Replacing squished rav-4

This was the scene at the ol' homestead the other day:

I need to replace the wife's car. She really liked the Rav-4, as did I, but a little more cargo room and a smoother ride would be nice. So.... bearing those things in mind, and the fact that she wants to get at least 20 MPG city and high 20s on the highway, what might a good replacement be? We're either going to work within a $6k budget for something used, or go new in the $20kish range.

So far my A list includes:

Rav-4 Mazda6 wagon Honda Insight (Doesn't fit all the parameters, but the wife likes the idea of mega-MPG)

btw - I had two of my buddies inquire whether the RAV-4 would make a good locost donor!

Holy-Garage-smashed!!

The real question is how much bigger will the replacement garage be?

The current generation Rav 4 sounds like it would fit the bill. My mom has the V-6 and she gets low 23ish around town and 29ish highway. It has ~15K miles on it and has averaged 25mpg since purchase. New they are out of your budget, but off-lease used ones could probably be had in your "new" price range.

If your looking at smaller vehicles I can't say enough about the Vibe. Cheap to own, cheap to operate, toyota reliablility, Pontiac depreciation. Mine gets 34mpg average (I do about 80% highway), on true trips it will crack 36mpg off. Has similar space to the Rav that got stomped. It's an option..

suzuki vitara/chevy tracker? http://www.canadiandriver.com/2005/11/24/used-vehicle-review-suzuki-vitara-grand-vitara-xl-7-chevrolet-tracker-1999-2005.htm

I think they're older than the rav4 you need to replace though.

Ouch! I don't suppose you can build a convertible Rav 4 out of the remains?

1st gen Forester? Vibe seems kind of cool.

cx-7? Boosties+trucklet=win!

So, she doesn't like the "stance" look on the RAV?

PeterAK wrote: So, she doesn't like the "stance" look on the RAV?

You know, I always felt that the RAV-4 wheelwells were too big for the tire size. At least now they fill them!

Remarkably, it looks like the insurance company's going to pay me over bluebook so our options are looking up. The later model V6 Rav on a lease return is sounding better and better. That motor's good for a 0-60 in something like 7.5 seconds, and if it's getting over 20 MPG city - that's pretty attractive.

Wife doesn't like the looks of the Forester or Suzuki, plus there's the AWD weight/performance penalty.

Anything else?

Check out new rav4's. At least locally they seem to be almost giving them away. My parents got a ridiculously good deal on one, as did a co-worker. The deal may have gone by, but worth asking about. I don't normally suggest new, but these were real good deals.

That motor's good for a 0-60 in something like 7.5 seconds,

Umm, i think its in the high 6's. In fact, i just googled it and came up with this:

"C&D's latest RAV4 test was 0-60 in 6.4, quarter mile in 14.9 at 94 MPH"

C&D also said this, which i only post because i agree with:

This is such a handsome, useful, and startlingly competent driver that it's hard to imagine a do-it-all vehicle that does more with such aplomb. We still don't know exactly how to classify the RAV4, except as fairly marvelous.

Ive spent a good 15 or 20 hours day tripping to various places in the current-gen rav4.. it is friggin sweet. One of the only SUVs i would like to own.

Although, honestly.. the new sienna has bumped it from top spot in 'new toyota i most want to own'.

In reply to kreb:

The guy I talked to said that insurance base their values on NADA stuff so I would look at that website for an approximate value.

What are they saying about the garage. I have never seen a building look that bad after being hit by a tree. And I live in a very old part of town (huge trees). I am sure they will demolish the garage and start again. How is very think in side? I would hate to go in and drag stuff out with the building in that condition.

I find the 2nd gen Scion xB to be very similar in size to the 1st gen Rav4.

snipes wrote: What are they saying about the garage. I have never seen a building look that bad after being hit by a tree. And I live in a very old part of town (huge trees). I am sure they will demolish the garage and start again. How is very think in side? I would hate to go in and drag stuff out with the building in that condition.

Well the garage is going to be interesting.... I've never made a claim larger than a thousand bux or so, but that ol' Oak tree not only splintered the place, the foundation and slab have open cracks as well. I don't know whether to expect the insurance company to give me a hard time or whether they'll be easy to deal with. I'd love it if they'd pay me to rebuild from the foundation up and replace the contents, but I fear that they'll tell me to epoxy up the cracks and salvage everything that I can from inside the place - while getting hit with depriciation on replacements. I'll just have to see......

But I won't go inside without a whole lot of shoring in place. I'm just damn glad I wasn't wrenching on the Miata that night!

My wife has had a 2010 RAV4 V6 Sport (the one without the spare tire on the back) for about a year now and she loves it. Honestly it is an amazing vehicle for my wife. The steering is very video game feeling but that engine is VERY powerful! It is the same one they use in the Lexus "350" cars. It is smooth, torquey and pulls very well. All that and it gets 25 around town and close to 30 mpg on the highway on 87 octane!

It isn't huge inside but roomy for its exterior dimensions.

That'll buff out ...

was the miata in there when the tree came down?

The New RAV4 is an awesome vehicle with the V6. Go with what you know!

You sir, need to fix your camber before you tasse that in.

Stupid smart phone, tasse = trade.

In reply to chknhwk: Is that a 'stance' joke?

Ouch! I'm a big fan of Ravs, my mom has a 1st gen that still ticks despite the PO. Another Rav might be the only thing to fit the bill... Glad everyone's ok though.

ps; sell me your spare tire cover

In reply to erohslc: Uh, yeah.

Wow!

At least the basketball goal survived unscathed. You can still shoot hoops.