Yet another what car thread...

Ok, here it goes. I'll try not to get all TL/DR.

In the next couple months our 05 Durango is going away. My wife will then take over my daily appliance hell, an 06 Pacifica.

This will take away my ability to pull a trailer. But, I have towed a trailer about four times since we've owned it- so six or so years.

So what to get? I've searched to the point I'm tired of looking, and I still don't know.

What must this vehicle do? Move two growing boys around including the stuff that comes with them (ages 9 and 7). Not force me to sell one of the boys if the car breaks.

It needs to be competent in wintry weather, as we will no longer have a 4wd vehicle.

It would be great if it could pull a small trailer, like a 4x8 HF trailer for moving drywall, crap to the dump, an occasional engine- maybe even a motorcycle.

Bonus points awarded if it could tow a Saab 900 on a dolly.

Extra bonus points if I could auto/rally cross it, but not necessary (because Saab).

You win the internet if it is something that isn't driven by a large percentage of the population already.

Budget is likely 20k max, we will be making payments on it.

Any ideas?

My $2500 subaru legacy wagon. Will do all but the tow dolley.....

In all honesty, your criteria are exactly why we bought it in the first place.

So, subaru wagon is your what car.

I think you owe it to yourself to buy the nicest Volvo V90 you can find, and tow that Saab around like the Norse God you were always meant to become.

Acura ZDX? It's based on the MDX, and is mechanically unrelated to the Honda Crosstour. Rated for IIRC, 2500 lbs, even though the MDX is rated 5000. SH-AWD, and if you get it optioned right, magnetorheological shocks. Cheapest one I found was around $16k, but if you set your ask to around $22k, you can find a bunch within easy talking distance of budget.

Trailblazer SS or for more quirk factor, the Saab 9-7 Aero version for same drive train in a more unique package.

Aero - For 2008 a new high-performance variant was added using the 390 horsepower (291 kW) 6.0L GM Small-Block LS2 V8 also found in the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac GTO, and Chevrolet Trailblazer SS. In addition to the LS2 V8, the Aero featured 20 inch wheels, improved suspension, a heavy-duty 4-speed automatic transmission and Aero-embroidered leather-appointed seats and floormats. Saab claimed that the 9-7X Aero could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. With very little modification, Aero owners are able to see 1/4 mile dragstrip times in the mid 12 second range.
Tow rating 6,500 lbs.

http://hooniverse.com/2014/09/26/hooniverse-obscure-muscle-car-garage-the-2008-09-saab-9-7x-aero/

Golf Tdi

Volvo V50 T5

V8 swapped Volvo 240

Tacoma pre runner

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Man I didn't know that 9-7 aeros had that stout of a tow rating, onto my watch list

Another vote for 9-7x Aero here- would be hilarious towing your 900 and checks all of the other boxes.

See, you guys are smart. These are all options I hadn't considered.

I would rock that "Trollblazer" Saab until the elk come home.

But the article states 639 were made- could be a unicorn?

I'll be doing some research on these options and I'm sure returning with questions.

Thank you!

Searchtempest shows 3 for sale in the US currently, one of which is local to me. They're comfy, fast, and you can sleep in them so it's a perfect fly n' drive car

What about the big Japanese SUVs? Landcruiser comes to mind.

NGTD wrote:

Good option, the Forester XTs are cool.

Also, how about 1st-gen RDXs? One of the less-offensive looking New Acuras, cool turbo power, an actually surprising amount of aftermarket (Tunes, exhausts, intercoolers, coilovers, etc all available.

Honda Tuning (RIP) had a project one that came out pretty cool and they had nothing but good things to say about it.

Dang, I kinda want that SAAB. Um. Hm. That seems like a very nice price for that kind of power and tow capacity.

paranoid_android74 wrote: But the article states 639 were made- could be a unicorn?

Checking the original post that ensures that not everyone else will be driving one, winning the Internet and meaning that you absolutely must get one. It's practically a Swedish inspired lifted CTS-V wagon.

captdownshift wrote: It's a Swedish-faced CTS-UV.

Fixed that for you.

The Toyotas I've been seeing (tacos, land cruisers, etc.) seem to be big bucks or big miles. Probably big bucks because they can go for big miles.

My mom drives a first gen RDX, and just had to sink a bunch of money into it. I don't remember what for, I'll have to ask. The ZDX is a new one on me- I can't decide if I love or hate the looks.

Subaru I'll have to look into yet, but that could be cool.

And the Volvo wagon. I really like them- especially the 240s.

For the right price fly and drive may be an option.

captdownshift wrote:

paranoid_android74 wrote: But the article states 639 were made- could be a unicorn?

Checking the original post that ensures that not everyone else will be driving one, winning the Internet and meaning that you absolutely must get one. It's practically a Swedish inspired lifted CTS-V wagon.

Hence my hesitation on the Subaru and the Volvo. There are lots of them around here. But that's a topic for the rant thread

$20k and two boys to tote around? Transit Connect XLT Wagon.

The_Jed wrote:

Riffing off of that, what about the Ford Flex in AWD Ecoboost V6 guise? Maybe not made by Scandinavian manufacturer, but it sure looks like has that "Stack of bricks" design philosophy of old Volvos. And they aren't particularly common.

Fits the family.
Not many around.
Load a motorcycle.
Tow a Saab.
Competent in winter.
Easy to fix.
Under $20,000.

On second thought, you need a Quigley!

paranoid_android74 wrote: The Toyotas I've been seeing (tacos, land cruisers, etc.) seem to be big bucks or big miles. Probably big bucks because they can go for big miles. My mom drives a first gen RDX, and just had to sink a bunch of money into it. I don't remember what for, I'll have to ask. The ZDX is a new one on me- I can't decide if I love or hate the looks. Subaru I'll have to look into yet, but that could be cool. And the Volvo wagon. I really like them- especially the 240s. For the right price fly and drive may be an option.

The Land Crushers seem to be highly regionally dependent on price, from what I've observed. I see FJ80s locally (Central PA) for about half of what I typically see in other areas of the country (sub $4k commonly around here.) Shop around and you might be able to find a deal.

I hate it when work gets in the way of my GRM time. I have cars I wanted to read about!

The Captain brings up a good point.

The one that Chris found has about 140k on the odo. What sort of mileage can be gotten out of a LS2 V8?

Edit: <img src="" />

I've seen the 6.0 truck engines still running strong with over 400,000 miles. My buddy's box truck has 330 and its 14,000 pounds and he is an idiot when it comes to vehicles. Friend of mine just traded a GMC 1 ton with 380. He's a mason, so you know that thing was abused hard.

I don't know how much difference it makes between the years and variations. I've seen those motors with collapsed lifters making noise, or cracked heads that need replaced, or piston slap. Nothing that can't be remedied, and they're reasonable to work on. Loads of high mileage examples though. I'd mostly be sensitive to the health of the transmission and axle.