Another what car thread

So ive relocated and had to thin down the herd to one car between swmbo and i. I start my new job next monday and shes got a load of interviews to go to so i need to get something quickly. Luckily theres a lot to choose from in my new area, portland but were having some difficulties deciding what car so i turn to the most trusted collective brain i know, GRM. ill give some needs desires and wants and yall go from there, later i might say what we are looking at but i dont want to bias anyone, i want to hear all good ideas that would work.

We have a too low turbo volvo wagon but really need another similar car but a bit more rugged prefer awd or 4x4 because we would like to go up some mountain passes in the winter, the random offroad/beach adventure, service roads ect. But we live in a city, not the city but a suburb so the more mpg the better as fuel is a bit more expensive here. As much as i like turbos i think her daily should be na just for cheaper fuel for her running to work and back weekly but not counting out anything turbo. Doesnt have to be lifted 4x4 mud tire machine but again not discounting them as long as it gets 20 or better freeway mpg. Reliability is major key here, normally its a non issue since ive got more tools than clothea but here i have no place to work on anything due to now living in an apartment complex. would like something not exactly sporty but no slug that would roll over if i get too excited driving down a mountain or whatever.

Those are all suggestions other than reliability and 4x4/awd which i feel are more necessities.

Since you like Volvos, why not a V70 XC?

NA, AWD, good reliability, and fairly common in the PNW.

AWD BG protege. As a bonus later on down the road the gtr engine is a bolt in affair.

Subaru legacy wagon.

Reliability, good mileage, somewhat offroadable? You want a cr-v.

gearheadmb wrote: Reliability, good mileage, somewhat offroadable? You want a cr-v.

QFT, I had a Subaru Forester and Legacy, I won't own another Subaru. Just too many headaches for a crappy driving experience and poor gas mileage.

CR-V is the answer here, it has decent ground clearance and the AWD will at least spin the back tires on occasion (although it is a mechanical system that can't be overridden to engage.) If I do the speed limit in mine I am right at 30 mpg on the highway and in the high teens in DC stop and go traffic running the AC. 08 EX-L AWD

If not CR-V, maybe an AWD Element? I think only the 2WD can be had in a manual, but they are very functional vehicles.

What's the budget? A 3.5L Rav4 AWD is a major sleeper, reliable, and a good car overall. The reclining middle row seems cavernous for passengers. Good space behind the seats.

Not sure what the budget was, but the Honda Accord Crosstour is like a Japanese XC70. With the old CRV's awd. Though I'm now not sure if the VCM is to be trusted or not on the J35. ( i believe you can get them in K24 flavor as well)

Thanks guys, ironically all these ideas are exactly what weve been looking at. Xc70's, foresters and outbacks, a few crvs, and highlanders. Guess i should check out the rav4 as well. Swmbos mom has a 3.3 fwd highlander and its quick but its really fidgity and tippy, and considering ive been in one that flipped we are both a bit weary abou them.

Swmbo likes the xc70s and v7xcs and they are all turbo around here ive got no issues with having two turbo volvo wagons, as long as ones a bit more capable and better mpg (the current redblock one gets 20ish on the highway)

Shes also a little keen on the crv but i feel we should really hold out for a k24 powered one because while it burnt oil bad the k24 accord we got rid of wasnt a bad motor power wise. Ive only driven the b20 from the older crv in frankenstein form with b16 vtec head, civic type r cams, and in a em1 civic but im thinking stock non vtec in a heavier vehicle would be more sluggish but i dont know. Im also kinda shying away from timing belt cars unless i know its been done recently because we dont have to place to do it and i would hate paying someone the 500-1k they charge for something i can do in a day with $100-200 in parts.

Also looked at a few 2001 era montero (non sport). Again its timing belt and probably crap mpg.

So i should stop looking at subarus? Flight service what was your issue that turned you off them?

My fall back, that no one mentioned is a jeep xj. Ive owned 4 of them and enjoyed them all. Borderline okay mpg, reliable as an ak47 and more spacious than...a miata.. Haha

captdownshift wrote: AWD BG protege. As a bonus later on down the road the gtr engine is a bolt in affair.

Did you mean gtr or gtir? I should probably check them out as well i know they were rare back home but i guess i havent given them any thought. Full time awd and not slip based like the crvs and xc70s?

Check out the rav4, the mid-00's and up are pretty roomy if you are normal sized up front, and very roomy in the middle. The 3rd row is an afterthought but that's true of most 20+mpg SUVs regardless. Also a 3.5 Rav4 is WAAAAY quicker than a 3.3 Highlander. People run 3.5 Rav4s into the 13s in the 1/4 mile with bolt-ons.

Seems the 3.5 rav4's are a bit out of our price range.

Swmbo keeps going back to those xc70 volvos but i worry about the famed bevel gear failure. Any way to check it before buying? I know if they go bad you can just disconnect the driveshaft to the rear but thats the whole reason we would buy an xc70 over v70 is the awd.

Used late 90s Range Rover.

In reply to Mister Fister:

Didnt i say reliability was most important? Lol. As much as id want one i could never trust one without a place to work on it daily. Not to mention the wheelbarrow of cash im missing to buy parts for it

Look for the Imprezza outback as well, you can always throw on forester springs if you want a bit more clearance.

Kia Sportage?

1996 and up 4 runner (not sure if this will give your your MPG you want)

Isuzu Vehicross!

With the new price restriction clarification i change my vote to 2nd gen AWD 5-spd manual CR-V. With the 6th gear add-on it may even touch 30mpg.

In reply to Vigo:

Being swmbos car she specified no manuals, she can drive one but chooses not to...women...

I put down some cash on a vehicle earlier today, I'll post a photo here when its in my posession tomorrow. Ill give a hint, its got a lift and was super cheap

she can drive one but chooses not to...women...

Ok. I just assumed that since you prioritized reliability you would rule out the single most expensive low hanging time bomb on a used car, which is the auto trans.

If it's about money or downtime, it's manual all the way.. maybe you can push that angle..

In reply to Vigo:

Oh i have and i told her when i buy her a car she has no choice, but this is her money on this one. Luckily what we're getting had the trans rebuilt a few months back but ill be putting a trans cooler in shortly after i get it.