Used dinghy, auto trans, under 3000 lbs.

[Snowman9000]

I had convinced myself that I was going to buy a new car as a dinghy. But the choices are few under 3000 lbs, with auto trans. I still might go that route. (Fit, Fiesta, Sonic)

I'm wondering what used cars would fit those specs? I don't really need a great car for this purpose. It would be my daily driver but that doesn't mean much because DW has a good late model car when one is needed, and I have a PU truck too. It could be nice to have a 10 year old "beater" as a dinghy, as long as it's reliable. It would be a bonus if the tow procedure was very simple and not too restrictive. I've heard a lot about Saturns but don't know squat about the various models.

Not interested in the Smart ForTwo, simply because of lack of cargo volume.

Would consider oddball/unsupported cars such as VW TDI's and such, as long as people have proven them.

[j-d]

If you want to limit your towed weight (which I encourage!) then Curb Weight might be OK. Actual Truck Scale Weight would be better.
But if you want to be "under 3000" to skirt supplemental braking laws, some jurisdictions use Gross Vehicle Weight. Mostly because that spec appears on a sticker in the door frame. Since most cars can carry 4 people and a little luggage, a car with under 3000 GVWR has to be really light, around 2000. Our old Tercel's curb was around 1900 and GVWR was around 2900. Our mini-pickup's curb was around 2500 but GVWR was around 4000.

[Snowman9000]

Anyone know what year Civic was the last for auto trans dinghy towing?

[bobsinn]

Our 2000 Honda Civic auto fits the bill(2600#). We have towed it for over 40K miles. You do have to run the engine and run it thru the gears for a couple of min. each day.

[tatest]

That description fits the Honda Fit (pun intended). Ready to tow, ready to drive, it will be 2600 to 2800 pounds, but could go over that if you use it as a cargo trailer.

GM has towable automatics in the "near 3000 pound" curb weight class, the Cavalier/Sunfire/Cobalt range and its Saturn/Buick/Olds clones, but some of them are somewhat over that weight when fully accessorized and ready to drive and tow. The HHR retro wagon is popular for this use, but somewhat heftier than a base model two-door Cobalt, particularly at high trim levels with the optional larger engines.

Curb weights are misleading numbers, particularly for a whole model line, because the weight will be for the lightest model with the least optional equipment, quite likely not even including the extra weight of that automatic transmission you must have.

The Fit seats fold down for carrying bulky objects (or fold up for bulky objects of another shape), an advantage you don't get in a subcompact sedan like Cobalt or Ion. But you do need to check your bulky object against the space and the openings, Fit is roomy but not as roomy as the larger HHR, PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, Honda Element, most of which will be a little heavier than your target weight, and not all are towable as automatics.

[EsoxLucius]

Honda Fit also.

[DaveG39]

my error. My fingers were saying under 3000 but they should have said under 3500. You may have to find an old Tracker somewhere.

[ronfisherman]

DaveG39 wrote:
look at CRV. they are towable and under 3000lbs. Very popular towed vehicle.

The towing guides that I have looked at say that a CRV 4X2 weighs 3300+lbs. 4X4 is close to 3500 lbs depending on which year you are looking at.

[luvlabs]

You are going to find it very difficult to find a large selection of under 3000lb cars, with an automatic, that can be towed flat. Your list just about covers it. Be careful with the GM models because not all of versions of the Sonic can be towed flat.

The Fit is proving to be an excellent toad for us. We were going to get a CRV but decided to save the bucks and get the Fit.

[DaveG39]

look at CRV. they are towable and under 3000lbs. Very popular towed vehicle.

[Snowman9000]

rockhillmanor wrote:
PM me. I am changing RV's and won't be towing a toad anymore and have a Tracker toad all set up for towing that is available. It was THE lightest car 'I' could find!

I tried to PM you but the site says you do not accept them.
I do though, so maybe you can PM me, with your contact info?

[Snowman9000]

havasu wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
Not interested in the Smart ForTwo, simply because of lack of cargo volume.

I'm always interested in peoples perceptions of the Smart and I should post a photo or two of DW after a shopping trip to the Supermarket 🙂

She can get $200 worth of groceries nicely lined up in the cargo space.

Also, how many times do you actually need the extra cargo space and it's easy to add a small $800 trailer for the occasional trip to the dump or lumber yard.

But I agree, they are not for everyone and you are either hooked on them or you dislike them. 🙂

I have one bulky object that is going to be carried in the car, and I am 99.9% sure the Smart will not handle it.

[havasu]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Not interested in the Smart ForTwo, simply because of lack of cargo volume.

I'm always interested in peoples perceptions of the Smart and I should post a photo or two of DW after a shopping trip to the Supermarket 🙂

She can get $200 worth of groceries nicely lined up in the cargo space.

Also, how many times do you actually need the extra cargo space and it's easy to add a small $800 trailer for the occasional trip to the dump or lumber yard.

But I agree, they are not for everyone and you are either hooked on them or you dislike them. 🙂

[ANewTraveler]

Remember that Remco also has the Drive shaft disconnect for many two wheel drive autos with auto tranny's. Thinking about getting one myself right now to pull my Jeep Grand Cherokee rear 2 wheel drive. This unit disconnects the drive shaft by a cable run to the assembly for connect/disconnect.

[ronfisherman]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Did all years of Ions have the instruments in the center?

Don't know.

[rockhillmanor]

PM me. I am changing RV's and won't be towing a toad anymore and have a Tracker toad all set up for towing that is available. It was THE lightest car 'I' could find!