*to Hanlon's razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Κυνόσαργες

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Joining Automotive Society with a boring 'crossover' - three rows small

Never imagine Toronto's anyting but a Midwestern city: a family needs a car to do anything at all.  So... I'll be joining the bastards, but with ONE car only.  I am buying a new car, in cash.  Yes, I can buy someone else' problems cheaper, but I just don't want to.  I am staying under $35K CAD, paying in cash.

What I need is room for two adults and two children, for the next eight to ten years, reliable and good build quality for the price, and drives more like a car than a boat.  What I want is a third-row seat no matter how small, sliding rear doors, AWD for our winters, cruise-control and a few other options.  Have to get a fucking automatic for the wife.

Here're the 'crossovers' prices*, all with AWD otherwise what's the point, best to worst value:


Kia Sorrento LX turbo AWD
- third row seats option
- AWD
- decent mileage
- best transmission (6-speed auto)
- best engine (hp/torque)
- $32500
Mitsubishi Outlander SE AWC
- third row seats option
- AWD
- decent mileage
- best transmission (6-speed auto)
- best engine (hp/torque)
- $32000/37000**
Nissan Rogue SV AWD
- third row seats option
- AWD
- best mileage
- CVT transmission (feh)
- excellent safety features
- $31500
Here're the 'small minivan' prices, best to worst value:
Kia Rondo LX AT 7-seat
- third row seats 
- no sliding rear doors
- no AWD option
- not CVT transmission (yeah!)
- $22300 
Mazda 5
- third row seats 
- sliding rear doors
- no AWD option
- CVT transmission (feh)
- mediocre safety features
- $26300
For 'crossoers; it is between the Outlander and the Rogue, as I just cannot yet sign on with Korean cars at the same price, much less convince the J-wife.  However, if we cheap out, too bad about losing the sliding doors, but the Rondo's much better value than the Mazda5!

*AWD/third-row option included if noted.  Prices right off Canadian websites, taxes, fees and rebates included.  Mileage may vary.
**$32K for 2015, $37 for 2016

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