Hi,
I am currently looking for a used and reliable 4WD/AWD car that can climbs the mountainous I-68 because I need to make two round trips to West Virginia every month while coping with the hilly streets of WV in winter for at least another 18 months. My 4 cylinders Echo with AT is just too weak to climb the steep hills of I-68. Last time I pushed my Echo so hard that its transmission never sounds the same again. MY Wife's 2009 H6 Subaru Outback is adequate for the trips, but is very costly to maintain at dealer. With 96k miles it has gone through sun roof assembly, wheel bearing, front brake with disc twice, drive axles, cv joints, air bag warning, rear hatch wiring assembly, rear brake with disc, etc, that cost around $20k in maintenance over these years. So, I am looking for an used 4WD/AWD vehicle that can climbs steep hills but also cheaper to maintain. Most important of all I don't want to get stranded on the roadside in those mountains in the middle of nights especially in winter.
There are very few choices on the market. Subaru's 4 cylinder lineup is famous for blown head gasket. The dealer told me that 2012 and newer models should be good. If this is true, the price is out of my range. From the Craiglist I found a $6000 2004 Toyota Matrix AWD with 100k miles which has a 1.8L engine bigger than 1.5L in my Echo. And a $3500 1996 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 6 cylinders with 245k miles qualifies for a historic tag, which waives MD inspection and future emission test.
Now my Echo's check engine light is on and is due to pass the emission test before the end of March. I need a backup car while my Echo is in repair. So, what do you think of my two choices? Any other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Simon
I am currently looking for a used and reliable 4WD/AWD car that can climbs the mountainous I-68 because I need to make two round trips to West Virginia every month while coping with the hilly streets of WV in winter for at least another 18 months. My 4 cylinders Echo with AT is just too weak to climb the steep hills of I-68. Last time I pushed my Echo so hard that its transmission never sounds the same again. MY Wife's 2009 H6 Subaru Outback is adequate for the trips, but is very costly to maintain at dealer. With 96k miles it has gone through sun roof assembly, wheel bearing, front brake with disc twice, drive axles, cv joints, air bag warning, rear hatch wiring assembly, rear brake with disc, etc, that cost around $20k in maintenance over these years. So, I am looking for an used 4WD/AWD vehicle that can climbs steep hills but also cheaper to maintain. Most important of all I don't want to get stranded on the roadside in those mountains in the middle of nights especially in winter.
There are very few choices on the market. Subaru's 4 cylinder lineup is famous for blown head gasket. The dealer told me that 2012 and newer models should be good. If this is true, the price is out of my range. From the Craiglist I found a $6000 2004 Toyota Matrix AWD with 100k miles which has a 1.8L engine bigger than 1.5L in my Echo. And a $3500 1996 Toyota 4Runner 4WD 6 cylinders with 245k miles qualifies for a historic tag, which waives MD inspection and future emission test.
Now my Echo's check engine light is on and is due to pass the emission test before the end of March. I need a backup car while my Echo is in repair. So, what do you think of my two choices? Any other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Simon