- Joined
- Dec 7, 2012
- Messages
- 3,513
Woah, hard for me to admit, but I'd like to step up to an SUV.
I feel somewhat bad in a way -- I feel as if I'm finding some flaws with the Accord, but I can't pretend that it's something it's not. It is, and will always be (while being a nice car) a 4cyl small to midsize FWD car.
It does good in the snow, but does get thrown around pretty good with the ruts, tracks and moguls that are left in the roads thanks to the plowing (or lack of) by the county. Snow tires do make a considerable difference, but having more wheels turning would help me avoid spinning when taking off or driving through the 2-3" worth of sloppy greasy intersections.
A few weeks ago, it had snowed a lot overnight and I had to go into work early 5:30-6am. I had some things I wanted to catch up on and wanted to make sure everything was OK as I had a few UPS power notifications go off in the middle of the night. Some roads weren't even touched, my work parking lot wasn't plowed -- good thing for a little speed or I would've been stuck in the 4-6" we had.
Also, and this is probably a first world problem, but I hate when you have to trudge through a bunch of snow, to jump into a car -- bring a bunch of that snow into the car, then sit on the ground. It'd be so nice to hop up into a vehicle and to sit up high.
I'm not much of a truck guy, yeah they're nice, but not something I'd want as a daily driver. I've come to two conclusions -- I don't want a crossover, and hardly anyone makes a real SUV anymore. I'm not buying the whole crossover ideology. I don't want the underpinnings of a car. Plus a lot of these vehicles come with a "we'll give you what we think you want when you don't want it" AWD/4WD/Part-Time/Real-Time system. Besides Subaru, they all look like they do the same thing -- try some power in the rear when the front spins. I want to be able to put it in 4HI and go without worrying if my front or back wheels are turning or not.
For full body on frame brand-new vehicles, that leaves us with a Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon or 4Runner. Out of them all, I am leaning towards the 4Runner. From reviews online, stories from their owners and the rapport that seems to follow them, they're excellent vehicles. Seems like everyone who has owned one, really likes their 4Runner.
I like their styling, 9.6" of ground clearance, conventional/proper 4WD system with 2HI, 4HI, 4LO actuated by a level (on the Trail model), electronic locking rear differential, comes with some good sized tires at 265/70/17. It'd be great for camping in the summer. Load the back up and go. I might not even need the little trailer anymore. I would not need to worry about how I'd tow a popup if I got a popup. I hate to admit this too, and you didn't hear me say this: [whispering I'm am getting a little tired of shifting and wouldn't mind an automatic.]
Just some thoughts. Not going to test drive or buy anything now.
I might come spring/summer. So who's got a 4Runner? You like it? What do you think?
I feel somewhat bad in a way -- I feel as if I'm finding some flaws with the Accord, but I can't pretend that it's something it's not. It is, and will always be (while being a nice car) a 4cyl small to midsize FWD car.
It does good in the snow, but does get thrown around pretty good with the ruts, tracks and moguls that are left in the roads thanks to the plowing (or lack of) by the county. Snow tires do make a considerable difference, but having more wheels turning would help me avoid spinning when taking off or driving through the 2-3" worth of sloppy greasy intersections.
A few weeks ago, it had snowed a lot overnight and I had to go into work early 5:30-6am. I had some things I wanted to catch up on and wanted to make sure everything was OK as I had a few UPS power notifications go off in the middle of the night. Some roads weren't even touched, my work parking lot wasn't plowed -- good thing for a little speed or I would've been stuck in the 4-6" we had.
Also, and this is probably a first world problem, but I hate when you have to trudge through a bunch of snow, to jump into a car -- bring a bunch of that snow into the car, then sit on the ground. It'd be so nice to hop up into a vehicle and to sit up high.
I'm not much of a truck guy, yeah they're nice, but not something I'd want as a daily driver. I've come to two conclusions -- I don't want a crossover, and hardly anyone makes a real SUV anymore. I'm not buying the whole crossover ideology. I don't want the underpinnings of a car. Plus a lot of these vehicles come with a "we'll give you what we think you want when you don't want it" AWD/4WD/Part-Time/Real-Time system. Besides Subaru, they all look like they do the same thing -- try some power in the rear when the front spins. I want to be able to put it in 4HI and go without worrying if my front or back wheels are turning or not.
For full body on frame brand-new vehicles, that leaves us with a Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon or 4Runner. Out of them all, I am leaning towards the 4Runner. From reviews online, stories from their owners and the rapport that seems to follow them, they're excellent vehicles. Seems like everyone who has owned one, really likes their 4Runner.
I like their styling, 9.6" of ground clearance, conventional/proper 4WD system with 2HI, 4HI, 4LO actuated by a level (on the Trail model), electronic locking rear differential, comes with some good sized tires at 265/70/17. It'd be great for camping in the summer. Load the back up and go. I might not even need the little trailer anymore. I would not need to worry about how I'd tow a popup if I got a popup. I hate to admit this too, and you didn't hear me say this: [whispering I'm am getting a little tired of shifting and wouldn't mind an automatic.]
Just some thoughts. Not going to test drive or buy anything now.
I might come spring/summer. So who's got a 4Runner? You like it? What do you think?
