Vehicle help please

[Tuckervill]

My bikes wouldn't fit standing up in a Forester, but they roll right in the Element. Plenty of room for dogs and bikes, even if you don't remove the back seat, because they fold up along the windows.

And Mr. Silver, I am old and frumpy, and I love my Element. My 72 yo pop has one, too.
Karen

[KnottedYet]

I looked at an Element and really liked it, but the increase in price (new) to get AWD was utterly insane (like $4k more than an Impreza) and the AWD at that time only came as an automatic. Grrr!

The Element is a very cool car for hauling stuff. Just be aware that the overlapping doors substitute for the "B" pillar in a crash. You don't have kids to worry about, so I don't imagine that'd be an issue.

I sure did like the Elements, though... but I have SKnot to consider!

[chickwhorips]

i just looked at the elements and i'm in lllllloooooovvvvvveeeeee!! the great thing is you don't have to take the bike apart. finding one, in my price range, in anchorae, may be a different story.

no kids, only peanut. she's more than enough to handle. couldn't imagine a human child thrown into the mix.

i looked into a subaru but they aren't high enough off the ground for my liking. they tend not to plow roads in anchorage and well crazy drivers, and i'd just feel safer.

[KnottedYet]

i looked into a subaru but they aren't high enough off the ground for my liking. they tend not to plow roads in anchorage and well crazy drivers, and i'd just feel safer.

Watch out for those optical illusions! The Element has 6.9 inches of clearance, the Subaru Legacy has 7.3 inches of clearance, and the Subaru Outback has 8.7 inches.

The Element is certainly taller head-room wise (and what's an inch or two of ground clearance among friends, anyway ) and would certainly be better for hauling both bikes and dogs at the same time!

They are awfully cool cars. If you can't find a used one, at least go to a Honda dealer in Anchored-down and take a new one for a test-ride! You could always make a trip to the lower 48 (say... hmm... maybe *Seattle*?) to find a used one.

Edit: Just for Snap I went back and searched the Forester's ground clearance. The LLBean limited has 8.1 inches, the standard has 7.9 inches.

[silver]

Ok, I know that you said SUV, and I don't know if there is a mini van that meets your road clearance and AWD needs, but I'll have to say that as much as I HATE the look of my minivan, it truly meets my bike and toting capacity needs. I regularly drive around with all gear necessary for running biking and swimming. It's the perfect triathlon vehicle. I'll bet with the seats out I could tote 4 bikes inside the van without removing wheels. I don't have dogs so I can't tell you about dog space. And You wouldn't have to pay a premium for an SUV.

[KnottedYet]

Remember the Mistubishi MPV minivan with 4 wheel drive!? That was an awesome minivan. I think Mitsu has come out with a new version, but it's more the luxury-type than the good ol' MPV was.

What about the Honda Vanagon or the Toyota M5? Those were good little 4wd minivans, too.

(I hope my Subi isn't reading over my shoulder... really Imp, I love you best!)

[chickwhorips]

for the record: i have nothing against mini's as a vehicle. great vehicle.

though as a teen i was TORMENTED by the fact that i had to drive one around. there were not one but TWO of them in my house. no way in he!! will i ever own one. i rather drive the worse vehicle out there then purchase a mini.

no offense to those that do drive a mini. like i said, they are great, but not for me. specially me, with no family, only a dog. in the opposite words of mr silver, i'm a young chick, i need something cool.

ironically when i was 20 and bought my alero, my dad said i should get a mini. i looked at him like are you crazy? i'm 20! and for the record, that was 6 years ago, i haven't changed my mind.

[Shiraz]

Chick,
We just went through the "what to buy that will fit our bikes inside" . I had a Toyota 4 runner and loved it. I could fit two bikes in without any problem. We have the bike rack that sits flat and you take off the wheel and attach the fork. We sold the 4 runner to my daughter and bought a Honda Pilot. I love it even more. There is more room in the cargo than the 4 runner. Both hold their value very well.

[Wahine]

CWR, I have a 2000 XTerra and I love it. It's a V6 basic Frontier engine that has the rep that it goes forever and because it's only 170 HP it gets better mileage than some of the more recent models. I can get my bike in the back without taking anything off if I lay it down. If I stand it up, I have to take the front wheel off. The other fun thing is that it has little rings and places to hook bungee cords so you can tie things in place to keep them from falling on the dog(s). Plenty o' room for the mutts.

[makbike]

I have a Ford Focus stationwagon ZTW and it does great. With the seats folded down I can easily slide either of my bikes (DF or recumbent) in the back and still have a little room in reserve (I've been known to stop at Sam's after a ride and pick up a few things and they all fit in the back with the bike).

I also have two big dogs, a Great Dane (130 lbs) and a blue tick hound (70 lbs) both of which fit comfortably in the back with the seats up or down. The bottom line is the back is very roomy and I continue to be amazed at what will fit back there!

Mechanically, I've not had any problems with my Focus (2003 model). It has just under 68,000 miles on it. It handles well on snow or wet roads. It is a tad bit noisy - the only drawback as I see it.

[Mr. Bloom]

THis month's Consumer Reports magazine is the annual auto guide...might be a few $ well spent.

[singletrackmind]

Whoo, am I late!

4Runner. Excellent. I have a 96 un-lifted with a 3.4 manual tranny. 4x4. It's suprisingly capable with no modifications.

19 mpg, about a 50/50 hwy/city driving w/10% ethanol gas. Not pretty.

I can carry a bike with the front wheel off without folding the rear seats. I use a sportworks hitch rack, though, and carry a baby trailer and all my bike stuff inside.

Stay away from the 3.0 (95 and older), underpowered engine, head gasket issues.

In the 3rd gens (96-2001, IIRC) the 99 is tallest. Get one with an e-locker if you can find it. Manual trans is better gas mileage wise. If you get an automatic it might be worth your while to get a transmission oil cooler. Don't bother with 2 wheel drive. If you get one with lift under 3" of suspension lift is recommended due to the strain on the CV joints. Body lift is another story, just remember the higher it goes, the more top-heavy it becomes. These things do fall over sometimes.

If you do your own maintenance it's not too bad with the 3.4 engine. It's no, say, Bronco II but if you fashion a funnel so you don't have to remove the skid plate oil changes are ok. Doing a timing belt and water pump weren't horrible, plugs are easy. It does have a timing belt so bank on that being changed every 60-90,000 miles. Also, the original water pump usually has to be changed too. Taken care of, the engine should last a very long time. Mine's at 156,000 miles, still going strong.

For more information on the 4runner try yotatech.com
Yes, there is a lot of wheeling tech, but there's also a ton of good information for the stock 4runner as well and the site is friendly and clean. There, the search button is your friend.

If you have any questions I can help with, like measurements in my '96 or whatever I'd be pleased to answer what I can.

[chickwhorips]

The Element has 6.9 inches of clearance, the Subaru Legacy has 7.3 inches of clearance, and the Subaru Outback has 8.7 inches.

this is the only thing that has now halted my consideration of an element.

[Mr. Bloom]

And Mr. Silver, I am old and frumpy, and I love my Element. My 72 yo pop has one, too.
Karen

I love it! The women I bought my red mercedes from is 70 and drives a mini-cooper now!

ironically when i was 20 and bought my alero, my dad said i should get a mini. i looked at him like are you crazy? i'm 20! and for the record, that was 6 years ago, i haven't changed my mind.

Good Call in your 20's! Silver's been a real sport to tolerate keeping her minivan.

[emily_in_nc]

I love it! The women I bought my red mercedes from is 70 and drives a mini-cooper now!.

See? No need to avoid a particular vehicle because of your age! I bought my Element at age 43, and my step-mom bought one in her 60s. We both love them. The salesman when I bought mine said that boomers were loving and buying them just as much as the target 20-somethings demographic, much to Honda's surprise!

Emily