sisters Andrea and Julia, and elementary school teacher Aleta are looking for a new vehicular fit for their driveway.
Dear Alexandra:
My name is Andrea Banning and I am recently retired but I still teach First Aid and CPR part time for St. John Ambulance, so I need a reliable car as well as one that has a big trunk.
If I need to haul equipment or even my golf bag, then I need the room to do so.
I also travel to Whistler to teach occasionally, so I need a car that will grip the road. I now have two grandchildren, so a four-door is essential.
My current car is a 2001 Monte Carlo. I have had it since 2002 and I have come into some inheritance so I am thinking ... new car!
To replace my Monte Carlo, I’m looking for a medium-sized SUV.
My sister is also looking for a new car, so we thought we could go together and see if we could get a deal.
Her name is Julia Baker. She is looking for basically the same sort of SUV with the same points that I covered. We both definitely want 4WD.
Hi Andrea and Julia:
So, you’re both looking at getting a 4WD/ AWD vehicle, good gas mileage, big trunks and room for family members.
Here are a few suggestions I can offer. Firstly, from a North American manufacturer, perhaps consider the Dodge Journey.
It starts at just over $30,000 and comes with AWD, leather seating, allwheel drive and room for seven.
Then there’s the Nissan Pathfinder, which was redesigned for the 2013 model year and has an MSRP of $31,998 for the S 4x4 model.
It’s spacious, nice to drive and easy to work with.
The Chevrolet Equinox also has qualities you’re looking for at a starting MSRP of $30,435 and comes with AWD.
Hyundai will be introducing its Santa Fe XL, which is 215mm longer than the current five-passenger model. It will also have room for seven. Its starting MSRP for the Premium model with all-wheel drive is $34,999.
Take a trip to an auto mall and test drive the vehicles back-to-back.
Take a note pad and write down what you like and what you’re not so excited about. When you go to make your decisions, you’ll have a list of pros and cons.
Hi Alexandra:
My name is Aleta and I need help in my search for wheels. I find the whole idea of car buying overwhelming.
So many choices, so many unknowns, so much pressure, all lead to one very stressed-out girl.
I currently drive a 1989 Toyota Corolla. It has been in my family since 1990 and I have driven it since 1996. It has great gas mileage, more than 230,000 kilometres on it, and I love it. I may be biased as it is the only car I have ever owned. But sadly, parts are now starting to go.
It is time to start looking for a new car. I love Raspberry, as I affectionately call her. She is like a family member, complete with the wearing down of parts.
As I look to the future, here are all the expectations I hope my new vehicle will meet.
It needs to have flexible space, with room for adults, babies, dogs and strollers, etc.
It needs to fit in my long and narrow garage. It needs to be comfy. Gas mileage needs to be reasonable.
And I do love some power. No V8s here, but some decent step on it would be lovely for freeways and road trips.
Budget wise, I would like to stay under $30,000. That being said, I am flexible if it is a perfect fit.
Hi Aleta:
You’re in luck! There are a few vehicles that fit within your price range and check off your ‘needs’ list.
I’ll first suggest the all-new, fourthgeneration 2014 Subaru Forester.
Dimensionally, it is similar to the outgoing model, but serious interior improvements have been made to give it more space inside for people and storage.
It has great ground clearance — in case you need to get to some fun forest trails for the dogs — yet ingress and egress is easy.
You can either get it with a manual or a CVT (automatic) transmission.
And even with its full-time allwheel drive system, fuel economy is quite good. You have a choice of engines that deliver either 170 horsepower or 250 horsepower. Plenty of pep to fill your power needs.
The Toyota RAV4 is also a solid bet. It has 176 horsepower, lots of trunk space and a fresh new design.
If you’re looking to go the distance, consider a VW diesel Golf Wagon (a.k.a. the TDI model). It gets amazing fuel economy and you’ll spend less time at the pump and more time on the road. Other vehicles to consider are the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape.
Don’t forget to test them out to see if they fit in your garage!