discoganya

I'm in the market for a car / SUV to replace the wifes commuter Nissan Maxima. Curious to see what fellow Rennlisters would recommend. Here is what I'm looking for:

-- Budget = 25K, plus/minus a few. I don't want to get into a loan/financing. New cars only.
-- Easy to drive (automatic transmission), low road/wind noise and comfortable seating
-- Low maintenance, reliable and safe.
-- Should fit 2 kids (one on the way , one more in a few years)
-- Wouldn't mind it being a little sporty, lively and peppy...
-- But also, easy on gas (Hybrids are better -- Bay Area bridge toll savings and HOV lane access)

teutoniclove

How about a Hybrid Accord? With the end of model year clearance stuff, you should be able to get a great deal that'll meet your threshold. I know more than a few Prius drivers who have had issues including one who got the dreaded software failure while attempting a high speed merge onto a highway with retaining walls on both sides.

I have a Pilot as my 'other' car. I can fit tons of junk in it and it's Honda reliable. I know it is a bit soccer mom-ish but it is the right tool for the job I ask.

Ubermensch

Based on your criteria the hybrid accord sounds about right...

discoganya

MSRP on a decently equipped Hybrid Accord is about $33-34 K ... that's a little out of budget. Also the Accord Hybrid does not qualify for HOV lane access.

Mitty

A friend recently went through this. He liked the Mazda 6, but the Accord fit her 5 foot height better. He said the Mazda was much sportier.

BlackCab996

I just sold a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with 4 wheel drive, DVD, Bose stereo, all the options. It was in amazing shape and had around 28,000 miles. I felt lucky to sell it for $23,000. I was getting a bunch of bids at 20 and 21k. I miss the truck but I had four cars and not enough room, so we unloaded that one. If I had the room, I would by one again in a heartbeat. You could put 87 octane in it, just change the oil, and it never had any other issues. It also rode great on long trips with the family and tons of stuff.

Paul 996

Mazda Speed 3

996fan

How about Scion xB if you don't mind the boxy look. Great on Gas, less depreciation, within your budget.

BlackCab996

Sorry - I just re-read your post and saw "easy on the gas" - forget the Tahoe and consider a Subaru.

ReidN

I would look at a used XJR I had one for 2 years fast georgeous and about 1K in maintanance a year... They are all over the used car market..

zose

I would vote for a Subaru Legacy. I bought a new one as a winter car a year ago and its great. Very comfortable I got cloth seats no sunroof basically a no extras car except for auto transmission and it is wonderful and only cost me $20k. I think its a nice looking car and would highly recommend one. For a bit more you can get a Legacy GT which has a bit more hp and a bit nicer, but for my commuter it wasn't as important. The car gets very respectable gas mileage as well.

discoganya

I was all for the xB ... but the wife hates it.

teutoniclove

If the hybrid thing is the top feature for CA HOV, then the only qualifying vehicles that can be bought new are the civic hybrid and the prius. Their list is at:

California Hybrid list

My wife got sick of the rattles in her A6 not too long ago and bought a regular accord four banger AT with leather for something like 22k. Not my thing but she only drives it to and from work.

ELUSIVE

2007 VW Jetta?
Is the TDI available yet?

DCP

The Civic hybrid would seem to fit perfectly, unless you consider it to be too small to be safe. Less expensive than the Prius (in your budget range even with the Nav option), and doesn't have quite the same "I'm better than you because I'm environmental conscious" offensive attitude because it looks like a normal Civic.