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Offroad and gas efficent?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Talk' started by jennmcleod01, Aug 4, 2014.

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  1. jennmcleod01

    jennmcleod01 New Member

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    Does anyone know of a car that I can take on back roads that are also gas efficient.
    The hubby works for the post office and he's a rural carrier. He uses his own car but I would love to find a car that he could take off road and not eat up gas like my Honda pilot. He currently drives a Acura CL but I'm afraid it's getting towards the end of it's life cycle where it'll cost more to keep it than to get a new car.
    It doesn't have to be a new model car, if that helps.
     
    jennmcleod01, Aug 4, 2014
    #1
  2. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    Off road as in gravel roads in need of some upkeep? Or a more serious trail? If he uses a CL now then it shouldn't be that bad of a road. What kind of fuel mileage are you looking for and what is your budget?

    The new diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee is listed as 33.6 mpg (7 l/100 kms) highway and 26 mpg (9 l/100 kms) city. Some are offering an upgrade to the Overland model with the free $5000 upgrade to the diesel. But your still looking at $40000 in Canada. If your in the US you might be able to get this for about $10.

    James
     
    Flexin, Aug 4, 2014
    #2
  3. happyflowerlady

    happyflowerlady Member

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    I used to have a Kia Sportage, and it was great on gas, and also had a high wheel base, so it could go on rougher roads. Mine was only a 2wd, because I didn't need it to go on any back roads, but they make them in both 2wd and 4wd.

    Also, my daughter has a Ford Ranger and she takes that little pickup in places that scare me ! Of course, that issn't real hard to do anymore. There is a picture on the forum of her pickup parked way out on the edge of a cliff, and I am pretty sure that she just drove right through the brush to get there.
    The Ranger might not be real good on gas, but it is not bad either, and it is definitely dependable.
     
    happyflowerlady, Aug 5, 2014
    #3
  4. jennmcleod01

    jennmcleod01 New Member

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    I'm talking dirt roads with some soft dirt and no gravel at all. His CL does works well at times but I'm afraid that it'll get stuck and it's getting beat up a bit.
    Thank you for the ideas. I'll let him know.
     
    jennmcleod01, Aug 5, 2014
    #4
  5. Ricardo187

    Ricardo187 Member

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    I'd support the Diesel Grand Cherokee. It's a great car and the gas efficiency is not bad at all, seeing the car. You can't have the best of two worlds, so I think that's kind of equilibrated.
     
    Ricardo187, Aug 10, 2014
    #5
  6. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    If that is all it is for I would almost just go with a newer car. Sounds like your biggest worry is the age of the car. If it gets muddy often on those roads and there is enough of them to make it an issue the you could go with a AWD car. There are many out there. Subaru is on of them. For has some in their line up as well as many others. The awd could help a lot. But if it is really bad you might just have more ties spinning in the mud if your running a regular all season tire.

    Some more questions.
    • How % of his route is dirt roads?
    • Do you get a lot of rain?
    • Do you get much snow in your area (awd could be a big plus in this case).
    • How much space does he need?
    • Are things tight using the CL or can he go even smaller?
    • What is the most important issue? Fuel or dirt road traction
    • Is this just the mail vehicle? When you two go somewhere together, which one is used. Would you like the newer one to become the main vehicle you two use to go places together or will this be the mainly the mail work car? If it will be the main vehicle then it might need to meet some other needs you both have as well.
    James
     
    Flexin, Aug 10, 2014
    #6
  7. mcjonesqwe

    mcjonesqwe Member

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    I don't think you can go wrong with the new Ford Rangers. The gas mileage is around 25 mpg and they're pretty good off road, especially if it's just on dirt.
     
    mcjonesqwe, Aug 10, 2014
    #7
  8. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    I don't find that the Ranger is all that good on fuel. Unless you are talking about the 4 cyl.? That gets in that range they claim. The 4L V6 is in the 14/19 range.

    James
     
    Flexin, Aug 10, 2014
    #8
  9. Flexin

    Flexin Admin Staff Member Founding Member Top Event

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    The Subaru XV Crosstrek gets 25/33 mpg. AWD and a hatch back which is good for doing the mail

    James
     
    Flexin, Aug 10, 2014
    #9
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