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Hi everyone, I've been a lurker for a while now, but am now looking to purchase out of necessity. Here's the situation I'm in.
I currently own a 2014 Subaru Forester Limited with 136K miles. I just acquired an established business that requires me to travel up to 20 miles a day on dirt roads. Also once a week I need to tow a small trailer with garbage and lawn equipment. This should weigh less than 3000lbs at the absolute most. My first thought was to buy a truck, but with prices where they are and gas mileage, I decided this may not be the best solution for me in the long term. Whatever I end up buying, I plan on keeping it for 6 to 7 years and 150k to 175k miles. I'm split between a Subaru Outback Wilderness or Ford Bronco Base.
The appeal of the Bronco is that it's an actual "truck". It has a 3500lb tow rating, and best of all, the top comes off
. The downside is the long wait time for orders, the 20mpg average, and its base. A 2023 4dr, hardtop, auto, base runs about $39k. Cloth seats, plastic steering wheel, mini van-looking tires, not even tinted windows. It would cost about $3k in the aftermarket to get this machine even looking like something I would want to drive.
The appeal of the Outback Wilderness is the higher ground clearance, turbo, 3500lb tow rating, styling... kind of, turbo, shorter order wait time, slightly better MPG, and its loaded. It's not touring model loaded but compared to a base Bronco or even my current limited forester, it's loaded. The downside would be the "styling", CVT transmission (already replaced the one in 2014 forester at 130k), roof doesn't come off, infotainment system seems to be kind of rough/slow.
Whatever I end up buying is going to be my daily driver. My current Forestor is still really nice and paid off. I may keep it or may trade it with a trade value of around $5k. I really like the new Broncos, but to get a model with all the features I would like is upwards of $47k. This to me is just straight-up too much for a car. $39K is to much, but something I could swing.
Any input would be helpful. A fresh set of eyes may help me see something I'm completely overlooking. I'm also very open to other models. For example, I was on my way to buy a Hyundai Santa Cruz, but in between the ugly interior, and unusable back seat for an adult (a requirement), I decided to pass. I'm looking to buy new, under $40k, but I'm open to any suggestions.
Thank you!
I currently own a 2014 Subaru Forester Limited with 136K miles. I just acquired an established business that requires me to travel up to 20 miles a day on dirt roads. Also once a week I need to tow a small trailer with garbage and lawn equipment. This should weigh less than 3000lbs at the absolute most. My first thought was to buy a truck, but with prices where they are and gas mileage, I decided this may not be the best solution for me in the long term. Whatever I end up buying, I plan on keeping it for 6 to 7 years and 150k to 175k miles. I'm split between a Subaru Outback Wilderness or Ford Bronco Base.
The appeal of the Bronco is that it's an actual "truck". It has a 3500lb tow rating, and best of all, the top comes off
. The downside is the long wait time for orders, the 20mpg average, and its base. A 2023 4dr, hardtop, auto, base runs about $39k. Cloth seats, plastic steering wheel, mini van-looking tires, not even tinted windows. It would cost about $3k in the aftermarket to get this machine even looking like something I would want to drive.The appeal of the Outback Wilderness is the higher ground clearance, turbo, 3500lb tow rating, styling... kind of, turbo, shorter order wait time, slightly better MPG, and its loaded. It's not touring model loaded but compared to a base Bronco or even my current limited forester, it's loaded. The downside would be the "styling", CVT transmission (already replaced the one in 2014 forester at 130k), roof doesn't come off, infotainment system seems to be kind of rough/slow.
Whatever I end up buying is going to be my daily driver. My current Forestor is still really nice and paid off. I may keep it or may trade it with a trade value of around $5k. I really like the new Broncos, but to get a model with all the features I would like is upwards of $47k. This to me is just straight-up too much for a car. $39K is to much, but something I could swing.
Any input would be helpful. A fresh set of eyes may help me see something I'm completely overlooking. I'm also very open to other models. For example, I was on my way to buy a Hyundai Santa Cruz, but in between the ugly interior, and unusable back seat for an adult (a requirement), I decided to pass. I'm looking to buy new, under $40k, but I'm open to any suggestions.
Thank you!
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