Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

[lakelover]

The time has come to start looking for a used vehicle.

Just so you know where I'm coming from, I highly prefer 4-door sedans and currently drive an 02 Impala, before that, a 96 Lumina. The Impala has 192,500 miles on it and is starting to get into problems I don't want to deal with. Decent gas mileage is very important; I currently get (not towing!! ) a realistic 22-24 local and on a trip have gotten up to 34mpg. That's one thing I love about the 6 cyl sedans I've had.

Most of the time, I'm not towing, but need to tow a boat maybe four times per year, long distance (170 mi. one way). Two loaded boat trailer rigs weigh about 700 & around 100 lbs. Other towing is occasional utility trailer towing locally, picking up supplies etc., average rig weight maybe 300-700 lbs.

I don't like the new Impalas for myself at all, my wife has one. A pick up is absolutely out of the picture. As mentioned, I prefer the ride of a sedan, but might be persuaded on a comfortable riding SUV if it got what I'd consider to be "decent" mileage and had good interior space. I know I'll never approach my current mileage with an SUV.

Is there a magic bullet? I know that magic is in the eye of the beholder...

Budget is under $10,000. Good luck, right?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

For a car, how about a Buick Lucerne? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=26&searchRadius=75&listingId=313682879&Log=0

For a small SUV, I think Ford Escape's have always been pretty good. Chevy Equinox's aren't bad either. Anything larger is gonna get crap mileage.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

I think yer RIG would look Great being towed by this....

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

For a car, how about a Buick Lucerne? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=26&searchRadius=75&listingId=313682879&Log=0

For a small SUV, I think Ford Escape's have always been pretty good. Chevy Equinox's aren't bad either. Anything larger is gonna get crap mileage.

Thanks, I'll definiltely look into all of these.

I think yer RIG would look Great being towed by this....

Now yer dreamin', the reds would clash!! Unless I rolled on something a little closer in color.....let's see, what's the formaula again?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

There's dealers around that sell used police/patrol Ford Crown Victorias 4.6 V8, rear wheel drive, for $2500 to $7500, good heavy duty cars, some air shocks on back and you're ready to haul!...A SLED car might have less wear and tear than a Highway Patrol Cruiser...Good Luck!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Thanks, robert, but those mpg's are too low for me! Here in NY, the state is always auctioning off used Crown Vic cruisers near me.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Let me throw this out. Some of my research is pointing me toward the 2004 Subaru Forester. Prices seem reasonable, specs are in line, reliability reports look pretty good in general. In researching some old threads, I see that JB was crazy about his.

Towing capacity for the particular model is 2000 lb., so I'm well under that (I'd estimate 11-1200 lb. tops with the heaviest) with any of my trailer rigs & do open highway mostly, it generally looks like a better prospect than several 6-cyl sedans I looked at today.

Gov't mpg rating not towing is 19/25, as compared to my current Impala at 19/29, so it's in the ballpark.

Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

I had an older Subaru. They're renown for their head gasket issues. Depending on the year, plan on doing a set of those. It set me back $2500 through a private mechanic. The dealership wanted like $4000? They just don't get that good of gas mileage either. From experience, if you wreck one tire you have to replace them all because the tolerance is so low. I would check out the Ford Escape?

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

What year was it?

(Just as an aside, here is an article on that: http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/)

After looking into that issue a little, I have to admit that talk of expensive head gasket problems does make me nervous.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

My buddy has a Legacy wagon and just spent thousands on it doing the timing belt and some other stuff cuz they have to pull the engine to do it. And that price wasn't even at a dealer. And you would find it to be slow.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Yup, been looking at the recalls and digging deeper, asking around, and Subaru is out. Talked to my SIL last night who had one and the first thing she mentioned was "expensive repairs". From what I can find, new timing belt "recommended" at 105,000.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

The subeee's are nice. My son drives one with 190K. The only problems he had have been within the 5 speed tranny which him and I fixed and he recently had a new timing belt, water pump and head gaskets installed.

They are nice cars and perfect within your budget. The only other word of caution I know of is the head gaskets. When/if they leak the coolant is expelled under the car and fast.......... the warning light normally turns on too late and the engine is cooked.

There probably is not a used car lot up here that does not have one. I would look at places that get their cars at the auctions from CT which arrive in beautiful shape.......... and I would avoid the dealers who are all trying to make a killing on a used car. I would go to an independent dealer.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Having owned 3 Luminas/Impalas, I'm really tired of dealing with internal engine gasket problems. Among the 3 cars, I had to replace 4 intake manuifold gaskets. I know it can happen to any car, but with some, it's like a plague. Otherwise the Subarus look great, but that's a deal breaker for me.

I know what you mean about the dealers who think their cars are gold plated or something (or my wallet is). There are regional differences, but when I look at average values on Edmunds for instance, then find those models around here, the price difference is staggering. My advantage is that I'm not in a hurry at all, and am very willing to get up and walk out. A small dealer is fine with me as long as they are reputable. With the cars I'm looking at, there is only a 30 day warranty anyway.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

I will keep my eyes open up here (we are only about 2 hrs apart) and let you know if I see anything and PM you.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

if your towed items are under 1000#, I recommend a VW Jetta TDI sport wagon. 45mpg on average, about 30mpg pulling a pair of snowmobiles or a small boat at 65mph.

the TDI is bullet proof, and if you look at a '07 to '09, you can get the remainder of the factory warranty, and they are in the $10k range

Agreed that the subies have head gasket issues, however that has been rectified after '04. you can get an earlier one if it has already gone thru the factory HG recall.

I myself have an Audi Wagon, and if I had a small boat, I would tow with that. however unless you do the work yourself, the Audi service will kill your wallet.

the equinox is a great little vehicle. stay away from the pre '07's. the heater blend doors and actuators fail and thats an 8 hour labor job. the '06's were the worst year.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

I will keep my eyes open up here (we are only about 2 hrs apart) and let you know if I see anything and PM you.

Thanks.

if your towed items are under 1000#, I recommend a VW Jetta TDI sport wagon. 45mpg on average, about 30mpg pulling a pair of snowmobiles or a small boat at 65mph.

the TDI is bullet proof, and if you look at a '07 to '09, you can get the remainder of the factory warranty, and they are in the $10k range

Agreed that the subies have head gasket issues, however that has been rectified after '04. you can get an earlier one if it has already gone thru the factory HG recall.

I myself have an Audi Wagon, and if I had a small boat, I would tow with that. however unless you do the work yourself, the Audi service will kill your wallet.

the equinox is a great little vehicle. stay away from the pre '07's. the heater blend doors and actuators fail and thats an 8 hour labor job. the '06's were the worst year.

Thanks, Scott, all suggestions are welcome.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Hmm, sedan four door with a comfortable ride that gets good milage and doubles as a tow truck... Umm, nope, nothing comes to mind.

I've got one now, but it's dying!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

An update:

I've bought an 05 Malibu and will be picking it up Saturday. Woodonglass, I took your advice and bought it because the color matched my boat! Wait 'n see!

Specs are very comparable to my Impala, but a little more HP and torque.

The Impala died on the dealer's lot just after they gave me few hundred for it. (I was up front about its sporadic no-start problem.) It wouldn't start because of the computer gone to H, and I had to leave it there 3 days early. I couldn't raise any of the family on the phone, so they gave me a ride home in the Malibu. That's the second car I've traded in that wouldn't start at a dealer's just after they gave me $$ for it!

I'd say I got about all the Impala had to offer. <<Bottom feeder>>

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

Does it have a hitch?? You will have adequate power if you got the 6 cylinder...... I do know they have the smaller hitch 1-1/4" draw bars on that car.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Looking for that magic all-around used car - sometimes for towing

I'm about to order one from U-Haul. I have all 1-1/4" draw bars. It is the 6-cyl.