Poll on Tow Vehicle.....Toads?

[oregonrambler1]

When we were shopping, we oscillated between the honda crv and the jeep liberty. What we found was that the jeep was about 300 pounds heavier (curb weight) than the CRV. Also, our CRV almost fell into our lap at a dealer "off site" parking lot sale when we lived in Fort Mojave, AZ. It was a deal we couldn't pass up knowing that we wanted a dependable tow vehicle. We owned the CRV for over a year before she was made tow ready. (our kids joked that we finally bought a "real car"... I saw nothing wrong with our Ford Aerostar that had over 350,000 miles (original engine!) when we finally donated her, she served the family well)

[Bethers]

Beth, the jeep only weighs 4200# witha full tank. And it is easy to set up to tow. That and the winters I have to drive in, made the 4wd almost a must. Well, a great feature anyway. Would love a really economical small car, but after driving up high off the road, don't know if I can go back to a low rider!

4200 is more than a thousand pounds above what I would consider. I only have a 3500 lb hitch AND I wanted a car under 3000 anyway - plus I wanted good gas mileage. So only there - was way more than I could do!

As to the driving - I love being high up - but my little car feels like a sports car to me, and I always loved my little cars. It drives so easily, I was quickly happy with it. That said, it doesn't get much mileage! Probably will get quite a bit more this winter, though.

[ellenw]

I've been starting to think about replacing my all wheel drive, V6 Saturn Vue with a cute little Fiat 500c. Once I start driving a MH with maybe 10 mpg, I'll be happy to have my full-time "real" vehicle getting closer to 30mpg. The Vue gets about 18, but that's not good enough if I have to live with only 10 mpg some of the time. And the Fiat would be great as a toad if the time ever comes I want to start doing things that way.

Then I downloaded the guide Beth suggested and was very sad to see that while they feature the Fiat 500 on their cover (I think that's what it is, yes?), only the manual transmission allows all 4 down. I'm not sure I'm ready to take on learning to drive a stick after all these years. And I live up a hill that's a 17-degree incline in places. Not much fun if there's any traffic!

Well no matter. I still have 3 years left to pay on the Vue, and I know I won't be toading (is that a word?) for at least that long. By then who knows how cars will have changed.

[carold]

Our Toyota corolla was great and we got about 35 mpg on the highway. But only the manual shift was towable and I was ready for automatic and cruise control carold

[Liz]

When I get back to FL I plan to look at the Ford Fiesta as a possible toad. Here's a link comparing it to the Honda Fit:

http://www.autobytel.com/ford/fiesta/2012/reviews/2012-ford-fiesta-vs-2012-honda-fit-110139/

It can be towed 4 wheels down with automatic transmission.

[Bethers]

When I get back to FL I plan to look at the Ford Fiesta as a possible toad. Here's a link comparing it to the Honda Fit:

http://www.autobytel.com/ford/fiesta/2012/reviews/2012-ford-fiesta-vs-2012-honda-fit-110139/

It can be towed 4 wheels down with automatic transmission.

Liz, I was excited to see Ford get into the mix of vehicles that can be towed (automatic/all wheels down). I'm a Ford person! That was very nice to see in the current year's list. And, while I just glanced, the lightest weight one which would compare to what I have, also didn't even need a fuse taken out - like mine now. Love that, too.