flatsixnut

I dont know why people always have to lean towards the mercs and the bimmers. Do you have to have the name brand? How about a used Toyota 4Runner? Nothing needs to be said about the great quality and high millage these Toyotas get. I really like the older style but my wife has a new one, and I cant say enough great things about it.....except it aint a Ford truck, and it sure as hell aint a 911.

I would definitely crate a dog in the back of an SUV if it had a tendancy to **** in my car.

DARISC

I'm not a fan of SUV's. I could be wrong, but it seems to me a full size station wagon trumps a full size SUV as far as practical interior space is concerned. Lower cg, safer, better aerodynamics, better looking (my opinion) and cheaper to run.

ked

"I dont know why people always have to lean towards the mercs and the bimmers. Do you have to have the name brand?"

No, names mean nothing to me, quality of content & experience does. I can only own cars that I find appealing to my tastes primarily focused on the driving experience. Since I maintain my own cars & gain satisfaction from doing so, they cannot be value-engineered, but built to a perf. standard that is alligned w/ my subjective tastes. And, alas, I am a creature of habit, so having driven & owned Porsches, BMWs & Alfas since the late '60s, I cannot tolerate what I consider to be crummy cars. Just my problem, ymmv.

jakeflyer

You said the ALFA word. I have 2 projects, a 2600 conv and a 2600 coupe. Been backward about saying the Alfa word here. I hate working on the Alfas. I enjoy working on the 911. Both are fun cars to drive, but the SC is easy to keep up with and the Alfas have died and stayed that way. Cams that have to come off to put in shims to set the valves, side draft carbs that always seem to leak, and etc., but pretty they are. But as the complexity of the automobile becomes worse for the wrench, I think that pre-2000 is workable for me. 1961-62 Alfas, 1983 911SC, 1994 Chevy 1500 4x4 pickup, 1989 same thing. A crate engine for the Chevy engine or tranny is cheap and warranty at every Chevy dealer. Me working on the trucks save me the $ for my son to drive a 911SC. Working on the SC makes me happy, content and relaxed. Working on the Alfas-- oh yeah, they died.

ked

well, Joey, things have certainly taken a turn towards Project Car Hell, haven't they? I have some experience on the 2600s - a friend has a Touring Spider and a Zagato. I actually enjoy working on Alfas, but then I like archeology, too. One must reference motorcar design & engineering circa 1930 (the OHC & valve shims), but at least cam timing isn't harder than a 911. Think of it more like art restoration than typical mechanical repair. The air leaks are usually the carb mounts drying out & stress cracking - nothing lasts forever (2600s are as old as 356s), but driving an open Alfa on a nice day is hard to beat - a unique feeling. And a nice 2600 will cruise!

Mike Murphy

Well, if you like it, then go for it. I also 2nd what someone else said about Jeeps. Once you're a Jeep person, that's it - you're there for life. My father has owned 8 Jeeps in 25 years, so I kind of grew up with them.

OhioMark

Michael;

I had two Jeeps ( 94' Cherokee & 97' Grand Cherokee) before buying my
03' Durango. I never had a major problem with them and only sold them
because I needed better towing capacity. Good vehicles for the moneyand
they handled alot better than the Dodge.

Mark

flatsixnut

Wow, I am surprised....thats a heck of a change from what you origanally posted you were thinking about getting. Joey the soccer dad. jk

Michael

Edward

Forget the SUV, IMHO. Gas hungry and other than tow capability, they get you nothing over a good wagon ...well actually, they DO get you a greater propensity to roll over in a collision.

For the needs you mention, I'd get a Volvo or a Subie of whatever variety fits your budget and tastes. I've owned a few volvos (7 series and 850) and they are solid workhorses; subies are japanese-reliable, but a bit smaller and less-well appointed.

Edward

OhioMark

Edward:

I've been driving SUV's for over 12 years and have never come close to
rolling the vehicle. I won't argue about the poor gas mileage, but I don't
believe rollovers are an every day occurrence in the proper hands. The
newer designs ( past 10 yrs.) have a wider stance and lower roll center.
I'll accept that chance because my Durango offers me greater protection
in the event of a crash than many ( not all) wagons, especially head-ons!

Thanks!

Mark

flatsixnut

Ditto that. My wife drives the SUV (2004 4Runner Limited), very nice car and she loves it. It pulls a trailer/boat no problem, has plenty of power and creature comforts, plus a a bit of luxury with the Limited package. Gas mileage...well it averages 25mpg the way she drives it...thats alot better than my 911 gets or my truck. Plus you get the reasale value and quality of built in America Toyota.

Chris M.

I'll give you the gas mileage thing but depending on what you need it for a wagon just won't cut it. I need 4WD with real ground clearance, more than 7000 lbs. towing capacity, and the ability to carry at least 6 people all of which unfortunately lead to a gas-guzzling SUV.
I had an Outback that I got rid of with 180000 miles and it wasn't the best car. 3 alternators, 3 batteries, the same leaky oil seal replaced multiple times...the thing just wouldn't hold oil. The only good thing was the 26mpg it got. I'm in a 98 4Runner right now and just replaced the original battery at 109K but the family is growing and I'll need a real tow vehicle at some point so it may not be around long.

25mpg? Even the 2WD V6 is only rated at 16 and 20. And if your 911 isn't getting 25mpg something might be wrong. My 964 got that and the SC gets at least 26 if I don't richen it up too much!

WitchDoctor

How reliable are the Volvo's of the last 8 or so years? I'm approaching being in the market for a do-it-all daily driver, like the altitude/bulk of the 4x4, but not the added expenses.

I've always had a thing for the Volvos, but my previous '82 wagon.... Grrrrr! It did ride like it was on rails, though.


About the Town & Country rainbow mobile... Like the Aztek, it's sure got the ugly factor working in your favor. I'm as surprised as you are that you liked it so well. Maybe I should consider one of those.

flatsixnut

Yes, she averages 25 mpg with the 4.0 v6 with 2wd. All her driving is on a toll way. She drives like a granny, never dipping into passing gear. When I drive it the display shows me averaging about 17mpg...but I have a very heavy foot.

As far as the 911, I have never actually checked the gas mileage. I cant imagine its close to 25mpg. I only drive it a couple times a week, and its only driven not parked somewhere. I drive it very hard whenever i do drive it, and I just put about 10 gallons of 93octane everytime it gets to a 1/4 tank. perhaps I'll fill her up just to check mileage, you have me curious now. I have only filled it up for long trips like over to Daytona or to North Florida to visit the folks.

My 5.4 V8 Ford F150 only gets about 10mpg while I am pulling a heavy trailer. I have babied it before running no trailer and got an eye poping 18 mpg.

Your 4Runner is the body style I have always liked...but the new body style has alot more room inside, and does not ride near as rough. These things have always been a great deal.

Edward

Did I hit a nerve

If one "needs" an SUV for towing or 4WD (real off-road 4WD, not the on-pavement variety that is available on so many good cars now), then sure, duh, SUVs offer that (I thought I had mentioned that already, kind of). I am speaking mainly of many folks' (and pardon me for my opinion) supposed "need" for an SUV when a wagon can often be had (except for the larger SUVs of course) with equal-better interior pass/cargo room. Recall what has been brought to the table by other posters: BMW and Merc wagons ...not exactly Suburban-size cub feet.

Again, it begs the question: what does an SUV get you that a wagon (of sim size, remember) won't get you? So go ahead and make the personal choice for the SUV, fine. I'm no anti-large-vehicle tree hugger, believe me! It's just an issue of "economics" to me, in the strict sense of the word. FWIW, I've nver felt at a loss with either a wagon or, Lord forbid, a minivan at my disposal. Ya wanna haul stuff? Then get what vehicle fits the stated task, not the perception. I thought we were talking dog and misc stuff in the back, remember?? Ah hem ...all IMHO of course.


Edward