Affordable AWD or 4WD - Page 2

JamesNoBrakes · 03-30-2012, 10:55 PM

Couple things;

6cyl subarus are gas hogs. Not much you can do about it. They aren't terrible and nothing like an SS, but not great. Doesn't use premium is a plus.

4cyl subarus are pretty good on gas.

4cyl turbo-subarus CAN be good on gas, if you keep it out of turbo range and know how to accelerate, it's pretty good. Premium fuel though.

Most SUVs are nowhere near as sure-footed in the snow as an outback with decent tires. I've experienced this quite a bit and the AWD system is real good, again, much better than what comes on most cars and SUVs. These are very practical cars for poor conditions, and they usually have as much ground clearance as most SUVs these days. On the other hand, a WRX set up with performance tires kinda sucks in the snow. It isn't all that great (my car for years) and don't expect to have your cake and eat it too in this regard, or just deal with "snow tires" and don't worry about the auto-x and hard dry cornering.

None of these will ever be the most fuel efficient, but if you "have" to have that capability, they are usually the best in the class and it's hard to beat the practicality and capability. I remember back before we started buying subarus when a legacy pulled our helpless 4-runner with it's terrible 4wd system out of the snow.

scrming · 03-31-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBears

Well how much of a lead foot is your friend? And how fast is he going on the highway.

We have a 2010 Equinox and when I go 78mph for 400 miles on our regular road trips to PA we get 28-29 MPG consistently. Now, when I drive to chicago which is going 65mph I actually get the advertised 32MPG which was what the EPA put out for it.

You have to realize that the bigger lead foot you are in the city and faster you go on the highway all factor into the equation.

No lead foot in the Equinox... he has other toys for that...He was doing his best to see what kind of MPG he could squeeze out of the Equinox...

iHasCamaro · 03-31-2012, 06:55 AM

Pre '00 eclipse gsx/talon tsi awd, or evo viii/ix.

JamesNoBrakes · 03-31-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iHasCamaro

Pre '00 eclipse gsx/talon tsi awd, or evo viii/ix.

haha, the reason I got a camaro and not an evo was because I was going to use it as a DD. Evo 8/9 as a DD? That's harsh.

DaBears · 03-31-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrming

No lead foot in the Equinox... he has other toys for that...He was doing his best to see what kind of MPG he could squeeze out of the Equinox...

Hmmm, thats odd. Our Equinox does great on gas like i said in my last post.

Did he push the "eco" button? LOL, cuz that actually does make a difference.

scrming · 04-01-2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBears

Hmmm, thats odd. Our Equinox does great on gas like i said in my last post.

Did he push the "eco" button? LOL, cuz that actually does make a difference.

Not sure on the "eco" button... haven't checked with him lately how his MPG is doing... this was pretty much right after he bought it, so might have improved after it broke in and loosened up a bit...

iHasCamaro · 04-03-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

haha, the reason I got a camaro and not an evo was because I was going to use it as a DD. Evo 8/9 as a DD? That's harsh.

Did it for years (Evo VIII) now I drive a Camaro partly because it's more of a plush-riding DD. I actually miss the Evo now, and will probably get a X. True all-weather car. The traction control systems on that car feel like the difference between having the hand of God intervene (S-AWC), or a 12-year-old w/ a remote control (StabiliTrak).

'11 cyber grey vert · 04-03-2012, 05:28 PM

look at the 2012 ford escape or 2012 hyundai sante fe.
both are redesigned for 2013 and you should be able to get a pretty good deal on either of the 2012's.

DaBears · 04-03-2012, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrming

Not sure on the "eco" button... haven't checked with him lately how his MPG is doing... this was pretty much right after he bought it, so might have improved after it broke in and loosened up a bit...

Ours for sure improved after the first Oil change

scrming · 04-03-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBears

Ours for sure improved after the first Oil change

Checked with him yesterday... He's still really disappointed with the MPG... to the point where he might start looking to get rid of it...

DaBears · 04-03-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrming

Checked with him yesterday... He's still really disappointed with the MPG... to the point where he might start looking to get rid of it...

Thats really really odd. I wonder if he got a bad one somehow? Including us, we have 2 friends who have Equinox 4 cyl and we all get pretty much the same great gas milage.

I will admit that we wish the city MPG were higher, for example my wife is averaging 22.7MPG right now according to the onboard computer over the last 5000 miles of all city driving. I still think thats pretty good because we have a ton of red lights between our house and her work.

I hope things get better for him and/or he finds a vehicle that makes him happy.

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03-30-2012, 10:55 PM	#15
JamesNoBrakes Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AK Posts: 2,377	Couple things; 6cyl subarus are gas hogs. Not much you can do about it. They aren't terrible and nothing like an SS, but not great. Doesn't use premium is a plus. 4cyl subarus are pretty good on gas. 4cyl turbo-subarus CAN be good on gas, if you keep it out of turbo range and know how to accelerate, it's pretty good. Premium fuel though. Most SUVs are nowhere near as sure-footed in the snow as an outback with decent tires. I've experienced this quite a bit and the AWD system is real good, again, much better than what comes on most cars and SUVs. These are very practical cars for poor conditions, and they usually have as much ground clearance as most SUVs these days. On the other hand, a WRX set up with performance tires kinda sucks in the snow. It isn't all that great (my car for years) and don't expect to have your cake and eat it too in this regard, or just deal with "snow tires" and don't worry about the auto-x and hard dry cornering. None of these will ever be the most fuel efficient, but if you "have" to have that capability, they are usually the best in the class and it's hard to beat the practicality and capability. I remember back before we started buying subarus when a legacy pulled our helpless 4-runner with it's terrible 4wd system out of the snow.

03-31-2012, 06:55 AM	#17
iHasCamaro Drives: Silver 2012 1SS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 367	Pre '00 eclipse gsx/talon tsi awd, or evo viii/ix.

04-03-2012, 05:28 PM	#22
'11 cyber grey vert "SHARK" Born Apr.26,2011 Drives: 2011 CGM 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mississauga,Ontario Posts: 870	look at the 2012 ford escape or 2012 hyundai sante fe. both are redesigned for 2013 and you should be able to get a pretty good deal on either of the 2012's.