Mary lives in South Philadelphia and actually loves the usability and compact measurement of her Scion xB. But the field is getting older, and it’s time for a substitute. She wants one thing that’s straightforward to suit into tight areas however can nonetheless accommodate 4 adults and a canine. With a funds as much as $15,000 what automobile ought to she purchase?
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Here is the state of affairs:
We have a 2005 Scion XB with about 150,000 miles on it that we acquired in 2006. It’s an excellent metropolis automobile, it parallel parks fantastically into tight areas, suits the youngsters and the canine, plus some groceries and different stuff. It has been tremendous low upkeep, which is necessary to us. We drive quick distances within the metropolis day by day, and drive 20 miles out to the ‘burbs a few times a month. We occasionally go on longer trips. We have a kid starting college in the fall, so we need to be able to transport her and all her stuff 200 miles round trip. We love the XB and hate to give it up, but it’s beginning to want plenty of repairs, plus it rides fairly tough so is uncomfortable on lengthy journeys.
It can’t be a lot greater than the 2005 XB, we want to have the ability to parallel park into tight spots, have I discussed that sufficient? This would possibly go with out saying, however A/C is an absolute should. We can spend as much as $15,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: as much as $15,000
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Easy to park, considerably spacious, dependable
Doesn’t need: Something too massive
Expert 1: Tom McParland – It’s Right There within the Name
G/O Media might get a fee
Well, Mary, first the Eagles allow you to down by not bringing house a Super Bowl trophy, and now it’s important to change your loved one xB. There appear to be some conflicting parameters, as any automobile that’s going to be comfy on a protracted drive and transfer a university child’s semester stuffed with junk just isn’t possible going to be compact sufficient to slot in tight spots. However, the convenience of parking seems to be your prime precedence, and you possibly can all the time lease a trailer or make the most of a roof field for these rare highway journeys.
I do know you like your boxy rides, however your best option additionally has the perfect title. It’s the Honda Fit. Arguably essentially the most appropriately named automobile from the Japanese model. Tight parking spot? It will match. Need to take 4 adults round city? They will match. Doing an IKEA run? With the trick folding again seats… most issues will match. Inventory is pretty plentiful for these compact Hondas; simply be careful for the less-than-reputable sellers close to the town. Here is one over the bridge in NJ with lower than 64,000 miles for round $13,000.
Expert 2: Andy Kalmowitz – This Fits Too
Mary, I’m going to be sincere with you: Buy a Honda Fit. That’s the fitting alternative for what you’re on the lookout for. However, when you resolve the fitting alternative just isn’t fairly what you need, I’ve acquired an excellent backup. May I introduce to you the Jeep Wrangler JK two-door?
I do know what you’re pondering: It’s method too massive for what you’re on the lookout for. Mary, don’t be foolish. A two-door JK Wrangler is simply two inches longer than a Fit. Wild, isn’t it? You can ask my Jalopnik colleagues; I’ve lengthy felt a two-door Wrangler is an underrated metropolis automobile. Small dimensions imply you could find parking, and off-road succesful suspension means coping with these trash-ass Philly streets might be a breeze. On prime of all that, a two-door Jeep is method cooler than a Honda Fit. I imply, Jesus Christ, you possibly can take the doorways and the roof off! That’s sick as hell! It’s going to have loads of room for all of your stuff because it’s just about only a massive field.
Now, discovering a JK Wrangler in your value bracket isn’t the best factor on this planet, however it might actually be finished. I discovered you this one situated in New York, not terribly removed from you. It’s three grand beneath your funds and boasts simply 68,000 miles on the clock. It is a handbook although, so when you can’t drive one I don’t know what to inform you… aside from the very fact there are dozens of automatics out there. Mary, make the improper alternative: Buy a JK Wrangler.
Expert 3: Collin Woodard – Kia’s Scion XB
It hurts me to say Andy is correct, Mary, however on this case, Andy truly is correct. Because he agrees with Tom that you can purchase a Honda Fit. And the automobile you’re on the lookout for is one hundred pc the Honda Fit. But this wouldn’t be a lot of a column if all of us advisable the identical objectively appropriate automobile, so but once more, we’re pressured to give you different strategies.
Since you want your Scion xB a lot, why not think about the Kia Soul? It’s even boxier than the Honda Fit and arguably Kia’s model of the xB. It’s slightly bit greater than your Scion, however it’s nonetheless fairly small in comparison with plenty of the opposite automobiles on the highway right now. Plus, it’ll have room for your loved ones and stuff and will make the drive to drop your child at school no drawback.
Unfortunately for you, $15,000 gained’t purchase a brand new Kia Soul, however there seem like loads of used Souls on the market in your space which might be all inside your funds. If you’re up for a brief drive, perhaps think about this one in Manahawkin, NJ that’s just below $13,000 and solely has 51,000 miles on it. It additionally occurs to be inexperienced, which is a good colour and simple to identify when you ever overlook the place you parked. Or simply purchase a Honda Fit.
Expert 4: Owen Bellwood – Plug and Play
Mary, when you’re taking place a gas-powered route, then the Fit is a good shout. It’s a cool little automobile that may be parked in even the smallest of areas. But, that is 2023, so that you don’t need to be tied to one thing that runs on an historic gasoline. You must go electrical.
What’s extra, when you’re simply utilizing your automobile to tootle ‘round town and occasionally hit the ‘burbs, then an EV is perfect for you. At your budget, there are a couple of really good options out there. First, you could go for this Nissan Leaf, which is a smidge bigger than your old Scion, but will cover 107 miles on a charge, so can handle your 200-mile round trips with just the one stop for power.
But, if you want something really fun and small, like Collin says, you should get a Kia. But not the one he says; no, you should get a Kia Soul EV. It’s acquired all of the creature comforts you want in a contemporary EV, and it comes with cutesy seems and a barrage of nice colour choices. Unlike the Leaf. Personally, I like this crimson and black one from 2017, which is able to cowl the vast majority of your drives with ease and can simply want a number of additional espresso stops every time it’s important to make the lengthy journey to go to your child at school.
Expert 5: Steve DaSilva – Oh, How Little You Ask of Me
Mary, the powers that be right here on the jello picnic web site have decreed that I’ve to deny this suggestion. I must inform you that elements for Nineteen Nineties Japanese imports might be onerous to come back by, and that driving on the fitting hand aspect of the automobile could make left turns throughout visitors really feel perilous. All this I readily admit — for a staid, sensible automobile that meets your wants, purchase the Fit.
But you didn’t ask a staid, sensible automobile web site for automobile shopping for recommendation — you requested Jalopnik. I feel which means you need one thing slightly distinctive, slightly on the market. After all, the xB itself was an oddity upon launch, so I’m keen to wager you need to change it with one thing that has some actual character. Lucky for you, that’s straightforward to search out. We simply must take slightly journey to a rustic the place house is constrained.
In Japan’s bustling city facilities, everybody faces the identical drawback you do — becoming the most important quantity of sensible, usable automobile into the smallest parking house attainable. The nation responded with the keijidosha classification of automobiles, the place each cubic centimeter is used to its fullest benefit. The kei class offers us absolute beauties like this: the Honda Acty.
Four adult-sized seats, plus a cavernous rear house on your canine. It’s four-wheel-drive for these Pennsylvania winters, and this one has lower than 90,000 miles on the clock — barely break-in mileage for any Honda, not to mention one constructed earlier than the period of deliberate obsolescence and cost-cutting.
Mary, you’ve acquired good style. You drive a bizarre, boxy automobile from a lifeless model, and also you like it. Why not maintain that spirit alive with a automobile much more attention-grabbing and distinctive than your Scion?
Source: jalopnik.com