Daily driver, performance oriented, can drive on soft sand - the struggle

[JoeFromPA]

All,

My wife is due in August with our 3rd and we are trading in her '17 Subaru Outback and going with a minivan. (I know)

As such, I'm losing my ability to drive the outback on the beach in DE which we like to do alot May-September.

DE beaches are interesting. On hot days, there is seriously deep, soft sand that you drive on for long periods of time. Flat mostly, but the entrances are ramped and sometimes single-car wide. So you occasionally get stuck stopping on a slight incline in the sand.

I never got stuck in the stock Outback with tires deflated to 15-20 PSI. It's 3600 pounds with great AWD and 8.7" of ground clearance....

....

So now I'm trying to find something I actually want to drive alot on the highway, fun to drive, can do beach duty (i.e. 3 kids + some gear in trunk + ~8+ inches ground clearance + good AWD and tire sidewall). That I won't mind driving in sand, that will be good financially.

And it's been a frigging struggle.

I'd get a Jeep/Toyota in a heartbeat but they aren't actually enjoyable to drive most of the time. I'm keeping my eye open for an e53 X5 3.0 6-speed manual (2004-2006) but they are super rare and even more so in good condition. I'm even thinking about a 2005-2009 Subaru Outback XT 5mt.

I'm just curious if anyone has any recommendations for something that can fill this duty and is actually enjoyable to drive!

I'm open to auto trans if they are something like the ZF 8-speed BMW has been using since ~2012, but not interested in older/slower auto trans. Prefer manual.

Thanks for any thoughts all!

Joe

[wdb]

Err, two vehicles?

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by wdb

Err, two vehicles?

I don't think I was clear enough. This WILL be a 2nd vehicle, but it would still accumulate a fair amount of miles. So I'm searching for something that still rides great, has steering feel, solid braking, etc.

I'm not talking about magazine racing either - just a vehicle that can handle these duties but is actually enjoyable to drive. Too often I find a vehicle can do one thing but it's steering stinks, or it's auto trans stinks, or it's braking is soft, etc.

[Flyingscotsman]

Pajero evolution?
[IMG]http://www.leisurewheels.co.za/wp-co...olution_01.jpg[/IMG]

[orangeglim]

Honda Ridgeline? Might be a little snug in the back seats depending on how many car seats you need. My three little ones fit back there without too much trouble, one in a front facing seat, one in a booster, and one in the middle without anything special. Plenty of room in the bed for stuff, a trunk in the way back, AWD, great ride, very quiet, etc.

[420Coupe]

Toyota Tundra or the 4Runner are both great choices, i believe the tundra comes in manual.

Personally i'd choose the Tundra; the 4Runner feels severely underpowered.

[FriskyDingo]

Golf Alltrack, Audi Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country, older manual Forester Turbo.

[9krpmrx8]

Mazda CX-5.

[Red Bread]

Raptor? Mostly meant as a joke since it wouldn't be ideal on the highway, but those beaches would be your little beeeeaaach.

[monkeyjuice5150]

19' Range Raptor.

[kwstandard]

New Mini Countryman is interesting & with the right spec can be fun to drive. And you can get a manual or 8sp trans... AWD with decent ground clearance.

[Josh (PA)]

wrx hatch with a set of dune tires?

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Raptor? Mostly meant as a joke since it wouldn't be ideal on the highway, but those beaches would be your little beeeeaaach.

While not economical, the Raptor could not be more comfortable on the highway. It not something to toss around, but it is fun to aim at pot holes and speed bumps at speed.

OP, what you are looking for probably doesn't exist, the the Macan or Cayenne may get close, but those push the budget.

[ShocknAwe]

What about jeep gc trackhawk, then get a set of wheels and tires for the beach?

[Germanauto]

Why would you opt for a minivan in this crossover-laden market? The entire point of the crossover is so people can have 90% of the practicality of a minivan without the dorky looks.

[Efthreeoh]

I find my Hummer HT3 quite enjoyable to drive.

[jmg]

I raised my kid in a Subaru Forrester. Been off the road many times on hiking trips etc. The Outback is just as capable, I'd just get another one.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I find my Hummer HT3 quite enjoyable to drive.

Sometimes you read a post where you realize you'll never agree with a certain person.

[nysupraman]

If you want to stay in the family, the Subaru Ascent looks to be the next logical step up for a bigger family. It's features and price make it very attractive! Should be in dealerships by July.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Sometimes you read a post where you realize you'll never agree with a certain person.

I had a good friend from Maryland. He was a big truck driving, beer drinking, old school kind of guy. Loved Hummers, Cadillacs, big guns, chewing tobacco.

He was always interesting to talk to, we were in a gun club together and got along well. He kept talking about the militia and protecting himself from the government though. Strange. Always was on the defensive when he wasn't asserting himself with his big Hummer. It's a strange duality. Lot of outward displays of strength to mask underlying paranoia and fear.

[rexb16]

just get a wrx

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by jmg

I raised my kid in a Subaru Forrester. Been off the road many times on hiking trips etc. The Outback is just as capable, I'd just get another one.

Is the new forrester still good? Had an older model outback years ago, loved it. Test drove a new outback recently, really hated it. I mean absolutely hated it. Felt nothing like what it was.