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As DH and I continue our conversations about what kind of cars we might buy in the next 0-3 years to best fit our new NH lifestyle I'm wondering what YOUR next car would be if you had to buy one during that time frame, AND WHY?
Also, comments/experience with these particular vehicles welcome...
Honda Ridgeline
Extended Jeep Wrangler (the 4-door version) or Toyota FJ Cruiser
Ford Flex or Honda Pilot
Toyota Rav4
If you are looking at a RAV 4, check out the Honda CRV. I have one and love it. I got it for the Real Time 4WD and it rocks in the snow (be sure to put on good snow tires). Gets pretty decent mileage too-I get anywhere between 22-26 mpg per tank depending on what type of driving I'm doing.
I've not driven any of those vehicles so I can't comment, but the one feature I would definitely include on my next car (which is on my existing car) would be All-Wheel-Drive.
As DH and I continue our conversations about what kind of cars we might buy in the next 0-3 years to best fit our new NH lifestyle I'm wondering what YOUR next car would be if you had to buy one during that time frame, AND WHY?
Also, comments/experience with these particular vehicles welcome... Honda Ridgeline
Extended Jeep Wrangler (the 4-door version) or Toyota FJ Cruiser
Ford Flex or Honda Pilot, Toyota Rav4, ~ NDQ
Ford makes the safest Trucks and most reliable. The Ford F150 & 250 is built around a very strong frame! My neighbor had a big ToyotaTundra and he was in a head on with a Ford 250. The ford 250 won where his Toyota Tundra was totaled.
These Toyota, Nisan and Honda Trucks are basically unibody construction even though the companies claim that they are on a solid frame, but the problem is that their definition of what is a steel cage and frame deviates greatly from the standards of American Truck makers!
My '99 (bought in '98) has almost 200k miles, many of which were HARD miles. It's been in the water, the dessert, and the ice/snow. It has never failed me when I needed it (including getting rear-ended while stopped for a light...the Izuzu Trooper was totaled...I need a new tailgate and my spare tire rim had a scratch). Some things of note:
- Manual Transmission is generally more reliable than an Automatic (an Auto has a given lifespan around 100k miles; a Manual will go 5x that with proper care, I replaced my clutch at 120k miles and still had about 2mm of material left...by my estimates good for another 40k miles at least).
- If there is an option to upgrade the axles, differentials, brakes, transfer case, etc...get it (again, the uprated versions are more durable...with a locking differential your spider gears, if it has them, take a lot less of a beating).
- Follow the maintenance schedule, flushing the transfer case/transmission/axles is not cheap...but that doesn't mean you can skip it.
- At your first fluid change...switch to full synthetics.
- Electrical gismos (power stuff like windows, locks, etc) will wear out...manual will not; its up to you what you want.
- Get the reasonably upgraded stereo, the car is not "quiet" with the soft top up and windows down.
- Part of the charm of the Wrangler is its quirkiness/personality/rough ride/noise...if its not a charm for you- look elsewhere.
That said- everyone I know who has owned a Wrangler and sold it, misses it (some have bought new ones as a result...one paid a premium to buy THEIR Wrangler back). It's a fantastic vehicle. That doesn't mean its for everyone, although 4 doors and improved comfort (without sacrificing capability) does help widen who its "ok" for.
The FJ is a piece of garbage... The old ones were neat, the new ones are very much like the Hummer H2, big...and they look like the "real" ones...but that's about it. I really wouldn't put it in the same category as the Wrangler (and I do like Toyota...so that has nothing to do with it); they designed it to capitalize on the same market as the H2...not my thing.
BF, the FJ and the Hummers are both being discontinued.
Good...
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