Just got this from a good friend:
"Kim has $17,000 from her car getting totaled and a gift from her parents. We're looking into a new, smaller SUV or crossover type vehicle in the $20,000 range. Any suggestions?"
"She wants legroom, cargo space, fuel economy etc..."
I immediately wrote back Ford Flex from previous, similar threads here.
Anything else?
Edit: looks like she's looking for new not used. Not 100% sure if she'd buy "lightly used" or not
Just reported that they/she likes the Mitsu Outlander AWD. Any thoughts?
Don't really trust Mitsubishi long term. Most of the cars have been cheaply built and they are probably much better off with a newer used CRV or a CX5 over a mitsubishi.
Mitsu offers a 10 year warranty but I would not bet that Mitsu is still here in the US for another 10 years.
The Flex you recommended is not small. It's quite Large!
If looking Outlander size then the world is your oyster because there are so many choices there for the average (read: non-enthusiast) driver. Mazda CX-5, Honda CRV or their new smaller HRV, Toyota Rav4, etc.
If you really want to give advise...Rather than, "we're getting $17k so we want to spend $20k" recommend that they spend $15k and keep the other $2k in a car maint/repair fund.
CX-5, Escape, CR-V. Honda Fit not a bad choice either.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
$15k for a new suv?
ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to JohnRW1621: $15k for a new suv?
My recommend of $15k was in before the OP's edit of New Purchase. That does then also beg the question, can you really get much new for under $20k?
Still, I would like to ask, "how much debt is being taken on for this purchase."
John nailed it. Can you even name an SUV that starts under $20k? Even the Chevy Trax is $20,300 for the rental-spec penalty box model. The Outlander Sport barely squeaks in at $19.6k, sure, but it is one of the worst-regarded new cars currently sold in America and the value will PLUMMET relative to literally any other option out there, worse even than a Fiat 500L/500X.
I'd think a Honda Fit would really be the answer here. Sure, not an SUV, but a similar high-up seating position and just as practical with much better gas mileage.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
My best guess is $17,000 plus $3,000 of her own money to make $20,000.
That's what I got from his text above.
Subaru Crosstrek, Honda Fit/HRV and a CX-5would be the short list if she can make the $$ stretch. Maybe a jeep renegade?
Well, you can get a Jeep Renegade for $17,999 - which probably equals about $20k out the door.
But it won't have air conditioning! You'll probably have to order it, because I doubt any dealer will keep a car without A/C in stock.
How about a Patriot? There's $3k cash on the hood right now.
Note that I don't recommend either of these, but along with Mitsubishi, they are the ONLY SUVs that will get you out the door under $20k.
It's simply not realistic, your friend's goal.
"She wants legroom, cargo space, fuel economy etc..."
So she wants a minivan? Brand new Dodge Grand Caravans start at about $20K. If she has the common brain-block against driving a mini-van, the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 are good choices--- but cost more, have less space and utility.
My 14 Caravan just turned 11K miles. So far it's been flawless, not one complaint or flaw. I'm really blown away by it's competence.
In reply to EvanR:
Even with the Mitsu, TTLD is going to be more than $400. If she HAS to have an SUV-type thing and be out around $20k, the Honda HR-V is clear and away the "best" car in the segment, as far as not being a pile of garbage and holding resale value anyway. Base is just under $20k on them. CX-3 is also a dark horse in this segment with a nearly identical price point to the HR-V. But does she NEED an SUV?
I still think a Fit is the way to go. They hold resale value unlike anything else on the market right now, have a lot of traits she wants, and you can get a new one OTD under $18k.
pointofdeparture wrote: In reply to EvanR: Even with the Mitsu, TTLD is going to be more than $400.
Right now, there's $1500 cash back on an Outlander Sport. That brings the MSRP down to $18,095. Anybody who pays MSRP on a Mitsu isn't trying very hard. TTLD is based on location. I would say that if you walked into a Mitsubishi dealer with a cashier's check for $20k even, your odds of driving home in a new, stick shift, Outlander Sport would be pretty good.
Not that you'd want one, but it's possible.
Edit: I see the OP is in Massachusetts. Michaud Mitsubishi in Danvers, MA has 2 5-speed Outlander Sports in stock. One is $17,438 and the other is $17,498. $20k out the door should be easy.
In reply to EvanR:
Ahh, didn't think about incentives! From the sound of things, though, this is mostly the parents looking after a female young'n, and I have a strange feeling a stick-shift isn't in the cards...
My step-mother just bought a Lexus RX-350 (used obviously) for something like 16,000 and an aftermarket warrantee. She loves it.
pointofdeparture wrote: In reply to EvanR: Ahh, didn't think about incentives! From the sound of things, though, this is mostly the parents looking after a female young'n, and I have a strange feeling a stick-shift isn't in the cards...
Hey man, I don't make assumptions, I just answer the question! 
The question, as I read it, is "What brand-new SUVs can be had for $20k out the door?"
The best answer is probably "none that you'd want."
The correct answer is "any of 3 stripped out Jeep models, or a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, all with manual transmission."
If I was fixing to spend $20k out the door on a car for a young gal, I'd buy a 1-year-old Pruis. But that wasn't the question!
Actually the correct answer here is a subaru impreza hatch(not crosstrek) because you can get it for 20k OTD. She won't want that though. So a crosdtrek, cx3, or honda hrv.
sanman wrote: Actually the correct answer here is a subaru impreza hatch(not crosstrek) because you can get it for 20k OTD.
Nope. Impreza hatch is not a valid answer to the question, "What brand-new SUVs can be had for $20k out the door?" because it isn't an SUV.
I will say that I was oddly charmed by the Renegade while I was at the dealer picking up my Fit. Doesn't mean I'd want to own one, but it's probably better than a Mitsu at least...
What is she looking to haul: Kids, Dogs, Cargo? All of the above?
I'd throw Nissan Rogue and GMC Terrain into the mix. Outlander wouldn't be a bad choice. They have a good warranty. New Outlander Sport's can be had for under $20k.
I work for a dealer group that has a couple Mitsu stores. Lowest Outlander Sport with stick shift can be had for around $17k. Lowest Outlander is roughly $20-21k.
In reply to 92dxman:
Both the Rogue and Terrain MSRP are north of $23k. Definitely not an option, strictly following the original criteria at least.
Rogue Select (older Rogue body style with a new name) is under $20k:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=01923&endYear=2016&modelCode1=ROGUE&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=100015418&startYear=2015&makeCode1=NISSAN&searchRadius=25&maxPrice=22000&showcaseListingId=397477327&mmt=%5BNISSAN%5BROGUE%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=397152722&Log=0
Its $530 over but a Buick Encore: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=01923&endYear=2016&modelCode1=BUIENC&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=580127&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BUICK&searchRadius=25&maxPrice=22000&showcaseListingId=407398693&mmt=%5BBUICK%5BBUIENC%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=411101097&Log=0
Outlander Sport:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=01923&endYear=2016&modelCode1=OUTLANDSPT&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=44829045&startYear=2015&makeCode1=MIT&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=20000&showcaseListingId=384430549&mmt=%5BMIT%5BOUTLANDSPT%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=389018868&Log=0
There are a few more Outlander Sports in the area but they are stick shift.
92dxman wrote: Rogue Select (older Rogue body style with a new name) is under $20k:
$19,860 asking price is going to make it quite difficult to get out the door under $20k.
Rx350 is a no brainer imho
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