Manual Transmission AWD SUVs?

[unL33T]

Forum Sponsor

Some of us don't want the height limitations of an SUV. Ever put a ktm in the back of a pilot?

Sent from my Le Pan TC802A using Tapatalk

Just lay it on it's side and it might even fit in a wagon!

If you search hard enough you'll probably find a thread by me asking about doing that in a TDI wagon, lol. I've read a few posts (not on here) by people that did just that but it was generally a scrap bike they picked up for next to nothing with no fluids in it.

 

[unL33T]

Still haven't bothered to replace the Outlander but casually looking at vehicles. I was looking at 4Runners and Pathfinders. Seems the Pathfinder's 4wd system is always locked front to rear when enabled (no center differential) and older 4Runners were the same but my information says at some point the 4Runner got a center differential? In 1996 perhaps? Anyone know if this is accurate? Obviously full time 4x4 (basically AWD) would be more suited for my use than the offroad only functionality of 4x4 with no center diff.

Too bad I missed that mint 4Runner someone posted earlier. All the ones I've seen lately are pretty rough with lots of rust.

 

[crankcall]

+1

Mystifies me why ppl buy pick up trucks and use them as personal and family vehicles.

Absolutely the most useless vehicles on the planet. Just buy a proper SUV

95% of my friends trucks are "cars" 95% of the time, however putting a stinky outboard in it, gas cans at the cottage, occasional dump runs. And they could rent a truck for the 5 times a year they need one. They just like driving trucks. I get it, I've done it off and on.

 

[LePhillou]

Im getting rid of my compact car by end of year and going for a bigger car. Looked at the suvs...not very appealing or out of price range. So then i thought...hmmm..wagon!?

Turns out theyre generally bigger and IMO look better. But now, the only >affordable< one left is the Golf Wagon... we don't drive enough weekly to get a TDI and we're going with something about 3 years old... hopefully there'll be something coming up for us by the end of year

 

[unL33T]

Did a little more research and it seems the 4Runner Limited is the only one with an open (but lockable) center differential that can be used in all conditions? No Pathfinder has it.

Suzuki Grand Vitara is also available in a V6 with manual and AWD with lockable differentials. Much newer and almost as affordable as these much older options but the towing capacities are lower (350 lbs tongue weight, 3500 towing capacity) but that may be enough for my needs and the fuel economy numbers are very similar to the Outlander. Weighs 100 lbs more but it has 25 more HP & torque.

 

[EaZ8]

you can find a 05 ish (i think 05 was last production year) blazer/jimmy 2 door 4x4 with a 5 speed manual.
in 05 they only had the 2x4, 4high and 4 low options...did not have the 4 auto function.

 

[daught]

you can find a 05 ish (i think 05 was last production year) blazer/jimmy 2 door 4x4 with a 5 speed manual.
in 05 they only had the 2x4, 4high and 4 low options...did not have the 4 auto function.

I just had someone mention they are selling one with under 100000 km for 2500ish. I had the auto for a few months. Worst car I ever owned and downright dangerous. I had 4x4 just go off while driving in snow. Scarry when it surprises you with 2x4. Then the abs sensor gets dirty and thinks it's slipping. Abs will kick in on a dry road and prevent the car from stopping for a few good extra meters. On top of it it's just a ****** gutless gas guzzler. I do like how it looks.

 

[EaZ8]

I just had someone mention they are selling one with under 100000 km for 2500ish. I had the auto for a few months. Worst car I ever owned and downright dangerous. I had 4x4 just go off while driving in snow. Scarry when it surprises you with 2x4. Then the abs sensor gets dirty and thinks it's slipping. Abs will kick in on a dry road and prevent the car from stopping for a few good extra meters. On top of it it's just a ****** gutless gas guzzler. I do like how it looks.

you must have had a lemon...my 4x4 was amazing and i used it a lot driving on unmaintained roads north of gta. my jimmy was unstoppable with the snow tires on it.

i had a 2wd sonoma, not a single issue with it (took it to about 100,000km) traded it for a 4x4 2 door auto jimmy and took that to about 240,000km and only replaced a battery, brakes, and a t-stat.
gas was horrible on it but the auto was a 4 speed...it uses more gas than a 2010 Yukon xl, and i took it to tremblanc once and used triple the fuel of a ford escort wagon, and just less than double the fuel of a 2000 explorer v8.
all 3 vehicles were full of gear and passengers.

 

[unL33T]

So I gave up on the older SUVs with 4x4 as locked or fully open center diff is not what I'm after. Looking at the newer ones with AWD (AWD with a lockable center diff would also be nice). Unfortunately I'm trying to go a bit bigger but even those "big" luxury SUVs like the X5 and Cayenne have lower cargo capacity than my Outlander. Which is surprising since they are physically larger than the Outlander by quite a bit.

If power's all I'm after I found a nice Forester XT (same engine as a WRX) on Kijiji but almost $9000 for a 12 year old Subaru seems quite high and it doesn't meet my towing desires. Specs say it has a touch more cargo capacity than my Outlander, though, instead of less.

 

[MSRP]

I assume you looked at the 4th generation 4runners (2003-2009) v6?
They can come in rear wheel or selectable part-time 4x4
5000lbs towing, 500 tongue weight
Tons of mods for them
no manual though
will drive to the moon and back without an issue (easily 300,000miles +)
DIY guides for everything, huge community

I like the Forrester XT's too, but the long term ownership costs and insurance were not 'unsubstantial'.
I ended up with a v8 2003 4runner. Traded off the manual and MPG's for the silky smoothe (1,000,000 mile powertrain, albeit with timing belt changes) and the ability to put on the HD hitch to support 600-700lbs tongue weight for a hitch mc carrier.

Mine even has the optional hydraulic lines that make it handle nice on road, and airbags on the rear to self-level according to loads--both of which will fail eventually, and will replace with BROLIFT

So I gave up on the older SUVs with 4x4 as locked or fully open center diff is not what I'm after. Looking at the newer ones with AWD (AWD with a lockable center diff would also be nice). Unfortunately I'm trying to go a bit bigger but even those "big" luxury SUVs like the X5 and Cayenne have lower cargo capacity than my Outlander. Which is surprising since they are physically larger than the Outlander by quite a bit.

If power's all I'm after I found a nice Forester XT (same engine as a WRX) on Kijiji but almost $9000 for a 12 year old Subaru seems quite high and it doesn't meet my towing desires. Specs say it has a touch more cargo capacity than my Outlander, though, instead of less.

 

[unL33T]

I assume you looked at the 4th generation 4runners (2003-2009) v6?
They can come in rear wheel or selectable part-time 4x4
5000lbs towing, 500 tongue weight
Tons of mods for them
no manual though
will drive to the moon and back without an issue (easily 300,000miles +)
DIY guides for everything, huge community

I like the Forrester XT's too, but the long term ownership costs and insurance were not 'unsubstantial'.
I ended up with a v8 2003 4runner. Traded off the manual and MPG's for the silky smoothe (1,000,000 mile powertrain, albeit with timing belt changes) and the ability to put on the HD hitch to support 600-700lbs tongue weight for a hitch mc carrier.

I've mostly decided to get away from 4x4 and stick with AWD but thanks for the suggestion and I'll keep it in mind. If I were to stick with part time 4x4 there are quite a few options like the 4Runner and Pathfinder.

I'd assume insurance on a Forester XT would be less than a WRX and my 2009 WRX265 wasn't too bad for insurance for me.

 

[unL33T]

Well looks like I'm probably getting a different vehicle entirely. Looked at an Outback XT on Saturday that seemed pretty nice. Technically more cargo room than my Outlander but feels more cramped due to the lower ceiling. Back seats seem to have less leg room, as well. But now I'm getting all nostalgic and thinking about just getting a transmission rebuild on the Outlander.

Did I already mention that my Outlander needs a new transmission already? Apparently Mitsubishi can't make one that lasts beyond 200k. Bought the car with it making a noise, they replaced the transmission with a used one. Lasted about 2 years. Noise came back and got 10x worse. Replaced with a used transmission with 175k on it. Lasted 4-5 months before noise came back. Now it's approaching being as bad as it was when it was replaced previously. Should've gone with the rebuild. Apparently some Evos have the same issue but fail even earlier, according to some video I found on YouTube.

As much as I hate the lack of power and towing capacity the chassis is quite good, IMO. Excellent ground clearance, handles well (despite the ground clearance), AWD works great, roomier seats than many vehicles and huge trunk with lots of extra storage under the floor. Just kinda slow. Oh, and it doesn't have automatic A/C, cruise control, or a sunroof. Wish I could keep 3 cars and the bike, now, lol.

 

[unL33T]

I like the Forrester XT's too, but the long term ownership costs and insurance were not 'unsubstantial'.

Just got an insurance quote on both a 2004 Outback XT and 2004 Forester XT. Both are actually a bit cheaper than the Outlander even though the Outlander is a year newer and non-turbo. The Forester was cheaper than the Outback. They said it was due to the better safety features and safety ratings of the Subarus.

Forum Sponsor