Joe is an engineer from Michigan, and boy does he have a difficult ask for this week. With a $15,000 funds, he desires one thing dependable, with four-wheel or all-wheel drive, that’s spacious and, most significantly, has three pedals. Also, he desires it to be newer than 2010, ideally with underneath 100,000 miles. What automobile ought to he purchase?
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Here is the situation:
I’m a mechanical engineer in SE MI with a love for the outside and my homies. My present 2013 VW CC sport is a enjoyable automobile, but it surely’s serially been racking up some critical repairs, resembling doing all of the brakes twice in a 12 months, clutch slave cylinder the second day of possession, (previously) leaky water pump, the record goes on. The cargo house can be sorely missing on the subject of transferring boxy stuff, and it simply rolled over 102k miles. It’s an excellent, environment friendly automobile with some spicy attributes just like the 6-speed that was nice on my final commute, which was 80 miles spherical journey. Now that I’m about 10 miles from work, I don’t want the effectivity as a lot and need one thing extra dependable and sensible that received’t break the financial institution.
I need one thing dependable, with good cargo house (SUV, truck, wagon), handbook (a should!), AWD/4×4, and ideally with lower than 100k miles and newer than 2010. Good gasoline economic system is a plus however not completely crucial. Good aftermarket assist for mods and Apple CarPlay can be a plus. I’ve a max funds of $15,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: Up to $15,000
Location: Macomb County, MI
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Reliable, handbook, spacious
Doesn’t need: An automated
Expert 1: Tom McParland – So Close…
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Joe, this was a troublesome one, particularly as soon as we slim issues right down to solely handbook automobiles. Needless to say, this requires a large internet search, however I did discover a viable choice that simply misses your mark, however solely barely. Here is a 2009 Suzuki SX4 with each AWD and a six-speed handbook. It has simply over 97,000 miles. The wagon-hatchback physique and folding seats imply it can maintain loads of stuff.
While it’s only one 12 months older than your request, at $7,500 it’s additionally half your allotted funds. I all the time thought these Suzukis regarded like on a regular basis rally automobiles that simply want a couple of straightforward mods to show them into one thing actually enjoyable. And with a number of grand left over that’s loads of money so as to add CarPlay, do any crucial upkeep, after which splurge on some large mud flaps, some knobby tires, and rally lights.
Expert 2: Andy Kalmowitz – It’s Subie Time
Joe, I do know a factor or two about Volkswagens that break down all too usually. They’re nice little automobiles, but it surely’s time for one thing totally different, and buddy, have I received the right subsequent automobile for you. It’s the fourth-generation Subaru Forester. I imply, man, is that this not precisely what you’re searching for?
A 2014 Forester checks actually each single one in all your containers. It may be had for underneath 15 grand with lower than 100,000 miles, and also you can get it with God’s alternative of transmission. It additionally has loads of house for no matter boxy shit you’re carrying round. It’ll be dependable for you in your extremely prolonged 10-mile commute, and on high of all that, Subaru was gracious sufficient to suit the Forester with a typical double din head unit. That means switching over to an Apple Carplay-capable display shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a activity. Hell, it even will get respectable gasoline mileage. Is the Forester going to be probably the most enjoyable automobile you should buy? Absolutely not, however Joe, it’s going to do precisely what you want it to do.
Because I’m an excellent man, I discovered the right Forester for you. It’s situated a pair hours away from the place you reside, and who doesn’t love a bit street journey? This explicit automobile is a beautiful gentle inexperienced shade with a beige inside and solely has 81,000 miles. That’s not too shabby for a automobile that’s almost 10 years outdated at this level. It is available in proper underneath your $15,000 funds as properly. What’s to not love? Do the fitting factor, Joe. Buy a Subaru Forester.
Expert 3: Collin Woodard – A Few Extra Miles Won’t Hurt You
Joe, you’re actually placing us in a troublesome spot right here. Used automobile costs are nonetheless loopy, which implies discovering one thing that can make you cheerful is far more durable than it could have been three or 4 years in the past. Then once more, that’s in all probability why you turned to us, your trusted workforce of automotive advice-givers. And as you’ll be able to see, you have already got two strong strategies that you could be not have thought-about.
But I say go together with a automobile you’ve in all probability already thought-about. It’s the plain alternative for a cause, particularly in rural Michigan the place a bit additional floor clearance by no means hurts. Yes, I’m speaking in regards to the Jeep Wrangler. Four-wheel drive? Check. Cargo house? Check. Manual transmission? Check. Aftermarket assist? Check. The solely problem is discovering one in your worth vary with low sufficient mileage.
Unfortunately, trying round your space, I couldn’t discover a Wrangler that met your precise necessities. But if you happen to’re prepared to simply accept a automobile with a couple of extra miles than you’re searching for, head on over to Waterford Township and choose up this 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. It has slightly below 120,000 miles on the clock, prices a bit lower than $15,000, and may keep hotter than the soft-top. It’s the right alternative, however I’m prepared to guess you already knew that.
Expert 4: Lalita Chemello – Choose Your Own Jeep Adventure
Joe, I merely received’t rehash the considerate arguments my colleagues have already put to paper (or display on this case), however I’ll say they’re all proper. To accommodate your preferences is a tough sport, and chances are high you may need to provide a bit on one of many parameters, to get one thing you actually love. Or possibly, you don’t must.
While Collin’s suggestion of a Wrangler is a strong one (coming from a Michigan Wrangler Unlimited proprietor), it would nonetheless be a bit a lot in your day-to-day. It’s excellent for West Michigan adventures, however in Macomb? You can get one thing that’s nonetheless enjoyable, and a bit extra reasonably priced. That’s why I’m suggesting the Jeep Renegade.
Yes, it’s constructed on the identical platform because the Fiat 500X, however the Jeep clearly wears it higher. The Renegade has been out there with a handbook, in addition to Jeep’s 4×4—giving it the aptitude to nonetheless be enjoyable and deal with Michigan’s plentiful adventures. It’s additionally sufficiently small that it’s hella straightforward to park in downtown areas for nights out. The tall truck-like cargo/seating space additionally offers ample room to hold issues round. If I can match a whole IKEA journey right into a Fiat 500, the Renegade can do it as properly, two-fold.
I discovered this used 2017 Jeep Renegade Sport in yellow, simply over the border in Ohio for simply over $12,000 with 87,000 miles on the clock. But you’ll be able to go searching and discover them for various, budget-friendly costs properly underneath your 100,000 miles request. Now, if the Renegade is a bit small in your style, the Jeep Compass within the Latitude or Sport trims are a bit trickier to seek out in your standards, however are there and with a handbook, in addition to a Jeep Patriot, if you’d like much more house. Regardless, a Jeep may fulfill your each want.
Source: jalopnik.com