spd, why don’t you advise me on a good AWD/4WD vehicle that isn’t a gas guzzler (pm me if you have a good suggestion). No 4-bangers, please. It doesn’t have to be the latest model year but needs to handle very well on curvy mountain roads, have adequate ground clearance for gravel roads and beginner-intermediate trails 😛 and handle great in the snow and ice. I’m willing to store an extra set of snow tires for it as the (skinny) tires with scanty rubber used on late-model vehicles are worthless in those conditions.
I’m not in the market right away (or even in 2017) but I looked into Subarus (popular in hilly SF) cuz I have relatives who swear by them who would help me select a new or used one to buy. I just watched a youtube video of the new 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring (crossover) and it seems like it actually has more “real” leather in it than a Lexus RX ($20K + more). Love the brown/purple color in the video!
I’m concerned about the CVT transmission in Subarus, however. Not sure if I will have to replace it much earlier than with a Toyota (never had to have any transmission work done on a Toy except for clutch linkage). I also would prefer as quiet a cabin as I can get for the $$ for road traveling.
I’ve replaced a front CV boot set (on both sides) five times in the past five years on my older sedan due to driving it on gravel roads in the mountains …. arrrgh. As you all know, it’s not a cheap job and has to be done pronto after it is torn before the gravel gets into the axle and destroys it. I’ve also replaced its oil pan twice :=0 My 22-year old car needs to live out the balance of its life with my youngest kid who will keep it in the city :=]
