Car suggestions?

Because the recent canoe got me thinking.

We're looking to add to the family, so my wife's mustang is looking less useful as a vehicle for baby duty. I drive my kids around in an 8 year old Kia Sedona that I love, and there's space to add a carseat to it so we're good for big trips or when I'm driving.

Her car is pretty well due for replacement, and she's looking for something that'll fit in the same garage space (so a compact CUV or compact sedan/hatch) as her mustang (188" long). New or new-ish, good for baby duty, somewhere under $30k. Bonus points for fun colors. Bonus points if it looks pretty -- she's asked about the trailblazer because it's funky looking and she likes the blue.

Best bets?

Minivans are the ultimate baby carrier. They are available in blue. Having two of them is even better. 

Ford just dropped the price of a Mach E by something like $8k. Maybe she just needs a new Mustang. Looks like a used one is about $30k.

my wife's current vehicle is a '21 GLB250.  Its small in size, the middle seat slides forward and backward allowing you to flex for more luggage space vs more interior cargo room.  The biggest downside is that A.) it doesn't get great gas mileage (she probably averages 22) and B.) it calls for premium fuel.  

if you wanted ours (which happens to be denim blue /w black interior) to buy out our lease i'll happily sell it to you (it's up in 2 months and she doesn't want to keep it) for our buy-out which is pretty close to wholesale and below your $30k budget.  

You mention driving your 'kids' around, as in already plural?

If it's just singular currently and going to two, then whatever compact CUV tickles her fancy is fine.

But if it's 2 going on 3, I'll vote against any compact CUV and push at least going to a shortened large platform  based mid-size CUV, like the Honda Passport. That's the only way to get enough width to decently fit 3 in the second row... Especially if dealing with multiple boosters and/or car seats.

Driven5 said:

You mention driving your 'kids' around, as in already plural?

If it's just singular currently and going to two, then whatever compact CUV tickles her fancy is fine.

But if it's 2 going on 3, I'll vote against any compact CUV and push at least going to a shortened large platform  based mid-size CUV, like the Honda Passport. That's the only way to get enough width to decently fit 3 in the second row... Especially if dealing with multiple boosters and/or car seats.

I have two from a prior life (half the time) and drive a van, new baby will be my third and my wife's first. She would rarely (or never?) need to drive more than just the baby in the new car. CUV or compact sedan feels like it'll fit the bill, and she's not interested in van life.

ClearWaterMS said:

my wife's current vehicle is a '21 GLB250.  Its small in size, the middle seat slides forward and backward allowing you to flex for more luggage space vs more interior cargo room.  The biggest downside is that A.) it doesn't get great gas mileage (she probably averages 22) and B.) it calls for premium fuel.  

if you wanted ours (which happens to be denim blue /w black interior) to buy out our lease i'll happily sell it to you (it's up in 2 months and she doesn't want to keep it) for our buy-out which is pretty close to wholesale and below your $30k budget.  

That feels awfully interesting. Any reason that you're opting not to keep it yourself at the end of the lease?

What options are on there?

the_machina said:

ClearWaterMS said:

my wife's current vehicle is a '21 GLB250.  Its small in size, the middle seat slides forward and backward allowing you to flex for more luggage space vs more interior cargo room.  The biggest downside is that A.) it doesn't get great gas mileage (she probably averages 22) and B.) it calls for premium fuel.  

if you wanted ours (which happens to be denim blue /w black interior) to buy out our lease i'll happily sell it to you (it's up in 2 months and she doesn't want to keep it) for our buy-out which is pretty close to wholesale and below your $30k budget.  

That feels awfully interesting. Any reason that you're opting not to keep it yourself at the end of the lease?

What options are on there?

its a lease and the wife wants a new lease (i'm working with a broker to get an x3 ordered right now)

options (from memory)
premium package (larger screens, interior lighting, some other stuff), heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, moon roof, base 18" wheels, wired carplay, no navigation, no 3rd row...  It has the base synthetic leather and the exterior is denim blue

If you're serious i should have the window sticker floating around somewhere and can snap a pic of it and send it over.  

those are a few photos from last winter after I washed it for her and a heads up that the floor mats needed to be washed.