The Right Car for Me: Reliablity, longevity with cargo space

Reliablity, longevity with cargo space

ratdog63

06 XB - low power, no cruise control. 08 XB - concerned about oil consumption issue. 02-03 CR-V (like how th glass opens separate in rear). Subaru - 02 6 cyl (4 cly oil issue) and 05 Forester. Possibly a Nissan Cube like an 09. Thoughts?

Priorities: Cargo capacity / Fuel economy / Safety & braking

Preferred Bodystyle(s): Hatch / Wagon / SUV

Car Needs: Daily commuter / Errands about town

Primary Driver(s): Senior driver

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 125000
Maximum age: 14 years

Maximum price: US $ 6000

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You have already listed some good options. Scions are Toyota based and fairly reliable. You might consider the Honda Element. We had one a decade ago and love it before it was totalled. CR-V platform and reliability but had tons of cargo space, great visibility and a real tailgate. Clamshell side doors made it easy to load things from side as well.

You might also consider a used minivan. Something like an old Toyota Sienna would have more space than the other cars listed while getting similar gas mileage. Rav 4 would be another option. Reliable on a Corolla chasis.

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Elements in good condition tend to be in high demand because they fit what you're looking on so well.

With any four-cylinder Subarus of that vintage you're risking head gasket issues.

With the cube the only repair commonly reported involves the exhaust system, not terribly expensive. Some people are always concerned about a CVT transmission, but hardly any cube owners have reported problems with these. If you get a manual, this risk is avoided.

Only a couple of xB owners have reported oil consumption issues through our survey, and they also reported that the problem is covered by a recall. It might be worth looking into the maximum age / odometer coverd by the recall. Overall these appear very reliable in our survey.

If we're discussing the xB and cube, maybe also the Kia Soul? The 2010s are iffy in our reliability survey, but the 2011 and up have been okay or better. The ride isn't the best, but worth a look.

Possibly also a Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe.

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Where to Next?

Reliablity, longevity with cargo space

ratdog63

Response from Dnslater

11:27 am September 2, 2016

Response from mkaresh

2:46 pm September 7, 2016