Ok, when comparing all of the cars, my dad noticed that the fit had the smallest engine and was wondering if it feels sluggish with 5 people in it. I told him that we rarely ever go together anywhere in his car. We usually go in my moms van, but after it hit 90k miles, its beginning to break down and become unreliable (it is a 1999 Dodge caravan), so we might need the new car for daily journeys instead of the van.

 

turbo it.
problem solved.


JK!
i'm sure it will feel pretty slow with 5 people in it,
it doesn't really feel fast with 2 haha

 

I think he should look at a CRV. Consider it a much more modern and economical "Trooper".
Plus it gets good mpg as well.

 

Ok, i think that the car search might be postponed for quite a while methinks (is this a real word? i've seen it in some magazines and editorials and i was wondering if that is really a word). As stated before my moms van really sucks and my dad is looking for a new car to replace the van because its reliablilty is getting out of hand. We are thinking of getting a used GMC Acadia. That means no new car for my dad for quite a while.

 

That sucks. I was going to mention a Honda Element (don't know if it was mentioned before. Just skimmed through the thread).

 

My girlfriend owned a 07 Mazda3. They aren't that nice. Keep him away from it. Insurance is kinda high too. Go to a Scion. Great cars.

 

The Element seats 4 and we are 5. And thanks for the tip on the Mazda 3. My dad went to a toyota dealership just to see the matrix and the xB. He said that the matrix was actually really small, even smaller than the fit. It was a double dealership with scion too. He saw the xb (which he thinks is his best match), but was appalled by the low 20 mpgs it gets (even one of the salesmen even said that it only makes like 18 or 19) and sayed that he might as well keep the Trooper. Yeah it kinda does suck. Yet, we need the van-replacement more than a replacement for the Trooper. Still, thanks for all of the contributions and you guys have been really supportive and helpful.

 

Have you thought Matrix / Vibe? The Pontiac Vibe is a re-badged Toyota Matrix, and has gotten great reviews. It's a Toyota, so it's a fine car. It's CALLED a Pontiac, so, used, its resale price is lower than the Matrix. Bigger than a Fit, more powerful, still holds a decent amount of shit. Good car. Not as good as the Fit for me, but maybe what he would like.
Good luck!

 

20MPG???!!! WTF??? My 4-door Tacoma and my old 4Runners all got at least 20MPG. And that's with a V6 and awesome off-roading capabilities. That is ridiculous.

 

Well, so much for my dad getting a new car anytime soon. We went to Naples over the long weekend, and we went in the old van.

As soon as we left, it started pouring. A few minutes later as we are almost on the way, on of the windshield wipers flies off while we are going 50 mph. When it eventually stops raining, we get another one and everything is fine (even though the car felt very, uh, unsafe).

We get there and stay at this house with my cousin and his parents. The moms are out shopping and my dad and my uncle go out to see a few cars. Six hours later they come back in a new car. They got a brand new GMC Acadia for much less than what the sticker price was. He got it fully loaded with sunroof, 19 inch wheels ,and (my favorite) the back seat dvd player. He saied that my mom works too hard and she needs a reliable new car and this one perfectly fits the bill. Although not as fuel efficient as i wanted, it will have to do (for the record i really, really like it).

So this basically means no new car for my dad for a long time. Oh well.

 

i should slap you for getting rid of your rex!

 

I thought he was going to buy her a reliable new car. Have fun with that GMC. Unless I need a TD 3/4 ton truck, I am never buying domestic again.