Vehicle help please

[emily_in_nc]

The Element really became my vehicle of interest because of it's flexible and large interior. I can put the bikes, upright with NO changes to the wheels inside it. I can put the kayaks on top. And we'll still have room to throw camping gear and whatever else in there, with just some seat changes.

Yep, that's us! We have the back seats out pretty much permanently so bikes can go inside upright, with plenty of room around them for luggage and gear, kayaks on top, and we're good to go. You also brought up a good point about the wipeable interior - I love it. I had bike grease stains on the carpet in my Forester's rear section.

I believe the Element also comes in a hybrid model now (confirmation, anyone?) I bought mine in '04 before that was an option. I would definitely go for it now if I were in the market, but I'll drive this one til it falls apart.

Emily

[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