Wife’s New Car

[Black_Fly]

Looking to replace my bride’s Outback for Xmas. She likes the Honda CRV, but I hate the factory roof rail for attaching a canoe rack, and the financing is not attractive. I looked at the Ford Escspe, but can’t get comfortable with a puny 1.5L engine. Year end terms and price is much better, Yakima makes a rack to fit, and she once had an Escape that she liked. It would be nice to have the ability to haul canoes so we could shuttle back to the put-in. Can’t do that with the current car she drives. Any make/model recommendations that fit the bill?

 

[dramey]

I have a 2022 Chevy Equinox AWD RS. It has a 1.5L turbo charged engine that has more power than any of our vehicles with a V6. We get 35mph on the highway and 30mph in town. With the factory roof rack, Thule makes a canoe mount that fits. The only down side is I don’t think you have enough room to carry more than 1 canoe.

 

[yknpdlr]

What is wrong with another Subaru? My wife an I have owned a total of six Ssubarus since 2000 and have been happy with all. I currently have a Wilderness Forester. The only thinng I do not like, compared to others is the dang bulky oversize key fob and in general a push button start. But I think most new cars all suffer from the same feature. Just give me an old fashioned thin metal key any day that fits in any pocket and is copyable for less than. $2.

 

[Black_Fly]

What is wrong with another Subaru? My wife an I have owned a total of six Ssubarus since 2000 and have been happy with all. I currently have a Wilderness Forester. The only thinng I do not like, compared to others is the dang bulky oversize key fob and in general a push button start. But I think most new cars all suffer from the same feature. Just give me an old fashioned thin metal key any day that fits in any pocket and is copyable for less than. $2.

The 2026 model Subarus are much more expensive than necessary, and we haven’t found any 2025s except Crosstreks. I’m not a fan of FOBs either. My Explorer’s FOB needs a battery every year or so. Keys don’t need no stinking battery.

 

[Keeled Over]

Toyota's for us - last 3 new cars. I think the RAV4 is about perfect. I have 3 things I would change, and 2 of them are due to my clydesdale status. It makes a lumpy bed but I can sleep at 6'2" in the back with a creative pillow placement. Plenty of power when loaded with canoe, gear and whomever I paddling with. Amazing sure-footed in AWD. I have a '14 with 202,000 miles and outside of maintenance have only replaced the front struts once. I call that perfect.

I was turned on to Toyota's by my mechanic, who opened his shop in 1970. I just noticed that's what he always drove, so kicking it around he told me why. My next car was a Toyota in '11 and I have been thrilled ever since. My $0.02.

 

[yknpdlr]

One reason why I got into Subarus was their VIP pricing program. If you are a member of any one of several outdoor focused organizations, they offer a significant discount, as much as $3000 from stjcker, including options. At one time it was 2% below "invoice", whatever that was. It is slightly less good now, but I am told it is the same price as dealer employees get on a new Subaru. Join LNT, ski patrol, ASPCA, and others to get the discount, no questions asked, no haggling whatsoever. Best $25 membership deal ever, My wife and I each got a new 2024 Forester at the VIP price at the same time just two years ago.

 

[Gamma1214]

I've never had a brand preference & have never bought anything new. I buy whatever is cheap and run them until they're not even worth anything at the salvage yards except whatever scrap is selling for.

That said, my parents recently bought a 1.5L Escape and I'm pretty impressed. I mean, it's not under 10 seconds in the 1/4 mile but seems plenty "peppy" around town. I might look at upgrading to one of those in 15 years or so (once everybody else has moved on to newer stuff).

Join LNT, ski patrol, ASPCA, and others to get the discount, no questions asked, no haggling whatsoever.

The North Country National Scenic Trail runs through most of Ohio... there's almost certainly a chapter near you BF.

 

[Pseudonym]

Agreed with @Keeled Over. If you’re set on getting something new, it's hard to beat the Rav4 for overall value within your parameters.

 

[Caledonia]

No complaints other than that the factory roof racks, which will handle a single boat, have a sandpaper like coating that eats up wood gunnels. Easy to sand smooth though.

 

[MJones]

Back in August, I was looking to replaced my 1996 Land Rover Discovery. I figured it was going to be hard to replace given how much stuff I can put in, put on top, and pull with the Disco. I ended up buying a 2022 Toyota Rav4. Somewhat surprisingly, it can hold almost as much as the Disco. With the much lower roof line, it is much easier to get a boat on top of the Rav4. The towing capacity isn't the same as the Disco, but it is sufficient for my needs. And having a/c that works all the time is a great bonus!

My Rav4 does not have roof rails. I did buy a Thule rack, a lot of money but I plan to keep this vehicle for a long time (cost/yr should be low).

This is our forth Toyota vehicle and if it is half as reliable as the previous three, I'll be more that happy! And prior to buying the Rav4, I asked my local mechanic his opinion of what to buy and he recommendation was Toyota.

 

[Neophyte]

I have a 2017 Honda CR-V that I’m quite happy with. I have the factory roof rails and crossbars. The rails are sturdy enough but I can’t recommend the crossbars, I’ve had to get creative to make space for my canoe and the wife’s kayak at the same time. But the usual suspects (Thule, ect) make crossbars that fit the flush rails of the CRV. I imagine their secure enough, but I get if that’s what makes you hesitate.

We got the Honda for the same reason others have suggested the Toyota. We have had no trouble with it. It’s paid off and I suspect will last for quite some time.

 

[gumpus]

My wife is car shopping and I hope she chooses the new RAV4.

You can get a Bronco Sport with a 2.0L turbo but they seem pricey.

I prefer raised roof rails and the longest front to rear span possible but for occasional use on wife's car I don't understand why you'd rule out a vehicle that your wife likes. Whether your vehicle has flush or raised rails you'll be well within the load limits carrying a couple of canoes. The CRV hybrids are incredible.

 

[Gamma1214]

I prefer raised roof rails and the longest front to rear span possible...

Don't forget that you can add a hitch to just about anything & move the rear support beyond the rear bumper. I did that on my 08 Fusion and it works really well.

 

[Black_Fly]

I have a 2017 Honda CR-V that I’m quite happy with. I have the factory roof rails and crossbars. The rails are sturdy enough but I can’t recommend the crossbars, I’ve had to get creative to make space for my canoe and the wife’s kayak at the same time. But the usual suspects (Thule, ect) make crossbars that fit the flush rails of the CRV. I imagine their secure enough, but I get if that’s what makes you hesitate.

We got the Honda for the same reason others have suggested the Toyota. We have had no trouble with it. It’s paid off and I suspect will last for quite some time.

Neo,
What’s the spread of those 2017 crossbars? The rails we saw had holes for the factory crossbars about 26” apart. The inside was smooth, so I don’t see how an aftermarket tower would clamp on. The wife loved the CRV but that aspect ruins it for me. Two canoes 70” crossbars need a tad more spread, for my comfort.