SallyCat Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 Before winter arrives I'm going to need a new car. My current '09 VW Jetta Wagon has been a trooper, but even with bomber snow tires I often spin out on hills of even moderate grade. It also has terrible ground clearance, which is a significant issue around here. Here's what I'm currently thinking of: 1. Tacoma 4x4. Great ground clearance, can throw bikes in the back, etc Lousy mileage, though? 2. Toyota Rav4: Very popular up here. Reliable, safe, decent-looking. The sensible choice? 3. Subaru Forester. A classic choice, but I know some people who have had bad experiences with reliability and maintenance costs. 4. Something else I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootDKJ Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 Are you buying new or used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFskiDan Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 My Tacoma gets 18 mpg. On the highway, around town, or in 4 wheel drive. Doesnt seem to matter much. They hold their value like crazy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momskeeztoo Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 I like my Honda CRV.However, its a real pain trying to fit a bike in the back. I have s hitch and bike rack I use. Gets around 24 mpg highway. It's 2007, so maybe newer ones more efficient. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadows Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 Heard nothing but great things about a suzuki sx4 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackbiker Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 Just get a Subaru Outback. Subaru has the best all wheel drive system and I don't anyone who's had maintenance problems with Subaru's. I've had 3 and put over 200k miles on each with mainly basic maintenance. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 16 minutes ago, trackbiker said: Just get a Subaru Outback. Subaru has the best all wheel drive system and I don't anyone who's had maintenance problems with Subaru's. I've had 3 and put over 200k miles on each with mainly basic maintenance. You’ve driven over 600k miles total?? Wow just wow. You must have a long commute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 23 minutes ago, Shadows said: Heard nothing but great things about a suzuki sx4 😎 The Suzuki Samurai is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSSucks Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCat Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 3 hours ago, momskeeztoo said: I like my Honda CRV.However, its a real pain trying to fit a bike in the back. I have s hitch and bike rack I use. Gets around 24 mpg highway. It's 2007, so maybe newer ones more efficient. That's a big issue, too. Since Honda stopped making the Element and so many cars are aerodynamic/bullet-shaped now, it seems tricky to find one that will hold a bike upright w/ front wheel off, which is what I'd love to be able to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCat Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 1 hour ago, trackbiker said: Just get a Subaru Outback. Subaru has the best all wheel drive system and I don't anyone who's had maintenance problems with Subaru's. I've had 3 and put over 200k miles on each with mainly basic maintenance. Forester is cheaper and has more storage capacity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCat Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 6 hours ago, RootDKJ said: Are you buying new or used? I'd like to buy new, but my credit score might say otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 26 minutes ago, SallyCat said: That's a big issue, too. Since Honda stopped making the Element and so many cars are aerodynamic/bullet-shaped now, it seems tricky to find one that will hold a bike upright w/ front wheel off, which is what I'd love to be able to do. Don’t bikes fit inside SUVs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 25 minutes ago, SallyCat said: I'd like to buy new, but my credit score might say otherwise. If it’s over 700 no issues. Heck mine was in the 600s when I got my current car and I maybe pay $16 more a month than if my credit was A+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMSKI Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 You need a Subaru Brat. Great ground clearance, can fit the bike in back plus 2 passengers with death wishes! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCat Posted May 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 2 hours ago, GrilledSteezeSandwich said: Don’t bikes fit inside SUVs? Yeah on their side; I’d like to rig a fork-mounted rack to the floor and have the bike standing up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toast21602 Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 51 minutes ago, NMSKI said: You need a Subaru Brat. Great ground clearance, can fit the bike in back plus 2 passengers with death wishes! A classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 3, 2018 Report Share Posted May 3, 2018 2 hours ago, NMSKI said: You need a Subaru Brat. Great ground clearance, can fit the bike in back plus 2 passengers with death wishes! Badass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCat Posted May 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 18 hours ago, GrilledSteezeSandwich said: Badass Those seats. In the winter. Savage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaf Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 I would try to avoid anything that has CVT in it. Which eliminates CRV, RAV4 hybrid and even Subaru, unless you import a stick from Canada. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadows Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 new ford ranger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackbiker Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 13 minutes ago, eaf said: I would try to avoid anything that has CVT in it. Which eliminates CRV, RAV4 hybrid and even Subaru, unless you import a stick from Canada. Subaru Forester is available in a stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrilledSteezeSandwich Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 1 hour ago, eaf said: I would try to avoid anything that has CVT in it. Which eliminates CRV, RAV4 hybrid and even Subaru, unless you import a stick from Canada. What’s wrong with CVT? I thought it makes automatic transmission vehicles more fuel efficient. Eaf have fun in Colorado and post a report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiggio Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Our Subie wagon has CVT and never had a problem with it in the snow and makes acceleration smooth, no gear shift jerk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadows Posted May 4, 2018 Report Share Posted May 4, 2018 Its not a real drivetrain. Like driving a snowmobile. You want gears and shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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