I have gone (as a parent) from a Camry to a minivan to an Acura MDX and now an Acura RDX (the smaller SUV), which I’ve had for the past 5 years. I have had very good luck with the Acuras with only routine maintenance, even though I keep them for a while (last one was 10 years). After riding higher up for the past 20 years or so, I can’t imagine ever driving a sedan again; I think I likely have permanently switched to SUVs.
@my2sunz How good is an Acura? Are they reliable? Asking since my mom wants an Acura because it’s been her dream car.
@MoonKnight - I have been very happy with the two that I have had. I don’t think I ever had to do anything other than routine maintenance on them. The one exception was in my old MDX, the nav system had a touch screen and it went kaput at about year 8. Dealer tried for a long time to get it to work properly and they never got it completely properly fixed. But I had a loaner car for weeks while they tried, so can’t complain about that. I don’t go to dealer for service and found a good local mechanic where prices for maintenance don’t seem any higher than what DH pays for similar service on his Ford. They are a very comfortable ride and are well put together.
My one main complaint (don’t know if this has been changed - mine is a 2014) is that it doesn’t have a blindspot warning system. Seemed crazy to me at the time since my husband and sons have lower priced cars (Ford and Mazda) that both came with that as a standard feature.
I would like to get a small SUV but have a question. How do you keep the contents you need to store in the back from being stolen? It is a huge issue here and I do keep a lot in my truck. The weather is varied throughout the day so there is a rain jacket, Mah Jong game, sandals, shoes, sweater, shopping bags…all in my trunk.
Some SUV/hatchback/wagon type vehicles have covers that conceal the cargo area from thieves who will only break in if they see something they want to steal, but which can be removed if you carry larger cargo (but unconcealed).
@oregon101 My SUV has the concealed cargo area @ucbalumnus was talking about. For mine, you lift the floor to find a concealed area that can be used to store items. It isn’t large enough to carry large cargo however. Also, if you are getting one with a cargo net that is connected to the back seat, you can place cardboard paper in the front and put your items behind it to conceal it if people try looking through your rear window.
Thank you so much for the suggestions. I finally have a new-to-me car! I decided on a Camry, and it’s six years old with low miles and drives beautifully. I am actually excited about running errands! LOL. What a relief to be done with the car search. I forgot how much I dislike sitting in a car dealership, but it was worth one day of time.
I did get the moonroof, did not get leather, and am glad to have the bluetooth for listening to my music from my phone. The long drive home I kept thinking I am not worthy of this beautiful car! (This is how giddy you get after driving the same minivan for 17 1/2 years!)
Congratulations on getting a car! @psychmomma
Wonderful!
Yay! I love my new Prius Prime hybrid hatchback. It’s very quiet and makes me smile because it rarely needs any gas. It’s a nice change from my 20 year old van.
It is fun having a newer vehicle, with safety features and things working correctly!