Vehicle help please

[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.

[KnottedYet]

I think Trek has an Alero. (I cleaned the thing, you'd think I'd remember what it is... brain like a steel sieve, I tell ya!) Now she's looking at Hondas and VW biodiesels.

[Trek420]

Yep. Olds Alero with a roof rack. Don't tell it I'm looking at other cars.

[7rider]

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.

Wait!!! Are you talking Mini's - like Mini Coopers? Or mini - as in miniVAN?


I think I read somewhere that Subaru Outbacks (didn't they used to just be a trim level in the Legacy line?) were re-categorized as a "truck" by Subaru to get around EPA mileage standards. Hmmmm.

That said, they're great buggies. Unofficially (maybe officially) the state car of Vermont, too. DH has a Impreza WRX. It's a little rocket! All my in-laws seem to have Subarus. You go to a family affair, and it's like a freakin' dealership parking lot in the driveway!

[chickwhorips]

Wait!!! Are you talking Mini's - like Mini Coopers? Or mini - as in miniVAN?

mini as in minivan.

i think the mini coopers are cool! though not very practical in anchorage.

[KnottedYet]

I think I read somewhere that Subaru Outbacks (didn't they used to just be a trim level in the Legacy line?) were re-categorized as a "truck" by Subaru to get around EPA mileage standards. Hmmmm.

yeah, the poor Outback H6 only gets 22-24 mpg. The Outback H4 (same engine as the Legacy/Imp/Forester) gets the same mileage as the rest of them.

The H4 is pretty darn powerful as it is, so unless you have a large object to tow I'd think the H6 wouldn't be worth the lower gas mileage.

MotorWeek did a review of the Outback H6. They only got 20 mpg. http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/longterm/2001outback.shtml

[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.

[chickwhorips]

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

is it the new or used?

how long are they usually out for? i won't be able to buy one till i get into town at the end of the month.