Help me choose a new Tow Vehicle

[Shadow Catcher]

We are on Subaru's #12 and 13. Mine has the 3.0L H6 Nancy has the H4 cyl. GREAT bad weather cars and mine (the more thirsty) gets 25mpg on the highway at a sustained 80MPH. I do not buy them new and expect to get between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. Toyota despite their problems and Honda (neither one as good in bad weather) but probably a bit better on MPG are also good choices. My recommendation is the Outback rather than the Forester as they have a bit more bang for the buck and you can get the 3.6L H6 with in your price point with a 3000# tow capacity.

[ERV]

I got a 2010 Toyota Tacoma v6 , 4 door, 4x4, long bed, last year. I keep around 800 pounds of tools in the back for my job. If I didn't have to have those in the back I think I could get better gas milage. At this time I am getting right around 21, most of that is around town driving.
The four wheel drive is needed for for the work I do. But it is the safest truck I have owned. Almost no fun in the snow.
Jan and I are planning a trip out west and having the truck will let us keep the trailer open. That way if it is raining when we pull in for the night we don't have to unload.
So far on our trips around camping, I have been getting 22-23 mpg towing. I don't take the tools out, just add more camping stuff. This sumer I added two leafs to each side in the back. That even made it ride nicer. They don't make pick-ups for the working man any more.
But it is the nicest truck I have owned.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I had a 2004 Honda CR-V when I got my first teardrop. Has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. My tear weighed 800 lbs. I took the CR-V out of overdrive most of the time while towing, and it did a fine job!

The Nissan Rogue looks like a potential winner. A friend of mine has one, drove it from St Louis to Phoenix last month and got 33mpg, which is much higher than the rating. I think the new mileage ratings are much more conservative than they used to be.

[Miriam C.]

Unfortunately I think this is one of the cars that have the problem towing.

I think this is the culprit Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) [*] with Traction Control System (TCS)

I doubt that is the reason, as it has the same features in Britain, but is rated to tow 2750 pounds (but with a maximum 165 pound hitch weight).

I think it's more a case of national expectations - smaller vehicles can be sold in the US with a zero tow rating, but the same manufacturer wouldn't try that in Europe.

We also get a diesel model with exactly the same peak torque, but 50% higher mileage....

This is the new cross over. Saw one a few days ago...Reall sporty looking! The one we wanted was the Rogue or Murano but it might have been the Intuitive All wheel drive that kept it from towing...

[TENNJIM]

My vote is for a Subaru. They tow teardrops really well, AWD for the weather, decent gas mileage, and utility. I towed a 735 lb teardrop plus gear all over the West including mountains with a 2002 Impreza Outback Wagon, 2.5 Liter 4-cylinder, 5-speed. My average for trips was 23 to 24 mpg. When not towing: 25 to 27 mpg around town and 29 to 31 mpg on the freeways. I started taking too much stuff with me to the gatherings and switched to my 2000, Chevy S-10, V6 Auto, 2WD Pickup as a tow vehicle. It gets 19-21 mpg towing, around town, and freeway-doesn't seem to make much difference.

Jim B / Utah

[stevem50]

any vehicle will do just fine pulling that kind of weight, so get what will fit the criteria. hate to tell you to buy the subaru (i sell hondas) but the impreza is a great car. i've got an 2007 2.5 sport, really fun in the snow and the mileage is not bad considering full time AWD. although I tow with a honda fit, if I needed a do it all car i would buy the suby again, as the CRV is the closest thing we have and kind of bland to drive.

just gotta get the hatchback, as the sedan is kind of tight on space to haul stuff

[Weirdnerd]

I like the Toyota 4runners, decent towing capacity, decent off road capabilities, decent mileage, I got a 1991 model, and being 20 years old, I had to update some minor stuff, but the car is bullet proof.

[urban5]

I like the suburu's also. But I love my Jeep to. The Jeep TJ 4 cyc actually gets 23 miles to the gallon, and it is a 4WD. It would pull any teardrop no problem.

[mezmo]

Why not check out the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI ?

I remember reading a post on here, somewhere -
[I can't find it now] - where the poster had taken a long
trip out west and averaged @ 29mpg if I remember correctly,
plus gets a lot better mileage solo. Since it's a diesel it has
a bunch of torque too.

[Rock]

Awesome vehicle if you can find one - but I think it's blows away the $25K cap? Maybe not. Then there's the reliability concerns.

Eric

[Larry C]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments.... KEEP THEM COMING.

Most everything you have all mentioned are on my list to check out. If you haven't actually been in the market and on the lots looking at new or used vehicles lately, it's difficult to understand where things are currently.

Here's my observation over the last month:

1. Forget used cars, Cash for clunkers totally removed a segment of the market, forcing everyone into a smaller segment, thus driving prices through the roof with limited supply. I have seen several vehicles with 30,000 plus mile (2008) that were within $3000-4000 of a new one. This seems to be the norm. At this time "NEW" is a no brainer IMO.

2. Many of you seem to like Subi's. I too was interested in a Forester. However, I am not impressed with Subaru build quality. The door hinges are paper thin, the door gaskets are held on with plastic push one way push clips (garbage). The whole body and interior seems cheap compared to others.
Also, a Technician at a work is a certified Subaru and Toyota tech. He told me Subaru's are the most difficult to work on and parts and labor far exceed Toyota's. He was taking the gas tank out of an older Forester, I think it was for a fuel pump change, and he showed me what was involved. The entire rear end and drive shaft had to be removed $$$
I haven't eliminated Subaru from my short list yet, I am just showing my observations and disappointments so far.

2) It looks like all new vehicles are using aluminum engine blocks with aluminum heads. I wonder if this will prove to be major problems over the long haul?

3) In the pursuit of having the best EPA mileage listed on the window sticker, the manufactures are tweaking the transmission ratios to squeeze out 1 or 2 more mph. However, this is making the already anemic 4 Cyl, heavy vehicles even more gutless. I drove a new 2011 Honda Accord SE last week. I did't think it was going to make it out of the dealers lot. It was totally gutless. when it shifted into final gear, it felt like I was driving a 5 speed manual car at 30 mph in 5 gear.
I haven't driven the CRV or Element yet, but they have the same motor as the Accord.

4) I have owned several Toyota's over the years, but since they have been built outside of Japan, I don't think they are the same quality they previously were. The Rav 4 was still being built in Japan, but is now built in Canada. The Rav is available with a 6, but it's pricey. The 4-Runner is nice but way too much money and not so great MPG

5) Volkswagen is worth a look, especially the diesel, but they are also pricey.

6) I am going to look at the Korean line-up as well as one of the largest Hyundai and Kia dealers in country is not far away. Both these lines have come a long way in a short time, catching up to the Japanese quickly.

7) I really don't want another Pick-up. I have been driving them all my life. I bought a HF trailer to take the place of the PU box needs.

8 Another vehicle that I like is the Scion XB. It has the Camry motor and with a stick, I bet it would tow ok, Anyone have experience with the new version of this "box"

Everyone has their favorite brand and seem to stay loyal through thick and thin, but I don't have such loyalty. I want the best value that will do the job. remember, I am looking for something that actually has enough reserve power to tow without wishing I had something stronger.

Those with 4 cyl cars. trucks, and SUV's would you buy the same again as a tow vehicle?

Again........ Everyone, thanks for your input.

Larry C

[Miriam C.]

My sister has a Kia Sadona and really likes it. Her's has a lot of pickup and shifts smoothly...Have you considered a minivan..

[BrwBier]

We travel with our bikes and for this reason I have a mini van. The bikes fit inside and with two sliding doors my wife has her stuff in one side and mine is in the other. For us it works out perfectly. Pulling a 1400lb teardrop we get about 17mpg if you keep it under 70mph.
brwbier

[Alleged User]

6) I am going to look at the Korean line-up as well as one of the largest Hyundai and Kia dealers in country is not far away. Both these lines have come a long way in a short time, catching up to the Japanese quickly.

While I love my Subaru Forester, and have no issues with the build quality, my husband bought a 2011 Kia Sorento this very afternoon. We opted for the V6, which will come in handy with the TD loaded for bear. He was impressed with the reviews, and even more impressed when he drove it. Tried out the 4-cylinder also, but they didn't have a -4 that we liked on the lot with the third row seats, and the extra towing capacity of the -6 will come in handy. Kias have come a LONG way. Not what I was expecting. Glad I got over myself and got enthused to go check 'em out.

[Cliffmeister2000]

We are on Subaru's #12 and 13.

I haven't yet owned 12 vehicles in my 40 years of driving!