So last Friday, my wife was moving my car off the street into our driveway, was hit by another driver. :(
2013 Kia Sorento SX, 80,000 miles.
Just talked to insurance today, they reviewed the dashcam footage, other driver 100% at fault, they're cutting me a check for $13,204.
So now what? I wasn't prepared to shop for a car. I was HAPPY with my car. I had upgraded the infotainment system to one with dash, rear, and turn signal cameras. Android Auto/Apple Car Play. Heated seats with a ventilated drivers seat.
Really, since my heart attack, I only drive one day a week anyway, but it was nice to be able to just up and go somewhere.
Advice on suv's from other brands? Nothing against Kia but given the crazy theft problems, I'd like to avoid insurance complications.
Bonus: Dashcam video: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ja6kz0qrs7n8la0tb4eeu/231027213507.MOV?rlkey=4makjmacebv83j65ivkhmuj8n&dl=0
Assuming you’d like to stick with a crossover, I have a few suggestions. Also assuming you’re buying a used car no older than 10 years.
Mazda CX5/CX30 if you can get over their approach to infotainment.
VW Taos/Tiguan. I’m a big VW fan, even with their quirky issues. I’ve got a gti with 150k miles on it and I beat on it like a Corolla.
Subaru crosstrek for compact, outback for midsize. They’re technically more wagons, but I’m in the same boat and have decided on an outback. It just ticks all the boxes for me.
Ford/GM, idk. The escape is pretty solid and I didn’t have any issues with my 2011. No experience with Chevrolet other than the Acadia likes to break down a lot.
Honda, the CRV/HRV you can’t really go wrong with. They’re practical and do car stuff right. Same with the pilot.
Toyota, they seem a bit small and overly expensive for what you get, but by friend has a 2020 Corolla and it’s really nice. I’d imagine the rav4 is the same. But they get real expensive quick.
I’d avoid anything from dodge/Chrysler/fiat. Especially used.
So I just test drove the CX-5 and have a few minor issues with it. Android Auto is wired only, which is fine, I guess, my car had wireless, but was also aftermarket so I can't complain TOO much...
The weird thing was the MPH on the HUD was slower than the gauge. If the gauge showed "40", the HUD showed 37 or 38.
Not sure if that's "normal" or not.
That is normalish, from what I've seen. My grandpa's GMC truck from the early 2010s displays differently on the gauge and the digital readout. I think my Uncle's late 2010s buick is the same.
I would be OK with one of them being off so long as I knew which one was the "right" one. In the end, I passed on the CX-5 and got an Audi Q7 Prestige instead.
That's easy to figure out. There are speedometer apps that get your speed via GPS. They aren't good for 0-60 times, as their refresh rate isn't great, but they're awesome for setting your cruise where you want it or checking accuracy/offset of speedometers. My favorite is digihud pro for a one time fee.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mrchops.android.digihudpro
I've been looking at the Mazdas, what's the beef with the infotainment? TBH, I mostly use Android Auto/Apple Carplay anyway.
My wife has a 2011 Tiguan and my problem with it is that the footwell is tiny, it's hard for me to position my feet correctly to drive it comfortably. I'm a pretty big guy and my right foot is partially deformed, I have to wear special shoes and stuff.
I'm in Portland which is a Subaru rich environment. ;) But I've heard the quality has dropped off lately, any idea on years to look for or avoid?
That's another on my list of things to look at.
I drove a Rav-4 over 10 years ago and liked it, will need to see how the new ones are. Also eying the Highlander and 4-Runner.
Mazda requires you use the rotary dial and disables touch functionality when in motion. I heard the 2024 models enables some functionality while in motion but it’s not responsive. I’ve got a 2021 rental right now and it’s really slow. AA/Carplay are only 2016+ and some might not have it.
As for subaru I’m not quite sure. If you find a well serviced version, and adhere to the service manual you should be fine. Other than being a little cheap I haven’t heard anything crazy bad about them. The new turbo motor is a little inefficient in the city but that’s about it. And the base engines are a little pokey.
From what I remember AA/Carplay wasn’t added to Toyota until 2020/2021 so that’s also something that needs to be considered.
Personally I like this about my mazda. Touch screen controls while you're driving suck. Between AA and voice controls, rarely need to do much anyways.
I don’t mind it. It’s the initial startup that seems to be slow and unresponsive. But because it’s a rental I’m not quite sure if it’s the infotainments fault or all the stored phones on it.
The dial is useful, but in the Miata they put it where the cup holders used to be and it’s a bit too far back to comfortably use while driving.
The aftermarket deck I put on my Kia was the same way, voice controls only if you're in motion, so that's not a dealbreaker.