Help me find a new car to carry my stuff

So my car got totaled 2 weeks ago. I finally got my insurance payment and I am in the market for a new car. I'm looking for something that works well for carrying a PA and the rest of my gear. I don't wan't a pickup, so I'm limited to an SUV and Hatch/Wagons. I want something decent on gas (Spoiled by my 35mpg XB)

My budget is about $12k. I want to pay cash, and not have to have payments on a new car.
So far, here are some of the options I've come across, but would like some opinions from people who have these and other suggestions.

1st choice. a 2004ish X3
(Something like this)
http://www.usautoretailers.com/vehic...3/default.html


2005ish Xterra (9k-12k ish)
2001ish BMW X5 (11ki sh)
2004/5 Touareg (11-13k ish)
2004/5 Subaru WRX Wagon (10k ish)
2000/4 Mercedes ML320 (8k ish)
2004/5 Volvo XC90 (11kish)
2005/6 Jeep Cherokee (11-12k ish)
2004 Audi Allroad (8-9k ish)

Thanks guys.

[jorluivil]

I would stay away from the european cars, I hear the gas savings is lost when you have to pay for scheduled maintenance. I went from a Tundra V8 to an Accord V6 to my new hooptee, a 99 Civic 4banger so I know what you mean about being spoiled on the mpg's. Have you considered a 4cylinder truck?

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I would stay away from the european cars, I hear the gas savings is lost when you have to pay for scheduled maintenance. I went from a Tundra V8 to an Accord V6 to my new hooptee, a 99 Civic 4banger so I know what you mean about being spoiled on the mpg's. Have you considered a 4cylinder truck?

I've looked at 4cyl trucks, like the liberty or 4cyl xterra, but I want to get a boat in the fall and would like towing capabilities

[Mr. Adventure]

get a diesel golf. If you look you can get one in that price range and have a good amount of room and around 40 mpg.

That's what I'd do anyway

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

get a diesel golf. If you look you can get one in that price range and have a good amount of room and around 40 mpg.

That's what I'd do anyway

What about putting a 9ft single piece jig stick in there?

[Mr. Adventure]

Put a 3" abs pipe on the side of your roof rack along side or between kayaks with a screw off end and slide it in with foam on the inside of the caps.

[Croaker Dave]

Rather than the WRX, a Forester or Outback works fine as a kayak carrier and are more economical and reliable. I've used a Forester at LJ for kayak fishing many times. Not as cool as a WRX, but you're cool enough to pull it off. LL Bean edition with nice leather and stereo and it's even somewhat upscale.

[JeffB]

Rangers and Tacomas do not get to bad of gas mileage

[lowprofile]

ya, taco's are good on gas, my FJ even got around 21 stock. stock taco should do the same.

have you thought about a small trailer? even a civic can pull a kayak.

[Enceladus]

I love my outback. AWD and gets decent gas milage. The car is well designed for caring outdoors stuff. The seats all lie down pretty flat so you can sleep in it if you want to. Not that it makes a huge difference, but it's not as high as an SUV so loading up my yak on it is a piece of cake. Some SUV's like premium gas, but my Subaru likes the cheap stuff. If I must drive a station wagon, it's going to be a Subaru Outback with my Hobie Outback strapped on top.

[bus kid]

Just buy a full size truck, If you plan on buying a boat later. you pay 10K for something now and in a year or two its worth 5-7K if you lucky. I went from a 69 bug to a titan the gas is a little painful but unloading the yak and being in the water in less time is an added benefit. There is a boat in in my future and it just didn't make sense to buy a small car, but if you do get the WRX Hatch

[dc1983]

I have a 2005 Xterra and love it. Putting my stealth 14 on top with no problems. I was looking at the PA and 88 lbs might suck to get it up there for one person.

Originally Posted by dc1983

I have a 2005 Xterra and love it. Putting my stealth 14 on top with no problems. I was looking at the PA and 88 lbs might suck to get it up there for one person.

I load, as do most people, my pa on the back and slide it up and it's a breeze.


Anyway, thanks to Jerry Moore (seriola_Killer) I walked out of the dealership with an amazingly beautiful 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Pictures when I get home

[seriola_killer]

Thanks Drake! Let's go kill some shit! It's gonna take a couple days to get that extra key but I'll make sure you get it. Enjoy the ride and let me know what happens with the USAA warranty deal.

[yaky yak]

Your new ride will haul your stuff for sure. I have been hauling my Yak(sometimes up to three) on top of my Kia rio. I drive the two hundred mile round trip to la jolla all the times. Some times several times a week. When the fishing is good the old kia smells like a tuna cannery. It cost me about 25 dollars round trip.

The new wheels. Thinking about doing a roof cage so I can avoid keeping the smelly traps on the inside. I'm also trying to come up with a way to protect the top of the rear lift gate when I put my PA's nose on top and slide it up, something more than a door mat.

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by Drake

I'm also trying to come up with a way to protect the top of the rear lift gate when I put my PA's nose on top and slide it up, something more than a door mat.

Try this. Around $40. http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Produc...854-Waterslide#

[walrus]

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/p...&pictureid=920