Cars, Trailers, and Towing...

[ddrueding]

Here's something I don't know much about. (again)

My GF recently totalled her work vehicle (a 1994 Ford Windstar). It was modified to hold all her work gear and had uprated suspension and transmission to handle the additional weight. Unfortunatly, she'd never had the brakes uprated, so now it's totalled. (Before anyone asks, she's fine, thanks).

Now she's looking for a new vehicle. I'm recomending she take the money from her totalled van and combine it with the income from selling her current car (Volvo 850 wagon w/110k mi) to buy a new Subaru Outback Wagon (the base model) and a cargo trailer. The reason for buying new is that the resale value of these cars is too good. A car with 30k that's 2 years old is only about $3000 less. Screw that.

The trailer would hold about 1200lbs of stuff.

Here are my questions:

This car has 170+HP and 160+lbft. I assume that's enough?
The average trip with trailer would be about 400mi., with it being a daily driver the rest of the time. Should I look into a transmission cooler or some other upgrade?

Any other thoughts? I specifically don't want an SUV/Truck, as they aren't fun as daily drivers and aren't as safe (this vehicle is the highest rated I could find.)

Thanks,
David

 

[Pradeep]

The Outback 2.5 is rated for around 1000 pounds when towing a trailer without brakes. With trailer brakes, this jumps to 2700 pounds. What is the terrain like? Flat or hilly?

In fact, it makes the Edmunds Top 10 of best tow vehicles (tho it's unclear which particular model they are referring to):

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/102426/article.html

I know you mentioned safety as a priority, however you will note that the Hyundai Elantra (which ranks poorly in crash testing) outranks the Suby for towing, and you can probably get one for about $8,000 less than the Outback.

 

[Tannin]

An excellent choice, David. I bought a Forester (essentially an Outback with higher ground clearance and shorter front and rear overhangs - same engine, floor plan and so on) around 18 months ago and it's been damn-near flawless for the 60,000km I've done in it since then.

Those boxer fours really pull from low down, so they ought to be great for towing. (I rarely tow, but I imagine that the strains of some fairly serious off-road use are similar.) And they rev out very satisfactorily when desired.

Cruise over to http://www.offroadsubarus.com if you want expert advice on these. And yes, the resale value they command is insane. You'd be mad to buy a used one when you can get the same thing brand new for barely any higher price.

 

[Bozo]

A transmission cooler is a smart investment for any car/truck/suv that tows anything. Heat is the number one killer of automatic transmissions.
You might check with the dealer to see if the car of your choice offers a trailer towing package. But add the transmission cooler anyway.

Bozo :mrgrn:

(Retired National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Certified Mechanic)

 

[Mercutio]

Kind of off the subject, but why does buying a car feel the most degrading human activity of all time?

Seriously, I went to look at a car Saturday morning and left feeling like I could look up to the jizzmopper at a Serbian Rape Camp.

 

[timwhit]

If the dealership makes you feel that way, find another dealership.

I have had dealerships treat me like shit before. Guess what? I didn't buy a car from there. I bought my car from the dealership/salesman that treated me with respect and trust. The second time I was at the dealer looking at the car the salesman just gave me the keys and told me to take it for a drive.

At another dealer they wouldn't let me drive the car at all, even though I had a $7000 bank draft with me.

 

[Bozo]

I'd rather have root canal than go car shopping. I always feel like I'm being shafted.

Bozo :mrgrn:

 

[sechs]

What's fun is going to a dealership with no intention of buying a car.

Of course, it's not as fun now that they require car insurance to test drive a car. Although you can get into the "how am I supposed to pick a car to get insurance if I need the car insurance first?" issue. Salesmen don't really have a comeback on that.

 

[ddrueding]

OK, so everyone I've talked to says that this car will be great for towing, just get a trans cooler. Well, Subaru doesn't offer one. Does anyone have a suggestion? Any idea what an aftermarket one will do to the warranty?

 

[Tannin]

Ask at the http://www.offroadsubarus.com forum. Some of those guys really know their stuff.

 

[Mercutio]

Although you can get into the "how am I supposed to pick a car to get insurance if I need the car insurance first?" issue.

If I ever set foot on a dealer lot again I will be sure to try that.

 

[Sol]

Although you can get into the "how am I supposed to pick a car to get insurance if I need the car insurance first?"

Does that go along with other unanswerable car yard questions such as "Which came first, this annoying and potentially expensive transmission problem or my actually buying the car?" and "If the smarmy, arrogant car dealer get's beaten unconcious in the back room and no-one is arround to see it is it still assault?"

 

[ddrueding]

Does that go along with other unanswerable car yard questions such as "Which came first, this annoying and potentially expensive transmission problem or my actually buying the car?" and "If the smarmy, arrogant car dealer get's beaten unconcious in the back room and no-one is arround to see it is it still assault?"

Only if he lives.

 

[MaxBurn]

OK, so everyone I've talked to says that this car will be great for towing, just get a trans cooler. Well, Subaru doesn't offer one. Does anyone have a suggestion? Any idea what an aftermarket one will do to the warranty?

Check and see if the auto trans in that model car has a line that goes through the radiator. Lot of cars do that as a more cost effective way than adding a whole seperate cooler for the transmission. If it does have this than adding a seperate cooler is not too difficult either, BUT: the car is rated to tow so much weight as specified as it stands new, you really don't have to do anything EXCEPT accelerate your maitenance intervals as specified in the owners manual under severe duty (Towing).

You would be best served to go find a forum dedicated to that car and ask your question there. That car is very popular, there has to be a bunch of forums out there that are great.