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New Car

J

jackace

Golden Member
So I have been looking to get a new car. (new or used) I'm not really sure what I want though. I like the idea of something like a Ford Explorer Sport-Trac, but at the same time would like something with better gas mileage. Currently I drive an older Ford Ranger. I would like some suggestions from the community. Some things to consider about my situation:

- I live in Boise Idaho
- I love to snow ski, shoot guns, etc so I find my self on snow covered roads, dirt roads, and sometimes off-road.
- The majority of my daily driving is to and from work. (15-20 minutes)
- Hobbies are usually done on weekends and days-off.
- I don't have kids to haul around.

Thank you in advance for any input.

Edit- This might be better in the garage, but most the topics there seem to be about fixing cars, not as much about buying advice. If that is where this needs to be feel free to move it.


Lots of buying advice in The Garage.

ATOT Moderator ElFenix
 
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Something AWDish like an Outback maybe? You can get a roof rack unless you really want a truck/something with a bed.
 
punjabiplaya said:
Something AWDish like an Outback maybe? You can get a roof rack unless you really want a truck/something with a bed.
Click to expand...

I agree. Most of my family that lives in the north east swears by subarus. They're top notch in snow.

The outback is decent in mild offroad conditions like muddy rutted roads but it's not a true SUV. It will hang up easier than many true suvs or pickups.
 
punjabiplaya said:
Something AWDish like an Outback maybe? You can get a roof rack unless you really want a truck/something with a bed.
Click to expand...

Yes I have considered something from Subaru. Lots of people around here have them, but their gas mileage really isn't all that much better than some pickup trucks.

Edit - and the bed in a pickup truck is very nice for wet, muddy, etc things.
 
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jackace said:
Yes I have considered something from Subaru. Lots of people around here have them, but their gas mileage really isn't all that much better than some pickup trucks.

Edit - and the bed in a pickup truck is very nice for wet, muddy, etc things.
Click to expand...

~25% better than the Sport Trac, both with V6's.(15 vs 20 combined per EPA)

I you haul a bunch of stuff that would be better suited to a bed then a Sport Trac or Ridgeline would fit the bill. Honestly I would probably just go with an Avalanche and get the bigger size. Go with the 5.3 instead of the 6.0 and your mileage will be pretty much the same as the Ford.

15f4od2.jpg
 
boomhower said:
~25% better than the Sport Trac, both with V6's.(15 vs 20 combined per EPA)

I you haul a bunch of stuff that would be better suited to a bed then a Sport Trac or Ridgeline would fit the bill. Honestly I would probably just go with an Avalanche and get the bigger size. Go with the 5.3 instead of the 6.0 and your mileage will be pretty much the same as the Ford.

15f4od2.jpg
Click to expand...
why not get a real pickup like a Silverado or an F150? I don't understand the appeal of the vehicles you listed.
 
boomhower said:
~25% better than the Sport Trac, both with V6's.(15 vs 20 combined per EPA)

I you haul a bunch of stuff that would be better suited to a bed then a Sport Trac or Ridgeline would fit the bill. Honestly I would probably just go with an Avalanche and get the bigger size. Go with the 5.3 instead of the 6.0 and your mileage will be pretty much the same as the Ford.

15f4od2.jpg
Click to expand...

I can see your logic. Also from what I'm reading the sport trac with a V8 gets better gas mileage than with the V6. Must be a bad V6 or the vehicle is just too heavy for the V6.
 
Audi A3 Quattro? Good gas mileage...AWD. Should be able to get a good deal on a used one...or even a new one possibly. Will be a little more expensive to maintain.
 
AWD Astro van will be cheap to purchase, has plenty of cargo space even with the rear seats and no worse on gas than the others you are considering. Plus junkyards across America are chock full of parts so it's cheap to maintain. 🙂

So what is it that is keeping you from getting another Ranger? Do you plan on hauling passengers on a regular basis or is it just that you're tired of the mini-truck image? Personally I wouldn't consider a European vehicle, at least not what I've seen a few miles to the west of Idaho, they're either incredibly expensive or just a few miles shy of very expensive repairs. As much as I'd hate seeing another Subaru on the road, it might be a good option for you, otherwise your going to be limited to something with a truck chassis.
 
I'll second a Subaru. The new Outback and Forester are classified as SUVs thanks to the extra ground clearance. The old ones are quite good too.

SportTrac is unimpressive. My Dad had one. Solid meh. With resale what it is, you might as well go with an Avalanche as others have said.

What about a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Resale is low, good 4WD, strong V8.
 
The reason I wouldn't get another Ranger is they are just too small inside, and Ford really hasn't done much to update them in the last 5-10 years. When I go skiing or something I usually have 2-3 other people with me so I would like to have room for them and the Ranger just doesn't have it.

I do like the Subaru cars a lot, but since having the ranger I have realized how convenient a bed can be. Just not sure if it's worth the loss in fuel economy.

Yes the Jeep Cherokee is another option, in fact my brother has a Liberty and he loves the thing. He takes it on all kinds of back roads and says it handles them great.

Thank you all again for the opinions it has given me things to consider.
 
jackace said:
... Ford really hasn't done much to update them in the last 5-10 years. ...
Click to expand...

This is something I like about the Ranger. It's one of the few Ford vehicles that has seen incremental improvements over a long period of time rather than broad refreshes. Ford is known for putting out some stinker vehicles that are reborn a few years later with different body panels and a new name (ex. Windstar/Freestar.) This isn't the case with the Ranger, it's been the same truck for almost a decade with only minor styling changes and updates to improve reliability.

How about a cute-ute? I wouldn't want one, but the RAV4 and CR-V are supposed to be decent vehicles.
 
I was thinking Element
Good on gas, awd and lots of utility.
basically you can hose out the back cause its all plastic
 
Subaru wagon for the win. I almost bought an older Legacy Brighton for my winter commute, tons of space, kick-ass in snow, and reliable. Also not that expensive when used, they seem to depreciate fairly good.
 
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