MrH's Next Potential Car Discussion

[Morris Minor]

Honestly - I know this is deadly boring - but  I'd say replace it with a car that has some basic utility for carrying stuff, but with better driving dynamics than the Element. You've already got the BRZ for fun.

[MrH]

Yeah, that'd be the smart move. I might try and test drive some Subaru's today. XV crosstek, outback, and forester all fit the bill. I haven't driven a CVT I like though, and you can only get a manual on the base models. Maybe a CVT isn't so bad when paired to a 3.6 liter oor turbo?

Forester looks to be the best bang for the buck in terms of size for the price. Not sure why the outback is so expensive in comparison. It's an older car with less room.

[ifcar]

Yeah, that'd be the smart move. I might try and test drive some Subaru's today. XV crosstek, outback, and forester all fit the bill. I haven't driven a CVT I like though, and you can only get a manual on the base models. Maybe a CVT isn't so bad when paired to a 3.6 liter oor turbo?

Forester looks to be the best bang for the buck in terms of size for the price. Not sure why the outback is so expensive in comparison. It's an older car with less room.

You won't also drive the regular Impreza? Same practicality as the XV except when you need extra ground clearance, but less expensive, better mileage and better handling.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I don't think the Dayton area is anywhere near as bad as NY.


Or even Cleveland.

This is true.....

[MrH]

We had 46" this year I think, but it was an unusually bad winter. Usually i think we average below 30". It's not as bad as Cleveland or upstate NY, but it's enough to consider.

A new forester XT just below invoice would be a steal...

[GoCougs]

An AWD sedan is virtually unbeatable when it comes to the stated utility ITT. Can carry plenty of gear and people (though it may need bike/ski racks), no awful SUV (Forester) driving dynamics, no BS dealing with only two doors, goes plenty good in the winter.

[CJ]

Have you ever driven a Forester? It's just a big wagon. They're a hoot to drive.

[hotrodalex]

An AWD wagon for $14k is the best...

[CJ]

What about an XC70 T6? Those move pretty well and you can get the Polestar tune for them.

[CJ]

http://m.cars.com/for-sale/#vdp?listingId=605615614&year=2011&stkTyp=U&searchId=2260261500000000000000001401553088674&userId=2260261500000000000000001401553088675&mkNm=Volvo&mdNm=XC70&zc=73072&partyId=&cpo=Y


Something like that.

[CJ]

You could be extra lesbian! A Subaru AND A Cross Country. Think of the bitches!

[MrH]

You won't also drive the regular Impreza? Same practicality as the XV except when you need extra ground clearance, but less expensive, better mileage and better handling.

No, I think the regular impreza is really ugly. Looking at crossteks, they're too small.

Basically just the outback and forester. The way Motor Trend made the Forester XT sound on the 2014 SUV of the year award...they compared the CVT to Porsche's PDK 

But compared to a Genesis:

-Newer
-Infinitely better in the snow
-More space for stuff (and possibly people too)
-Better gas mileage
-Better insurance

I'll see if I can get a test drive.  I'm interested in the new outback with the 3.6 too.  But it seems like the Outback is pricer than the Forester and doesn't offer any advantage really.

What about an XC70 T6? Those move pretty well and you can get the Polestar tune for them.

There isn't one thing I like about the entire Volvo lineup.

An AWD sedan is virtually unbeatable when it comes to the stated utility ITT. Can carry plenty of gear and people (though it may need bike/ski racks), no awful SUV (Forester) driving dynamics, no BS dealing with only two doors, goes plenty good in the winter.

Such as?  I'm not joining the G37x crowd on here.

[Xer0]

I hear Mexico City might have an M3 he's looking to get rid of for something more sensible

I feel that you shouldn't get a forester because you'll just get bored of it in a year too and lose more money flipping another car.  What you need is to find a wife that likes driving a boring SUV so that you can use it when you actually need it.

[68_427]

The advantage of the Outback is a WAY WAY nicer interior.  At least the 2015 model.  Including things like 13 speaker HK sound system, heated rear seats etc.

[MrH]

I hear Mexico City might have an M3 he's looking to get rid of for something more sensible

I feel that you shouldn't get a forester because you'll just get bored of it in a year too and lose more money flipping another car.  What you need is to find a wife that likes driving a boring SUV so that you can use it when you actually need it.

Ha! Easier said than done. The girl I'm trying to get something going with drives an old Corolla.

But really, I need something with top notch versatility, acceptable levels of performance and comfort for dealing with the boring parts of life. Forester looks to be that kind of vehicle. Hard to say for sure until I drive one though.

[MrH]

The advantage of the Outback is a WAY WAY nicer interior.  At least the 2015 model.  Including things like 13 speaker HK sound system, heated rear seats etc.

Yeah, the interior of the forester is its biggest downfall. It's got the same shitty nav unit that the brz has.

The new outback looks like a step up, but it doesn't have the 2.0 turbo engine as an option. Just the ancient H6.

[68_427]

The idk if 6-7 years is ancient.

[MX793]

The idk if 6-7 years is ancient.

Try 14-15 years old...  The EZ series H6 came out for the 2000 model year.

[68_427]

The 3.6 itself is only 7-ish

[MX793]

The 3.6 itself is only 7-ish

I think it's newer than that, even.  But punching out the bore/stroke doesn't really make it a "new" motor.

[MrH]

It makes mediocre power and is pretty thirsty. Better torque curve on the turbo 2.0 too.

The Outback and forester have nearly identical cargo and passenger volumes. Same ground clearance. Within a grand or two on price similarly equipped. Weird there are two models so close to each other in the same company.

[hotrodalex]

You should be used to torque dips by now.

[68_427]

There are wagon people and there are not wagon people.

[hotrodalex]

Wagon people and tall wagon people.

[GoCougs]

Clearly, the best choice here is a G37x sedan. At least in my area they're super easy to find at $20k range and with under 50k miles. Has all the passenger space a bachelor would need. Put ski and bike racks on it. Put snow tires on it in the winter. Better posh and performance relative to the other cars discussed ITT esp. a Forester or Outback.

[68_427]

It's hardly a tall wagon anymore.

[AutobahnSHO]

It's hardly a tall wagon anymore.

That's the first pic I've seen,

HAWT.

Forester looks to be the best bang for the buck in terms of size for the price. Not sure why the outback is so expensive in comparison. It's an older car with less room.

+1

The Forester was Subie's first "SUV"- the Outback was still a wagon until recently. Although my car compares exactly with a PT Cruiser for interior space, more of it is "usable" in a Cruiser if you don't want a looong tube of cargo..

[SVT32V]

Why get anything?

Your real complaint was on long road trips, buzzy light cars that get good mpg don't excel at this and never will.

When you need a comfortable cruiser just rent one, it will be cheaper in the long run.

[CJ]

Clearly, the best choice here is a G37x sedan. At least in my area they're super easy to find at $20k range and with under 50k miles. Has all the passenger space a bachelor would need. Put ski and bike racks on it. Put snow tires on it in the winter. Better posh and performance relative to the other cars discussed ITT esp. a Forester or Outback.

The answer is never G37x.

[68_427]

The answer might be rent an Escalade