# Recommend a good new or used family car **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862 "2006-11-17T18:31:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/1 "2006-11-17T18:31:10Z")
So, my poor 1988 Acura Legend has seen its final miles; it finally has something wrong with it that would cost more to fix than the car is actually worth. So, now I’m in the market for a new family car. I don’t want an SUV or minivan (my husband drives a Suburu Forrester and I find it hard to see around the back of it because it’s high and I’m very short). I’m looking for a sedan or wagon instead. My car is the the auxilliary car, not used to transport our 2 kids everywhere, but mostly used to get me to the train station, the store, and daycare to pick the kids up. So, what do you drive? What do you wish you could drive? We need to think about safety and performance. 4 wheel drive would be nice too. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/2 "2006-11-17T19:54:38Z")
I loved my '92 Camry and often wish I had it back, though I don’t think, with three kids, I’ll give up the roominess of my minivan. Mine was the last body style before this one, and my sense is that it was a little bigger than the current one, but I’ve not seen a side-by-side comparison. The 2000 model my mom had just seemed smaller. At any rate, I always promote the Camry as a perfect family car. I don’t think I spent a dime on it the five years I had it, except for gas, oil and windshield wiper blades. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/3 "2006-11-17T20:13:45Z")
[QUOTE=Ellen Cherry] At any rate, I always promote the Camry as a perfect family car. I don’t think I spent a dime on it the five years I had it, except for gas, oil and windshield wiper blades. [/QUOTE] Seconded. I have a 1999 Camry, and I’ve bought tires and fixed a switch that did something with the A/C, but that’s it, and that’s nothing compared to what I’ve spent on Fords, Pontiacs, and Chevies (Chevys?) – Chevrolets. 🙂 The trunk is huge. The back seat has carried two adults (and one small one) comfortably. The control panel is perfectly laid out. If you’re a Consumer Reports subscriber, you can also check there for repair records for used cars. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/4 "2006-11-17T22:56:52Z")
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Get a used BMW. They are top of the line, will run well forever and someone else took the big depreciation hit already. You can get a real nice 3 series cheap, a 5 series reasonable and a 7 series for some serious cash, but its is worth it. Don’t want German? Get a Nissan. Simply awsome vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/5 "2006-11-17T23:12:20Z")
I have a Corolla and I love it. Only the worst blizzards bother me, great gas mileage, fairly inexpensive new (I don’t know what resale value is, I don’t know why anyone would sell one). Smaller than the Camry but we have a minivan for the family. Just for me or for quick trips with the family, it’s fantastic. I used to be a straight GM man - Chevy and Pontiac all the way, until I married a Toyota owner… Er, I’m still straight. You know, I mean I only _owned_ GM, not that I tied my sexuality to my car in some weird way. Well maybe my 71 GTO but that’s another story. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/6 "2006-11-18T02:35:18Z")
if All wheel drive is important to you why not look into the subaru legacy or outback? They’re nice comfortable and fairly affordable. They’re also extremely reliable save for for a few years when they used a DOHC 2.5L engine. (note: the SOHC engine is fine). You’re never gonna find a more affordable car with AWD then a subaru. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/7 "2006-11-18T03:02:03Z")
Saturn L-Series if you want used at a good price. You should be able to find one with fairly low mileage for $14000 or less. (Depending on your area, maybe a lot less). The new Saturn Aura is simply the best new car value on the market. If you drive one, you won’t want anything else. But don’t take my word for it…do some research for yourself. I’ve owned 5 Saturns and can’t imagine buying anything else. > **[Certified Service Dealer Locator | Experience GM](https://experience.gm.com/certified-service/locate-schedule-service?futureModelLink=aura&seo=goo_saturn_aura)** > > Schedule service for your vehicle at your local Certified Service provider using our dealer locator tool. View our available services today. [http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section\_id=6&article\_id=3906](http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=3906) [http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/AURA/](http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/AURA/) > **[2007 Saturn Aura: Aura, a New Age of Saturn (Published 2006)](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/automobiles/autoreviews/05AUTO.html?ex=1320382800&en=27bc18e1a061835a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)** > > Possessing far more character than the sober sedans that preceded it, the Aura arrives in a wave of new vehicles intended to revitalize the once plucky brand. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/8 "2006-11-19T00:11:37Z")
Heh, that looks identical to a European Vauxhall/Opel Vectra from the B pillar forward. Slightly different at the rear, where they’ve copied the VW Passat/Ford Mondeo roof line. OTOH, you get a V6 while we’re pootling about in 4-cylinder 1.8’s unless we spend what would be silly money for a Vauxhall. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/9 "2006-11-19T03:08:47Z")
If I was going to buy a sedan, I would go with as big a BMW as I could afford- a 7 series, preferably. I want heavy, safe, fast and well-made, and they seem to fit the bill. Won’t be driving a sedan anytime soon, though. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/10 "2006-11-19T03:27:09Z")
I agree about Saturn. Not only do they have the best features for the money. The customer service is incredible. They treat the owners of their used cars, just as well as the owners of the new ones. And they go out of their way to find exactly the car you want. We bought almost the one we wanted, minus one small feature. When they located one with all the features we wanted, (in another state!), they offered to let us make a trade with no extra cost. But we were already in love with the one we had. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/11 "2006-11-20T15:21:40Z")
Thanks for the opinions. We’re leaning towards the Camry. I hadn’t even considered a BMW (I would have assumed it out of our price range) but I’ll look into it. (Hmm, a BMW; that might be cool.) A friend has a Saturn; I’ll ask him about it. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/12 "2006-11-20T17:18:59Z")
> **[In which the characteristics of the Suzuki Aerio are enumerated.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=239017)** > > There have been a lot of threads lately in which someone asks everybody’s opinion on what new cars are interesting and reliable before going out and buying a Honda, and I’ve found myself responding to every darned one with a description of the... 61K miles and still going strong! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/13 "2006-11-20T18:56:41Z")
How about an Element .Reasonable size,good for environment and get fairly good mileage. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/14 "2006-11-20T19:33:12Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] How about an Element .Reasonable size,good for environment and get fairly good mileage. [/QUOTE] I really don’t like the way the Element looks. No offense to anyone who likes the box on wheels, it just does nothing for me. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/15 "2006-11-20T20:06:25Z")
We just sold our '96 Camry and bought an '07 hybrid Camry. It never gave us mechanical problems except that after 9 years and 85K miles it developed a leak in every place that could possibly leak. Leaks on the rear engine seals were very expensive to replace, because they have to drop the transmission to get to it. Other than that, great car. We bought it when our daughter was born; now she’s 10 and her brother is 8, so it’s a good family car. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/16 "2006-11-20T20:56:32Z")
[QUOTE=Ceejaytee] Thanks for the opinions. We’re leaning towards the Camry. I hadn’t even considered a BMW (I would have assumed it out of our price range) but I’ll look into it. (Hmm, a BMW; that might be cool.) A friend has a Saturn; I’ll ask him about it. [/QUOTE] Do yourself a favor and test drive both the Camry and the Saturn Aura, and try to do so on the same day so you can make an accurate comparison. The Aura flat out-performs the Camry (and the Accord for that matter), and the Aura starts around $21000. The Aura also comes with a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and the gas mileage is comparable. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/17 "2006-11-20T21:40:01Z")
Honda, Toyota, and Saturn all are good ideas. You already said you don;t want a Subaru. Hyundai is a good bargain. Note that fergawdssake- never buy a Toyota from a Toyota dealer- biggest damn crooks in the business. Saturns aren’t quite as reliable as Honda’s but the Customer Service is fantastic. VW has been really falling in reliability- stay away. ---
**Author:** ![Schuyler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Schuyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schuyler)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/18 "2006-11-21T04:04:32Z")
I might recommend to you a used Accord - the previous generation ('98-‘02) is fairly roomy but still easy to see out of. We can fit 3-across in the back, and my wife sees out the back fine and she’s 5’ tall. Many newer cars have a raised trunk, so visibility is something you should test for yourself. Like all Hondas, they are very reliable, get decent mileage, and handle well. BTW, we have 2 (a '98 and a '01), so we may be a bit biased - but for good reason, I tell 'ya. 🙂 Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/19 "2006-11-21T16:43:37Z")
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just came out with 2007 safety ratings. No Toyota Camry or Honda Accord on the list. The Accord got poor ratings for rear crash protection; the Camry got rated marginal for rear crash protection. The Aura wasn’t tested. In my class (midsize) the Suburu Legacy, the Audi A-4, and the Saab 9-3 win. ([http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx](http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx)) ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-good-new-or-used-family-car/380862/20 "2006-11-21T21:37:44Z")
I’m the new owner of a used Toyota Matrix with AWD, and I’m pretty damn happy with it. Ask me next spring how it handled winter. My brother in law drives the Subaru Wagon with AWD, mostly because he goes snowboarding with friends a lot so needs the extra space, and he likes that car too.