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Need a new car, gimme input

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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Long story short, totaled my 04 XC70. Loved that thing for two reasons; AWD for PNW winters and it was spacious for a mom wagon. I want some input on other AWD (not 4wd) cars/suvs that would be able to get up and down from the mountain during winter and be able to fit a bed in the back. Also, Im headed out to Montana State for the next four years so think Montana winters and stuff when recommending anything.
Heres my list so far so any input is appreciated

Another XC70
Forester XT
WRX/Saabaru (maybe a little small?)
3rd gen 4runner limited
Grand Cherokee limited/laredo
etc.

Whatever car im going to end up getting is getting a few things. First, a little lift. I regretted never putting a bad swede lift on my xc70 so if i get a wagon, you better believe its goin up 2-2.5 inches. Same goes for the 4runner and jeep. If i end up getting a midsize like those id probably do an old man emu 3.5 lift on them and put some 31 or 33s underneath. I also get that more than just springs are needed to lift properly so don't go chewing my ass out in the comments for something along those lines haha. Second thing the car is getting is better bumpers. This is up for grabs on the subarus but I probably wouldnt have totaled my volvo if I had a little shitty tube bumper on the front or something of the sort. Lastly, the thing is getting racked up. I work for a rack shop so I have access to all the normal rack stuff plus the "fuck it, lets weld that bitch to the roof" sorta things too.

Anyways, any input/help would be appreciated from the car geeks of NS. Also any tips with these cars/good components for them would be helpful too. Thanks peeps.
Jan 25 2018 12:35AM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
1992-1996 Ford F-150, get it with 4wd, straight six and 5 Speed manual. Dead nuts reliable and super simple to work on. Will clear 33s with a leveling kit. I've had two trucks in this body style now and they are some of the toughest most reliable trucks ever made.
Jan 31 2018 1:44AM
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Dash69
Posts: 57 - Karma: 147
Rum_Ham1992-1996 Ford F-150, get it with 4wd, straight six and 5 Speed manual. Dead nuts reliable and super simple to work on. Will clear 33s with a leveling kit. I've had two trucks in this body style now and they are some of the toughest most reliable trucks ever made.


If you're going to get a truck, its impossible to beat an old tacoma or T100 manual.They'll never break down and you can definitely sleep in the back if you add a bed top. Top gear did a whole episode on how its impossible to kill a Toyota truck. That said, they won't be cheap, as they hold value so well
Jan 31 2018 2:04AM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
Dash69If you're going to get a truck, its impossible to beat an old tacoma or T100 manual.They'll never break down and you can definitely sleep in the back if you add a bed top. Top gear did a whole episode on how its impossible to kill a Toyota truck. That said, they won't be cheap, as they hold value so well


Trust me, those old fords are on the same level. Obs fords, square body chevys, and those older toyotas are the best trucks ever made. The fords are just the cheapest currently and they don't rust as badly as the toyotas which are known for frame issues.
Jan 31 2018 2:07AM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,355
Dash69If you're going to get a truck, its impossible to beat an old tacoma or T100 manual.They'll never break down and you can definitely sleep in the back if you add a bed top. Top gear did a whole episode on how its impossible to kill a Toyota truck. That said, they won't be cheap, as they hold value so well


I don't have one, but I second the taco. It would probably be the truck I would buy on a budget as they hold value.

...Hilux diesel is coming soon, but way too expensive
Jan 31 2018 5:13AM
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mtbakerpow
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 927
try and find a one owner Subaru..don’t be afraid to low ball the shit on any vehicle you find a bit over your budget!

im actually also looking for a new car and have no idea what to get.just got a truck but don’t want to drive it daily,thinking about a golf 4motion sport wagon or alltrack
Jan 31 2018 6:11PM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
mtbakerpowtry and find a one owner Subaru..don’t be afraid to low ball the shit on any vehicle you find a bit over your budget!

im actually also looking for a new car and have no idea what to get.just got a truck but don’t want to drive it daily,thinking about a golf 4motion sport wagon or alltrack


My mom has the alltrack right now and loves it. Super spacious and has the center of the rear seat drop thing so you can slide your skis through if you dont have a box or ski racks. Also gets pretty good mpg and is pretty zippy around town haha.
Jan 31 2018 7:49PM
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mtbakerpow
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 927
ZypherMy mom has the alltrack right now and loves it. Super spacious and has the center of the rear seat drop thing so you can slide your skis through if you dont have a box or ski racks. Also gets pretty good mpg and is pretty zippy around town haha.

Does it feel slow on the freeway?srill havnt driven it but I see a lot of them havnt sold at dealers and are on sale so I’m thinking about getting it when the new 2018 models arrive and the dealers are really wanting to get rid of the older ones.also do the seats fold flat enough to sleep in the back?do you think it’s too much of a soccer mom car?
Jan 31 2018 8:36PM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
mtbakerpowDoes it feel slow on the freeway?srill havnt driven it but I see a lot of them havnt sold at dealers and are on sale so I’m thinking about getting it when the new 2018 models arrive and the dealers are really wanting to get rid of the older ones.also do the seats fold flat enough to sleep in the back?do you think it’s too much of a soccer mom car?


Yes and no, at 5th and 6th gear it drives super smooth without much pickup in rpm but at lower fears (1-3) it’s super quick up to around 60mph. The seats in the back fold flat so there would be no trouble sleeping in the back and the leather seats are firmer so they will not wear out super fast. Definitely test drive one, I don’t think it’s a soccer mom car and I’ve seen a few around town that are pretty tricked out for mountain rigs. My moms does look like a mom wagon a little but that’s to be expected with a newer, perdominatly white car, darker colors look pretty dope on em like the gti
Jan 31 2018 9:13PM
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TheTropics
Posts: 101 - Karma: 280
Zypherthanks for the input, based on what you've said, the outback xt is looking pretty nice rn. Little bit higher than the wrx + bigger booty gives is prime ski bumability haha.


XT is sick! Only thing i've heard bad is the clutch just feels somewhat disconnected. Also depending on the year, you'll have to replace the banjo bolt on the turbo because the stock one's screen gets clogged and your turbo can blow...
Feb 1 2018 1:02AM
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mtbakerpow
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 927
Deleted[/quote]

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2018 at 7:51:34pm
Feb 2 2018 5:39PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4874 - Karma: 17,330
mtbakerpow

I’m looking for this exactly but used/cheaper


My family car is a 2017 Alltrack, it's great. All the soccer moms around here drive minivans or crossover/suvs. I don't think the 1" extra ride height makes the alltrack a crossover. You can get the 4-motion sportwagen which is lower and cheaper, we would have but didn't like the cloth seats which were mandatory with the 6-speed transmission.

It's not fast be any means but it has enough power and is reasonably quick of the line as stated earlier. You can install a neuspeed chip for $500 and push horsepower up to ~250. I'll likely do that after the warranty is up. We had a wrx hatchback until the second child and with the chip it would be closer to that level of performance. The alltrack handling is very competent and with a set of Continental extremecontact dws on it will no doubt improve...just have to wait a little while for the factory rubber to wear down.

Feel free to shoot me any other questions in regards to those vehicles.

My vote for OP is 4-runner. I'm a current taco' owner.
Feb 3 2018 2:05AM
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mtbakerpow
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 927
Ya I’m still hoping I can find a cpo a4 allroad At a price I’m willing to pay,otherwith that alltrack seems like a great option for what I’d use it for. I have a new Tacoma for actual off-roading so don’t need serious capability from a wagon. I’ll do the APR stage 1 or 2 right away with either one I end up with later this month and agree with you about the 4Runner for OP.
Feb 3 2018 2:49AM
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