So, she's looking for something that has AWD, but is cushier than a WRX. Her two most recent cars have been an Audi A6 and a Volvo sedan of some sort that had low profile tires that have been destroyed by Detroit area roads (five replaced in less than a year). A -1 fitment won't work due to the brake calipers, so she's sending it away, and needs something else.
AWD (no, she doesn't want FWD + snow tires).
New to 3 years old
Comfortable to drive (Detroit roads)
Carry four adults in comfort
Reasonable maintenance costs.
NO low profile tires.
And no, she didn't like my recommendation of a 911 turbo, and sod off to the passengers.
We very nearly bought a regular Impreza rather than our WRX. If I had it to do over, I probably would just buy an Impreza, since this is just a DD.
Or by "cushier" do you mean "more luxury" rather than just "softer suspended"?
Another Subaru product, Legacy, Outback, Forester, Tribeca maybe?
mtn
PowerDork
11/6/12 6:11 p.m.
Probably able to get a killer deal on an AWD Kisashi...
I just went through similar with my 80 yr old (a very young 80) M-I-L. Out of a '06 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, the new winner was a new, this year, '13 Ford Escape.
Runners up were:
Honda CRV
Ford Edge
Toyota Venza
I know that she has looked at the Venza, but that was when she got the Audi. Might have to have her look at it again.
In reply to ransom:
Or by "cushier" do you mean "more luxury" rather than just "softer suspended"?
Both. She had high end Camry's before the Audi. She wants something that can get out of it's own way, so a base Impreza is likely out of the picture, but some of the turbo hcarged AWD subaru's might fit, like the Forester.
Nobody is going to go from an A6 Quattro to an Impreza people, wake up!
The AWD Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger use smaller brakes/wheels and actually have quite a bit of sidewall. I'd look closely at the 300 V6 with the 8-speed auto in AWD form. They have some nice packages, too.
Another option is the CTS 4. Two of the people in my building own them, both 3.6L V6 sedans. Very sharp looking and always here in the snow. IIRC, one has 17's on it.
The SHO would be on my list, but it comes with 19's.
Seems like there is at least one Buick that doesn't suck that comes with AWD bud damned if I can figure out which one.
If she had a camry, but wants AWD, then the obvious choice is the Legacy. It looks like a "mom" car too, these days......
Why do you need awd in Detroit?
AWD accord crosstour? Anyone?
I've got to be the only person who likes how they look.
Still an option.
NGTD
Dork
11/6/12 8:37 p.m.
Woody wrote:
mazdeuce wrote:
AWD accord crosstour? Anyone?
I've got to be the only person who likes how they look.
You may be correct.
Forget the may - BUTT UGLY!
If I'm reading your statement correctly, then it's the Volvo that had too-low-profile tires, and not the Audi? What did she dislike about the Audi?
NGTD wrote:
Woody wrote:
mazdeuce wrote:
AWD accord crosstour? Anyone?
I've got to be the only person who likes how they look.
You may be correct.
Forget the may - BUTT UGLY!
Well, that just means two year old models should be cheap, and that's good. Plus, you'll never lose your car in a parking lot because you'll always be the only one. The more I think about it, the more the Crosstour makes sense. I'm starting to think its the perfect answer. Really.
She had a Camry, it was AWD. And another that was AWD. The first that she owned as 4WD, as it was a Canadian market car. She feels that she needs AWD since she HAS to get to work, and most of our relatives are in the Ontario snow belt, so AWD doesn't hurt.
In reply to codrus:
Audi was becoming VERY expensive to maintain. I am 10+ hours away, so to a mechanic it goes.
Sooooooooo.......crosstour? Amiright?
I'll see what she thinks of it. She's well asleep at this point, hopefully I can get her tomorrow before I go to work.
wbjones
UltraDork
11/7/12 6:45 a.m.
still think that Subaru is the answer ... somewhere in their product line-up would be the perfect car for her ....
wish I had not had to get rid of mine ... just needed the pulling capacity the truck brings ... ( sadly it's 4wd as opposed to awd )
