Time for new(er) vehicle for wife.

Google “Subaru Outback Forester burning oil oil consumption”. Not good. Steer clear. We have a ‘14 Forester we bought new burning 3 quarts oil every 2500 miles. Subaru won’t stand by it despite a class action. Dumping it soon.

 

I purchased 2017 Avalon for my wife on December this past year she loves it went from 2005 Camry SE V6 and handed that vehicle to my mom

 

I have a Mazda CX5. Really nice car

 

I got my wife a 2018 Highlander limited platinum for $42,600
Highlanders have very good resale values.

 

I'm sure you could you could get a 18 Highlander for under $30,000 with a little work. My wifes MSRP was $48,200 as i rember and got it down to $42,600
I believe you could get a 18 LE Plus for around or less than $30,000

 

We are on the third Pilot for my wife and thats because our dealer gave me ridiculous deals on buying back the first two. All of them have been trouble free and have only required regular maintenance. The one will have now will be the last because the wife does not like what they did to the new generation. Hoping to get her into a Sequoia next go round. I also drive a Subaru Outback for work 2014 Limited. I drive the balls off this thing and no issues either. Both are very safe vehicles in my opinion and are good for many trouble free miles.

 

You can get a RAV4 new or used with very low miles for well under your budget.

 

My wife drives a highlander and loves it. If you don’t need the space, you can’t go wrong with the Forester, CRV and Rav4. They just overhauled the Rav4 for 2019. Take a look at the IIHS as well as the NHTSA crash test ratings. The new Rav4 will probably improve it’s scores. The Subaru and Honda are already good. You could try to snag a close out 2018 Subaru or Honda. Before the Highlander, my wife drove a Subaru Forester for 5 yrs and I drove it for 2 yrs. We sold it to my mother in law. It was a great small SUV. We never had a single problem in it and the AWD always was able to do more than I expected. Buying new vs used is always a debate, and I understand the logic on both sides. If you like to swap cars out a lot, go used definitely. I like to keep em and know what has happened to em. Over the course of the last 8 yrs or so, buying new has served us well. My wife’s family always buys used, and their track record cannot be argued with. My wife’s mom bought a 1-2 yr old Rav4 in like 1998 and just recently stopped driving it. That thing was a tank. Never had a problem with it and only did routine maintenance.

 

I followed break-in as well (maybe she didn't! but that's a different story). In any event our 2014 was awesome for the first 55K or so - followed MFG maint. to a tee - no oil loss whatsoever. Then it started burning oil like crazy, - she got an oil light while driving. I checked, and it was two quarts low, and this was about 1500 miles after the oil change. This has happened sever times now, so I need to check oil ever 500 miles or so now. Subaru did the "oil consumption test" and determined it was "normal oil usage" and not part of the nationwide recall. I was told I should travel with at least a quart of oil in the trunk at all times! That was their advice! For the last 20K we've been at the dealer (2 dealers actually) probably 20 times or so for this issue, and many others (electrical, bad control arms, bushings, etc.). I freaked out about the oil consumption so corporate is doing another "oil consumption test" to see if they "missed" it the first time. Burning more than a quart of oil every 750 miles sure seems like an issue to me! Seems like the car hit the 50,000 mark and hit a brick wall. I know a few people who have had oil issues in Outbacks and Foresters in the 2010-2017 range - all after the car had been on the road a few years.
I hope they finally got it right in 2018. If the OP is looking for a used "reliable" car, I'd steer clear of Subaru. The first time I have strayed away from Toyota for the wife's car will be the last.

 

Sounds like rings not seated properly, I would recommend on break in (and a tad more) to run non Synthetic oil. Sometimes Synthetic does to good of a job and can leave the cylinder on the dry side.
Just my .2%

 

God punishing me for trading her old RAV in for the Forester a few years back.

 

If you're looking at Toyota another resource is Toyota Owners online. Plug in the VIN of the vehicle you're interested in and it will give you the specs for the vehicle and any service history that was done at a Toyota dealership.

 

The new upcoming 2019 Rav4 will be awesome, if you can wait.
However if you require larger, the 4Runner is stellar as is a Highlander in overall quality.

 

Op, where are you located?

I'm getting ready to sell my mom's '16 Pilot for her as she wants something smaller. It's the base 2016 with less than 13k miles. Dark metallic grey (MGM??) with grey interior.

Not sure how your state works but here in AZ private party sales pay no sales tax, which is a huge chunk of $$$.

PM me if you want to discuss.

 

The new Ravs look awesome! Trying to hold out on dumping this Subie until we can drive the new RAV. But likely going back to a Runner.

 

Don't know if I haven't read this yet, but what is it that you are looking for as far as budget and year range? I will be getting my hands back on my SUV and will be looking to sell.

 

We just do not like the looks of Highlanders, rav4, new style pilots or any of the new Toyota cars/suvs for that matter plus we do not want the tech of any newer vehicles. I'm sure they are great but new styles turn me off.I guess we are old school. We looked hard at the 2013 pilot today and I can not find any thing wrong with it besides the interior a little dirty. I'm only concerned about the timing belt needs change at 90-100 k miles. Still talking about it with wife.

 

We had a 2013 Highlander Limited. Old generation. Looked better than new gen in my opinion. Good car. The new Ravs look awesome. Take a look.

 

Land cruiser! Best suv ever made. I’d go with a 100 series

 

Just bite the bullet OP, do $6K more and pick up a brand new 4runner.
I just picked up 2 new cars for me (Tundra and GS350), and can’t believe the wife isn’t hounding me for her upgrade. She’s in a 2012 Pathfinder limited (because of 3rd row - kids) and it just clicked over 100K - usually when we offload vehicles.

We’re moving to a new 4runner with 3rd row for her on the next rig.
My mom was in the same dilemma as you are OP - she came from CRV’s. I talked her into a new 2018 4Runner a month ago and she still thanks me every time I see her. She said it’s become her most favorite vehicle in her 59 years of life, and she loves it more and more everyday.
4runner is a solid choice. We’ve owned many, they are super solid and versatile.

(My mom and her new TRD 4runner)

 

I think all the guys can agree with you, but good luck trying to convince your wife to move into an older rig.

 

That is badass!!!!

Chi Wizzy’s Raptor would take it though!

 

Didn't even have to convince my wife; she's been eyeing a GX470 for years! Bought Honey 2 nights ago. My wife is practical and not high maintenance. Very familiar with my truck as she drives it when and wherever she wants. Didn't want a V6 and a bunch of buttons. She's into the aftermarket world for 4x2's and 4x4's and wanted something she could add HER touch too, and DAMN sure didn't want monthly payments!

 

I love new cars! Last purchases best I can remember.
2018 4runner SR5
2018 Tundra Crewmax Limited

Gone the are the ones below
2017 Tundra Crewmax SR5
2016 Subaru Legacy Premium
2014 Subaru Forester Premium
2012 4runner SR5
2011 Outback Limited
2008 Outback 2.5 base
2005 Honda Pilot EXL
2002 Accord EXL
1999 Tahoe
1996 Accord LX
1994 GMC Sierra
1993 Dodge Caravan
1988 Honda Accord
1985 Toyota 1 ton 2WD
And these were just the new cars.

 

You have a keeper!!