So I'm a '04.5 coupe owner but I am going to need an additional vehicle seeing as how I've got a baby on the way and my Dad wants to hand me down his boat (small boat, around 2500 lbs with trailer). So I'm wondering what you all think is a good option for a "family" vehicle that can tow my boat and above all, be a good handling driver with sporty interior styling?

Thanks for the opinions!

 

Without having a price range given, I'd say get a Nissan Murano. I've heard nothing but rave reviews for this vehicle. I'm not sure how its CVT tranny would stand up to towing, but it definitely meets your other criteria.

 

I'd like to stay under 40K...

 

get the honda ridgeline.... truck of the year

 

Why couldn't I get a car and put and gear it for towing? Say a VW Passat or something?

 

Tundra Double Cab - you can get one super cheap (21 and change in 2WD), they comfortably seat 4 and have Toyota reliability. The downside to this one is the gas mileage, size (parking and garage space), and the assumed drop in resale value as the 07's are a completely new truck.

Just my $0.02.

-GT

 

Most cars can tow a max of about 1000lbs (1500 if you're lucky). I hear you. I would like to buy a small boat as well, but with it come the hidden expenses...like having to buy a small SUV or similar to tow it. I figure the most I could probably tow with the G or any car is a wave runner on a trailer (about 1000 lbs). Even that feels big for a car.

 

For towing anything, I'd definitely go with a truck.

Don't let the low weight fool you, pulling a load, especially up and down hills, can put a tremendous load on your vehicle. You need something capable for the job, both for the safety of your family and for the enjoyment of actually pulling the load. White knuckled driving because you have too much load and not enough vehicle takes the fun out of things.

Ridgeline would be great as long as you don't ever plan on pulling something bigger. Trust me. I know what the tow rating says, but again, that's it's max. What it CAN tow and what it is COMFORTABLE towing are two very different things.

I pulled a 2000 pound pop-up behind a half ton truck and it did the job just fine. When I upgraded my camper, the truck was clearly out of it's league even though I was well within my limits. I moved up to a bigger truck (more truck than I need actually) and I'm good to go.

If I were going to buy a half-ton, I'd probably buy a Toyota. The Nissan Titans and Titan based SUVs are nice, but their MPG is in the can. Toyota has better build quality inside I think, and the MPG will be a little better under load.

I wouldn't discount a 4X4 either. Pulling up a wet boat ramp is easier when you have all 4 wheels doing the job.

Or do like I did. Buy a Cummins turbo diesel and mod it. LOL.. 400HP/700TQ and I get 22 on the highway.

 

I second that the best car would be the Grand Cherokee, definetely with the HEMI.

 

I'd go with truck if it was simply towing, but since it's also a family car, I'd stick with an suv. You want power and reliabilty, go with the Toyota 4Runner V8 with 260HP/306lb with about 6000lbs towing capacity. Personally I'd just get the Nissan Xterra. It's a 265HP/284lb with a 5,000lb towing capacity. It's about a 7k price difference from the 4Runner, which is why I convinced my brother to purchase one.

 

I also have a 05 4Runner (V8, 4x4 Sport Edition) and I would highly reccomend it. It can tow 4000 lbs. without too much work, and for an SUV it drives and handles great. I generally hate SUV's (my wife usually drives the 4Runner), but I must say I am fairly impressed. The V8 comes with the tow package also.