back to the cars thread

[surgtech1956]

I wish there was something 4wd that was efficient. I had a loaner Dodge Caravan for a few days and that was great - on gas + the room.

[KnottedYet]

Surg - if you want AWD and acceptable (not great) mpg, try looking at Subaru. I get around 30 mpg with my Impreza. They go from 90-10 to 50-50, so you always have some power going to the rear wheels, that's why the mpg isn't fabulous. If you want 100-0 and 50-50 (with no gradations, and no LSD - so watch for windup on corners) take a look at the mid 1980's Subaru GL. There are still some around, but you'd have to get out of the salt to find one.

Jeep is doing a diesel, and their warrantee covers B100. Kind of expensive, though.

Last time I looked, the Element came with an AWD option. But only on the automatic, so that tossed the Element off my short list when I was car shopping.

[Starfish]

Last time I looked, the Element came with an AWD option. But only on the automatic, so that tossed the Element off my short list when I was car shopping.

Yep, I have the AWD AT. I also really bridled at buying an automatic. But, I have to say, I'm getting plenty used to it, and I have been VERY happy with how the AWD, with stock tires, performed last month up in the mountains with fresh snow, and also with compact, icy snow. Also, went camping on Friday night, and was reminded of how glad I am to have the head-clearance in the back for standing up (kind of) in the back. It makes a great "tent."

[KnottedYet]

I was very tempted by the Element, and went back to the Honda dealer a couple times. My 1987 Honda Accord hatchback was such a great car, great mileage and it could haul bikes and furniture with ease. Unfortunately, a tree fell on it and totalled it. I like Hondas.

[Blueberry]

Last time I looked, the Element came with an AWD option. But only on the automatic, so that tossed the Element off my short list when I was car shopping.

My 2005 Element is AWD and a 5 speed. I know they did make one in 2007. FWIW I refuse to drive anything that isn't a manual.

[KnottedYet]

My 2005 Element is AWD and a 5 speed. I know they did make one in 2007. FWIW I refuse to drive anything that isn't a manual.

Oh, man! If I'd've just waited a year I could've got one! (or at least test-driven it, maybe I should go test drive one anyway... hee hee!)

Edit: oh, yeah... look! http://automobiles.honda.com/element...Model=YH2738EW

[Skierchickie]

I've got a 2005 VW Jetta Wagon that I love. With the back seat down, I can fit one of my bikes (50cm, so not a big one) in with the front wheel on, with the handlebars turned a bit. If I need to fit 3 people and 3 bikes, I can fold down 1/2 of the back seat, pop off the front wheel, and still fit it in (carefully, so I don't get grease all over the side of the seat). And put two more on the roof rack. I think I could squeeze three on the rack, if the middle one was pointing backwards.

Worst mileage ever: 38 Best ever: 49. The 49 was in September, on a trip downstate, without bikes or the ski box, but the bike trays still on the roof rack. The 38 is pretty uncommon. Usually average 45-ish in the summer.

Love it. Love the gentle diesel purr. Can hardly hear it inside the car, and when I'm stopped in the summer, sometimes I roll the window down so I can hear it. I think it is a soothing sound. And this car has more oomph than anything I've ever owned. And I got the stability control, so with a good set of snow tires it handles in the snow quite a bit like the awd Subaru Impreza Sport I used to have, even though it is just front wheel drive. I was worried when I bought it, because of where I live.

I don't know if they have the diesel wagons here yet. Mine is the old body style (2005, but actually made/purchased in 2004). There was some delay with getting the new diesel sedans in the US, and even the gas wagons were being released after the gas sedans.

[Tuckervill]

My Element is AWD and automatic. I never want to have to shift again, after I drove my son's Civic to Florida once. (My first few cars were 5 speeds, but now that I'm a grown up...no thanks.)

I pulled my husband's F150 out of deep gravel on the bank of the Buffalo River last summer, with my Element.

Karen

[IFjane]

My Element is AWD and automatic.
I pulled my husband's F150 out of deep gravel on the bank of the Buffalo River last summer, with my Element.

Karen

Mine is an automatic and AWD.

I have never pulled an F150 out of gravel on the bank of a river, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once!

[bluebug32]

Surg - if you want AWD and acceptable (not great) mpg, try looking at Subaru.

I have a '07 Subaru Outback Sport. I can easily fit a bike in the car (wheel on) and then two more on top. I seem to average 26-27mpg and a little less with bikes on the top, but I mainly do stop and go city driving. It's been a great car so far and tremendous in snow.