Looking for smaller suv for kid

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Family of 4

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Looking for a smaller SUV for the kid. Rav4, highlander,  pilot,  crv, something in the 10k range if that’s possible anymore. 

 
Having 3 sons who have all got their licenses within the last 4 years, I have a ton of recent experience in this area. Plus, after putting 450k on my Escalade that I had for 14 years, I needed a car too. I'm well over the million mile club and onto 2 million. I have purchased 5 used cars in the last 6 years. For me, I'm looking for low miles (under 35k), clean title, something reliable that will get them through their college years until they get good paychecks to buy what they really want. The Rav4, highlander, pilot and crv are too big/pricey for that. I went with the Chevy Trax... 1.4L inline turbo engines, no CV trans, perfect little cars with an AWD option. Look at the carfax that the first oil change was at <6k miles with consistent maintenance. For me living in a very rural, dirt roads back country area with lots of snow/ice, I want them in AWD. Except one son really wanted better gas mileage, so I got a Cruze... same engine, no AWD but he's living in LA area, so I guess that's ok. They've been good. As far as issues, keep an eye on the water pump and just replace it, and spark plugs/ignition coil asap unless it's already been done. Might as well do the coolant reservoir too. Hyundai's and Kia's aren't too bad either if you really want to stay cheap. I'd avoid Mitsubishi and Nissan, they will be all over your searches for that price range and have crap CV transmissions. 

For myself, in 2017 I needed 7 seats, something practical but a little nice to hold all the fam/friends so I went with the Hyundai Santa Fe Limited. It was nice for 5 years until it blew a head gasket after only 150k miles. Good timing though because used cars were going for top dollar and since all the kids had their own car, I didn't have to be held back by 7 seats. A good friend of mine who owns a dealership and knows I just want something I can drive forever said get an Acura and call it good, which led me to a bunch of research on the Honda Crv's. I got me a beautiful (used of course) AWD touring and already put 30k miles on it. Can't beat Honda. 

After saying all that, if I was to buy another kid car, I'd just go right to a Honda HRV. Like the CRV just smaller and cheaper and you're getting the Honda quality and efficiency. And they come in AWD option if that's important to you.

 
Family of 4 said:
Looking for a smaller SUV for the kid. Rav4, highlander,  pilot,  crv, something in the 10k range if that’s possible anymore. 
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Do you really want to get your kid a car that can turn into a bedroom?  

Girlfriend had three grown kids when we got together and once we got together she decided to get rid of her Forerunner that she had forever. She got rid of it and got a little Toyota FRS.  It wasn't long after when all the kids were sitting around playing cards with us that they all were kind of bummed that mom got rid of the Forerunner. The youngest Daughter was just glad she had not gotten rid of it earlier otherwise she wasn't sure where she would of lost her virginity, come to find out all three plus a few of their friends and cousins had all lost their virginity  in the back of moms Forerunner.  Guess the car was a little more cherry than she thought

 
Having gone thru all of this with three kids, just get on CarMax and start shopping.  I didn't trust what I was finding in the private market in that price range.  Things were beat, needed tires and such as well.  I had great luck with CarMax.

 
I'm in this pickle right now.

Our 2005 Pilot that runs like a champ with 212k miles is all over the damn road if your holding it with 2 hands, just too much crash derby in that poor SUV - it'll be gone soon.

CRV, Pilot, RAV4 and Highlander will not be found in or near 10k unless they are very old, high mileage or a Salvage title.

Honda HRV however is really close and a solid little SUV, we have been looking at those closely. Don't count out a Kia or Hyundai, the right one will be cheap for a Teen to drive.

Lots of CIVIC Hatchbacks that are closer to 10k and will do the job.

The little Chevy GMC SUVs with the Ecotec are also solid if they are not beat up.

GLWTS - I'm doing the same.

 
MWB said:
Do you really want to get your kid a car that can turn into a bedroom?  

Girlfriend had three grown kids when we got together and once we got together she decided to get rid of her Forerunner that she had forever. She got rid of it and got a little Toyota FRS.  It wasn't long after when all the kids were sitting around playing cards with us that they all were kind of bummed that mom got rid of the Forerunner. The youngest Daughter was just glad she had not gotten rid of it earlier otherwise she wasn't sure where she would of lost her virginity, come to find out all three plus a few of their friends and cousins had all lost their virginity  in the back of moms Forerunner.  Guess the car was a little more cherry than she thought
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1st car my 10th grade year of HS.  "Shaggin Wagon"

1982_volvo_240-pic-545463372108475508-1024x768.jpeg


yore not kidding.

But honestly, Teens don't even need a car today, any "Family" bathroom at the mall, park, etc is where they are bumping uglies. :prego:

 
Look at the smaller Mazda SUV.  They are built well and will run forever.   Finding something in the $10K price range is going to be tough.  The cost of the car is the cheap part.  Wait till you get the insurance bill for a teenage driver.  

 
I have a 2007 Lexus Gx470 for sale. New timing belt and plugs, new brakes, new/used front seats(the best condition you will ever see in a GX), new factory headlight assembly, new air bags, 195K miles looking for $14K obo 858 692 7211 

 
Crusty said:
1st car my 10th grade year of HS.  "Shaggin Wagon"



yore not kidding.

But honestly, Teens don't even need a car today, any "Family" bathroom at the mall, park, etc is where they are bumping uglies. :prego:
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If you had game while driving that shaggin wagon, you had some serious game.

 
Crusty said:
I was in Marching Band, ever meet a girl in Band? They make Catholic School girls blush.

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I was in a rock band, I didn't need a carI had a bass guitar. Girls had the cars and money.

 
geo tracker.  all of the wheels have drive, not enough power to get in real trouble, decent gas mileage, cheap and fun.  

 
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