I don't want to excursion anymore, I know that.
New job has me doing a good bit of highway trips and way too much city driving for my liking. Canyonero is to big and to thirsty for this kind of work. I can't really afford to buy anything without selling Canyonero first though or trading it.
I *want* an ev, but I check AWD and 300+ mile range and see used Model 3s around $600/ month and the new Kia CUV thing at almost $700/month. Nope way way way out of affordability window.
I would much prefer AWD, but have been considering Prii as well.
So $5-7k, awd, at least double digit MPG, and easily able to be parked in a city, but big enough to not be a speed bump. Capable of 20-30k miles a year with just tires and fluid changes would be really nice, but that might be a pipe dream in the current market.
So what should I be looking at or for? I'm good with a car or a CUV I guess, if I have to.
I guess more to the point, what years Forrester and Outbscks had the glass transmissions?
How are the Taurus/interceptors holding up? They may be available at auctions cheap enough.
While I find the Korean CUVs small and annoying, they've proven fairly reliable amongst my friend group.
The Toyota Lexus SUV/CUV things are taxed oddly high here in PA, but I've seen some high mileage examples down south for almost agreeable money lately. How do they hold up with around 200k in the clock?
"At least double digit MPG" made me laugh.
If you are considering EVs, take "fuel" cost into account when calculating your monthly spend. If you can charge at home every night without topping up during the day, that Model 3 costs as much to run as an 80 mpg car*. 25k/year with a 30 mpg car means $3250 in gasoline or $1207 in electricity, or a difference of $170/mo. Plus you're not going to be doing oil changes or most other services. Just something to consider.
I'd swing by your friendly local mechanic, they'll have some opinions based on what comes through the shop. I know my machine shop was very happy to see me roll up in a Toyota truck with the 3.0 V6, "that engine has paid a lot of bills", they told me. They were not wrong.
* using 16.9 c/kWh, the national average for domestic electricity prices and $3.90/gallon, national average for mid-grade fuel and 285 Wh/mi efficiency
RevRico said:
I would much prefer AWD, but have been considering Prii as well.
So $5-7k, awd, at least double digit MPG, and easily able to be parked in a city, but big enough to not be a speed bump. Capable of 20-30k miles a year with just tires and fluid changes would be really nice, but that might be a pipe dream in the current market.
Lexus RX400h is awd and "electrofied"... rated at 31/27 city/hwy mileage, seem to be in the price range... and is smaller than equivalent Highlander Hybrid. If you can stretch up to ~$10-12k, then the 2010-2014ish RX450h is a better option, generally @30/28 and more combined power, iirc.
that first gen 450h is probably what I'll look to replace th MDX with in a few years, since it's rated to tow 3500#s.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Well said. I use a 20 year life rather than annual. But you did the Gas cost to EV calculation , very smart.
Either everybody that is giving their experience with EV are big fat liars or they are less trouble that most cars. I know the latter.
Oh we both forgot to mention the $7500 tax rebate ( we assume he pays taxes)
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
I also recommend RX400H and Highlander Hybrid. They are comfortable and nice places to rack up those kinds of miles.
02Pilot
PowerDork
1/27/23 12:09 p.m.
calteg said:
Old Volvo wagon.
This. The Northeast is full of not-rusty early 2000s XC70s and S60s, as well as XC90s if you need something bigger/taller. And they're cheap, especially with higher mileage. Find one that's been maintained - and a lot of them seem to have been - and drive on.
I don't see a lot of Volvos around here, almost forgot about them. But then I look at knurled, we Petes, thread and see money lights and bizarre issues all the time that a career mech can work around, but a parts swapper like me really couldn't figure out.
I did ask my mechanic. "Rav 4 prime", ha no, can't afford it. "My wife's was a flood car from down south was only $8k for a 2016" yea dude, but you've been wrenching on yotas for 30 years, flood means run to me.
He is who I bought the excursion from though.
I'm good with something like this, just not sure how they hold up at that kind of mileage.
I have first hand experience with high mileage RX400H's
My dad is a Lexus Tech, he has 2. His daily driver RX400H he bought with over 200k on the clock, and all it's needed is tires and oil changes. It was a well maintained example that got traded in.
The battery cooling fans can get kind of loud (similar to Prius) they can be cleaned or replaced.
The RX400H's used the 3.3l V6 which has a timing belt. Timing belt / water pump interval on the RX330s were 90k if memory serves
They have a CVT which are generally pretty bulletproof, but tend to "feel" like a CVT. On the plus side, with the CVT, the V6, and the electric motor, they're pretty quick
The master cylinder is electrically boosted, and these can go bad. Not cheap at ~1400 bucks new, but it's not a 100% failure rate. I think you can purchase some of the repair components aftermarket as well, and I think there are a few rebuilding outfits as well.
I think he gets 25, 26 MPG with his, mix of stop and go. Fuelly averages tend to be 23-24
It will tow pretty well too, he pulls his jet skis with it all the time, and used it to pull an ES300 a short distance home on a dolly once.
They're pretty quiet on the inside too.
If you have any specific questions you'd like answered, let me know and I will talk more to my Dad. He liked his first one well enough to buy a second.
In reply to RevRico :
You mentioned not around you, is a fly and drive an option?
Mndsm
MegaDork
1/27/23 1:11 p.m.
sleepyhead the buffalo said:
RevRico said:
I would much prefer AWD, but have been considering Prii as well.
So $5-7k, awd, at least double digit MPG, and easily able to be parked in a city, but big enough to not be a speed bump. Capable of 20-30k miles a year with just tires and fluid changes would be really nice, but that might be a pipe dream in the current market.
Lexus RX400h is awd and "electrofied"... rated at 31/27 city/hwy mileage, seem to be in the price range... and is smaller than equivalent Highlander Hybrid. If you can stretch up to ~$10-12k, then the 2010-2014ish RX450h is a better option, generally @30/28 and more combined power, iirc.
that first gen 450h is probably what I'll look to replace th MDX with in a few years, since it's rated to tow 3500#s.
This is exactly what I said. 
z31maniac said:
In reply to RevRico :
You mentioned not around you, is a fly and drive an option?
Maybe. Honestly any purchase or travels for purchase is going to come down to how much I can sell Canyonero for. Which is a problem in and of itself, turning us into a one vehicle family temporarily.
Mndsm
MegaDork
1/27/23 1:47 p.m.
In reply to RevRico :
You're in a weird gray area with those. +The used car market is still insane right now. +excursions have been commanding STRONG money for a number of years. -its a gas excursion. The diesel ones get to add an extra 0 to the tag it seems, especially the 7.3. -its a northern car. I believe the strongest money would be brought in a southern state, but it'd have to be a southern car.
It's a toss up.
I've been waiting for tax return season (which is nearly now) to sell my P5 for max dollars. Build starts at bottom of this page
Dream dollars were probably $5k but I have lots of room and could go lower. I have a spare set of good Altimax winter tires that could go with it.
I might be able to help your cash flow with something like some money up front and the rest of payment after truck sells.
The Gov't Mule is gonna be up for sale soon too.
Currently you have 7 seats of Super Duty.
If the Excursion could bring the long dollar you might be able to convert it to 2-3 seats of Super Duty and 4-5 seats of Super MPG!
John Welsh said:
The Gov't Mule is gonna be up for sale soon too.
2-3 seats of Super Duty and 4-5 seats of Super MPG!
too bad you usually uhaul rent your dollies... that combo would be the start of a some kind of race team.
then again, maybe I'm the only one crazy enough here to have that thought
Mazda CX-5 or something from Kia Hyundai?
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
It is a great combo. In this thread are some details on the dolly I borrow from a friend, who got it for free! Some times it stays at my house, outside but mostly it stays with him, inside which is great because I then don't have it in my way.
2003 CRV, almost 250k miles but looks pretty decent. Several GRMers in the area.
The Rev’s next ride?
Ad says:
2003 Honda CR-V EX 2.4L AWD good condition, clean
interior, slight front end damage (shown in pics), has a exhaust leak, everything works A/C, heat, power sunroof. Recent tune up (sparks plugs & coil packs), new battery, serpentine belt, and air filter. No longer need this vehicle, son bought a truck. $2400 or best. IF THE AD IS STILL UP, IT'S AVAILABLE! See less
