re: I would like to spend 30k on a new car

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Crossover SUV

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Hot market now. The compact models (CRV, Rav4, etc.) are fast becoming some of worst values on the market today IMO.

It really makes me wish more mid sized sedans like the Altima, Malibu, and Accord had wagon versions.....but all of those manufacturers would rather sell you a crossover at an inflated price than provide you with a larger, cheaper, more efficient alternative.

The roomy Chevy Equinox and Ford Edge are okay, but their slightly larger size (the basis of their appeal) necessitates a more powerful albeit less efficient V6 engine....making them more costly to run.

I'm thinking the Outback is the best value of this group. They are slightly more expensive than a Rav4 but they are at least wide enough to fit a rear facing child seat and two grandparents in the rear.

We could not do that in my brother's new Rav4, and ended up having to take my 12 year old Trailblazer to Florida to accommodate everyone. We later traded the Trailblazer for an Outback and good rear seat hip room was one of our requirements.

The Outback gets 29 on the highway and has similar passenger room as the old Trailblazer. The Outback is an ace on the ice as well, and it handles like a mid sized sedan. No switches to activate the four wheel drive on the Subaru....you just go. On the other hand, the old Trailblazer was more powerful, towed significantly more weight, had a more usable factory roof rack, and had selectable low range four wheel drive with an auto setting that was very nice.