tech vehicle

[KenB]

Re: tech vehicle

Subaru Outback wagon. Not too bad on the gas mileage about 26 mpg average. Have hauled things I never thought would even be possible. There's always just enough room...a little tight sometimes but just enough. No floor model copiers though of course.

Plus the AWD does very well in these sh*tty Pennsylvania winters.

You got it right with the AWD.

One of my coworkers has a Suburu Legacy, which is AWD. While it was in for some warranty work a few months ago, he had a FWD Dodge Caliber as a loaner. For the 3 days that he had it, it was quite windy and rainy.

He said he never appreciated the AWD as much until then. The Legacy holds the road like glue when the weather is like that, and the Caliber, well, not so much. (He averages about 250 miles a day, so he certainly had enough time to get used to it.)

[kingpd@businessprints.net]

Re: tech vehicle

My previous Subaru was an Impreza sedan. I tested the AWD once by taking it to a farmers corn field which was a hill about on a 45 degree angle with 8-10 inches of snow. From stationary I let off the break and gently pushed on the gas and it just went on up the hill. Tried the same thing with a Nissan 4WD truck and it didn't make it. It needed a running start.

The key is definitely having the computer component instruct each wheel independently wherever slip is detected for the AWD. I wish they would make something more akin to an actual truck though because even the outbacks aren't that great for really rough off-roading where big puddles, streams, or boulders are concerned. I suppose that's what Range Rovers are for but their price tag is high and the gas hogs take premium.

[KenB]

Re: tech vehicle

I'll be in the market for a new car in about 18 months, and I'm almost positive it will be an AWD - most likely a Subie.

My Accord is great, but not in the snow or other slick conditions.

[kingpd@businessprints.net]

Re: tech vehicle

You might want to look at the Toyota Rav 4's as well. I think they're Toyota's only AWD at the moment. I haven't seen the latest consumer reports reviews but they consistently rated the ravs really high.

I really liked a lot of the Hondas and Acuras. They get great reviews, last a long time. I test drove several before but didn't go with them only because of AWD issue. Maybe if I didn't live in PA I'd be open to more vehicles.

The Mercedes E class has AWD vehicles too but even though a lot of people like them and think they're prestigious...they don't get the high reliability awards like some of the other brands.

[prntrfxr]

Re: tech vehicle

Go to the Subaru website. I'm a big fan of Toyota's, but Subaru AWD is the best they make. The way it's designed is very different than others. Only difference is Subaru is a bit pricey. Not enough winter down here to be worth it, but if I was up north it would be a different story.

http://www.subaru.com/engineering/all-wheel-drive.html

[HenryT2]

Re: tech vehicle

" Not enough winter down here to be worth it, but if I was up north it would be a different story. " by Prntrfxr

WHAT !?! Hey we've already had some snow over here .

YEP !!! It finally quit raining and snowed off and on for about about a hour, then just quit .
No accumulation of course. Oh Well .

[kingpd@businessprints.net]

Re: tech vehicle

Wow...great videos.

[zulufan1]

Re: tech vehicle

Right now I drive a Taurus Wagon with 310K on Her. I bought it 6 Years ago for $4000 w/112k Miles. I've been very happy with it, tons of room, reasonable mileage, and cheap to own & operate.

Now with changes coming, I will be forced to comply and get a newer car, or lose most of my fixed reimbursement. I'm not sure where to even start, or If I want to go down that road.

[DallasTech]

Re: tech vehicle

Anyone else do any track days in their service rigs?

Here is one of mine.

[kingpd@businessprints.net]

Re: tech vehicle

ttt. that's nothing. you should see me race my bugatti veyron.

[kingpd@businessprints.net]

Re: tech vehicle

course it's on the xbox 360

[CompyTech]

Re: tech vehicle

I drive (company car) Nissan Versa. Not too bad of a little car, built on a Renault chassis I think. So who knows how durable it will be. Wish it was a manual though. I was driving a 97 Nissan Pickup great truck.