[gatorfast]

Looking for recommendations for a cheap dd. Something under $15k, fairly recent (say 2013 or newer), and reliable. SUV preferred. Fun or luxury a plus as well. What should I be considering?

[Burrcold]

CX-5?

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

CX-5?

I like the 2020 Corolla, but I may be biased. You can get a used one for under $15k. It's reliable, I think the new interior is nicer than any of the previous ones. Lots of standard features on the base models. It's not an SUV but they make a hatch version also although that one may be over your $15k budget not sure.

[chassis]

If you go a couple of years older, Toyota 4Runners come into the price range. Rock solid vehicle. With the 4.0L V6 engine, it's as reliable as almost any vehicle produced in the past 15 years.

[Winn.Nguyen]

Lexus ct200h

[roastbeef]

electric smart car.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by joyjoy22

https://www.carmax.com/articles/best...der-15k-ranked

Try to read this article to figure which SUV will suit your needs.

Damn I forgot about the Infiniti EX35. We had one and loved it! Didn't realize those were in the $15k range already. Probably fairly outdated by now but it's the only one I would consider from that list.

[Alfisti]

CRV or CX5.

Done.

[9M71]

Mini cooper s. Dont knock it till you try it! Cheap, and fun. Love my r53 as a dd. Bonus - parking in the city is never an issue.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by chassis

If you go a couple of years older, Toyota 4Runners come into the price range. Rock solid vehicle. With the 4.0L V6 engine, it's as reliable as almost any vehicle produced in the past 15 years.

Funny you say that considering a brand new 2020 4Runner is largely the same vehicle sold as new in 2007.

[5.M0NSTER]

Kia Sportage. Cheap and reliable. You can get '18 or '17 models with under 40k miles for under $15k.

Or go bigger with Sorento or Sante Fe models, but you have to to '16 MY.

Still pretty new and great warranty. 10yr/100000k for powertrain and 5yr/60k mile bumper to bumper. Hard to think of a better Holly Grail of cheap, recent, and with features and warranty.

[SteveinArizona]

You have a Cayman for fun. While it will be your DD, what are your DD needs? How many passengers? What types of cargo do you carry? Stick or automatic? How do you feel about CVTs (I hate them)? Is parallel parking in tight spaces an issue?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

You have a Cayman for fun. While it will be your DD, what are your DD needs? How many passengers? What types of cargo do you carry? Stick or automatic? How do you feel about CVTs (I hate them)? Is parallel parking in tight spaces an issue?

It will mainly be for highway commuting so something comfortable and efficient is a plus. I will also need to occasionally transport two kids but that's fairly rare as we use my wife's car 99% of the time. Automatic is a must (wife will need to drive it occasionally). No real experience with CVTs - what do you hate about them? Also no space considerations either, will have ample parking anywhere I go.

I have also been considering leasing a new inexpensive car like the Mazda cx-30. Right now though i am not doing any commuting for the foreseeable future so I won't be getting anything just yet until I have some clarity on when I will need to start going back to my office. But I'm trying to get some ideas so I am ready to pull the trigger when needed.

I have also been looking at 2017 VW Tiguans which seem to be in my price range.

Thank you everyone for the help so far!

[243Racing]

I have a 2013 Mazda3 hatch. s Grand touring, so its fully loaded. One of my favorite 'practical' cars ever. Great gas mileage, good creature comforts, tons of room with the back seats folded down.

[Humdizzle]

i'd say get the best corolla or civic you can. My 09 civic is at 100k miles now and i've done nothing but oil changes every 8-10k miles or so. i drive it 20k miles a year mostly highway. everything works. no rattles. average 30mpg doing 80mph.

leasing is a good option too if the money is right and you're mileage isn't too much.

[stein_325i]

Any used Mazda. My son and daughter-in-law both have a Mazda 6 and CX-9, as well as an older NB Miata and love them. The CX-5, 3 or 6 should be able to be found used within your price range. They aren't the most powerful, but they are pretty fun to drive, comfortable and reliable and should serve daily driver duty well.

[iCARMIX]

2015 Volkswagen Tiguan had great reviews at the time.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

I like the 2020 Corolla, but I may be biased. You can get a used one for under $15k. It's reliable, I think the new interior is nicer than any of the previous ones. Lots of standard features on the base models. It's not an SUV but they make a hatch version also although that one may be over your $15k budget not sure.

Depending on the requirements for cargo room, etc, the Corolla Hatchback may not fit the bill. It didn't for me and I wanted to buy it. Don't believe what Toyota says about the trunk capacity. Total lies or they have some weird way of calculating space. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it in person. The sloping hatch kills any capacity back there with the rear seats up. This pushed me into buying a C-HR as I don't want to make a choice between hauling stuff and taking my daughter with me. Toyota claims the trunk space is nearly the same between the two cars. You'll know this is totally untrue when you compare them side by side.

[Smgs1992]

Mk7 GTI

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by chassis

If you go a couple of years older, Toyota 4Runners come into the price range. Rock solid vehicle. With the 4.0L V6 engine, it's as reliable as almost any vehicle produced in the past 15 years.

My vote also goes to 4Runner if gas mileage is not a concern. It's solid as two rocks.

[Germanauto]

Lease a demo car. A family member of mine picked up a demo C300 with 4k miles on it for $300/mo with almost nothing down. Besides leather and AMG appearance pkg it's got everything.

Not every dealer offers them so you'll have to spend some time searching their websites and making phone calls. But it's a fantastic deal. Much nicer than driving some plasticky FWD Honda/Toyota/Mazda etc.

[BimmerDimmer6]

Lexus RX and call it a day.

Reliable, comfy, holds value.