blaze one said:
But a late model subaru has more of a "family guy" attitude that some must present.
I'm cracking up right now because in Colorado at least (and some other states, I know) a late model Subaru suggests something a bit different, tho if outfitted like the SEMA car it would be pretty cool.
If you're looking to improve offroad capability, I agree you may be on the wrong track...a "2" rating on the 10 scale is doable, but risky (that was last weekend
), and I'd be extremely leery of doing anything rated "2" on the 5 scale in anything with low ground clearance. Since those are body lifts rather than changes to the ride height, they'll get you ground clearance only in the radius of your new tires compared to the old ones.
Not that I don't know a few cars with belly skids, but maybe something like a Ridgeline, LR3, Commander or one of the late model Land/Range Rover or Land Cruiser offerings would be a better option if you need the clean cut family look for DD duty, but want to take the same vehicle offroad. Since we're talking a bit of image, a lot of people in Denver drive those various vehicles as shiny status symbols (anyone ever seen a dirty G-Wagon?) so they'd definitely suffice if you need the look for work, but we know they're all being put to pasture prematurely by their owners
.
My uncle recently got an LR3...he's itching to get it in the dirt, and he's from NY! It's pretty nice, and has a great auto tilt feature in the side mirrors for backing up (among the eleventybillion other offroad-related features!). I have to do it manually on the truck
. Anyway, check out some of the more metropolitan oriented offerings from Jeep, Toyota and Land Rover...very clean lines, and they have the capability where it counts for dirty work. Some have independent suspension like the Roo, but with more ground clearance, low range, and other options for getting up and down steep hills and whatnot. All those little things add up to more control offroad, and AFAIK aren't offered on a Subaru.
Dunno about the mileage, tho.
*BTW I'm not talking down Roos...I grew up driving them, and they are ubiquitous in Alaska! For a four banger they can MOVE, and they're better at high speed in a snowstorm than my truck, by a long shot. I just dunno that it's the best platform to start what you're talking about. It really is gonna depend on the roads you want to travel, that's all. Don't forget there's an Expedition Element here
.
-Sean