TL;DR: What are your suggestions for an AWD/4x4 SUV with a manual transmission? Discuss the pros and cons of each model.
Well my Outlander isn't doing it for me lately (mostly shifter feel, lack of power, and I don't trust the transmission since it's on it's 3rd) and I'm considering an upgrade sometime in the future. I refuse to drive anything with an automatic transmission. These are pretty rare these days. I ended up with the Mitsubishi Outlander last time because I've had reliability problems with European vehicles and Subaru ****** me off so I was avoiding them. North American companies usually aren't on my radar but I might consider something interesting. Thought about just chipping the Outlander but the gains would probably be next to none and that doesn't resolve any of the other issues I have with it.
Even better if I can find something that has a tongue weight rating high enough to put one of those hitch bike carriers on it.
I even looked at some way old turbo diesels like Land Cruisers and a Nissan Patrol but the Patrol was too rough (no interior, body all patched up) and Land Cruisers are over priced for what they are and what I really need.
Here's my list so far:
2003-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander (what I have now). I think only Quebec got manuals. Don't seem to be the most reliable (mine's on it's 3rd transmission). 2.4L engine is lacking and shifter/clutch feel is not good despite an upgrade to the front and rear engine mounts and an upgrade to Motul 300 gear oil.
Subaru Forester. 2.5L engine isn't much of an upgrade, only older turbo models available with manual. Subaru Canada treated me terrible when I had an 09 WRX.
Honda CRV. Slow.
Honda Element. Slow. GF thinks this is one of the ugliest cars on the road. Removable back seat supposedly makes it so you can stuff a bike or even two in the back.
Nissan X-Terra Pro-4X. Leaf springs on the back may mean worse handling? 4.0L engine (I think) would be an upgrade.
Nissan X-Trial. Not really an upgrade.
Jeep Wrangler. Terrible fuel economy.
Jeep Renegade. As far as I know this is FWD until the front wheels slip and then the electronic center diff enables the rear wheels, not my favourite AWD system. Read some bad reviews.
Hummer H3. It's huge. Gets terrible fuel economy. Not very good reliability ratings as far as I'm aware. Hummer stigma.
Porsche Cayenne. Very expensive. Probably not great reliability. Probably expensive to fix. I'm making assumptions though. Gets good reviews.
BMW X5. Poor reliability ratings. Probably expensive to fix. Expensive unless going for a very high mileage older model.
Please don't make this a debate about whether I really need AWD or not. I've driven FWD, RWD, AWD, and 4x4. AWD is my preference for our winters with 4x4 in 2nd.
Well my Outlander isn't doing it for me lately (mostly shifter feel, lack of power, and I don't trust the transmission since it's on it's 3rd) and I'm considering an upgrade sometime in the future. I refuse to drive anything with an automatic transmission. These are pretty rare these days. I ended up with the Mitsubishi Outlander last time because I've had reliability problems with European vehicles and Subaru ****** me off so I was avoiding them. North American companies usually aren't on my radar but I might consider something interesting. Thought about just chipping the Outlander but the gains would probably be next to none and that doesn't resolve any of the other issues I have with it.
Even better if I can find something that has a tongue weight rating high enough to put one of those hitch bike carriers on it.
I even looked at some way old turbo diesels like Land Cruisers and a Nissan Patrol but the Patrol was too rough (no interior, body all patched up) and Land Cruisers are over priced for what they are and what I really need.
Here's my list so far:
2003-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander (what I have now). I think only Quebec got manuals. Don't seem to be the most reliable (mine's on it's 3rd transmission). 2.4L engine is lacking and shifter/clutch feel is not good despite an upgrade to the front and rear engine mounts and an upgrade to Motul 300 gear oil.
Subaru Forester. 2.5L engine isn't much of an upgrade, only older turbo models available with manual. Subaru Canada treated me terrible when I had an 09 WRX.
Honda CRV. Slow.
Honda Element. Slow. GF thinks this is one of the ugliest cars on the road. Removable back seat supposedly makes it so you can stuff a bike or even two in the back.
Nissan X-Terra Pro-4X. Leaf springs on the back may mean worse handling? 4.0L engine (I think) would be an upgrade.
Nissan X-Trial. Not really an upgrade.
Jeep Wrangler. Terrible fuel economy.
Jeep Renegade. As far as I know this is FWD until the front wheels slip and then the electronic center diff enables the rear wheels, not my favourite AWD system. Read some bad reviews.
Hummer H3. It's huge. Gets terrible fuel economy. Not very good reliability ratings as far as I'm aware. Hummer stigma.
Porsche Cayenne. Very expensive. Probably not great reliability. Probably expensive to fix. I'm making assumptions though. Gets good reviews.
BMW X5. Poor reliability ratings. Probably expensive to fix. Expensive unless going for a very high mileage older model.
Please don't make this a debate about whether I really need AWD or not. I've driven FWD, RWD, AWD, and 4x4. AWD is my preference for our winters with 4x4 in 2nd.