SUV for carrying skis

[VTKilarney]

Are cars now really less reliable than a 1990's Toyota? I'm not so sure. Today's cars may seem to be less reliable because everyone else caught up in terms of reliability. You no longer have the quality outliers like you once had with Toyota and Honda.

 

[bigbog]

Vehicles that "break down" are mostly the fault of lazy owners who don't keep up with any issues...it's not the vehicles themselves.
...and a lot of it depends on where you drive(climate) and what terrain you drive in/on.
Agree uphillklimber....so much of the sub-systems of today's vehicles are electronic. It would take a whole course in electronics and auto-electronics to keep on top of everything, but there are more than a few diagnostic tools being on the market that it's sometimes worth it, depending on what vehicle one chooses to keep around for a while... It's enough just to keep on top of OSes and software/gadgets(HW) these days..;-)

 

[VTKilarney]

Back to the topic at hand. I currently own a mid-size SUV. I probably should have gone with a compact SUV. The difference in size is pretty minimal, and the compact SUVs get much better gas mileage. It seems like the biggest difference is that the mid-size sits higher up. The other difference is that it rides nicer due mostly to the added weight. It felt quieter and more solid. I rode both types of vehicles back to back and there was definitely a difference. But I'm not at all sure that it was worth the $10,000 price difference.

My recommendation would be to go with a crossover or compact SUV, but with a roof rack.

I'm a fan of the Mazda CX-5 and the Jeep Cherokee. The Outback is probably a good choice, but as a Vermonter a Subaru feels much too conformist.

 

[hammer]

My Jeep Grand Cherokee has plenty of length to handle a few pairs of skis but if I had to carry up to 7 pair I'd get a roof rack and a box.

Since it's usually just the two of us my Volvo S40 with the folding back seat works fine. Could do better on mileage but I didn't buy the car to save on gas.

The Volvo is at 99K and it's been the most reliable car I've had so far (although there's an intermittent startup issue that has come up lately). The Jeep is over 80K and has had a few issues, but between the service contract and the base warranty we have had most items covered. Has been solid for several months now, just keep up on the oil changes and tire rotations.

Hope to keep both vehicles to at least 200K.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Vehicles that "break down" are mostly the fault of lazy owners who don't keep up with any issues...it's not the vehicles themselves.
...and a lot of it depends on where you drive(climate) and what terrain you drive in/on.

I've noticed that newfangled salt spray crap they've been using on the roads in Vermont absolutely dissolves people's cars. EVERY ski trip back from Vermont we immediately take our vehicles through a car wash.

as a Vermonter a Subaru feels much too conformist.

As a Vermonter, I thought each family is mandated to own at least one Subaru?

 

[VTKilarney]

I've noticed that newfangled salt spray crap they've been using on the roads in Vermont absolutely dissolves people's cars. EVERY ski trip back from Vermont we immediately take our vehicles through a car wash.

Ah yes, salt brine. I know a plow truck driver for the Vermont DOT who doesn't have much good to say about it. Apparently the method Vermont uses to put it down is pretty ineffective. I forgot the details, but IIRC the problem is that the state was trying to do it on the cheap.

 

[crank]

My 2003 Highlander has 242,000 on it and I still drive it to VT. Never left me stranded. Needs a new exhaust right now and I have replaced all the calipers over the years. Had the timing chain and exhaust both replaced at 120k. Gonna keep her until at least 250,000. She'll also need a new battery to get through the winter.

Extremely reliable vehicle and no rust.

 

[cdskier]

wife's Traverse now has 155k on it and still will be driven for at least 3 years.

That's the first good Traverse story I've heard! My dad hated his Traverse (And he was a huge Chevy guy up to that point). He had quite a few issues with it and got rid of it as soon as the warranty was up. Now he drives a Pilot which he loves (I'm not personally a big fan of the feel of the Pilot while driving). My manager also has a Traverse and is always telling me about different problems.

Personally I have a 2007 Avalanche and am quite happy with it (215K). Too bad they stopped making it as I have no idea what I'll do when I eventually need to replace it. Although I probably wouldn't be able to afford what they would want for that thing today if they still made it. Prices on Chevy's PUs and larger SUVs are ridiculous...

 

[SnowRock]

My Jeep Grand Cherokee has plenty of length to handle a few pairs of skis but if I had to carry up to 7 pair I'd get a roof rack and a box.

The Volvo is at 99K and it's been the most reliable car I've had so far (although there's an intermittent startup issue that has come up lately). The Jeep is over 80K and has had a few issues, but between the service contract and the base warranty we have had most items covered. Has been solid for several months now, just keep up on the oil changes and tire rotations.

Hope to keep both vehicles to at least 200K.

To give you hope... I'm at 145k with my 2011 JGC and the only issue of note was self inflicted. Still with the original brake pads, though I just threw on the third set of tires.

 

[darent]

I've used paddle shifters before in an Lexus IS350, I've owned an Audi A6 with manual mode. Both were good, but not as good as traditional.

That's all I'll say on this. I've gone round and around this topic all I care for numerous times before.

End of the day, drive what makes you happy and you feel safest driving.

Have to like DHS love of mt, I really like a manual tranny,You control the car and shift gears, it is fun. I dread the day when computers take over and drive cars, just shoot me!!nothing better than a twisty road,a manual tranny and a revy engine. hanging it out and sliding around corners. turn off that advanced vehicle control module and learn how to drive your car!!

 

[Smellytele]

That's the first good Traverse story I've heard! My dad hated his Traverse (And he was a huge Chevy guy up to that point). He had quite a few issues with it and got rid of it as soon as the warranty was up. Now he drives a Pilot which he loves (I'm not personally a big fan of the feel of the Pilot while driving). My manager also has a Traverse and is always telling me about different problems.

Personally I have a 2007 Avalanche and am quite happy with it (215K). Too bad they stopped making it as I have no idea what I'll do when I eventually need to replace it. Although I probably wouldn't be able to afford what they would want for that thing today if they still made it. Prices on Chevy's PUs and larger SUVs are ridiculous...

Never said I liked the traverse . Had a timing belt issue while it was under warranty also a front end steering issue. Changing the headlights you have to take the front end apart and it is impossible to change 3 of the spark plugs in the thing. Over engineered for the headlights and spark plugs.

 

[deadheadskier]

Have to like DHS love of mt, I really like a manual tranny,You control the car and shift gears, it is fun. I dread the day when computers take over and drive cars, just shoot me!!nothing better than a twisty road,a manual tranny and a revy engine. hanging it out and sliding around corners. turn off that advanced vehicle control module and learn how to drive your car!!

Amen!

 

[Brad J]

Well I am so glad at 61 I never grew up, I had a 2005 Mustang V6 MT for ten years that I named SNOWSTANG. Put one of the folding rear seats down ski's in middle between the seats ( up to 4pair) average 176 in length, 4 snow tires, and IMO had the best ski car I ever owned. 28 MPG, fun to drive , great highway cruiser and it knew it way to Wildcat . I get a lot of crap and looks driving it in ski country but I have been to more powder days in horrible driving conditions than I would like to remember. So with that experience I bought a new Mustang GT MT . Agree its not for a family but for two people just fine IMO, and a blast to drive. Back in the day the parking lot was full of Mustangs, Camaros, GTO's and of coarse Station wagons all 2WD. DHS stay with the MT it makes driving much more FUN.

 

[dlague]

Too many things I would like to quote but my wife's Volvo S40 is a great ski car as someone mentioned earlier. It has 204,000 miles on it. No payment for three years and going strong. My SUV has 286,000 miles on it and while showing some wear it will last another season. Hate shopping for cars or trucks.


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[deadheadskier]

I don't mind shopping for cars and trucks. I just don't like the payments!

 

[yeggous]

I don't mind shopping for cars and trucks. I just don't like the payments!

Amen!

 

[dlague]

I don't mind shopping for cars and trucks. I just don't like the payments!

I wish it were as easy as buying something at a department store. It is time consuming and the financing part excruciating!


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[Smellytele]

I wish it were as easy as buying something at a department store. It is time consuming and the financing part excruciating!


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No matter what I pay for a vehicle I feel like I am getting ripped off.

 

[yeggous]

No matter what I pay for a vehicle I feel like I am getting ripped off.

How can you not? The more I look the more I realize that I want a unicorn.

I checked out the Honda CRV and Pilot tonight. The CRV is way too small. The Pilot has ample room but quickly gets very expensive if you want basic safety features. Plus it is just a minivan with rear doors that open outward. Park it next to a Honda minivan and the resemblance is remarkable.

To their credit Subaru seems to be the only manufacturer that doesn't make you buy the top of the line package to get modern safety features. But even Subaru expects you to take at least the middle trim level to get them.

The more I think about it, modern electronic safety features should be a requirement. Automatic lane keeping, blind spot detection, and emergency braking are really important. The technology is there and they would undoubtedly save lives.


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[SkiFanE]

Just a for instance in why I ended up with the CR-V verses the Pilot. Clearly I was looking for gas mileage. Had a warranty issue so we got a loaner, the Pilot. I put $20.00 in it and drove home. Drove directly back the next night, no side trips, ate up that $20 in gas, where the $20 would go us a week in the CR-V.

Okay - I have to say this. I didn't consider CR-V even though I'm a Honda fan. 95% of them are the slowest cars ever - just behind one on commute home tonight - highway clog lol. have no idea why - but it's truth. So if people see you coming and rush to get ahead of you - that could be why