Moving to Phoenix - need some help choosing cars..
Discussion
Hey folks,
My family and I are relocating to Phoenix Arizona.
We currently live in Singapore and our only car is a 1956 Morris Minor (which is coming with us). Previous to this when we were in the UK we had an BMW M5, BMW 535d, Renault Avantime, Alpha 156, Toyota Celica and some other odds and sods.
So, when we land in Phoenix, we need some cars and quick!
My wife is keen on a Golf GTI, but i would love to know if there is an equivalent from a US brand? The ford focus is the only US made hot hatch that i am aware of.
For our nanny, i was thinking a Chevy HHR, just because it looks like an american car! but i need something to haul two kids around and do the shopping run.
I really really want a used Alpina B7, but for the interim i need to buy something from a US brand that can haul six or seven folks with a V8 engine. From a day looking at used cars in Phoenix, i think my best bet is Dodge Durango R/T, but i would love to hear any other options?
Any wisdom greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Greg
My family and I are relocating to Phoenix Arizona.
We currently live in Singapore and our only car is a 1956 Morris Minor (which is coming with us). Previous to this when we were in the UK we had an BMW M5, BMW 535d, Renault Avantime, Alpha 156, Toyota Celica and some other odds and sods.
So, when we land in Phoenix, we need some cars and quick!
My wife is keen on a Golf GTI, but i would love to know if there is an equivalent from a US brand? The ford focus is the only US made hot hatch that i am aware of.
For our nanny, i was thinking a Chevy HHR, just because it looks like an american car! but i need something to haul two kids around and do the shopping run.
I really really want a used Alpina B7, but for the interim i need to buy something from a US brand that can haul six or seven folks with a V8 engine. From a day looking at used cars in Phoenix, i think my best bet is Dodge Durango R/T, but i would love to hear any other options?
Any wisdom greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Greg
An Alpine will cost you 50 big ones
GTI, available here, possible alternative Audi.
HHR is a love it or hate it car, you could have a problem getting one with low mileage, neighbours wife has one she loves it, he thinks it a piece of xxxx
Possible alt GMC Terrain (same engine) or one of the smaller Jeep SUVs (there's a few)
V8 and V6, V6s generally have "whoosh" V8s have grunt , but not always audible grunt..... that disappoints many.
Durango is OK, Dodge is greatly improved.
ETA
A more obvious alternative to the GTI is the BMV Mini, same neighbour has one as a second car, it's been back to the dealer a few times but he enjoys driving it. I irritate him somewhat by asking him what input came from Cooper as it has Cooper S on the back.
GTI, available here, possible alternative Audi.
HHR is a love it or hate it car, you could have a problem getting one with low mileage, neighbours wife has one she loves it, he thinks it a piece of xxxx
Possible alt GMC Terrain (same engine) or one of the smaller Jeep SUVs (there's a few)
V8 and V6, V6s generally have "whoosh" V8s have grunt , but not always audible grunt..... that disappoints many.
Durango is OK, Dodge is greatly improved.
ETA
A more obvious alternative to the GTI is the BMV Mini, same neighbour has one as a second car, it's been back to the dealer a few times but he enjoys driving it. I irritate him somewhat by asking him what input came from Cooper as it has Cooper S on the back.
Edited by jeff m2 on Wednesday 8th November 18:41
If you absolutely need 7 seats and a V8, then nothing beats a full size SUV. Pick your budget and consequent option; Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL/Cadillac Escalade ESV/Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator.
If a V8/cool factor isn’t all that important then a minivan is practically speaking a much better option for carrying people and luggage. Latest Chrysler Pacifica is as an excellent minivan.
Outside of a large busy city, a small nippy European car is pretty pointless as the driving environment just doesn’t suit. Although on the larger end of the scale, nothing from a US market comes anywhere close to the luxury and quality of an S-class/7-series/A8/XJ/RR etc.
If a V8/cool factor isn’t all that important then a minivan is practically speaking a much better option for carrying people and luggage. Latest Chrysler Pacifica is as an excellent minivan.
Outside of a large busy city, a small nippy European car is pretty pointless as the driving environment just doesn’t suit. Although on the larger end of the scale, nothing from a US market comes anywhere close to the luxury and quality of an S-class/7-series/A8/XJ/RR etc.
thanks for the feedback chaps, sorry for the delay, moving country is very time consuming.
i can see a whole lot of tempting Alpina B7s on autotrader, sure $50k might seem like a lot when you are used to US car prices, but $50k wouldnt even get you a new toyota corrolla here in Singapore, for example a new Alpina B7 is about $450,000 here in Singapore compared to $160,000 in the USA.
So i will keep looking at them and maybe a perfect blue one with low miles will appear close to Phoenix that might steal my heart and my cash!!
It seems that there is no US designed "hot hatch"? I see the dodge dart - but i couldnt find any reviews of it as a real hot hatch. So i am left with Japanese and European alternatives for the wife.
What about the american equivalent of a honda CRV? whatsa suitable alternative (apart from the hhr)?
thanks a lot!
Greg
i can see a whole lot of tempting Alpina B7s on autotrader, sure $50k might seem like a lot when you are used to US car prices, but $50k wouldnt even get you a new toyota corrolla here in Singapore, for example a new Alpina B7 is about $450,000 here in Singapore compared to $160,000 in the USA.
So i will keep looking at them and maybe a perfect blue one with low miles will appear close to Phoenix that might steal my heart and my cash!!
It seems that there is no US designed "hot hatch"? I see the dodge dart - but i couldnt find any reviews of it as a real hot hatch. So i am left with Japanese and European alternatives for the wife.
What about the american equivalent of a honda CRV? whatsa suitable alternative (apart from the hhr)?
thanks a lot!
Greg
Take a look at leasing, depending on your buying habits, it can be much cheaper if you move cars on after a few years (Like I do).
Agree with other posts, don't get hung up on US car brands aside from fullsize SUVs. Hatches, in particular, are years behind their European counterparts.
Agree with other posts, don't get hung up on US car brands aside from fullsize SUVs. Hatches, in particular, are years behind their European counterparts.
two weeks in and we have ticked one car off the list, my wife settled on a prius, not that petrolhead, or gearhead as i am learning to say, but she enjoys driving it so thats all that matters!
i have been using cargurus.com a lot, the extra data on pricing comparisions is really useful.
Thanks for all your help folks, any cars and coffes that i should be going to in Scottsdale or Phoenix?
Cheers,
greg
i have been using cargurus.com a lot, the extra data on pricing comparisions is really useful.
Thanks for all your help folks, any cars and coffes that i should be going to in Scottsdale or Phoenix?
Cheers,
greg
There's a Cars n Coffee in Scottsdale on the last Saturday on the month iirc. Usually a really big turn out. You should also check out the Fountain Hills Concours that takes place in February.
Details of both here: https://www.scuderiasouthwest.com/calendar/
Details of both here: https://www.scuderiasouthwest.com/calendar/
Edited by Trev450 on Friday 26th January 09:03
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