Most Fun Tow Vehicle

Thanks for all the input guys...

I have considered the TB SS and would love a Jeep SRT-8. But, the SRT-8 is still over $20k and the SS is mid teens, poor mpg and still only has a 4 speed tranny.

I'm not much of a pick up guy, so that's out.

The Saab is kind of interesting.

Any more owners of a Cayenne Turbo, please chime in...I've heard they are pretty bullet-proof.

Also, no one commented on the Dodge Magnum. With the Hemi, its got 340hp & 390 lb-ft. Uses regular or mid grade gas, gets low 20s mpg on the highway with the cylinder deactivation. What do you think?

You could make the late great Chris Ledoux proud.
Be a lover of the other, side of the hill.

The Saab is the same as a trailblazer. Why is a 4 speed trans an issue?

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:

The Saab has an upgraded differential and is 100% rwd until there is slippage, has the 6.0L and upgraded suspension arms

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0117-269377/1961-morris-mini-minor-tow-truck/

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: The Saab is the same as a trailblazer. Why is a 4 speed trans an issue?

Probably the aforementioned fuel economy. The other issue I have with the TB SS is the plastic-craptastic mid-2000s GM interior. If they were cheap I could live with it, but for what people are still asking, I'm not so sure.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Fueled by Caffeine: The Saab has an upgraded differential and is 100% rwd until there is slippage, has the 6.0L and upgraded suspension arms

I meant trailblazer ss. Interior sure, minor suspension damping and bushing changes sure. But the trucks are essentially the same.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: The Saab is the same as a trailblazer. Why is a 4 speed trans an issue?

Probably the aforementioned fuel economy. The other issue I have with the TB SS is the plastic-craptastic mid-2000s GM interior. If they were cheap I could live with it, but for what people are still asking, I'm not so sure.

No I mean he po said the Saab was ok and the tbss was not. He also said the main reason for hating the tbss was the 4 spd trans. All of these things the Saab has. I'm just pointing out inconsistencies in the logic. It's like saying I don't like 1999 olds 88 but the Buick lesabre is a better car. They're essentially the same aside from minor esthetics

What about some awesome full-size BOF car with a tow pack? Like a pre-03 Panther or B-body.

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:

The difference in the awd setup and rear differential makes a HUGE difference in driving dynamics between the two. It's closer to the difference between a 2.5L WRX and STI of the same vintage.

Another player enters the game...

Huckleberry wrote: Another player enters the game...

The fun wears off quickly when this happens:

video

fanfoy wrote: I vote volvo V70R. Rated for 3500#

I was a lot happier before you said that.

A lot happier.

Tow package Fleetwood?

Apparently a 7k lbs towing package was available after 1993.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Fueled by Caffeine: The Saab has an upgraded differential and is 100% rwd until there is slippage, has the 6.0L and upgraded suspension arms

The 9-7s I have seen were all 4.2 engined models and had the same magnesium 10-bolt as the non-SS Trailblazers.

All Trollblazers are not created equal. If you want a 14-bolt, you need to make sure you're getting what you want.

My new Honda Ridgeline is pretty nice! Just towed the TR3 in the enclosed 16' trailer to Savannah vintage races.

And then of course, there is my 1959 Edsel station wagon for the win.

In reply to Knurled:

9-7x and 9-7x areos are different beast

Classiest vintage tow car I ever saw was a Mk 9 Jaguar. Big 4 wheel discs and a 3.8 motor meant it could haul the little British race car easily.

Here is a pic I took years ago when I was racing my MGA at Portland. This guy pulled in with an MGA coupe behind his MGC!

Thanks for all your input. Think I've narrowed it to the following...

Porsche Cayenne Turbo: cost-low teens, fast, can tow 7700#, poor mpg, costly to maintain?

Dodge Magnum R/T: cost $5-6k, quick, handling?, can tow 3800#, decent mpg (cheaper gas), cheap to maintain.

Volvo V70 R: $7-8k, quick, good handler, can be had with a 6spd manual, can tow 3300#, good mpg (low 20's)

BMW/MB diesel SUV: cost $15-20k, quick, handling? can tow 5000#, good mpg, cheap fuel, newer vehicle.

The Jeep SRT-8 is too costly and the TB SS is also mid teens. A ML55 is getting harder and harder to find. An X5 4.8is would be nice, but about the same price as the Cayenne.

Still open to any other comments.

Thanks

hanknum wrote: Thanks for all your input. Think I've narrowed it to the following... Porsche Cayenne Turbo: cost-low teens, fast, can tow 7700#, poor mpg, costly to maintain? Dodge Magnum R/T: cost $5-6k, quick, handling?, can tow 3800#, decent mpg (cheaper gas), cheap to maintain. Volvo V70 R: $7-8k, quick, good handler, can be had with a 6spd manual, can tow 3300#, good mpg (low 20's) BMW/MB diesel SUV: cost $15-20k, quick, handling? can tow 5000#, good mpg, cheap fuel, newer vehicle. The Jeep SRT-8 is too costly and the TB SS is also mid teens. A ML55 is getting harder and harder to find. An X5 4.8is would be nice, but about the same price as the Cayenne. Still open to any other comments. Thanks

Well, given that list i think my earlier post moves from semi-joking to serious. A GS430/460 would be as fast as most of that, as good of handling or <$1k of bolt-in coilovers from far superior, and way more reliable. I haven't had any issues towing with mine other than a serious mpg drop off.. above 75mph..

The 1st gen BMW X1 is rated to tow 4,000 lbs in Europe. It's basically an E91 wagon chassis slightly lifted with more modern drive train. I find my X1 128i to be very competent handling with a decent amount of power. To tow you will need to get the European spec tow bar and hitch and the trailer needs to have brakes.

I've got a ramp truck. Not having to back up a trailer is pretty fun in my book.

X5's aren't reliable. The others in your list really can't tow, especially compared to the Cayenne, which has 2-2.5 times the towing capacity.

You need to decide how much weight you're going to be pulling and how often. I wouldn't want to tow 3000lbs with a vehicle that's rated at 3000lbs.

So far the reliability of my Cayenne has been really good. Bear in mind, just like any other used German car, you need to buy the best one you can find. Buy one that's been maintained well, not the cheapest one you can find...