I don't want any crap about it, but...

[Big2dabank]

Thanks for all of your input guys. However, it doesn't make this decision any easier. Stepping down from an H2 to a smaller dailer driver is not easy. I have two special needs children at home so I can't afford anthing over $20k, by the time I pay insurance, TTL etc the cost of the car negates the savings in fuel by not driving the H2. I am also paying cash and is why I want to find something in the sub $15k range. I don't care about the looks of the vehicle I just need a cheap used SUV that I can get mid to high 20 mpg's that is preferably made in the US, has 4x4 or AWD with good traction control, has decent towing capacity and fits 5 people.

I have not owned a car in 20 years. I don't like driving cars at all, it feels like my ass is going to drag the ground. I might could do a CTS, but I'll never find one in my price range and I'll never be able to take it to a construction site or undeveloped piece of property for work. Hince the need for 4x4 or good AWD. Although, I have driven a few cars just to keep my options open.

I test drove all of the following so far:

2012 Chrysler 300S V6 - really liked it, but even with my buddies friends and family discount I just couldn't justify the price.
06/07 Audi A3/A4 - too small, felt like I was in a little ricer car
09 VW CC - nice, but I didn't like driving it, just didn't feel right
08 VW Tiguan or whatever the hell its called, blah
10 Ford Escape - major turd, felt like I had to get out and push it to make it go
10 Ford Edge - ok, but never could get the price right and mpg was not that great
10 Ford Focus - again too small for me.
10 Ford Fusion - ok, but didn't like driving it, felt cheap.
2010 Subaru Outback - I really liked this one, but could never get the price below the mid to low $20s
2006 Jeep Libery CRD - I enjoyed driving it, lots of power and has 4x4, but maintenance, and diesel cost may trump any real fuel savings. I can fillup with blended biodiesel locally, but again no real fuel cost savings, yet. No a big fan of WVO and mods needed to run it.

I don't know what the hell to do. Another CRD liberty just came up for sale locally, its the limited and has all the options, much nicer than the one I was looking at. Even has dark tined windows :emb: so I can hide out like Fish. The jeep forum has been useless so far and I am getting no answers to any of my posts about the CRD. One reply in 4 days.

Again thanks to everyone for the feedback.

 

[Big2dabank]

Big, ya know, people around here must like you because starting with "I don't want any crap about it" is often taken as the reason to give someone crap.

I knew it was coming so why hide from it! LOL.

 

[Big2dabank]

We just got a commuter. 2007 Honda Fit avg everday drivig 33-35, all hwy 38-40 not bad and we paid $7k w/ just over 40k miles

Car and no 4x4, so I am willing to sacrafice a few mpgs and stay in the mid to upper 20s for mpgs and keep the 4x4/AWD on the table. I work in land development and am always on undeveloped property or active construction sites. The Fit, just doesn't, well, fit.

 

[05Mudiak]

I would say try to find a Subaru or a Tacoma 4banger those get suprising mid 20MPGs

 

[elripster]

Not sure if the MPG will work for you (can beat 20 on the highway but can get as low as 16 if you lead foot it around town) but a Santurn Vue XR has good AWD (yep tested it myself), is fast (7 second 0-60 no sweat), can town 3500 lb (and with the 3.6L I believe it), seats 5, and you can pick a nice one up for 13K. It has more ground clearance than a 4th gen 4runner (measured when it was parked next to one).

If you need more off road ability upgrade the tires and you'd have a nice commuter that can get off the pavement a bit.

Frank

 

[Silverton34]

I don't know anything about the Liberty diesel but there is a forum called www.lostjeeps.com that is very large and is almost all Libertys. I'm sure there is some diesel info.

Gee, I drive a new Silverado 4x4 Crewcab as a daily driver to save gas. Maybe I'm failing at the mpg thing.:giggle::whaa:

 

[alrock]

If you like the Outback you should check out the Forester too. I think the year range in your tested vehicles is killing your budget as most of them are 2010+.

 

[Big2dabank]

I'm trying to stay 2006 and newer model years. I have read all the info regard the KJ CRD on the lostjeeps forums and have asimilated several good tips and things to check out if I do go the CRD route. I'm trying to keep my options open. Test driving another CRD and a Landrover LR2 this afternoon. LR2 is much nicer, but also $19k and mpg is 20 ish.

 

[LagunaH1]

Not sure if these were made in the US but it might be worth looking into Audi All Road Quattro:

http://www.edmunds.com/audi/allroad-quattro/2005/?sub=wagon&ps=used

 

[alrock]

Rovers have big repair/maintenance bills on them. There's a reason their resales tend to be low.

 

[Mb30sdl]

Smal MB like ML class descent mileage good quality. I have GL 450 get ~18 mostly in the city, but its 7 speed .

 

[05Mudiak]

Check out the 4x4 4cyl tacomas mid 20s mpg

 

[Big2dabank]

I am sure you guys can appreciate how sh!ty this decision is. I just can't anything I like to drive as much as the H2. I'll keep up the seach, but I dropped the Liberty CRD idea, just not worth it in the long run.

 

[alrock]

Certainly understand. I have a hard time envisioning owning anything other than a Hummer. Of course my loyalty may waver a few minutes right after receiving an OMFG type repair bill

 

[Sierra H3]

There are ways to increase traction without going 4x4. For example, rear locker and more aggressive tread tires. I have considered going this route for an old 4x2 F-250 that I own. Why not try to find a high MPG 4x2 with plenty of weight over the drive axle, adequate ground clearance, and go from there. If you really want to make sure about not getting stuck a winch is always an option as well. This is kind of like going back to the VW Beetle days!

 

[LagunaH1]

I agree with Sierra that you may need to relax your criteria a bit. My guess is you will have to let go of one of your main criteria if you want to stay in the price range you are looking for.

 

[Big2dabank]

I gave up on the idea of finding something I would like to drive everyday instead of the H2. Not worth the headache. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[alrock]

It's hard to get away from the Hummers!