Car Suggestions, Anyone?

[beachmouse]

(thread hijack)

We ended up buying a Subaru Outback this week because I just couldn't see holding on to my Corolla for another 200K miles. (We're usually drive it 'til it dies people, and I just know that car would never die)

If you're looking for a vehicle that you drive through soft sand, the Subaru AWDs vehicles work really, really well. The dealer even has its own sand pit area they have you driving through as part of the test drive to prove that point.

I'd say definitely have a look at the 'Roos if you're looking for a beach vehicle.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Those Outbacks are sporty. I like them too. Almost bought one. I wonder about the clearance on the beach when the ruts get deep from all of the Suburbans, Escalades, and Tahoes. I remember Subaru boasting higher ground clearance than the Ford Explorer a few years ago.

Hey Mer, what about the four door Toyota Tacoma, and throw a camper shell on the back? It has great ground clearance, is rugged, yet women look hot in them, room for kids in the back seat, and plenty of room for gear in the back and kayaks on top.

 

[lindatat]

Here's my vote for a "truck" vs. an SUV, a vintage Int'l Scout.
In case you need an off-road 4wd.

LOL - my parents had one of these when I was in high school - it was white and orange and had the worst shocks ever. My friends loved it when I flew over the railroad crossings in it - they'd hit the ceiling every time.

 

[Mermaid]

I love lust after and adore all your suggestions...but...Y'all have deeper pockets than me. We're dealing with a paltry little mean teeny-weeney insurance settlement!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I love lust after and adore all your suggestions...but...Y'all have deeper pockets than me. We're dealing with a paltry little mean teeny-weeney insurance settlement!

You should have said so. This Toyota Echo is the car for you. They even make a two door sport model.

No longer made in the US, but you can find used ones for under $10,000. They are not powerful, but they are sporty and have plenty of head room, even for tall people like me. Very light on gas consumption, too. I kind of like them.

 

[Smiling JOe]

"In a few words: A clean, green diesel in a compact, good-looking package means an SUV without the stigma."

"As close to an actual production model seen at the auto show, Volkswagen?s Concept Tiguan, which VW bills as a ?small Touareg? is the manufacturer?s entry into the crossover market and is set to come to market at the end of 2007. The Tiguan is powered by a new BLUETEC ?Clean TDI? turbo diesel developed with partners Mercedes-Benz and Audi."

Here is another cool one, but currently, it is only a concept for VW.

 

[audie]

LOL - my parents had one of these when I was in high school - it was white and orange and had the worst shocks ever. My friends loved it when I flew over the railroad crossings in it - they'd hit the ceiling every time.

oh my god - we had one exactly like this when i was a kid. every weekend we went mud bogging and 4 wheeling in it before they put this huge lake in around where mom and pop live. we would sit in the very back and these little bench like things where you could store stuff, and the lid wouldn't latch, so every time we went airborne, when we hit the ground again it would pinch your legs. wait a minute, why did we keep sitting there when there was a perfectly good back seat ???

 

[iwishiwasthere]

What did you get? I went looking over the weekend with 6'1" Merman and 6'2" son and we all agreed that the "girl's" Explorer, aka Escape, would be just perfect for me. The clincher was that the boys in the family didn't bump their heads in front seat or back. And I was assured that the a pair of bikes and a pair of kayaks wouldn't tip it over (so don't worry, jdarg ;-) ). Now all we need do is find an agreeable color. That might be the hard part.

We have talked about this vehicle as well. What are the ratings for dependability? My '99 Nissan van has 187,000 miles and we are going to have to do something....maybe a Pathfinder. The Xterra does not drive as well. Since this vehicle has been so reliable, I am having trouble looking at other makes. Need something for hauling stuff to and from school for another 2 years and big enough for luggage and dog crates.

 

[RiverOtter]

Those Outbacks are sporty. I like them too. Almost bought one. I wonder about the clearance on the beach when the ruts get deep from all of the Suburbans, Escalades, and Tahoes. I remember Subaru boasting higher ground clearance than the Ford Explorer a few years ago.

Hey Mer, what about the four door Toyota Tacoma, and throw a camper shell on the back? It has great ground clearance, is rugged, yet women look hot in them, room for kids in the back seat, and plenty of room for gear in the back and kayaks on top.

when I was doing the deal on my 4Runner there was one of these in the showroom. If it had been white or silver I be driving in right now. The one in the showroom was salsa red. Looked cool but I just couldn't take the hazing

BTW: The Tacoma has the best resale of any P/U

 

[RiverOtter]

Almost bought one of these, took the fam on a test ride and they vetoed it. one otter couldn't see out of the back and GB thought the it was too much of a 2 door ................ bunch of freakin killjoys