Help me choose a new Tow Vehicle

[Senior Ninja]

I have what I believe is the best vehicle I've ever owned. First off it's paid for. I bought a L200 Saturn in 2002. I wasn't even thinking about a teardrop back then. I've towed the td all over Kahlyfornia with no sweat. The best part is that I've only had to pay for maintenance items. Eight years and over one hundred thousand miles and no repair items. I think GM stopped making them because they couldn't make any off them!
Steve

[Wild Bill]

To add, Now that the engines and Heads are alum that should help with the head gasket problems of the past where the metals expand at different rates as they heat up. Go to chat forums on the vehicles you are considering and see what kinds of problems they are having with their 3 or 5 year old cars. Subys have a problem with Seeping head gaskets, Not blown but leaking. All cars seem to have some sort of problems.
Unless you leave them in the garage. I own 2 toyota trucks, a 1991 pickup with the 22re 4 cylinder and a 2008 Tundra with a 5.7. The 91 will not get out of its own way and the Tundra is a rocket that will tow 11k.
One extreme or the other. Wife drives a Chrysler T and C and with the Stow and Go seats it is a very handy vehicle, Reliability is another issue.
I agree with the used car prices being what you can find some new cars for. Good Luck.

[doris s.]

I was at a VW dealership a few weeks ago and they had a Routan mini van for $23,000. It was a beautiful vehicle at the right price. My kids wanted me to buy it, lol. We ended up fixing our 16 yr. old truck and didn't buy anything. I think this mini van is worth checking out.

Doris

[canned o minimum]

I'm with my friend Cliffmeister....I haven't owned MANY vehicles in MY 30 sum years of drivin...

But jus to put a little twist on the new tow vehicle...
"I" tow my 2005 Little Guy with my 1965 VW Beetle and travel all over the Southwest...mountains, desert,beaches,off road. Gets round 24 towin and 28 without the TD.
My TD weighs 775lbs empty...prolly round 950 all loaded up

And I'm havin a BLAST with it !! Paid round $5,000 with the new engine and trans I put in. PAID FOR and FUN to drive !!

[asianflava]

I was at a VW dealership a few weeks ago and they had a Routan mini van for $23,000. It was a beautiful vehicle at the right price. My kids wanted me to buy it, lol. We ended up fixing our 16 yr. old truck and didn't buy anything. I think this mini van is worth checking out.

Doris

The Routan is a rebadged Dodge Caravan.

[Gary and Cheri]

I own a 2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Sportwagen is just another way of saying station wagen. I'm 5'10" and the back folds down totally flat and I have spent several very comfortable nights sleeping on a pad in the back.

Myself and a couple from Nebraska both pulled our TDs to IRG this past summer. They have the DSG automatic transmission and I have the 6 speed manual. They reported 29 mpg for the trip and we averaged 27.5 over 7300 miles. We went over numerous mountain passes. Our TD is about 1200 lbs. loaded and pulls without an issue. I have gotten as good as 35 mpg average while pulling the TD in the flat of the mid west. I usually pull at 58-60 mph in 5th gear as this seems to be where the car likes to be and still have a bunch of torque to pass someone instantly.

I paid less than the $25,000 limit you have put out there, but not by much. I did not pay sticker but then a year and a half ago car dealers were looking harder for customers.

Without the TD I usually get milage in the 40s. 50+ is possible, at a steady 55 mph, but I love the handling of the car and find myself driving a little to enthusiactically to reach that goal. Of the cars I have owned only my Fiat X1/9 (mid engined) handled better.

VW claims a tow rating of 1000 lbs for a US Jetta, but the identical European Jettas are rated at 3000 lbs. They kind of think Americans don't know how to tow and are more likely to sue over problems that arise.

Good luck on what ever you chose.

Gary

[Larry C]

I own a 2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Sportwagen is just another way of saying station wagen. I'm 5'10" and the back folds down totally flat and I have spent several very comfortable nights sleeping on a pad in the back.

Myself and a couple from Nebraska both pulled our TDs to IRG this past summer. They have the DSG automatic transmission and I have the 6 speed manual. They reported 29 mpg for the trip and we averaged 27.5 over 7300 miles. We went over numerous mountain passes. Our TD is about 1200 lbs. loaded and pulls without an issue. I have gotten as good as 35 mpg average while pulling the TD in the flat of the mid west. I usually pull at 58-60 mph in 5th gear as this seems to be where the car likes to be and still have a bunch of torque to pass someone instantly.

I paid less than the $25,000 limit you have put out there, but not by much. I did not pay sticker but then a year and a half ago car dealers were looking harder for customers.

Without the TD I usually get milage in the 40s. 50+ is possible, at a steady 55 mph, but I love the handling of the car and find myself driving a little to enthusiactically to reach that goal. Of the cars I have owned only my Fiat X1/9 (mid engined) handled better.

VW claims a tow rating of 1000 lbs for a US Jetta, but the identical European Jettas are rated at 3000 lbs. They kind of think Americans don't know how to tow and are more likely to sue over problems that arise.

Good luck on what ever you chose.

Gary

Gary,
The Jetta TDI is on my radar, however, Volkswagen decided to destroy one of the best cars they ever built by changing and cheapening a great car with the totally ugly and cheaply made 2011 model. Oh---- I do know the wagon will stay the old design, but I really was looking for the sedan.

[Gary and Cheri]

I drove the sedan before the sportwagen and almost rejected the TDI. More road noise. That annoying ping on a tin can noise that some hard sprung cars make. Diesel noise also was louder. A month later I got in the sportwagen and it was a world of difference. I put that down to the increased volume of the interior. Possibly car structure. Whatever it was I was now sold on the wagen.

My kids are adults so it is just me, my wife, and dog. The extra cargo area makes TDing so much nicer.

Gary

[packerz4]

I love, love, love, love, my 2004 Honda Element EX. Can't imagine owning a different car. Bought it a year ago and am loving it as much as ever!

Definately check this car out!

TK

[Yota Bill]

I have a Ford Escape as my daily driver, and love it. I did get the v6 and 4wd, but not the tow package, which puts the max trailer weight at 2000 lbs. I get right about 22-24 MPG not towing anything, I'll find out soon enough what it is with a trailer behind it.

I have used it offroad, and was very impressed with its capabilities, and it is also very comfortable to drive/ride in. I like being able to fold the back seats down and have a large storage area in the back...thats actually the biggest reason for me having it, since I am always sticking something back there, and when I'm not, there is often a black lab and a chocolate lab back there. The roof rack is also very handy to have.

I even used it to finish pulling down a tree in my back 40 that was partially knocked down in a windstorm...it was a bit light for that, but still did the job. My bigger trucks would not fit back there, so it was a last resort sort of thing.

It doesnt pull nearly as much as either of my F-250's do though! weight, or fuel! LOL

[vtx1029]

Have you looked at the Mazda 3's? something there may fit the bill for you.

[Cliffmeister2000]

We have a Mazda3. 115k and going strong. No tow rating in the USA, however.

[Larry C]

I drove the sedan before the sportwagen and almost rejected the TDI. More road noise. That annoying ping on a tin can noise that some hard sprung cars make. Diesel noise also was louder. A month later I got in the sportwagen and it was a world of difference. I put that down to the increased volume of the interior. Possibly car structure. Whatever it was I was now sold on the wagen.

My kids are adults so it is just me, my wife, and dog. The extra cargo area makes TDing so much nicer.

Gary

Thanks, Gary
I will try to find one to check out. BTW/ where was your Avatar pic taken. It looks at lot like a NE mountain top, Dak's, White's, etc.?

Larry C

[Larry C]

Have you looked at the Mazda 3's? something there may fit the bill for you.

I actually like the Mazda 3's, but I don't think they are the best choice for a TV.

Thanks,
Larry

[Larry C]

I love, love, love, love, my 2004 Honda Element EX. Can't imagine owning a different car. Bought it a year ago and am loving it as much as ever!

Definately check this car out!

TK

I too like the Element ( I think), however, they don't exist on Honda lots. I have not been able to drive one. I have also been told that 2011 is the last year for the Element.

Thanks,
Larry