The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mwd on August 02, 2013, 06:55:59 AM
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I started reading this blog earlier this year, and I have decided to assess my vehicle situation.
I work in the field in the natural gas industry, and the remote, mountainous nature of my workplace requires me to have a vehicle with 4WD or AWD capabilities. I am given a monthly vehicle/truck allowance and paid mileage, so it's not a hardship. I currently drive a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that I purchased from my grandparents. Most of my coworkers think I have a vehicle with good gas mileage since most of them drive lifted crew cab trucks with the biggest available engine. For instance, looking out the window, I see a crew cab Silverado parked next to a Ford F-450 King Ranch edition. I should also note that I often work 4 hours or more away from home, so I live at remote drilling sites while I'm at work, often for weeks or months at a time.
Given the 4WD/AWD requirement, does anyone have a good suggestion for a closer-to-Mustachian vehicle that I could drive?
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I bet the Suzuki SX4 Crossover would rank highly. It's priced quite well, and has excellent gas mileage for a 4WD. The problem is that it is quite underwhelming otherwise, especially with regard to power and range. The next level up from there includes three good options: The Ford Escape SE, the Mazda CX-5, and the Subaru XV Crosstrek, the Honda CR-V LX. I think the Ford is the most powerful of the bunch, and has the highest clearance.
Of course, some folks feel that a new vehicle is never Mustachian, so look for used versions of each.
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Do you actually need lots of space in the vehicle, or just need the vehicle to get you out into the sticks?
You might be able to get by with a Subaru Impreza hatchback or Outback.
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I'd recommend against the Impreza in that situation: It's clearance (5.9 inches in 2012) is just not enough for significant "get out of the sticks" scenarios. The Subaru XV Crosstrek has 2.8 inches more clearance and a better front bumper angle of approach.
The Outback is better. The Crosstrek basically is an Outback (and they have the same clearance). But the Crosstrek has better MPG.
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Sounds like you actually need the right tool for the job, get a real 4x4, preferably one with locking rear diff. The F450 is probably overkill, but i bet he wont be spending the night outside waiting for a tow. Also your income is your number 1 asset so protecting that by showing up ontime with the right tools is a good idea (I think MMM would know about that from contracting). I have a nissan frontier, pretty cush truck, way less than the full-size.
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I'd recommend against the Impreza in that situation: It's clearance (5.9 inches in 2012) is just not enough for significant "get out of the sticks" scenarios. The Subaru XV Crosstrek has 2.8 inches more clearance and a better front bumper angle of approach.
The Outback is better. The Crosstrek basically is an Outback (and they have the same clearance). But the Crosstrek has better MPG.
The Crosstrek is actually just a lifted Impreza hatchback. The Outback (the new ones at least) are significantly larger (more like a cross between a station wagon and a crossover). The Crosstrek has a better angle of departure (but about the same angle of approach) and, depending on the roads, may be better or worse on because of its shorter wheelbase. That said, if roads are really bad, you might be best off with a 4 cylinder truck.
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If you need 'real' 4wd, then you'd probably want something like a Jeep Compass or Liberty
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A cheap mid size pickup. Think Toyota Tacoma, ford ranger, dodge Dakota, Chevy Colorado, etc.