Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
1145 messages, Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM
You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester
|
|
|---|---|
|
Replying to: TWoP_Fan (Dec 28, 2008 6:31 pm) My wife has an '07 Santa Fe, and we do see a fair amount of snow and ice. We've never had a problem with traction (even with the stock all-season tires), and even in the worst cases we've only needed to push the button to get going. I wouldn't get such a vehicle for any kind of serious off-roading, but the Santa Fe does fine on dirt roads. It might be worth considering the AWD vehicles with this feature, provided you don't need low-range 4wd.
|
|
|
Replying to: stovebolter (Dec 28, 2008 7:55 pm) The RAV4 does have a 4wd lock mode as does the Jeep Patriot. These systems are much simpler and less likely to break. They also give power to all of the wheels at the same time, so when you really need it, there's nothing trying to get in the way. The 4 door Wrangler that recently came out is, of course, the real deal. It's pretty nice inside and it can be had for about $25K. Of course, the real solutions are things like a 2-3 year old 4Runner(though, new they are about $28-29K...) or a 2-3 year old similar 4x4 SUV. The type that you push a 4x4 button on the dash and you hear the front hubs auto-lock. Most makers have one vehicle like this at least. Nissan, Toyota, and even GM and Ford. Yes, you might have to get used at $25K, but the alternatives in that range pretty much are the RAV4, Patriot, and the Toyota FJ, which are all kind of mediocre choices. Oh - one more choice. You could always just get a truck. Most trucks have 4x4 as an option, and if you get one with an extended cab, you can fit 4-5 people in comfort. Some, like the Dodge trucks, are being sold at insane discounts now. MG and Ford have discounts that are equally insane. Then there's always the Toyota and Nissan trucks. Nissan Frontier Crew Cab(short bed) with 4WD and automatic and a tow hitch - $27K MSRP $1500 cash back on 2009 models and $2500 or 1.9% on 2008 models. Cars Direct price, delivered - $23,863 The Manual version - yes - 4WD and manual! is $22,880. Either option will leave you with room for a matching shell and carpeted bed liner to match. IME, Unless you absolutely NEED that 3rd row, there's no difference between this and a larger SUV, except for looks. Or get the XTerra. $22,625 at Cars Direct for the base 4x4 model. I don't think it gets cheaper than this. $25,782 for the off-road trim(recommended for bad weather)
|
|
|
Replying to: TWoP_Fan (Dec 28, 2008 6:31 pm) Ok, first of all your friend screwed up, not some "sensor". The sensors are there to help correct screw ups. Sometimes they can help, sometimes they can't. Depends on how bad you screwed up. I don't really like anything on your list, but the Sorento would probably be the winner if I had to choose. How about the Subaru? It's going to handle, drive, and ride better than any of those and yes it's AWD system is better than most 4x4 systems, nevermind it easily trumps ALL the picks above. |
|
|
Replying to: plekto (Dec 29, 2008 1:08 am) Care to list which 4x4 vehicles will spin all 4 wheels at the same time? Me thinks I can do it counting on one hand.....but curious what your take is. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: plekto (Dec 29, 2008 1:08 am) They are all primarily fwd vehicles, not true 4x4s. For most people, they are fine for virtually all normal driving conditions - paved/unpaved roads, snow/ice/rain/mud (not serious mudding, mind you). If a real 4x4 is needed, then yes, something like a used 4Runner (et al.) is a better option.
|
|
|
Replying to: stovebolter (Dec 29, 2008 7:37 am) And 25mph in really really bad weather, but it works, is a huge advantage. Subaru of course does this all of the time, which is nice. But most people don't go 50mph on ice and snow.(or shouldn't) But yes, none are a replacement for a real 4x4. And, as for the previous post, almost all larger 4X4s actually do give power to all of the wheels all of the time. You can see this usually listed as "part time 4WD" in the description, since you will destroy the transfer case running it on pavement for any length of time. But once engaged, it's the real deal. Doubly so if the system has locking diffs. Then you really only need one wheel to get grip to move. XTerra, Suburban, 4Runner, Durango, Explorer, almost *every* RWD 4X4 truck, and of course the big boats like a Land Cruiser, Expedition, Range Rover, Wrangler Unlimited, and so on. It's not going to try to be there to save you at 60mph in the rain. It's purely there for when you're stuck and in really bad need of traction. If you want a SUV with AWD for only the rain, Audi and Subaru are the only ones that do full-time AWD properly. Edit: Yes, Porsche(also Audi, technically), Mercedes, and BMW also have similar full time systems that work. But you *did* say 25-30k... 
|
|
|
Replying to: plekto (Dec 29, 2008 6:41 pm) Most of the trucks on the road, and particularly the SUV's with part-time systems have open-differentials on both axles. Like the Jeep Liberty base command-trac. So you're really only driving TWO wheels at the same time. And the open diff will typically favor the wheels with the least amount of traction. So really, the electroncic systems could be better for the average driver.
|
|
|
Replying to: sebring95 (Dec 29, 2008 8:09 pm) Actually *my* 4Runner is a bit older and has a manual transmission and actual gear levers to engage everything. IIRC, you can get a Patriot with 4x4 and manual transmission. No low range, though, but no gimmicks, either - really does go off-road if you want. The XTerra also can be had with a manual setup.
|
|
|
Replying to: plekto (Dec 30, 2008 11:03 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: sebring95 (Dec 31, 2008 6:20 am)  They are at least trying and are decent in off-road conditions. Perhaps a more accurate criteria in my book, then, would be that the proper 4x4 has equal power to the front and rear without any computers or other idiocy trying to transfer power back and forth. And on a lot of vehicles, a locker is possible to add after market if you REALLY need it.(a Wrangler, IIRC, does come with the option from the factory...) |
|
You are here:
Forums
Smart Shopper What's the best vehicle for my needs?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
