FT-4X

[PirateMcGee]

Clutch I feel like I have agreed with you a lot on this topic. I like the idea of this vehicle and with many of the gimmicks removed it would be a great little family / mild explorer. My wife drives a little hatchback and loves it. While our Tundra is great the fuel mileage really cuts into a budget. Our hatchback is not all-wheel drive and that stops us from using it for mild desert and forest road exploring. We are on a budget, but on the lookout for a Subaru in the right price, or like I have already said we might bite the bullet and buy a Jeep Compass.

psss look at the Outlander GT.

They have a bomber awd system, a v6 with a decent economy/power blend, a six speed auto (no cvt!). Plus they're cheap for the level of equipment (especially the 2012/13's that have a tailgate) and likely will be more reliable than an overpriced used subaru.

 

[Clutch]

I have to agree with your statement. It is a stretch, but I see the connection.

It is stretch...but both are kinda square...and the rear most side window...is a touch of Tercel to me.

I think my next car will be a Jeep compass set up like the trailpass concept for the reasons you state above.

Clutch I feel like I have agreed with you a lot on this topic. I like the idea of this vehicle and with many of the gimmicks removed it would be a great little family vehicle capable of getting into and out of the rough stuff. My wife drives a little hatchback and loves it. While our Tundra is great the fuel mileage really cuts into a budget. Our hatchback is not all-wheel drive nor does it have much ground clearance and that stops us from using it for mild desert and forest road exploring. We are on a budget, but on the lookout for a Subaru in the right price, or like I have already said we might bite the bullet and buy a Jeep Compass.

We still need a pickup in our household, but as a 2nd vehicle....if it fetched decent fuel economy...talking 35+, I can see it as great commuter run around town, occasionally shoot into the country type vehicle.

That Outlander Pirate Magee posted looks ok too.

Though what I would really like is a stripped down utility small SUV/Van with 4WD w/lowrange and high ground clearance, about the size of Ford Transit Connect. About the only thing that is remotely like that and doesn't break the bank is a SR Tacoma with a topper. $25K gets you a legendary drive train, that is ready to go right off the lot. The only thing you give up is a fuel economy, if you keep it bone stock...you can get 25 HWY with it. 30+ HWY would be ideal..but it is what is.

Mentioned this in a another thread...see Toyota has a small van called the Proace available over seas. That with 4WD/Lowrange and better ground clearance. Says the 2.4 diesel gets high 40's mpgs...man that would sweet!

https://www.toyota-europe.com/new-cars/proace/

 

[Hobiecat]

My boss has a Renegade and it's fairly handy little runabout, with the seats folded flat, and it gets decent gas mileage. The FT-4X looks like it's going to try to steal that segment and looks to be similar in size to the first gen RAV4, so I'd be down if it's got Toyota build quality behind it.

 

[PirateMcGee]

It is stretch...but both are kinda square...and the rear most side window...is a touch of Tercel to me.





We still need a pickup in our household, but as a 2nd vehicle....if it fetched decent fuel economy...talking 35+, I can see it as great commuter run around town, occasionally shoot into the country type vehicle.

That Outlander Pirate Magee posted looks ok too.

Though what I would really like is a stripped down utility small SUV/Van with 4WD w/lowrange and high ground clearance, about the size of Ford Transit Connect. About the only thing that is remotely like that and doesn't break the bank is a SR Tacoma with a topper. $25K gets you a legendary drive train, that is ready to go right off the lot. The only thing you give up is a fuel economy, if you keep it bone stock...you can get 25 HWY with it. 30+ HWY would be ideal..but it is what is.

Mentioned this in a another thread...see Toyota has a small van called the Proace available over seas. That with 4WD/Lowrange and better ground clearance. Says the 2.4 diesel gets high 40's mpgs...man that would sweet!

https://www.toyota-europe.com/new-cars/proace/

View attachment 396993

Here's an actual review: https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2015-mitsubishi-outlander-xls-diesel-review/

A GT (tons of bells and whistles + the V6) run right around 20-25k and they are offering a 3k rebate on leftover 16' models. Can tow 3500lbs, still has a real spare, 8.5" of ground clearance, can fit 16" rims with AT tires.....

If a wagon will work for you it's a pretty slick car.

 

[Clutch]

Here's an actual review: https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2015-mitsubishi-outlander-xls-diesel-review/

A GT (tons of bells and whistles + the V6) run right around 20-25k and they are offering a 3k rebate on leftover 16' models. Can tow 3500lbs, still has a real spare, 8.5" of ground clearance, can fit 16" rims with AT tires.....

If a wagon will work for you it's a pretty slick car.

Of course you give us the one with the diesel review that gets 37 mpg.

Looks pretty slick. I keep on threatening on getting a wagon for my daily. The better half keeps on telling me to just buy another Tacoma.

EDIT: Glancing over their website, looks like the cheap models only come with a CVT tranny....(deal killer)

ohhhh...I'll get on a wagon kick...then I'll start looking at vans....it always comes back full circle. Tacoma is the best all arounder for me. My only real gripe with the platform is, wish it got better gas mileage...it is what it is.

 

[Hobiecat]

I think my next car will be a Jeep compass set up like the trailpass concept for the reasons you state above.

I've not researched the current generation Compass, but I had a 2012 Jeep Patriot (mechanically identical to the previous gen Compass) and don't think I'd do that again.....With the 5 speed it was geared WAY too high for anything useful, the interior was starting to fall apart after 70k, and the clutch must have been made of cardboard...Though it was small, nimble, could carry a ton of sailing gear, and regularly got 29-30 MPG.

 

[PirateMcGee]

I hate the fuel economy of the taco too....only reason I don't have one. Really I will be stuck with two vehicles unless I can move back to the land of bicycles or I compromise on a wagggggggon

 

[Clutch]

I hate the fuel economy of the taco too....only reason I don't have one. Really I will be stuck with two vehicles unless I can move back to the land of bicycles or I compromise on a wagggggggon

I can eek out 20-22 hwy unloaded with mine, as I rarely go over 65 mph...soo a wagon that gets 27-30. hwy...the yearly fuel cost is only $500-600 more with the Taco. Basically an extra $1.40-1.64 per day to fuel. That isn't "too horrible" at the end of the day...given how much more versatile the Tacoma is over wagon. I do see a couple guys with the SR 4 Cylinder on Fuelly getting 25mpg out of theirs....yearly fuel costs gets even closer then.

We do have a Trooper as well...so in essences we do have 2 vehicles that compliment each other quite nicely. Wish they both got better mileage, even though in the big scheme of things it isn't all that bad...they are both paid for, so there is that....which it always comes back to that, price of a new vehicle no matter what it is, buys a hell of a lot of fuel for what we already have.

Still like to look for some reason though. Always wanted a sports wagon, why I don't know.


Speaking of bicycles, we bought her new commuter bike....weather has been too up and down for her to ride it though. She is only 3/4's of a mile from her work, she can make a tank of gas last for months in her Trooper, think we put a whole 900 miles on it last year...and that is mostly from me, when I took it to work for a couple weeks.

 

[NMBruce]

To me, Toyota has become about becoming the #1 manufacture in the world. The thing about making a new FJ is that is should go head to head with the wrangler, Jeep can't seem to make enough of them, so Toyota would have a good market to go into again.