Used "swiss army knife" vehicle?

Well a guy ran a red light and took out my trusty Honda Element. My back is a little tweaked, but my chiropractor should be able to fix that. So I need to get replacement wheels. I'd like to get the GRM hive thoughts on a replacement. I typically drive car-based SUVs and use them like trucks - always transporting tools, dogs, bikes et cetera. I like compact vehicles because a lot of my driving is in fairly dense urban areas, and frankly big = PTA.

What I liked about the Element: -Small footprint/large capacity -Good visibility -Pretty agile -Good wearing surfaces, not precious

What I didn't like about the element: -Lousy towing capability -Lousy seats -Wouldn't mind something quieter and a bit more refined (getting older doncha know).

Thoughts?

Any budget in mind or can I suggest a AMG G-wagon?

MSRP for an entry level is $220k

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-G/model-G65W4

I love my Mazda 6 wagon. It's not as tall as an Element but has decent room in the back. It's geared lower than it could be, so while it's comfortable, the engine noise on the freeway is a bit intrusive. Otherwise it's a nice solid mid-size car. Gets about 25mpg mixed.

RossD wrote: Any budget in mind or can I suggest a AMG G-wagon? MSRP for an entry level is $220k https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-G/model-G65W4

I'll take 2!

Sadly, since I'm hard on my vehicles I usually look for the best one that I can get for under $10K.

I'd consider a wagon. Shame there are so few.

Mazda5

Our crv has been great.

Both the RAV 4 and CRV are similar in size to the Element, but offer more comfort and refinement--- so those would be the "easy button". They are also both fairly entertaining to drive, can be had in manual trans, and are dead nuts reliable.

If you'd like to head "off the reservation" a bit....... the Scion XB may fit the bill. If you really want to get wacky---- Pontiac Aztecs can be had for cheap......real cheap!

Dusterbd13 wrote: Mazda5

Hmmm. Hadn't thought of them. Still marginal in the towing department, but where I live, they are 2/3 the price of a comparable Element, Rav4, Highlander, et cetera.

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Just saw a first-gen Xb in white with 2-3" drop and nice wheels.

Not bad looking at all.

And they seem VERY versatile. But towing? Maybe not.

Second gen Grand Cherokee maybe? They're cheap, they're pretty simple, they're fairly comfy and they're more capable than an Element. And still not huge or anything.

I have an Element and I know what you mean. I like it, but I'm not in love with it. The gas mileage is fairly unimpressive too for what it is. If I had to replace it, I'd definitely check out a Mazda5. From my brother's good experience with a RAV4, that would be on the list as well.

Decent towing capacity and compact/agile size are somewhat conflicting desires. I've wondered what vehicles punch above their weight in terms of towing.

JoeTR6 wrote: Decent towing capacity and compact/agile size are somewhat conflicting desires. I've wondered what vehicles punch above their weight in terms of towing.

How much you can tow with something small depends on a few factors. Being willing to run stiff suspension in the rear of the tow rig helps. And the less windage your trailer presents, the better. And you'll want to pay careful attention to things like tongue weight, minimizing weight behind the trailer axles (less momentum for sway), trailer brakes, etc.

I've contemplated getting a car trailer customized to pair up with the Jeep a few times... It would likely involve a 1 - 2 foot longer tongue than standard (puts more of the load deck weight onto the trailer axles, so the load can be moved forward a bit to reduce weight behind the axles without getting too tongue-heavy). Then add a good WD / sway control setup, good trailer brakes, etc.

JoeTR6 wrote: Decent towing capacity and compact/agile size are somewhat conflicting desires. I've wondered what vehicles punch above their weight in terms of towing.

Toyota makes V6 Rav-4s and Highlanders which have better towing capacity, but where I live those are popular cars with premium used prices. As for 4-cylinders, that topic has come up before. In Europe the manufacturers trust people to uses sense in their towing choices, and the mazda5, for instance is rated at roughly 3000 lbs. - enough for a small race car. In the USA, they don't seem to want you towing anything larger than a go-kart.

Last generation (2008-2016) Dodge minivan. What you describe is exactly how I use mine - pretty much like a truck. Even hauled a GT6 engine/trans combo home with it. The seat latch loops make for perfect tie-down points. Loading deck height is slightly less than an Element.

It's a couple of feet longer than an Element, but you get that back in a lot more cargo space. Width and height are about the same. Towing capacity is not great, but better than an Element (assuming you don't get the wheezy 3.3L OHV V6 like I did).

If I didn't want something better for camping, I would replace my current van (a 2008 GC) with a newer version with a 4.0 or 3.7 OHC V6.

Once in a blue moon, I use mine to actually carry people, but 99 days out of 100, the seats are stowed in "cargo van" mode.

When what you might be hauling is worth more than the van (my mountain bikes), few things are more stealthy than a Chrysler minivan.

Tahoe / Suburban.

I know you said you don't like "big" vehicles but I'm always amazed where our Suburban fits and how tight it turns.

My In-laws moved a Craftsman riding lawn mower in the back of a 2003-ish Dodge Grand Caravan.

I have a third generation 4Runner (98-02) that is a great swiss army knife. The seating position is pretty car like, it is actually a little smaller than newer RAV4's and Highlanders believe it or not, and I love the power rear window for when I have larger objects.

It can definitely tow, MPG probably slightly worse than the Element, and while they may "seem" overpriced they are indestructible and it will continue to hold it's value through your ownership.

In reply to Ian F:

Yep, sounds like a Pentastar (2011+?) Caravan with stow-and-go might be a great option.

Interior space utilization, exterior footprint, towing capacity...Pick two.

CobraSpdRH wrote: I have a third generation 4Runner (98-02)

My second gen would have been a great ride with the addition of a real engine. As it was, while slow, it still managed to get terrible gas mileage. Are the third gen's much better?

Driven5 wrote: In reply to Ian F: Yep, sounds like a Pentastar (2011+?) Caravan with stow-and-go might be a great option. Interior space utilization, exterior footprint, towing capacity...Pick two.

We have a 14 town and country and a 12 mazda5. Both fit the bill, can move the family, can move furniture, can move engines, can move semi tires, get decent mileage; one can be made to handle but the GC/T&C is the Swiss Army knife of all things.

Driven5 wrote: In reply to Ian F: Yep, sounds like a Pentastar (2011+?) Caravan with stow-and-go might be a great option. Interior space utilization, exterior footprint, towing capacity...Pick two.

I think 2012+ for the Pentastar. At any rate, 2012+ guarantees you the larger front brakes that don't overheat / warp. The GC/T&C are always my vote for Swiss Army Knife vehicles, but towing capacity over 3000 lbs is their kryptonite.

Are you handy? First-gen Ford Transit Connects are getting cheap. If you're handy, you can build the cargo hold into whatever you want it to be, and if you put in some insulation as you customize, they're none too noisy.

What about a FJ Cruiser? The early models are creeping into the $12k range around here.

Kreb wrote:

CobraSpdRH wrote: I have a third generation 4Runner (98-02)

My second gen would have been a great ride with the addition of a real engine. As it was, while slow, it still managed to get terrible gas mileage. Are the third gen's much better?

I think it retains the 3.4L V-6, which is far from quick, but does manage to get out of its own way (versus the 2nd Gen). It didn't noticeably improve until the 4th gen when the V8 became an option. Mine averages about 18 mpg in mostly city driving. The third gen did come with a manual option, not sure if maybe that feels a touch quicker.

I can't believe that this was not already mentioned.