Alternatives?

[erinkr]

Hello! As much as I'd love a Maverick, I have big doubts that my order (placed 9/2022) will come to fruition anytime in the next 18 months.

I currently have a 99 Ranger, and she's always got an issue. I'm in my mid/late 20s and trying to save for a house one day and the Ranger is making that impossible. And as much as I'd love another truck, I am not building furniture enough right now (and likely won't be for a few years) to make buying another truck a priority. Nor do I want any of the massive trucks that are on the market.

Does anyone have any recommendations on cars/brands? Used or new, low maintenance, and not low to the ground. Only thing I'm a stickler for is heated seats and back up camera. I have a short commute, and if I don't get a truck, I'd like to have a roof-rack. I'm thinking RAV4/Bronco Sport size. I'm in KY and ideally looking under 27k, if that helps.

Nissan Frontiers, RAV4, and Escapes have popped up in a lot of my searches, but I'm not that familiar with any of them. Would love any insight anyone has

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[SLINGSHOT]

RAV4 or Tacoma. The Taco will not get god mpg. I have a 2017 RAV4. Best vehicle (besides my wife's 2000 Civic) that I have owned.
So, do I have a Mav on order? Bored. Want something different. Life is too short to only drive only one kind of vehicle.

 

[dags1207]

Take a look at the Mazda CX-5. The standard 2.5L (non-turbo) it's been pretty bulletproof, while having the best interior materials from the competitors, non-turbo engine and a normal 6 speed transmission (no CVT like most) The used market lost A TON of value after the CX-50 release, so you will find some pretty good deals out there. I totally love mine and would recommend it to anyone. The infotainment rotary dial does take some time to get used to, but now I prefer it over my wife's touchscreen. Only thing I don’t like, Mazda paint is delicate

 

[Dano67]

Subaru Crosstrek or Forester. Forester is slightly larger but despite their size, have a ground clearance of 8.9" which is very good. Both will also put you over 30 mpg (Crosstrek being slightly better). However, as I'm waiting to see if my Hybrid Maverick is built, I have a 2018 Chevy Equinox and actually love it. During the summer I average 34-37 mpg and as is usual for most of us in cooler climates, I'm averaging 31-34 during the winter. Has plenty of power when I need it and the cabin is larger than our Crosstrek. Good luck.

 

[TonyTee]

You ordered an EcoBoost. You DO have a better chance than a lot of others, me included, to get that built. You have an XLT, XL, not a lot of addons??

 

[Christenhildebrandt]

Hello! As much as I'd love a Maverick, I have big doubts that my order (placed 9/2022) will come to fruition anytime in the next 18 months.

I currently have a 99 Ranger, and she's always got an issue. I'm in my mid/late 20s and trying to save for a house one day and the Ranger is making that impossible. And as much as I'd love another truck, I am not building furniture enough right now (and likely won't be for a few years) to make buying another truck a priority. Nor do I want any of the massive trucks that are on the market.

Does anyone have any recommendations on cars/brands? Used or new, low maintenance, and not low to the ground. Only thing I'm a stickler for is heated seats and back up camera. I have a short commute, and if I don't get a truck, I'd like to have a roof-rack. I'm thinking RAV4/Bronco Sport size. I'm in KY and ideally looking under 27k, if that helps.

Nissan Frontiers, RAV4, and Escapes have popped up in a lot of my searches, but I'm not that familiar with any of them. Would love any insight anyone has

If you are an EB Maverick I would say that you will get yours by summer. The best feature to have in a vehicle that is not a truck is a front passenger seat that folds flat. My care can haul a 10ft board easily with this feature but it isn't crazy common.

 

[Dignam]

I'll second the Mazda CX-5. My GF has the CX-3 and although we love it, it's just a bit too small. When it gets replaced the CX-5 is high on the list. Mazda interiors are excellent.

 

[erinkr]

You ordered an EcoBoost. You DO have a better chance than a lot of others, me included, to get that built. You have an XLT, XL, not a lot of addons??

XLT, only added heated seats iirc. I have a bad feeling about my dealer though - every time I've asked for documentation or pricing or anything he gets really short and hangs up. One time he said he didn't know who I was and had never met me...

 

[Maverickman74]

Im sorry but cant think of anything that falls into the category of both saving for a house and has either heated seats or a backup camera. If you want low maintenence and easy to drive and capable of doing basically anything and cheap. I would get a mid 93-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. We have 93 V8 with tow package that cost us $1400 five years ago. Including original purchase and 2 sets of new tires we have spent a grand total of about $3200-3500 on the vehicle. It get 15mpg with a dang peppy V8 and has comfortable seats and room for 2 biggish dogs and our weekly haul of 15 gallons of water jugs, laundry, couple propane tanks, and groceries. Plus a good jeep will take you anywhere in kentucky you could ever imagine. Drive it till your Maverick comes in and sell it for probably the exact amount you paid for it. Or keep it and throw a spacer lift and big tires on it and go exploring all those wonderful offroad parks Kentucky has to offer.

 

[Raymundo76]

Take a look at the Mazda CX-5. The standard 2.5L (non-turbo) it's been pretty bulletproof, while having the best interior materials from the competitors, non-turbo engine and a normal 6 speed transmission (no CVT like most) The used market lost A TON of value after the CX-50 release, so you will find some pretty good deals out there. I totally love mine and would recommend it to anyone. The infotainment rotary dial does take some time to get used to, but now I prefer it over my wife's touchscreen. Only thing I don’t like, Mazda paint is delicate

Ditto except no paint issues on my 2021.

 

[dags1207]

Ditto except no paint issues on my 2021.

Might be the soul red crystal metallic paint. It has swirls marks galore, and I hand wash only. It has a pretty soft clear coat IMO. But DAMN it's a sexy color

 

[Raymundo76]

Might be the soul red crystal metallic paint. It has swirls marks galore, and I hand wash only. It has a pretty soft clear coat IMO. But DAMN it's a sexy color

Mine is ruby red I think, and it was extra. Looks like candy apple red to me.

 

[erinkr]

Im sorry but cant think of anything that falls into the category of both saving for a house and has either heated seats or a backup camera. If you want low maintenence and easy to drive and capable of doing basically anything and cheap. I would get a mid 93-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. We have 93 V8 with tow package that cost us $1400 five years ago. Including original purchase and 2 sets of new tires we have spent a grand total of about $3200-3500 on the vehicle. It get 15mpg with a dang peppy V8 and has comfortable seats and room for 2 biggish dogs and our weekly haul of 15 gallons of water jugs, laundry, couple propane tanks, and groceries. Plus a good jeep will take you anywhere in kentucky you could ever imagine. Drive it till your Maverick comes in and sell it for probably the exact amount you paid for it. Or keep it and throw a spacer lift and big tires on it and go exploring all those wonderful offroad parks Kentucky has to offer.

Eh, so many cars have back up cams (esp if 2018-now) and you can get heated seats on p much anything at any price point depending on age / mileage / condition, and I'm in KY where houses are much cheaper than Maui--a friend of mine bought a 3bed/1bath house for 140k.

All that sounds really fun but i think anything older than 00 is out of the picture for me right now, there's so much salt on the roads during winter that older cars are rusty as hell unfortunately.

 

[erinkr]

Take a look at the Mazda CX-5. The standard 2.5L (non-turbo) it's been pretty bulletproof, while having the best interior materials from the competitors, non-turbo engine and a normal 6 speed transmission (no CVT like most) The used market lost A TON of value after the CX-50 release, so you will find some pretty good deals out there. I totally love mine and would recommend it to anyone. The infotainment rotary dial does take some time to get used to, but now I prefer it over my wife's touchscreen. Only thing I don’t like, Mazda paint is delicate

Great rec! Thank you!!

 

[gte105u]

Some options:

-Mazda CX-30, CX-5, CX-50. These are great SUVs, lots of bang for the buck. Looked hard at a few used CX-30s for my wife recently. They are frequently my go to when I rent (which is 3 times a month or so)
-Subaru - These are the vehicles that come to mind when I think car that isn't too low to the ground. Good reliability history, you should be able to find something that works in a price you can afford.
-Nissan Rogue - My wife loves these things. Good gas mileage. 2015 and after, they fixed the issues with the transmission (so you can get used, but don't go too old). Very reliable.

Most vehicles from the last decade will have a backup camera. You can add heated seats for pretty cheap with a seat cover, pad, etc. So if you really need to save up, you should be able to get almost anything in any price range for the criteria you listed.

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