Recommendations on ECO-AWD SUV?

[moparmansfield]

Well, the XJ is going to be on the chopping block again soon. With School starting soon and funds running tight(lots of bad luck recently cleaned me out, plus some), I want to get a fuel efficient small suv or wagon(mid 20's) to replace the XJ. I haven't driven the XJ in a couple months and I'd rather someone else get to enjoy it, rather than it just sitting for who knows how long. I wanted to see what you guys might recommend for a good dd with AWD. I will use whatever money the jeep sells for to buy it. Might also sell my f-150 I'm driving now, but its got so many miles, might not be worth it. The ones that come to mind are:

Element
Forester
CRV
RAV4
Volvo wagon?



I'll still be Jeepin in my dads XJ. It needs some work, but should be good to go by spring.

 

[souske]

I really like my dd element
I don't have the awd version, but the car is laid out well

 

[GordoSmasho]

Forester 4cyl manual. My dad is a mechanic and swears by the subaru 4cyl non turbo motors. He has seem a few with over 400k with no major repairs. They are fun to drive and they get mid 20s mpg.

 

[moparmansfield]

Those are actually my top 2 picks right now. Ill have to go check them both out as I've never actually been in either of them.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

4cyl 5spd stock xj wth a cold ait intake cone filter and a fat tune up and some high flow exhaust

 

[moparmansfield]

4cyl 5spd stock xj wth a cold ait intake cone filter and a fat tune up and some high flow exhaust

I definitely thought about that... a 90's 2 door 4 banger 5 speed 4x4 would be pretty sweet, but I haven't seen one of those for sale in awhile, plus the .gov gas mileage site rates it at 20 mpg highway.

 

[moparmansfield]

Oh and the price listed for my jeep is for Non-Naxja members, and is adjusted for the low-ball offers I will get, Just a heads up.

 

[Jeep450r]

Foresters are awesome. My buddy has one for sale I believe. Just expect to do head gaskets every 80-120,000 miles on them though.

 

[moparmansfield]

Foresters are awesome. My buddy has one for sale I believe. Just expect to do head gaskets every 80-120,000 miles on them though.

I was wondering about that. I've seen a few adds saying the head gaskets had been replaced already. I'm gonna read up on it.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

Link to the ad for your rig?

 

[Ben H]

I just switched over to the hippie side of life and bought a 2015 Subaru Outback. Other than the fact that it smells of patchouli and granola...and my wife hasn't shaved since I bought it for her...it is a very nice car. I'd highly recommend it.

Edit: I really like that it came with paddle shifters and a full touch screen display. A lot of bang for the money at $28k.

 

[smokinu]

my current job is car transport. ive had the privilege to move a bunch of cars the last few months.

i know you were looking used.
but here is my findings.

the new ford edge/escapes are awesome!.
im a big guy 350lbs 6"2 and i drove for over 3 hours in a ford edge today. moved it from santa clara to modesto through 4pm traffic. UGH! and i avg 25mpg and that was even having fun in the "sport" mode shifting the thing at 5-6k rpm!


as far as volvo wagons go. i was really intrested in them for a long time (still am)
they have pretty crappy transmissions. unless you go older like the 740's or something.
they are also 5cyl turbo's pretty fun until you have to work on them, now most of the trans issue's are solved with adding an extra inline trans cooler, and apparently the trans are not serviceable but people do it anyways.

cant go wrong with a subaru! foresters have been around a long time! plus you can find a wrecked sti and pretty much do a motor/trans/axle swap and have a beastly little wagon!

cant comment on the crv/element.

but another wagon/suv to look at is the scion xb.
(haha toyota right) but they are pretty nice vehicles and we all know toyota's are pretty robust!

rav4, they are kinda small. but great little vehicles as well!

 

[dsdtdemon]

My brother is looking for something similar as he just moved up to Denver. He was originally wanting a Subaru but are finding them to be just beyond his budget.
However, in his research, the Nissan Rogue has gotten really good reviews, if you can get used to the CVT.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

So no one thinks a 4cyl 4x4 xj with some intake exhaust, and throttle body mods is a good idea ?

 

[moparmansfield]

My budget will probably be around 4500, for those wondering. I have till late spring to pick something up. John, I do like the idea, but whats the max mpg you think I could squeeze out of it? Im looking at around 50-60 miles a day 30/70 cityhighway. Gas prices are looking great right now, but who knows how long that's going to last.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

probably 24 MPG freeway with mods is my guess . maybe light rims and smaller tires aired up and intake/exhaust/. but if its going to be your commuter maybe go with something lighter and smaller with guaranteed MPG. What is the MPG like in a subaru forester- looks like 32MPG freeway. An XJ wont get close to that. Too bad you couldn't buy a 1600$ 1999 honda accord with like 180K and then buy a stock 4 cylinder XJ for 1500$ and have both.

Or

Partially part out your XJ, scrape up 1500$, and buy a late 90s honda accord for DD status and still have the XJ.