Carguys, can you suggest a car that (1 Viewer)

[Clown Car]

We are looking to buy a second car. We need it to get as good gas mileage as possible while being able to withstand our mile long, torn up, horrible, partially graveled, mostly dirt road. Any suggestions?

 

[Polish Hammer]

What is the mpg threshold you'd like to achieve? Do you need AWD?

 

[glumpy]

How many passengers? Is this your local errands vehicle?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Car or bus?

 

[Clown Car]

What is the mpg threshold you'd like to achieve? Do you need AWD?

Best as possible. Doesn't have to be awd. A high clearance is good because we are always scraping the ridges in our little fiesta.

 

[Clown Car]

How many passengers? Is this your local errands vehicle?

1-5 passengers. This is more of the driving to town with the one kid who has a dentist appt.

 

[Clown Car]

Car or bus?

Car/SUV type thing. I already have a bus.

 

[gianmarco]

Subaru Outback?

 

[bigmarc27]

Subaru Outback?

I was gonna say, my wife has a forester and we love that thing. I drive it way more than I do my own car.

 

[DropKick]

Ironic this is from "Clown Car".

The Outback is a great suggestion.

 

[johnnycakes]

I have a 1984 Ford Escort (my mother's old car) that I use for such purposes. Gets around 36mpg city and upper 40's highway.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

C'mon. Knowing what we know about clown car I refuse to believe you drive a Fiesta. There's shtick and then there's shtick. Tread the line carefully.

If we want a serious answer :

What major city are you near?

What's your budget for this car?

 

[Flying V]

High clearance and optimum gas mileage don't typically go together. Just get a used pickup. If you get it cheap enough it won't matter what MPG you get. Once you own a pickup you wonder how you ever got by without one.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

High clearance and optimum gas mileage don't typically go together. Just get a used pickup. If you get it cheap enough it won't matter what MPG you get. Once you own a pickup you wonder how you ever got by without one.

I'd tend to agree, but a 5 passenger pickup adds another layer of cost. If she's happy for 3 of the mini clowns to be strapped in with bungee cords to the truck bed, I agree and would say go get a 4 cyl Mazda B series truck or an old S10. Ideally a small 4WD Toyota 4Cyl pickup but good luck finding one.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

The Subaru Outback is a pretty good suggestion.

Also check out a 2006/2007 Honda Ridgeline.

2006 Chevy Colorado 4 door

 

[Long Ball Larry]

How many passengers?

38

 

[Clown Car]

The fiesta is the shuttle car. More often than not I'm only taking a single or subset of kids to a destination. I have a 12 passenger van if the whole clan has to go somewhere.

 

[Gator Shawn]

We just went through a long car shopping journey and landed on the Forester. You didn't mention a price range, but older Outbacks and even Foresters are reliable as hell from what I have been able to determine. They still fetch a little premium though, but the mileage isn't great on the older ones, but it isn't horrible either.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

used 4WD Nissan Xterra is another option

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I also feel it necessary to point out that even with a car with good ground clearance, when you put 172 people inside of it it's probably going to scrape.

 

[Clown Car]

We live close to Tallahassee fl. I'm not opposed to going to Atlanta, Orlando or Jacksonville.

We are discussing the budget. Do we want to go under $10k or get newer $30k?

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

We live close to Tallahassee fl. I'm not opposed to going to Atlanta, Orlando or Jacksonville.

We are discussing the budget. Do we want to go under $10k or get newer $30k?

All of my suggestions above were assuming used / $10k-ish budget.

If you're not opposed to new and $30-ish K, New Ford Escape Hybrid has good clearance, seats 5 comfortably and gets ~35mpg. But, think about that extra 20k you're spending for the new car. it will take a LOT of driving at 35mpg to make up a 15 MPG difference you'd get with a $10k used car.

If this is just a shuttle/errand ride, go used. And put the $20k you'd save towards your weekly grocery bill.

 

[Nugget]

Escape is no longer available as a hybrid, but the EcoBoost engines get decent fuel economy. Based on the gravel road, I would go older vehicles as you will be beating up the sheet metal so hard.

 

[In The Zone]

You would get better mpg if you took more than one kid at a time to the dentist.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Honda CRV

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Escape is no longer available as a hybrid

Huh. looks like that started in 2013. thanks.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

 

[Gator Shawn]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

 

[Foosball God]

2004 - 2006 Audi Allroad

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I assumed the base was getting in the mid 20s. You're right, the ICE version is rated at 29/33MPG so I wouldn't even bother with the hybrid. I assumed a 10-12 MPG difference. At 3-5 MPG no way is it worth it.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

How many passengers?

38

lol

 

[Gator Shawn]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I assumed the base was getting in the mid 20s. You're right, the ICE version is rated at 29/33MPG so I wouldn't even bother with the hybrid. I assumed a 10-12 MPG difference. At 3-5 MPG no way is it worth it.

Yeah, and it's a little underpowered. The Forester is same price, has much more interior room (while the exterior footprint isn't a great deal larger), and has more power. But damn the Crosstrek is one of the sexiest looking cars on the road under 30K in my skewed opinion.

 

[glvsav37]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Ford C-Max ENERGI. Cargo space on that is a bit small to (b/c the battery is back there), but I don't know what you are comparing it to. It does have room for 5 with a rear arm rest.

 

[glvsav37]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I assumed the base was getting in the mid 20s. You're right, the ICE version is rated at 29/33MPG so I wouldn't even bother with the hybrid. I assumed a 10-12 MPG difference. At 3-5 MPG no way is it worth it.

Yeah, and it's a little underpowered. The Forester is same price, has much more interior room (while the exterior footprint isn't a great deal larger), and has more power. But damn the Crosstrek is one of the sexiest looking cars on the road under 30K in my skewed opinion.

It is a nice looking vehicle. I wish it was on the NYS Clean Pass list b/c I'm getting a hybrid to have HOV lane access for my commute. I'm getting the Ford C-Max ENERGI which has a similar wagon/hatch type look, but this one seems more small SUVish then the Ford.

 

[Gator Shawn]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I assumed the base was getting in the mid 20s. You're right, the ICE version is rated at 29/33MPG so I wouldn't even bother with the hybrid. I assumed a 10-12 MPG difference. At 3-5 MPG no way is it worth it.

Yeah, and it's a little underpowered. The Forester is same price, has much more interior room (while the exterior footprint isn't a great deal larger), and has more power. But damn the Crosstrek is one of the sexiest looking cars on the road under 30K in my skewed opinion.

It is a nice looking vehicle. I wish it was on the NYS Clean Pass list b/c I'm getting a hybrid to have HOV lane access for my commute. I'm getting the Ford C-Max ENERGI which has a similar wagon/hatch type look, but this one seems more small SUVish then the Ford.

I like the C-Max too, feels like a fighter plane cockpit inside. The energi has the plugin right, in addition to the hydrib drive system? It was fun to drive and peppy given the nature of the vehicle. I feel old saying that.

 

[glvsav37]

The hybrid isn't worth it

also new == subaru crosstrek hybrid. Base hybrid models msrp below 27k. Subaru AWD, good clearance, 35mpg, seats 5. Coworker had one. not a bad little ride.

I don't think the Hybrid is worth it, the base is a great value though. That is such a bad ### looking vehicle in my opinion. We didn't consider it though because the rear cargo space seems smaller than our Honda fit although the listed dimensions were bigger and more importantly the rear seat didn't offer a fold down armrest (which was important for us.) the base radio and infotainment is pretty decent.

Truecar shows you can get the base for about $23,500. The hybrid is $26K

We're getting our 2015 Subaru Forester Premium for just under $23K.

I assumed the base was getting in the mid 20s. You're right, the ICE version is rated at 29/33MPG so I wouldn't even bother with the hybrid. I assumed a 10-12 MPG difference. At 3-5 MPG no way is it worth it.

Yeah, and it's a little underpowered. The Forester is same price, has much more interior room (while the exterior footprint isn't a great deal larger), and has more power. But damn the Crosstrek is one of the sexiest looking cars on the road under 30K in my skewed opinion.

It is a nice looking vehicle. I wish it was on the NYS Clean Pass list b/c I'm getting a hybrid to have HOV lane access for my commute. I'm getting the Ford C-Max ENERGI which has a similar wagon/hatch type look, but this one seems more small SUVish then the Ford.

I like the C-Max too, feels like a fighter plane cockpit inside. The energi has the plugin right, in addition to the hydrib drive system? It was fun to drive and peppy given the nature of the vehicle. I feel old saying that.

I know...me too. Yes, the energy has the plug. i'm coming form an SUV and its killing me to downsize, but the interior is really nice, cool full glass roof and all the bells and whistles I'll ever need. And I'm looking forward to the gas and time saved thanks to the HOV lane.

 

[SWC]

look for an amc javelin probably take that to the bank brohanista

 

[BowieMercs]

get a used outback or a beater F150