Need to get a bigger car...

[vi edit]

Sounds like you want an Outback wagon.

Around 30MPG on the highway. Bigger than the focus + roof rack for more stuff. 2700 pound towing capacity. Great ground clearance and one of the best winter drivers you'll find.

 

[heymrdj]

Be careful with the Outback, they overheat their power transfer units notoriously when anywhere close to towing capacity, especially if there's any elevation, slow speeds ect. Also, they have extremely low tongue weight capacity because of their rear frame design, IE the rear frame mount for the factory (or aftermarket hitch) is also your crush zone. So it's limited to just 200#, which is retarded because you can't get even close to the low end of the 10-15% tongue weight recommendations if you're pulling the max of 3000lbs.

If towing is really your thing, go the Forester.

 

[oleguy]

If towing is really your thing, go the Forester.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Forester is the red-headed stepchild of Subaru's lineup. Per the 2015 manual, it's rated for a 1,500 lbs towing capacity, full-stop. The Outback, as you noted, goes much higher, assuming your trailer has brakes.

The problem is that the Outback as I would want it is a tad past what I would like to spend on a car, and the 2015 is the new generation with the better MPG.

 

[heymrdj]

I'm beginning to wonder if the Forester is the red-headed stepchild of Subaru's lineup. Per the 2015 manual, it's rated for a 1,500 lbs towing capacity, full-stop. The Outback, as you noted, goes much higher, assuming your trailer has brakes.

The problem is that the Outback as I would want it is a tad past what I would like to spend on a car, and the 2015 is the new generation with the better MPG.

Sorry, I heard recommendations were good, but obviously that's pitiful as well. I never looked at a Forester personally, I was really interested in an Outback until I saw what a trainwreck its capacities were. Can't really recommend any Subaru then.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Sorry, I heard recommendations were good, but obviously that's pitiful as well. I never looked at a Forester personally, I was really interested in an Outback until I saw what a trainwreck its capacities were. Can't really recommend any Subaru then.

Another downside of Subaru moving to all CVT.

 

[oleguy]

Resurrecting my old thread because I've had a change of mind in terms of requirements.

While driving to work in traffic for the umpteenth time this year due to road construction everywhere, it occurred to me that this commute was going to last through fall 2016 and that might be the final straw and I might start looking for a closer employer or try to work from home more often in the future. So with that, I'm now thinking that MPG isn't such a concern, but with projects around the house and various other things, cargo space is something I need to consider.

So with that, I'm now looking at a mid-sized SUV... one that can both hold a medium-sized pet carrier and two kids... because I also learned I have twins on the way a couple weeks ago.

 

[NutBucket]

Congrats on the twins! Yeah, a small CUV isn't going to cut it.

So, off to the standard Pilot/Highlander recommendation

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Obligatory minivan bump. Best tool for the job.

 

[NutBucket]

Except he wants ground clearance. Otherwise I agree.

 

[oleguy]

I'm not sure I can handle the concept of a minivan... and yes, getting 7" or more of ground clearance is nice because the "driveway" at my in-laws cabin is nothing more than a cleared strip of land from the dirt road to the front lawn. It's a bit bumpy and when our Focus is loaded, it scrapes the ground unless you're very careful.

Then again, the in-laws make a Dodge Caravan work.

 

[NutBucket]

So you could get an AWD Sienna if you don't think FWD with snow tires will cut it.

 

[PricklyPete]

Obligatory minivan bump. Best tool for the job.

My wife and I have been doing fine with our 4Runner with 2 kids and 2 dogs, but with a 3rd kid on the way, minivan looks very likely in the future. Fantastically utilitarian.

With ground clearance in mind, I would check out a highlander. If you don't think you will have more kids, I'd check out a Subaru Outback. The new ones are pretty impressive if you can get by the CVT.

 

[Yuriman]

MrMoneyMustache is a huge fan of minivans for hauling things:

“I think minivans are a ridiculous invention for carrying 60-pound kids, but great inventions for heavy construction work.” Here’s my van collecting 1200 pounds of logs for firewood.

At this stage with plenty in the bank, I have grown soft and have a bit more truck than I need. It’s a 1999 Honda van with 140,000 miles on it. I bought it for $4,800 four years ago, and current market value is maybe 3 grand. Less than what the juniors with no money spend on their wheels and tires alone.

And this thing can work. I have carried over 2,500 pounds comfortably, it can lock up a full selection of tools and keep them dry, and with the seats out you can close the rear door on 12-foot pieces of lumber or a stack of 20 full sheets of plywood. This is the truck I use now, but most of my carpentry career was done with something far less luxurious.

The '99 Odyssey is rated for 18/26. Newer models are closer to 20/30. My in-laws use theirs to tow a 26' sailboat to and from the coast from Arkansas. By removing the rear seats you effectively have a huge covered truck bed in the back.

 

[NutBucket]

With a medium sized pet carrier in the mix an Outback likely won't be big enough unless you strap the stroller to the roof.

 

[oleguy]

So you could get an AWD Sienna if you don't think FWD with snow tires will cut it.

Seems hard to determine which of the various models allow towing. Some flip to not available on the spec sheet, but that's specifically referring to extra cooling to help with towing. So I assume they can all do 1500 or so without issue.

 

[oleguy]

With a medium sized pet carrier in the mix an Outback likely won't be big enough unless you strap the stroller to the roof.

My wife has already ruled out strapping the carrier to the roof...

(so have I.... just an obligatory and dated Mitt Romney joke).

 

[oleguy]

Maybe a minivan isn't the worst idea. And I will say that in the last month of many trips to Home Depot to get things for the garden, my Dodge Intrepid's trunk and rear seats that barely fold down have been... irksome. I don't see those trips decreasing in future springs.

 

[oleguy]

I should also point out that I would like to make sure that the safety rating is high. I necessarily need all the fancy lane departure and back-up stuff... but the thing needs to be in the top of its class for crash and rollover ratings.

 

[PricklyPete]

Highlander/pilot seem right down your alley if you still want some ground clearance.

 

[oleguy]

Continuing on the minivan theme.... and I don't need to get new here at all, but I would like to think I would keep the car for 10 years after purchase... Odyssey or Sienna?

 

[Yuriman]

Depends on the year, but the Odyssey typically has had slightly fewer creature comforts and slightly better fuel economy.

 

[NutBucket]

Well if you need AWD then there's only one choice. Otherwise I'd say a draw between the two.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Oddy is a bit more car-like in handling. Also a bit noisier NVH. Sienna is more comfy. Both are super reliable.

Don't rule out grand caravan. Stout motor and stow-go is brilliant. There is a new sedona van out too but I haven't driven or looked inside one yet. Nice looking sheetmetal though.

 

[PricklyPete]

Continuing on the minivan theme.... and I don't need to get new here at all, but I would like to think I would keep the car for 10 years after purchase... Odyssey or Sienna?

In their current generations, I'd go with Odyssey. Drives a bit better for my taste (less floaty), gets better gas mileage, and I like the interior better. The engine in the Sienna is a bit stronger, but the tide felt more "floaty" to me. Last generation, I'd probably go with Sienna just for reliability. Old Odysseys don't have the best record.

One vehicle I'd like to check out is the latest Sedona. I've heard good anecdotal things about them and I think they look really good (for a minivan). Not sure about safety, reliability, or driving...but want to take a look.

 

[oleguy]

Well if you need AWD then there's only one choice. Otherwise I'd say a draw between the two.

Having always driven a FWD or RWD car (I had an old Explorer Sport in college, but the 4WD was busted), I haven't really encountered too many times where I've had problems, even living in the North. However, with a minivan or SUV, does AWD or 4WD make any real difference when considering driving on snowy or packed snow roads? My experience is mostly with 4-dr compacts or mid-sized sedans.