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08-19-2013, 11:09 AM | #1 |
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Fun to drive, fuel efficient, towing vehicle?
Thinking about making the jump to a track vehicle that I would tow to events, but this would necessitate a DD. Since I only have room for 2 cars (man life is hard) I figure I would want an enjoyable but somewhat efficient vehicle for towing. Unfortunately the list of cars that match this seem to be pretty low.
I figure I need at least a 4000 lb towing capacity, since the car I tow would be between 2300-280 lbs, then trailer would be 800+ lbs + spares. So far the only vehicle that seems to meet all the requirements I need is the X1 28 xDrive 4400 lb tow capacity (overseas rating), decent gas mileage, and I had fun on the test drive. Anyone have other ideas as to vehicles that are similar? The Tacoma X-Runner is pretty close, but only 3500 lb tow rating. The F30 3 series apparently has a 4000 lbs tow rating (wtf). If money is no object the 5 series Gt and Panamera do the job too... Any vehicles I'm missing? |
08-19-2013, 11:25 AM | #2 |
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I've heard people rave about the Ford Flex, but haven't personally driven one. Towing capacity of 4500 lbs and decent gas mileage.
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08-19-2013, 12:37 PM | #3 |
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Mazda CX-5 Diesel.
Will meet all your requirements, have lots of torque and get ~35+ mpg on the freeway (not while towing). I think the VW Tiguan Diesel would do the same but then you'd have that CEL staring you in the face all day.
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08-19-2013, 01:06 PM | #4 | |
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I wouldn't touch a VW with DSG, but that's just my personal opinion because I don't feel like spending an extra 400 bucks every 20-30k miles or whatever it is to service the transmission. |
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08-19-2013, 02:03 PM | #5 | |
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The BMW X5 35d isn't a bad option either. Sure there's a recent recall but it's just on the fuel filter heater. I guy I race with tows an enclosed trailer with one and he moseys along at 70mph, no problem.
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08-19-2013, 02:41 PM | #6 |
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Its hard to say since i didn't see a price range, but the new Jeep grand Cherokee CRD would make a good choice. I haven't looked at the towing figures yet but a Subbie Forester XT seems like a good choice.
You could always pick up a used 5.9 Cummins ram, it would tow anything you throw at it, and can actually be pretty damn fast(in a straight line) with some minor mods. My brother in law has a 6.7 and gets just above 20mpg when hes got it set to the "mild" 400hp tune. If you want something a little less expensive, we have a couple of newer 5.7 hemi rams at work and they do pretty well for towing. Standard cab, long bed 2wd, i think we got them for about $24k each new. They are "work truck" specification trucks, but they still have AC/CD, one has cruise and power doors. Pretty good value if youre looking for a dedicated tow truck, and i'm sure the Ford and GM offerings should be pretty close. If it were my money, i'd probably try and find a 2wd, early 2000's 5.9 Cummins, standard cab, short bed. Or maybe an ecoboost F150 of the same configuration.
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08-20-2013, 03:19 PM | #7 | |
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08-20-2013, 03:26 PM | #8 |
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i would not buy a unibody vehicle for any dedicated towing.
Yes you can tow stuff with those big fancy SUV’s… But a huge steel rectangle is a huge steel rectangle.. I’d go with any of the modern Ford or Dodge offerings, they have everything figured out and their modern engines are quire economical.
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08-20-2013, 03:39 PM | #9 |
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I would agree on the Lighting. A few extra mods and they are beating lots of cars. And it's weird that I'm saying another Ford, cuz I hate Fords, but that F150 Ecoboost is just pretty damn cool. Downpipe, exhaust, tune, you're flying. Maybe a lightly used Tacoma and toss on the TRD supercharger, with new pulley and exhaust. Those would be my choices. All really fun, and can do what you want.
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08-20-2013, 04:00 PM | #10 | |
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The Subies are only 2500-3500 lbs also. |
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08-20-2013, 04:03 PM | #11 |
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I like the suggestions you guys are throwing out, thanks.
Only issue is what kind of fuel efficiency would I be getting when daily driving it? the SVT Lightning and Ford Flex appeal to me most of all of these, but I would prefer decent gas mileage in my vehicle for day to day driving if possible. Realistically price range is from 20k to 40k. |
08-20-2013, 04:28 PM | #12 |
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17 in town is pretty optimistic. My parents have an '01 f150 supercrew with the (non sc'd) 5.4L and they rarely see more then 16. We once towed a trailer, with 3 motorcycles in it, across country and averaged around 10mpg.
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08-20-2013, 04:30 PM | #13 |
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I would go with the ecoboost f150 hands down
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08-20-2013, 04:37 PM | #14 |
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What does an RX450h have for towing capacity? Lexus reliability, comfort, luxury, with good gas mileage and adequate power. I just don't know how much they tow with the towing package.
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