Short Commute vehicle recommendations

[gsasquatch]

I'd like to see the folks suggesting you walk carry two kids down a snowy country road through a slushy ditch in freezing weather for 30 minutes. It is _a lot_ easier to drive on ice than walk on it, even in a 2x4 F150 with bald tires, you don't fall down nearly as often. Unfortunately in the modern US a car is almost a necessity.
My commute is about 2.5 miles one way including work and daycare and I drive a minivan because it's big, comfortable and easy to get the kids in and out of. For 25 miles a week it is less than 2 gallons of gas. If I didn't leave town it'd be no big deal. I live in Northern MN and there is snow on my street November to April, but I do not have 4 wheel drive. However, it's flat here and my driveway is small and quickly shoveled. I've had 4x4 before, and only needed to engage it once every other year or so, the rest of the time it was only used because of laziness in driving, parking or shoveling.
The hybrid concept seems like it'd work well for you, a Prius can have a switch added to go 2 miles all electric. With the up and down hill I wonder if such a switch could be used to minimize the usage of the engine. There's some small 4x4 SUV hybrids, e.g. Highlander and Escape. They may be a good bet.
If you're looking to optimize for cash and go 4x4 I'd look at a turn of the century rav4 or pilot. There are some funky old Corolla and Civic 4x4 wagons from the late 80's early 90's that are functional, economical and retro-cool.
A twelve year old Suburban will cost less than a 4 year old Prius. The difference would take a few years of buying gas for 25 miles a week to make up.
Manual transmissions for coasting on those hills would be a big plus if you are conventional and not hybrid. Mazda makes a manual minivan that's better than most on gas, but no 4x4
Buy the car in the winter so you know how it is in snow. Toyota Matrix in FWD is an awful car in snow, which I would not have guessed. The 4wd version may be a good choice for you however. I wouldn't have known the FWD Matrix is so bad had I not tried it.

[markdennis77]

I have a 2009 Jeep Patriot, FWD, with no power frills (locks, mirrors, etc) although I did have the dealer add cruise control. I still get 31 MPG hwy, (with driver only in the car, andkeeping limited cargo weight) after 2 years and 35,000 miles. Four-door, nice legroom in back, rear seats fold down to create long cargo space. There are 4WD versions of course. Has ESP system for road control on slippery surfaces, which kicks in nicely here in Wisconsin. Very low & stable wheel base for a Jeep, not truly an SUV, more like a small wagon. Also has nice little idiot lights like a low fuel alarm, low tire pressure. Has dual front and side curtain air bags.

Recommend buying used over new, so you don't lose so much value; mine listed at $19,500 new in Aug. '09, (got a $4500 rebate at the time), KBB value now is still $11,000 (very good condition) and I've just now gone right-side-up on the payments/value. Dealer who sold me the car... is now trying to sell me a pickup... and is confused that I'm still happy with the Jeep.

[brucepick]

Last post in by original poster in this thred was 10/3.
Ever since then, we've been talking to ourselves.

[TXwaterdog]

Originally Posted by brucepick

Last post in by original poster in this thred was 10/3.
Ever since then, we've been talking to ourselves.

haha, good point.

[Ladogaboy]

Maybe he's lurking?

[VBOD]

Comeback, I'm not dead yet...I'll bite your knee caps off.

Been really busy, not to mention computer issues.

Thanks guys. You've given me some really good ideas and the idea of a more efficient family rig is slowly sinking into the wife's mind.

[gasstingy]

My wife has rarely asked for much when it comes to vehicles. Up until she decided, in late 2003 that she wanted a new full size pickup truck. I campaigned for a month for a compact pickup. Then I accepted defeat when she maintained she wanted a full size truck. On 12/31/03, she got her new 2004 Silverado extended cab, 2wd gas hog. 38 thousand miles later, we still use it sparingly. She's happy as a clam with it. And you know what they say, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"


Be sure to let us know what happens. It all boils down to making her happy.

[VBOD]

Shoulda sold it when I had the chance. Timing chain system failed today. Looks like I might be looking into downsizing the fleet for a more efficient system.

[Duffman]

Diesel is a terrible idea. Something with an aluminum block will come up to temperature faster. I do agree with the many others that this is a perfect purpose for an electric.