Trying to make a short list Honda, Toyota, Subaru or?

We have a 2014 Honda CRV that we use as an everyday car. It is front wheel drive and automatic. Since it is a common tow vehicle, the tow bar, baseplate, auxiliary brakes, etc were readily available and easily set up. It is relatively light, ~3300lbs, and is a good everyday car getting > 30 mpg. Note that the 2015 version is not towable 4 down.

dicknellen wrote:
If you want an automatic trans CRV in either 2wd or awd. I like our 2013 CRV awd. Rav4 & Subaru needs to be manual trans. 2014 is the last year CRV are towable 4 down. Dick

Of your choices I like the Forester best. The problem at least in the Washington DC area, is that anything with in the neighborhood of 30k miles comes with like new prices. That leaves those with more than 70k miles that folks are looking to sell because they want new or can't drive any longer.

We are happy with our Honda Fit. I just found a new 2014 CRV that I plan to buy to replace our 2005 Acura TL. At this point we have no plans to Tow the CRV but if we ever go back to only the one vehicle we would tow the CRV. As you can tell we are Happy with Honda products.

From your profile it looks like you have a class A gas MH. What is your weight limit most are 3500 lbs. I would be looking for a manual trans car less than 3000 lbs. The SUV's mentioned will all be around your max towing capacity of 3500 lbs.

jeep

We are on Subaru's number 13 and 14 since 1977, I expect 200,000 to 300,000 miles. I have only gotten stuck twice where I had to be pulled out of a snow bank.

Your options are going to be pretty limited. Most "lease returns" are actually rental program cars so virtually all will be automatics. This rules out Subaru and Toyota unless you want to fool with a lube pump. As newer models come out, four down options are getting fewer and fewer. If I were shopping for a new toad out of those three, I'd opt for a manual transmission Subaru but you probably won't find one in a lease return.

Hank85713 wrote:
...jeeps are heavy pretty much, was planning on towing my 2wd ranger took it to scale and it was almost 4000 lbs! Heavy tow + heavy bus will impact your drive....

our 2-dr wrangler weighs in at 3200-lbs, our 4-dr liberty at 3600-lbs.

we tow a 2013 Hyundai, Elantra, 4 cyl, 150 hp direct injection 6 speed manual trans. Get into the mid to high 30's on high way high 20 in town. Lotsa room and rear seats fold flat for a large area if needed. Weighs about 2800 lbs.

Has a good wheel base and track so tows straight even on rough roads. The KIA is the sister company to the Hyundai.

jeeps are heavy pretty much, was planning on towing my 2wd ranger took it to scale and it was almost 4000 lbs! Heavy tow + heavy bus will impact your drive.

Wife has an honda accord, its ok but I will not ever buy another honda. No major issues, just not very comfortable overall IMO.

Have been some reports on the small kia, hyundais, nissons, toyotas that many would not buy again also! See very few on roads behind rv's.

I voted in 2010 with my pocketbook for a manual transmission Subaru Forester.