AWD and wagon-like?

[supton]

I so wished my wood stove worked... But that's a different discussion.

I'm not so enamored with turbo nor DI. Seems like the initial DI's had problems with carboning; not sure if the new models have licked that. Love the turbo on my TDi but not sure about on a gasser; eh, I'm just being a Luddite and it's probably fine. 'cept from an insurance standpoint, that is.

Wife convinced me I should just keep the Jetta. It doesn't break that often (not more than once or twice a year that it needs repairs or large maintance), paid off, 45mpg. But a spare AWD vehicle of some sort is probably a good idea.

 

[artificialist]

Don't buy a Lancer Sportback Ralliart if your concern is about fuel costs. I get 18 MPG city and 25 MPG Highway, and that is woth premium gas.

 

[supton]

Pretty much have no desire in Mitsubishi(?). I like my VW, but the next vehicle I get will likely be a Toyota, for the appliance-like nature. And probably not own for 10+ years.

Eh, wife convinced me we should wait it out for a bit. Good time to buy now, but my car isn't that worn out, and 45mpg>>28-30mpg. I'd like to add another car to the stable; but that just doesn't make sense on a cost basis.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: supton

Eh, wife convinced me we should wait it out for a bit.

PFFtt.. so you got us all posting for nothing.. kidding!

Toyota and wagon like? Venza maybe? I'm not sure on the fuel economy, plus price is through the roof I presume.


Joel

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Venza maybe? I'm not sure on the fuel economy, plus price is through the roof I presume.


Joel
They are gorgeous though aren't they?

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: JTK
Venza maybe? I'm not sure on the fuel economy, plus price is through the roof I presume.


Joel
They are gorgeous though aren't they?


No doubt.

I'd love one.

 

[supton]

Yeah, I know, I know. Just seemed like a good time to get out of mine, if I *needed* to, but it seems like I should tough it out for a bit longer.

 

[97tbird]

Has the CX-7 been mentioned already?
I saw one yesterday and thought it looked pretty good for a x over ute...

 

[Astro14]

So...you want an AWD...that's wagon-like...and you're not considering an AWD wagon?

You can see what I've got....great car. Someone mentioned the Mazda CX-7. I've driven the CX-9, great car, nice handling, roomy, not the best MPG, same is true for Chevy Traverse, nice driving, but even more thirsty...but none of the crossovers are great on MPG...a wagon is better...

 

[supton]

Hmm, styling isn't too bad. But 17/21 is kinda low. The 'yoda is rated at 26, but I've heard a few people getting past that. My commute favors the high end (if I do my part).

I suspect I'm best off keeping my older Jetta, as it's paid off, a decent commuter, and not that worn out; and adding something in AWD. My problem is, I'd hate to buy someone's worn out AWD vehicle, or pay lots and get something decent, for something I don't drive much. Ergo, the search for the "do-all" vehicle, which doesn't exist.

 

[Hokiefyd]

The closest I've found for a "do-all" vehicle is like you were originally thinking: a compact SUV, in whatever flavor you like. There are a ton of 'em out there, and they're all excellent vehicles. Chevy Equinox (although I think it's expanded outward to Hyundai Santa Fe size), Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Patriot, Toyota RAV-4, Volkswagen Tiguan, and certainly others. They're highly versatile, easy and enjoyable to drive, and deliver good fuel economy in 4-cylinder trim.

I average 24-25 in my CR-V on my commute. All highway is around 30. It's rated much lower (20/26), so maybe I just got a good one, I don't know. My Camry was 22/32 as I recall, and I averaged about 27-28 in it. I typically get 75-90% of the EPA highway rating with our cars as a lifetime average. I really didn't want to sacrifice much fuel economy when I traded in the Camry, and I didn't sacrifice much, maybe 8-10%. I feel like I got 100% more usability for that 10% fuel economy give-away.

The economics, though, of replacing a known AWD vehicle with a newer unknown one are hard to justify. You have a known quantity with your Jetta, and even on a brand new vehicle, you incur risk. Even though you're covered by a warranty, your time is worth something if you happen to buy a lemon, and in the end, you've sold the good car you had for what turned out to be a bad one.

I can't say that I'd come to a different conclusion than what you have: keep the Jetta.

 

[The Critic]

I would wait until Toyota comes out with an AWD Prius V, if they ever do.

 

[97tbird]

A Prius will never have the 'go anywhere', semi-tough/rugged personality that the OP might be looking for, even if it's AWD.

Just seems too....idk...refined/fragile to me.

 

[Astro14]

I'll get specific: Volvo XC70. AWD, better ground clearance, handling and MPG than many of the mini utes...great all-around machine...

 

[supton]

Will the Prius swallow Rubbermaid trashcans? My wagon just barely does. IIRC Prius V (? the wagon one) dropped to 40mpg highway; I'd guess maybe 38 tops in AWD? Although, to be fair, they may not have a mechanical link between front wheels and rear wheels--could be just ICE/electric in front, and electric motor in rear.

I don't need much ground clearance, I just don't want to get spanked by AWD/lousy all seasons. My snow tire'd FWD just meets its match often enough that I want AWD next time.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
I'll get specific: Volvo XC70. AWD, better ground clearance, handling and MPG than many of the mini utes...great all-around machine...


What year XC70? An '02 gets 17/23 on premium. That's worse economy than most small SUVs, and on premium fuel no less. In '09, it's 15/23 on regular. Still worse than most small SUVs; far worse.

This is a full-size station wagon. Not sure how that's to be compared with a small SUV. Kind of apples to oranges. Either way, I'm not seeing the better MPG.

 

[97tbird]

Everything just points back to a Subaru Outback Sport.

..Or hope and wait that someone will bring out something new

 

[supton]

Looks like the 2.0 can do low 30's in stickshift (I'll wait for the CVT's to be proven first); the 2.5's are low to mid 20's? Could go either way.

 

[supton]

Bumping this thread again, but this time I want 2,000lb plus tow rating. Does that change things drastically? I am thinking I'd rather sacrifice a bit of FE for comfort in towing. Ergo, V6 RAV4. My boss thinks I should do Explorer or the like, but I'm not so sure: I drive 25kmiles/year (90% plus is highway), and could easily get as high as 30k if I do the camping and traveling that I think I might. Wife drives 25k also, so just putting either of us into a minivan seems like a bad idea. If I could justify buying a vehicle and then only driving 5k/year I'd get a 4Runner or the like.

I know Subaru is well rated and all; but I don't think their AWD is that much better than the RAV4(?), and I could get employee pricing if I go new (more apt to go 3 year old though). And they are 2,400lb (2,700lb in Outback?); but they have issues with timing belts and various headgasket leaks which sound like they are fixed... probably. And the FE is similar, I think.

I am also thinking of, instead of buying for long term, perhaps I oughta just trade out every 4-5 years. I just don't work on cars anymore, and would rather be doing other things.

Background needs: again, 25k+miles/year, want wagon for cargo capacity (but I guess I could go sedan--don't want to, but could), 2 small kids. Would like third row, but have managed thus far. Would like AWD for NH winters. Do like the center diff lock on RAV's.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: supton

I know Subaru is well rated and all; but I don't think their AWD is that much better than the RAV4(?), and I could get employee pricing if I go new (more apt to go 3 year old though). And they are 2,400lb (2,700lb in Outback?); but they have issues with timing belts and various headgasket leaks which sound like they are fixed... probably.


The 2013 Outback uses an FB series 2.5L that has a maintenance free timing chain. Same series of engine that's been in the Forester for a few years now. The Forester would also be a great option for you if you decide against the RAV4.

Regardless, Subaru and Toyota don't make much sense to buy used, given what they get for them.

Joel