So I'm gonna be looking at picking up a more economic DD. First reason is to save on gas, b/c I'm gonna have a lot of road trips ahead of me for the next couple of years. Next reason is to keep the wear and tear off the 150.
So, I've been looking, and I don't think they make what I am looking for.
Here is what I want:
30 mpg or better (Diesel preferred, but not required)
AWD or 4x4
Something that can hold some stuff, and not feel cramped.

Am I just crazy expecting that, or are there vehicles out there like that? I've been eyeing some older Land Rover Defenders. You can find them with a TDI swap, with people claiming all day long of 30+ on the highway. That would take care of all my needs. The TDIs are just hard to come by, and it would be an older car, and I need it to be dependable. I've seen numbers of the Jeep Wrangler Diesel getting 30+, but they aren't available on the US.

So, what says you F150, anything out there that you can think of?

 

Escape Hybrid

 

You'd get pretty darn close to what you're looking for with a standard cab Ranger, the 2.3 Duratec engine, a manual transmission, and a topper. Plus, this would likely be infinitely cheaper (and more reliable) than some TDI swap into the types of vehicles you mentioned. About the only thing you might be lacking in is interior cab room, but you said you wanted to haul "stuff" and not "people"......

 

'Land Rover' and 'economical' should not be mentioned in the same sentence. What you save in fuel costs will be spent many times over in parts and basic repairs.

Sounds like you intend to put on a lot of miles. Eliminate the need for 4wd and you will have a lot more options as well as save more money.

 

i agree escape hybrid..they make those AWD yes??

 

Yeah, they make them, lots of them. Only you can't have one. These kind of vehicles are for sale worldwide but not in the USA. But, relief is coming if you can wait until the YM 2012. Look for the new Ford T6 to be available here and with a 3.0 diesel making about 175hp/ 280'lbs torque. It's also available in a 4x4 crew cab. The truck is about the same size as a Tacoma. Fuel mileages are in the area you're looking for. Otherwise, there is always the Colorado with a 4 banger, manual transmission, and a 2 year supply of Excedrin.

 

Better post a budget figure.

If you can do without 4wd, there's the Jetta Sportwagen TDI.

 

Unfortunately the single cab ranger is a no go as well. While it would have a bed for storage, I need a little more inside room. My 150 is single cab, and it is tight. Sure I can put a lot of stuff in the bed, but access to that is only gained by having to stop, and pull over.

I know the 4x4 or AWD thing is gonna hold me up. I don't know if I could get around that. I tend to do a lot of outdoor activities, and have been places where some type of 4wd system in needed. I would just take the truck, but the gas mileage would not be fun, plus being a single cab, it gets cramped on trips. I am thinking heavily on the Audi A3 non diesel. It can come with their AWD quattro system. The gasser gets around 27-28 highway. The TDI version get high 30s, but of course the TDI version, isn't available with the quattro.

I fear though, that if I can't find something, I am gonna have to dump the 4x4 option. If I do that, it's probably gonna be a Jetta TDI, or the Audi A3 TDI.

 

If you looking a for a car my moms Subaru Legacy will get over 31mph on the highway all day long running 85mph and its AWD and the prices aren't to bad on them also. If your looking for more of an SUV and neighbor has a Honda CRV and he gets upper 20's and 30mph once and awhile depending on the wind...

 

That's an idea - if you need some cargo space look at a Subaru Forester.

 

I was looking at the Suabarus. But found that they are claiming a diesel in the next year or two. So, it seems I am in a pickle.
Reason being:
The A3 TDI is awesome, but no AWD option for the TDI version
The Subarus are very nice as well. They are AWD, but not diesel version
The Jeep Wrangler would be perfect, but it as well, isn't available in the diesel.
The reason I say thats a pickle is b/c I've read that Jeep and suby are suppose to introduce their diesel very, very soon. And figure it can't be too much longer until Audi smartens up and puts the quattro on the TDI A3.

So, after exhuasting myself with countless searches,(been looking for months) I think I might have to compromise and hold off. B/c I know that as soon as I buy the A3, or Suby, the one I really want will be released the next year. So, I think I'm gonna pick up a used Jetta TDI (50MPG!!) and cruise that for a couple years until we get the cool cars here in the US. I figure in 2 years, there will be at least one Diesel AWD/4WD in America that gets over 30MPG.

Which brings me to another question. Why in the hell are these car companies making all these vehicles diesel overseas, and not giving us the option as well. I could walk down to the Jeep dealership and pick up a diesel Wrangler (30+ MPG) today in the UK. But all we get here are broken promises of its release.

 

If you want a Jetta TDI, the Sportwagen has a lot more cargo space than the sedan. I doubt that you would actually see 50 mpg in either, but 40+ is common.

You can thank the EPA for the lack of small diesels here in the US - along with the fact that in almost all states diesel costs more than gas per gallon. In Europe and other countries, gas is generally taxed to death where diesel is not.

 

If I go that route, I'll probably pick up a used TDI. Like an 04ish. I'll look for the Jetta wagen, but there aren't as many in the older body styles.
I wish VW would just make then AWD. There is talk about them making the golf AWD. They should just have an AWD option for the Jetta. I'd buy that thing in a heart beat.

Yea, 50 mpg would be rare, but I've seen it. Ex's Dad had one, and he would get 50 going down the interstate sometimes. Usually though, it was 45 with the AC blasting going 70mph. But 45 isn't anything to complain about.

 

FORD FIVE HUNDRED... AWD, And room to place 10 2x4x10's or a 10' ladder inside and still close the trunk, 26-30 mpg and comfy as any out there. I have been nothing short of impressed.

 

Why not look into a Jeep Liberty or Grand Cherokee with the CRD?