Years of good service from a Suby make me want a new Suby. A WRX wagon is THE car of choice. Too bad they don't make an STI wagon, or do they??

I think they do, JC.

300HP, 6SP, 4WD and room for the kids sounds really good to me.

I second the Trooper vote. Ours has been bulletproof. A/C could be better but otherwise it's one of my all time favorite vehicles (out of 43 vehicles I've owned).

We used to have a Rodeo. Powerful V6. No problem except a dead battery got me stranged. We had it for 5 years with a little over 100K miles when we sold it. Toyota should be bullet-proof like usual. I would stay away from Chrysler. Of course, a WRX wagon is a great sleeper. I am trying to talk my wife into a STi.:D

The rodeo, passport or explorer are too small for towing, no matter what the capacity in the books say. You need a certain size and weight to be comfortable towing.

The chrysler is a quality nightmare. It may have gotten better, but I'd stay clear of a Chrysler product.

I recommend a true full size truck or SUV. If you can, get something with rear LEAF springs and a full frame. While that is a rather old fashioned suspension setup, it will help make towing a safe experience. How about an extended cab truck with a camper shell? That's a very inexpensive alternative to an SUV. Why pay 15k more for the same vehicle to have two more doors and an extra set of seats?

Personally we own a 97 F-150 extended cab with the small V8 (4.6) and it serves well as a project puller, even for the bigger 4000 pound american cars I tow every now and then. At 170k miles on the truck, not a single problem.

George

I'll put in a vote for the Ford F150. I have always hated ford, until I started my new job. My company has two F150s. Both have over 100k miles, and both get the crap beat out of them, hauling and off road. They stand up to it very well. Never break down, and have tons of power with the 5.4 V8. I love taking off from a stop light in 4wd next to some little rice burner and smoking them with a huge pick up. Always makes me laugh. Anyway, if I needed that much room and pulling power, I would deffinately get a four door F150. Just throwing my opinon around.

There is no STi wagon. If there was, I'd have one in a heartbeat. STi is only available in the 4-door sedan. WRX wagon is very nice, and some cheap mods can get you pretty slose to STi power, but you don't get the better tranny, brakes, and other goodies.

Used 4-Runners (late 90's) are pretty bulletproof. Ours has 127K on it ('96 w/4-cylinder) and it keeps on ticking.

Drive something with a little character!

You already have an iconoclastic car, get a vehicle to match like a Grand Wagoneer. I absolutely loved my '87 Wagoneer ... it could haul heavy loads, never bogged down in snow or mud and had power enough to pull tree stumps in low gear. Try this link to see what's available:

http://www.wagonmaster.com/

One other unique vehicle I would strongly recommend is a Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40. Though a little small in size, it will never let you down! My '75 Lancruiser used to pull Chevy Jimmys out of the sand at the beach in Georgia. I miss having one now, and continue to look for just the right one here in Washington State. Check this link out:

http://www.coolcruisers.com/

You'll be happy with either one! Have fun looking.

Regards,

I also think a used Toyota 4Runner, or FJ is the way to go.
We have a 1989 FJ62 w/ 150,000 miles that serves as a 3rd vehicle, utility rig, dog hauler, bike hauler, 4x4 mountain pass rig
It has been 100% reliable, no rattles/squeaks even with 150K
We bought it a few years back for only $10,000 w/ 93k orig.
Best vehicle, other than the 911, I have ever owned
http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/1988fj621.html

Plan on paying plenty of $$$ if you buy from CCOT !

When my wife won't let me use her Santa Fe to pull the car around...
I use this!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1070742216.jpg

Cool plate huh!!!
:)

Those Toyota FJ-60's are awesome, I've always wanted one. The FJ-40 is a little too small for my taste, but a cool vehicle all around. I kinda like the idea of a pickup but Im not totally sold yet. Ford is making some nice trucks latey though, the extended cabs look great. I also like the new short-bed GMCs but they are too pricey for my budget. The Wagoneers might be cool with a set of 30's on them and a 6 inch lift, they look too soccer-mom'ish otherwise. Thanks for the feedback guys!

Real quick here! Do yourself a favor. Don't get a Toyota V-6 to pull a 4000-5000 # trailer around. I've had a Toyota 4wd TRD V-6. It is, hands down the best vehichle in it's class, but it's not a tow vehichle. Maybe light loads, but not a car trailer. It will be way to hard on it and cause it to break or just go to slow. Definitely, get a full size truck, like that Silverado listed. I've had both vehichles. Best of luck.

I just can't drive anything that says "TRD" on the side.

I've heard those are the best pickups though.

Back before mid year I bought a Chevy Trailblazer. I bought the standard 6 cyl. engine and shorter wheelbase model. I can not say enough good things about this SUV.

I bought it as my wife's everyday driver and to pull my 911 to the track. It has a towing capacity of 6800 pounds and with the Vortec 6 cyl. delivers 275 hp and 275 ft.-lbs. torque. It comes with a complete tow package and pulls very well. THe brakes are excellent, so when the electric trailer brakes stop working in the middle of a trip, and they will, the tow vehicle can safely stop the whole kit a caboodle.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1070903353.jpg

really cant go wrong with a toyota, on my second 4x truck and might buy another when i wear this one out.

toby

I've got a Toyota DoubleCab (PreRunner - don't need 4WD here in Alabama). It is the best of both worlds in that it works like a truck and also hauls 4 people around in comfort. The V6 has plenty of power for towing (I've towed with it, but not the pcar).

Plus, you get that great Toyota reliability. I've owned 5 Toyota trucks and they run forever.

Mike

Utility vs. daily driver - what is more important? For utility I'd go with a 3-4 year old F-150 w/4.6. Does everything except get great mileage. Otherwise go with the Toyota truck.

My recently retired 1992 Isuzu Trooper LS. Currently has 180,000 miles on it and still runs strong with the exception of a clunky transmission and some interior light bulbs that need replacing. This car's been to Canada and back, been in 10+ fender benders and off-roading too. Here's some off-roading action with me behind the wheel trying to do my best Gene Simmons impression...:cool:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/pmpre/im...hill-close.jpg

dont tow with a small truck/SUV. not enough mass to always keep the load behind you. we drive F150's at work. we beat them and they really take it well.