I am worried about the AWD system that Volvo uses.
I am worried about the AWD system that Volvo uses.
I HATE the seats in my MIL's Trooper. It is the worst seat I have ever sat in.
JohnRW1621 wrote: Buy that mid size, full frame SUV with the large 4 cyl diesel engine that gets 29 mpg hyw and has a 5,000lb towing capacity. Oh, yeah...you can't buy anything like that in the US!
In my dreams!
Well, the answer might be a Toyota corolla. Rated for 1500#s and my roommate will be selling one shortly. As much as I cringe when I think of it as an appliance, it really makes a lot of sense for me. My girlfriend drives an 2005 Corolla and shes never had to do any kind of repair to it and only until she started dating me did we start treating it right with oil changes and maintenance items. What do you guys think?
you talk about the XC 70.. but there was also an S and a V70 as well.. same body, no awd. Can also be had as a turbo and a manual, but not a turbo manual
Corolla wagon, also known as Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix.
More utility, same mpg. The Vibe GT or Matrix GTS version for more lux.
Never been big on the Corolla, even with the good fuel economy and good-for-a-small-car tow rating. Got a lot of pain from the seating position during my one time renting one, which I've never experienced in any other car. Other than that it should make a fine appliance.
Then there's the Corolla 'sport'...Also known as Celica. Sportier looking, sportier driving, same mpg, and even higher rated towing capacity (2,000 lb).
Probably a bit more expensive, but we've been very happy with our RAV4 V6: Gives up 1-2mpg (EPA) to the 4cyl equivalent in exchange for nearly 100hp more and an additional 2000 lb higher (3500 lb total) rated* towing capacity.
*With 'tow prep' package.
Driven5 wrote: Never been big on the Corolla, even with the good fuel economy and good-for-a-small-car tow rating. Got a lot of pain from the seating position during my one time renting one, which I've never experienced in any other car. Other than that it should make a fine appliance. Then there's the Corolla 'sport'...Also known as Celica. Sportier looking, sportier driving, same mpg, and even higher rated towing capacity (2,000 lb). Probably a bit more expensive, but we've been very happy with our RAV4 V6: Gives up 1-2mpg (EPA) to the 4cyl equivalent in exchange for nearly 100hp more and an additional 2000 lb higher (3500 lb total) rated* towing capacity. *With 'tow prep' package.
What year Corolla "sport" are we talking about here?
Tom Suddard wrote: Yeah, the 1400# boat most likely puts you well out of the ratings for most cars.
Nonsense. Most midsize cars or better can tow 1400 lbs.
In general, unless we're talking a purpose-built towing vehicle like an F350, a good rule of thumb is that the trailer should be no more than about 75-80% of the tow vehicle's weight. So, for a 1400 lb trailer, your car should be at least 2000 pounds or so. That's like, um, every car sold nowadays.
The only issue you might contend with is that, towing a boat, when you back down the ramp to load/ unload it, getting traction with a front wheel drive car may be tricky. RWD or AWD is your friend. Then again, you're used to it with your VW, so it apparently works. I wonder if a load-distributing hitch might be a good idea?
Oh, I know that. I meant that in North America, manufacturers tend to not even rate smaller cars. It's madness, but it's the world we live in.
I pulled my 18' jet boat several times with my CTS, it pulled it great and had no problem with power, or brakes. It actually pulled it better than the Land Rover I had prior to the CTS, unfortunately the 3.6L in that generation of CTS is crap and I got ride of the car after less than a year of ownership.
Also pulled my 16' Catamaran with an 01 VR6 GTI, again piece of cake. I could look out the front window and see the mast :)
volvoclearinghouse wrote: The only issue you might contend with is that, towing a boat, when you back down the ramp to load/ unload it, getting traction with a front wheel drive car may be tricky. RWD or AWD is your friend. Then again, you're used to it with your VW, so it apparently works. I wonder if a load-distributing hitch might be a good idea?
I actually prefer the FWD. It keeps the traction in higher and drier areas of the ramp and works great. That's why minivans make good boat tow vehicles.
Whats the deal with smaller cars out towing larger cars? The corolla, civic and fusion all out tow the camry, accord and taurus. At least going by tow ratings.
What about a newer Scion Xb or HHR? They are both fwd, cheap, decent fuel economy and in your budget. Available in three pedals as well. Not sure on the lux part but they can both meet your tow criteria.
Enyar wrote:volvoclearinghouse wrote: The only issue you might contend with is that, towing a boat, when you back down the ramp to load/ unload it, getting traction with a front wheel drive car may be tricky. RWD or AWD is your friend. Then again, you're used to it with your VW, so it apparently works. I wonder if a load-distributing hitch might be a good idea?I actually prefer the FWD. It keeps the traction in higher and drier areas of the ramp and works great. That's why minivans make good boat tow vehicles. Whats the deal with smaller cars out towing larger cars? The corolla, civic and fusion all out tow the camry, accord and taurus. At least going by tow ratings.
I would venture a guess that they have been tested in some capacity by the factory due to the smaller cars having a bigger international presence. Are the Camry, Accord, and Taurus even sold outside of the US? Why test them, and deem them safe, when you can convince the average American that they need to step it up to the more expensive Sequoia and Pilot?
Just a conjecture.
Enyar wrote: What year Corolla "sport" are we talking about here?
According to what I've seen on the internet, at least the 7th (last) gen...Possibly more.
Driven5 wrote:Enyar wrote: What year Corolla "sport" are we talking about here?According to what I've seen on the internet, at least the 7th (last) gen...Possibly more.
Wikipedia says that's 1991, if so, way too old. I want something 2006+.
On a side note, I replaced the alternator in the TDI last night and now we're back in business. Once I get over myself I'll probably decide to keep this for another year. I just need to keep an eye out for good cars for its replacement.
Regardless of what the manual tries to claim, ANY car will tow 1400lbs.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Regardless of what the manual tries to claim, ANY car will tow 1400lbs.
This
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Regardless of what the manual tries to claim, ANY car will tow 1400lbs.
My concern here would be if your insurance would deny coverage if it was found you were towing 1400lbs in a car rated for 500lbs. I wish I knew more about this. I still think a Saturn wagon is the ideal utility car for me, but it would be nice to tow 1500lbs with one even though its only rated for 1000.
On topic, Hyundai Elantras used to be rated to tow quite a bit. Not sure if they still are. Not sure if they are semi-lux.
Does a 4cyl 5spd CRV tow well? I assume you can get one semi lux?
Build a "Tracker Moon Rover" to pull with.
Enyar wrote: Wikipedia says that's 1991, if so, way too old. I want something 2006+.
I meant the 7th gen of the Celica, not the corolla...1999-2006 models.
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