Need a new commuter vehicle

[Greg]

With my job change, I've been driving in the mountains of Colorado and putting over 500 miles/week on my vehicle. I'm driving in very remote country, in an area where winters are brutal, some of my driving has me going over passes that are 8000' in elevation and we're already getting harsh snow storms.

I've seen many deer and a couple of elk on the road, locals hit animals quite often, especially in the early morning hours when it's pitch black out. Actually had an elk cross the road in front of me, 2 weeks ago.

So far I have been driving my front wheel drive Volkswagen Jetta, my 2002 Chevy 3/4 ton truck and this week my Jeep Wrangler. The Jetta won't do well when the deep snow and ice hits, the Chevy gets terrible gas mileage and the Jeep has a high center of gravity, isn't great on the freeway and I don't like putting 2000 miles per month on it.

What I really need is a vehicle that gets good gas mileage (20-25 mpg), is completely reliable and could stand up to hitting an animal (with the help of an aftermarket bumper) if the unthinkable ever happens.

Any suggestions for a vehicle that will get decent mileage, be excellent in deep snow and icy roads and possibly stand up to a deer or elk collision?

 

[jeeper]

Keep the Chevy. We call it a 12mpg insurance policy. Sure it will cost more in gas, but your life is worth it.

 

[Homefryy]

Not sure about the animal collision side of things but it sounds like you need a Subaru. I would go for an older Forester XT.

 

[Greg]

Keep the Chevy. We call it a 12mpg insurance policy. Sure it will cost more in gas, but your life is worth it.

You have a damn good point... a beefy bumper would go a long way in case of an animal collision.

Not sure about the animal collision side of things but it sounds like you need a Subaru. I would go for an older Forester XT.

I was looking at Subarus today, actually. My concern is reliability... seems the head gaskets and transmissions are questionable at best. Not sure about the most recent ones though.

 

[Homefryy]

You have a damn good point... a beefy bumper would go a long way in case of an animal collision.




I was looking at Subarus today, actually. My concern it reliability... seems the head gaskets and transmissions are questionable at best. Not sure about the most recent ones though.

In all the Subarus I have owned as well as family members I have never heard of any issues with transmissions. I think maybe the newer Forester XTs had an issue when they put a CVT behind a turbo'd engine. Head gaskets definitely are a thing but they should only need to be done once. They also like to burn some oil but you can't beat their AWD system.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Does your new job pay for your gas? IF so drive something heavy and big.

 

[Greg]

Does your new job pay for your gas? IF so drive something heavy and big.

Kinda... I've been getting $75 every week for mileage. At 500 miles per week, driving the Jetta (30-35 mpg) I put money in my pockets. Driving the truck or Jeep, I end up spending a decent amount of my money to cover gas costs.

 

[Greg]

Keep the Chevy. We call it a 12mpg insurance policy. Sure it will cost more in gas, but your life is worth it.

The issue with the Chevy is that it needs enough work as it sits that it's not real fun to drive. And any money I put into it, I won't get back out. Lastly, it's getting up there in miles and age, I wonder how reliable it'll be.

 

[moab_cj5]

Look for a Lexus GX470. Put a good arb on the front and enjoy the smiles per gallon rather than the miles per gallon. The AWD system rocks in the snow, and it can be super reliable with proper maintenance. MPG's will be in the low teens though.

 

[Greg]

Look for a Lexus GX470. Put a good arb on the front and enjoy the smiles per gallon rather than the miles per gallon. The AWD system rocks in the snow, and it can be super reliable with proper maintenance. MPG's will be in the low teens though.

We had a '03 4Runner with the V8... that was an awesome roadtrip & all weather vehicle. Not a bad idea...

 

[2002maniac]

Sounds like you need to get going on that Sport-Trac TDI swap!

 

[Greg]

Sounds like you need to get going on that Sport-Trac TDI swap!

I wish, I already have too many projects and now that I'm working away from home, even less time to wrap up the ones in progress.

That sure would be ideal, but at this point it's just a dream...

 

[Noahfecks]

$500 and put a big bumper on it

I bet this car will run another 100,000 miles

 

[Greg]

$500 and put a big bumper on it

I bet this car will run another 100,000 miles

View attachment 116500

Yeaaaahhh, No.

 

[Noahfecks]

I got my deer for the season a couple weeks ago coming down from Toponas in the clown car, they are thick this year for sure

 

[Gravy]

Since we've owned our Subaru Impreza I can honestly say it's one of favorite cars I've owned.
You know my propensity to take things where they're not intended to go - I've been surprised at it's capabilities. There's a reason they rip apart rally events.

It's sturdy and I love that Subarus are built like Legos: most the parts work on the other models.

Also if you want fun and AWD: we got my brother into a higher mileage Infinity G35x and it's a riot. Very comfy and Very very quick. Also that 3.5L is built to take some punishment.

I very likely will buy my wife the G37x (same car +0.2L) just so mine is faster than my brother's.

 

[Noahfecks]

Our Subie is "fun" to drive and does well in the snow, decent mileage

Had to replace a lot of sheet metal when it got hit by a deer, and the deer got up and ran away.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Why don’t you look at a Jeep Compass (or whatever the little one is) AWD put a brush guard on it.

Good on mileage. AWD and hopefully a real transmission and not a rubber band transmission.

 

[mbryson]

Since we've owned our Subaru Impreza I can honestly say it's one of favorite cars I've owned.
You know my propensity to take things where they're not intended to go - I've been surprised at it's capabilities. There's a reason they rip apart rally events.

It's sturdy and I love that Subarus are built like Legos: most the parts work on the other models.

Also if you want fun and AWD: we got my brother into a higher mileage Infinity G35x and it's a riot. Very comfy and Very very quick. Also that 3.5L is built to take some punishment.

I very likely will buy my wife the G37x (same car +0.2L) just so mine is faster than my brother's.

My son has a G37x with 170k on it. He LOVES it. He’s been trying to sell it of late as he wants something a little different to use as he shows houses but he’s sticking to his price a little despite the KSL clowns telling him what his car is “worth” to them.

 

[Kevin B.]

A 3rd gen 4Runner/1st gen Taco with a manual and 2.7l will handle the snow, keep you alive in a deer strike, and won't miss your 25mpg target by much...