Suggestions for sub 20k sedans

[Desertnate]

Unless you get one like either of mine...utterly unreliable to the point that we simply had to get something we could count on and frustrating to drive when they did work. Sold the WRX with the CEL still lit after *months* of [messing] around with the local dealerships but at least we could usually drive it (more than we could say about our Outback wagon). That`s leaving aside the, uhm...dramatic differences in performance...between the Subie AWD and Audi`s Quattro, which were an Object Lesson in how different such systems can be..

Oh man did we want to like those Subarus, but they were simply lousy cars compared to what we`re used to and the dealerships couldn`t fix them..apparently in part because "they usually don`t have problems like that..".

I didn`t have much luck with the Subie Outback wagon we owned either. While it was amazing in nasty/snowy weather, it was pretty crude and "agricultural" compared to other cars of similar same age. I bought ours used and what was a somewhat reliable car for the previous owner (he provided service records) turned out to be a bit of a money pit for me. When the timing belt tensioner failed at highway speed and the engine proceeded to consume itself, it was a blessing. My daughter was the primary driver at the time and despite all the troubles, she became a wagon fanatic. Her husband now drives a Forrester which he also loves, but it has become a money pit as well and they are starting to budget for something else before it leaves them stranded on the road like the Outback. I think that car is on it`s second or third head gasket, a common problem for Subies.

Moving from the Subie to a Mazda was the best thing we ever did. Not only was it a nicer driving and far better built car, but it`s been shockingly reliable.

 

[yamabob]

My truck went down about 2 or 3 years ago and my vet is not really setup as a DD . I went to one of the lease turn places call AutoLenders here. Bought an Altima that in the last 30K ( bought with 30K) has been flawless while returning a little over 40 mpg. This might be the first car I bought as pure transportation with no regards to the thought of performance or looks or features. I does fit that "looks like the rest " bill but performs pretty dang good

 

[Accumulator]

Moving from the Subie to a Mazda was the best thing we ever did. Not only was it a nicer driving and far better built car, but it`s been shockingly reliable.

The MPV we had undid decades of good will regarding Mazdas. So utterly unreliable as to be downright dangerous (went into/out of Limp Home Mode randomly and continually) and rusted through from the inside (found out later there`s an issue with the initial construction, most all of `em do it in the same places). Dealers/Reps were, uhm...not helpful. We simply loved our previous Mazdas, which were great in all respects and perfectly reliable, but that thing was about as bad as a new vehicle purchase could`ve been.

 

[felixthecat]

What`d the OP end up with?

 

[Accumulator]

Yeah, Inquiring Minds Want To Know

 

[House of Wax]

We ended up spending a little more than we planned on and picked up a 2017 Impala.

My truck is older, so we decided it`d be nice to have at least one of our cars under a warranty for a few years and not have to worry about repairs.

Great car though. Super comfy, rides nice, decent gas mileage. My wife has thoroughly enjoyed the cheaper fill ups and extended range vs the Expedition lol

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Accumulator]

House of Wax- Thanks for the update! Yeah, I *bet* she`s happier with that than the Expedition.

 

[JSFM35X]

My Subaru had all season tires on it and we took that sucker skiing to Vermont no issues. As long as you had ground clearance the car just did it’s job with zero drama. I’ve taken it to the gym on snowy nights when normal people stay home and it was great. As good as my trail hawk Jeep.

Sadly I sold the subie to a friend as my son is now a city dweller and is a zip car user. So I still get to see it and get a ride it in occasionally. They love it and are enjoying the vehicle. Mine was a 2012.

 

[Accumulator]

My Subaru had all season tires on it and we took that sucker skiing to Vermont no issues. As long as you had ground clearance the car just did it’s job with zero drama...

Glad to hear that even if it does just *KILL* me after my, uhm...very different...experiences with two Subies (and mine even had dedicated snow tires).