Totalled car...what to buy next?

I just went throught the same thing last month. I'm very glad that Patti is ok.

I learned in my shopping that there are a lot of choices in the "crossover" category - (basically a new name for "station wagon" They are smaller than SUV's and get better mileage, but still have much of the versatility.

I was impressed with the Subaru Outback and Ford Freestyle.They both had 5 star ratings from the NHTSA. They both start at around 25k.

Suzuki is trying to break into the segment with the Forenza - it is a little less powerful, a little less plush, but priced in the mid teens.

The new Prius has got lots of capacity, but they are in very high demand - expect to wait at least 3 months and pay at least list price.

Here are some usefule sites:

www.cars.com

www.edmunds.com

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/

In the end, I bought a VW Jetta wagon.  (I fitted it out wih roof racks this weekend, so it is finally my car)

Good luck with your car shopping.

My Toyota Camry is at 180,000 miles and going strong, and I get 29 mpg with a V6 engine.  The new ones are zippy, and pretty comfortable, and a decent price.  I'm gonna buy another one when I get a new car - what can I say, I'm loyal

I see Subaru Outback is winning right now. I am a Subaru devotee, but given your requirements, I would recommend a Legacy Station Wagon instead. Outbacks are basically a Legacy on a higher, SUV-like base for rougher roads (except for Outback Imprezas/sports). If you don't go on 4WD roads much, not really worth the extra cost. Plus, depending on the model, the Outback gets 6 less miles to the gallon (Foresters get about the same mpg as any midsize SUV).

I think my Legacy is the perfect tri-vehicle. I can fit my bike right in the back and you could easily put a roof rack on it.

My mom has been driving Legacy's since I was a baby (now she's got an outback). My boyfriend and I both have Legacy's (all standards, so I don't know if there are any issues with automatics). They are extremely reliable. You can count on switching out the CV joints before 100,000 mi, but that's the biggest problem I've discovered (if you are buying used, let me know there's one year and one type of engine with a problem, and I can call my mechanics and find out). They're roomy, comfy, all-wheel drive. I'll probably be buying Subarus till the day I die (next up: WRX STi, baby!).

Ok, you hit my closet geek thing. I'm into cars, Subarus in particular.... I know, weird.

I'm voting for a minivan. They aren't as sexy as an SUV, but they are cheaper, get better gas mileage, are easy to get into/out of - give you that higher profile so it's easy to see where you're going.  Take out the rear seat and you have a lot of space for a bike, etc. that can just roll right in.  Take out both of the back seats, and you've got a ready made cargo van. 

What I like about mine is that my bike can always be transported inside, or if I've got it packed to the gills there are some really nice door racks that you can hang on the rear door, or get a tow package and then use one of those racks.  I get about 18-20 mpg.

Hiya Max,

Glad to hear everyone is alright. 

You should check out the Toyota Matrix.  I have one and it is excellent on gas, you can throw your whole bike right in the hatchback and it is in between being too low and too high for easy transfers (I am an OT so I think about these things! )  I have the 4WD version.  There are front wheel drive versions too.  And it is within your price range

I commute and it has taken a beating and is doing well. It also did well in the Canadian winter.

Ask Michel (Machiavelo) about it too....he loves his as well.  I adore my car!!

Jen

PS   it has better gas mileage than the Mazda 3...less guts, though but I don't care...I need to save $$ because I drive all the time

I know, I know, I too stumble over the "m" word in conversation.  But for my budget and needs it was the (a) cheapest and (b) seriously, the most practical.

I sometimes call it an "SUV alternative"  - and, it's better than those we're-not-calling-them-station-wagons-even-though-they-really-are.

Edit:  Would it help if I told you my other vehicle was a bad-ass sports car?  (I wish.)

Carrying your bike in the vehicle as opposed to carrying on a roof rack or bumber rack has its advantages:

- it is more secure and cannot fall off

- it is less likely to be stolen if I stop off at a restaurant for a coffee

- it will not get water, mud or bugs all over it before the event

- it will not sustain damage from flying debris

- it will never be ripped off the top of the vehicle when entering a low garage (car top)- les likely to be damage if rear-ended (bumper rack)

Subaru outback is a good choice.  I test drove it couple years ago when I was shopping for a car.  An AWD tend to be more $$$.  It might be a little over the budge.  Not sure of the price now. 

Also check out the Scion XB.  Scion is the sub-sidiary of Toyota, hence reliable.  It sort of look like a smaller version of the Honda Element.  Fold down the back seats and you can pack your whole bedroom in the trunk.  The straight hatch back makes loading easy.  The down side is the lack of power (108 horsepower).  You might feel the drag when you are hauling stuffs, or when you have a full car with passingers.