[buildyourown]

Ok, I'm bored. (My boss is gone)
We are talking about downsizing and becoming a 1 car family.

Criteria:
holds 4 bikes and 4 people.
Gets 30-35mpg
Under $30k
Isn't a POS

 

[dexterq20]

Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS wagon.

 

[manziman]

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

That is probably going to be tough. A Honda Element with a roof rack/hitch would fit that bill, for well under 30k. If the Tacoma, or Nissan Frontier still came in 4 Cylinder you'd be in business, but you arent going to get that mileage from a stout v6 unfortunately. A number of sedans fit that bill if you consider "fitting 4 bikes" includes a 4 rack carrier on the back, and or a roof rack and hitch mount of some type.

 

[narlus]

is the mileage range overall driving, and do you do mostly highway? for 4 bikes, i'd go w/ a hitch rack and roof rack. i could fit 4 bikes and people in my civic, if i throw my roof rack on. it's well under 30K and can get much better than 30mpg.

 

[H8R]

2005 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon diesel w/ an extra wide Thule rack on it.

http://configurator.carprices.com/carprices/color_direct.html?100016659

 

[buildyourown]

I know it's tough, that's why I asked.

My current list:
Passat TDI (I like diesels)
A3
Element



Dex, subis get bad mileage, they're out.

Manzi, I already have a lifted f350. It's awesome for roadtrips but it's not the best daily driver.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

2005 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon diesel w/ an extra wide Thule rack on it.

http://configurator.carprices.com/carprices/color_direct.html?100016659

There ya go. I dont know why my mind immediately went to Truck/SUV.

Mazda 6 wagon is nice too.

 

[SkaredShtles]

2005 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon diesel w/ an extra wide Thule rack on it.

http://configurator.carprices.com/carprices/color_direct.html?100016659

Now you're talkin'!

What kinda mileage that thing get?

 

[luken8r]

im not going to look it up, but i dont think the element gets more than 25mpg.

anything can carry 4 bikes if you have a big enough bike rack. you can get extra long bars for a roof rack or a hitch with a 4 bike hitch rack.

check that, i just did look it up
Element
City Mileage: 21-22 mpg Hwy Mileage: 24-26 mpg

looks like your looking at maybe a escape hybrid which gets around 30mpg

 

[buildyourown]

Now you're talkin'!

What kinda mileage that thing get?

I've already got a beetle tdi. They are rated at 49mpg hwy.
Not all cars can carry 4 bikes. I can't get a hitch on the beetle cause it's too low and the roof rack situation really limits it's weight carrying ability.

The backseat in the Jetta is a bit small for me (I'm 6'1")
I'm thinking the Passat is my only choice, I'm just looking for more options.

 

[luken8r]

The backseat in the Jetta is a bit small for me (I'm 6'1")
I'm thinking the Passat is my only choice, I'm just looking for more options.

in that case, you should rule out the A3 as well as theyre on the same platform and I would imagine the seating room would be pretty close

 

[Snacks]

I know it's tough, that's why I asked.

My current list:
Passat TDI (I like diesels)
A3
Element



Dex, subis get bad mileage, they're out.

Manzi, I already have a lifted f350. It's awesome for roadtrips but it's not the best daily driver.

We test drove the A3 wagon last week and it was amazing :heart:

Rob: There is no way you can get 4 ppl plus bikes in a Nissian Frontier

 

[SkaredShtles]

I've already got a beetle tdi. They are rated at 49mpg hwy.
Not all cars can carry 4 bikes. I can't get a hitch on the beetle cause it's too low and the roof rack situation really limits it's weight carrying ability.

The backseat in the Jetta is a bit small for me (I'm 6'1")
I'm thinking the Passat is my only choice, I'm just looking for more options.

Why would you ever be in the back seat?

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Rob: There is no way you can get 4 ppl plus bikes in a Nissian Frontier

Really. You guys do stuff kinda weird up in the PNW. Either that or you all are kinda big

 

[buildyourown]

Are you calling Snacks fat?

And yes, I'm afraid to drive the new A3. According to audi, the backseat is bigger than even the A4. Seems they sacraficed trunk space a bit.

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

volvo v70????? the base model should get close to 30mpg on the highway....

 

[Snacks]

Really. You guys do stuff kinda weird up in the PNW. Either that or you all are kinda big

Have you sat in the back seats of those things? I can fit back there but Tyler or any other guy would have their knees in their chest...

 

[buildyourown]

Trucks are out.
My current truck gets close to the same mileage, has tons more room, and more ponies to boot.

 

[Snacks]

And yes, I'm afraid to drive the new A3. According to audi, the backseat is bigger than even the A4. Seems they sacraficed trunk space a bit.

The back seat in the A3 was good, but the trunk is tiny! They do come with a full lengh sun roof :love:

We have finally settled on a Jetta TDI wagon.

 

[oly]

Have you sat in the back seats of those things? I can fit back there but Tyler or any other guy would have their knees in their chest...

and the bed is useless... might as well buy a Yugo.

 

[oly]

Jetta eh?

 

[Kornphlake]

focus wagon, then rice it out :evil:

Have you considered something like a Mercury Grand Marquis or Ford Crown Victoria, they are supposed to get near 30 MPG, they've got ample space in the rear seat and could tow a barge if you had to. You might not want RWD in the PNW, it's not a trendy little german car, and chicks won't dig it but it does meet your criteria.

 

[dexter]

toyota solara? just throwin it out, trd the hell out of it (sport kit, suspension, and blower) and it will still get great mileage and blow the doors off most cars

 

[buildyourown]

focus wagon, then rice it out :evil:

Have you considered something like a Mercury Grand Marquis or Ford Crown Victoria, they are supposed to get near 30 MPG, they've got ample space in the rear seat and could tow a barge if you had to. You might not want RWD in the PNW, it's not a trendy little german car, and chicks won't dig it but it does meet your criteria.

Wow, you got some good ideas
I do have a friend who is trying to unload a couple of police surplus crown vics.....

And yes it needs to be snowy road compatible. I don't need 4wd but good FWD is a must. I don't think an overpowered RWD car would cut it.

 

[buildyourown]

toyota solara? just throwin it out, trd the hell out of it (sport kit, suspension, and blower) and it will still get great mileage and blow the doors off most cars

My grandmother has a Solara, nuff said.

 

[Lexx D]

My grandmother has a Solara, nuff said.

Your grandma sounds like a cool chick.

 

[buildyourown]

Your grandma sounds like a cool chick.

Grandma in-law.
She's 85 and traded in her 2yo eldorado. It wasn't "sporty" enough.

 

[H8R]

2005 Volkswagen Passat Wagon


EPA Fuel Economy


Fuel Type

Diesel

MPG (city)

27

MPG (highway)

38

MPG (combined)

31

Annual Fuel Cost*

$1134


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml

 

[Lexx D]

Honestley look at wagons, no sport ute or truck is gonna get the milage you want. I wouldn't buy a VW until they bring up the quality control(do a little research). So that leaves a toyota matrix(gets 26-31 even in awd) or a suby(which will get about 25, less with a roof rack). To carry 4 people/bikes you may need to give a little on the gas milage.

 

[SkaredShtles]

<snip> a suby(which will get about 25, less with a roof rack).

Are they getting worse mileage than they used to? My '97 Outback gets 25 with rack.

Of course, not with rack loaded with bikes.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Have you sat in the back seats of those things? I can fit back there but Tyler or any other guy would have their knees in their chest...

Well that's where the chics belong, unless of course they are driving back to the bottom of the mountain on a shuttle run ink: ink: ink:

 

[H8R]

Are they getting worse mileage than they used to? My '97 Outback gets 25 with rack.

Of course, not with rack loaded with bikes.

We are getting about 25, right after the recent tune up.

Subies get dismal MPG.

 

[SkaredShtles]

We are getting about 25, right after the recent tune up.

Subies get dismal MPG.

Yeah. That's my complaint. 25 is crap.

Of course, my Honda Odyssey is even worse.

 

[buildyourown]

Are they getting worse mileage than they used to? My '97 Outback gets 25 with rack.

Of course, not with rack loaded with bikes.

Most new subies have turbos on them so yes, the mileage got worse.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Yeah. That's my complaint. 25 is crap.

Of course, my Honda Odyssey is even worse.

but then again, except for the turbo models, your Odyssey is faster and handles better

 

[Kornphlake]

2005 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Annual Fuel Cost*

$1134


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml

Assuming you drive what 5000 miles a year? As a single car family I know we spend ~$60 per week in our saturn that gets about 30MPG, that's more like $3120 annual fuel cost. Desiel fuel is slightly more expensive in California.

 

[H8R]

Assuming you drive what 5000 miles a year? As a single car family I know we spend ~$60 per week in our saturn that gets about 30MPG, that's more like $3120 annual fuel cost. Desiel fuel is slightly more expensive in California.

Go to the ding dang site, noob!



You can dial in the annual cost by mileage and per gallon fuel costs on the site. Pretty handy.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Assuming you drive what 5000 miles a year? As a single car family I know we spend ~$60 per week in our saturn that gets about 30MPG, that's more like $3120 annual fuel cost. Desiel fuel is slightly more expensive in California.

$60/2.4=25 gallons of fuel a week x 30mpg =750 miles per week x 52 weeks a year = 40000 miles per year. Holy smokes man, get on your bike more

 

[SkaredShtles]

but then again, except for the turbo models, your Odyssey is faster and handles better

I don't know. That damn minivan handles like an overweight pile. My Outback is much nicer in the handling department.