Your other vehicle

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GaryA

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May 28, 2021
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Location
Minnesota
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Before buying my Big Horn, I drove a Subaru Outback. Only reason I changed was the need for increased towing capacity. I really liked the 4 WD on the Outback and drove it through some really bad snowstorms, often bypassing trucks that couldn't navigate it. We also own a Nissan Rogue that's a nice runaround vehicle for my wife. I have to say when I drive it I kick myself for not keeping the Outback instead of the Rogue. But the Rogue was going to be paid off...'nuff said.
 
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RBJRBJ

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Posts
73
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57
Location
Va
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 5.7L V8 MDS VVT eTorque Engine
Own a 2021 RAM 1500 Longhorn Limited with 5.7L Hemi with eTorque and love it. However, my run around town vehicle is a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door and I love its capabilities. Jeep’s ride quite rough (a lot of steering wheel play … bc of off-road uses) on highways at high speeds.
 

Juice17

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Apr 24, 2022
Posts
52
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Location
Nj
Ram Year
2019
Engine
3.6
My wife is on her second Subaru and loves them. Only car she will buy now. Subaru service has been great to us any little issue and safety wise she was in an accident where someone plowed our hatchback into our backseat. Not a scratch on my wife. I am a mainer but now live in the mid Atlantic and she is climbing hills constantly to get to work. Our Crosstrek even in snow goes through it all.
 
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GGlaser

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2022
Posts
6
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7
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ram Year
218
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Please bear with me.
So I have a 2014 RAM Laramie with only 42k miles that I bought brand new.
Don't get me wrong, I love my truck.
However, after 4.5 years, work now says I have to start coming in again, versus working from home.
Now, the truck is not the most economical vehicle to drive into work and park in smaller spots.
So I have been debating a small putt-around vehicle.
I live in New England, so snow capable is desired.
I have been all over the spectrum from a Jeep Wrangler, Subaru Crosstrek, BMW Mini and even fun cars like Miata RF convertible hardtop and even the BRZ. (Yup, I know, but the whole mid-life crisis thing. lol)
My wife has a Rogue and while I don't love the car, the seating height and in-out isn't terrible.
I recently tried a 2020 Camry for short money. While a nice car with great MPG's, I feel it's impossible getting in and out without trouble. (No, I'm not fat, 165lbs.)
Being in a truck like the RAM has spoiled me from a seating height, comfort and safety standpoint.

What have you bought that you are happy with for a capable smaller vehicle?

Thanks!
I have a 2018 Ram and my wife has a 2020 Honda Pilot and I have no issues driving that. I've also driven my Mom's 2015 Subaru Forester and 2022 Kia Sportage with no issues. I really like the Forester actually.
 

brilliantnick

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Joined
Nov 16, 2020
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Location
Washington
Ram Year
2021
Engine
5.7 hemi
I made a document a while ago for this kind of cost-comparison


For the record, I had a Subaru outback before the ram (back when the outback was the equivalent of the forester of today), it was the perfect car for basically everything, I car-camped/backpacked/road tripped often. It had great MPGs... until one put something outside of the shell. As soon as I loaded up the canoe or motorbike on trailer, that mpg dropped to lower than ram levels.

As long as your not towing anything, it really is a perfect vehicle.

As a secondary vehicle, especially for just going to be dedicated for commuting, then its overkill. For commuting, the base 5door sedan would be fine. Depending on how often you have snowy weather maybe a Nissan Leaf would work for the finer non-winter months too- be free from worrying about gas for the daily commute when it hits $7/gal this summer.



That said, take a look at the sheet that I made... change the inputs for your specific case. In my case, riding a bike is perfect for a commute, I can get about half the year in on a bicycle and the rest is driving due to weather, but I also have a very short commute by comparison so a second motored vehicle for me just doesn't make sense.

Longer pushes, I'd go for a motorbike, specifically the Honda Navi, because its really cheap, fun (to ride any bike really) and really good on the mpgs. (assuming your not getting a bike for any other reason than commuting, otherwise... can always get something better)

I'm not sure what the OTD price on the Navi would go for, atm its 1.8k msrp for the bike, I'm only guessing it to be about $2500 after fees. Even with my really low commute, it would only take me personally 4 years to break even on the Navi. If one commutes 50 miles/day 260days/year, break even would be only 6 months.
 
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MMM

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
123
Reaction score
41
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 Hemi
When I used to work a mile from home, I did bike it.
Going into work is a 22-42 mile affairs, not including the train ride.

I like to sit up a little higher, as I have been spoiled by the RAM 1500.
So a small SUV I think would be best for me, also when we go away from a few days, it would be easier and more spacious for packing everything.

Crosstrek was our first thought, since we both liked it and if she needed to drive it, it's close in size to her 2017 Rogue.
A friend just told me about the Forester they bought as well and they like it.
I hate buying new cars, but they are actually cheaper than used in some cases. (Story from my friend convinced me.)
I am toying with the idea of a Crosstrek Hybrid as well, but in general, Subaru lots are empty and you have to pay before they arrive.

I will look at your spreadsheet, thanks for that.

I made a document a while ago for this kind of cost-comparison


For the record, I had a Subaru outback before the ram (back when the outback was the equivalent of the forester of today), it was the perfect car for basically everything, I car-camped/backpacked/road tripped often. It had great MPGs... until one put something outside of the shell. As soon as I loaded up the canoe or motorbike on trailer, that mpg dropped to lower than ram levels.

As long as your not towing anything, it really is a perfect vehicle.

As a secondary vehicle, especially for just going to be dedicated for commuting, then its overkill. For commuting, the base 5door sedan would be fine. Depending on how often you have snowy weather maybe a Nissan Leaf would work for the finer non-winter months too- be free from worrying about gas for the daily commute when it hits $7/gal this summer.



That said, take a look at the sheet that I made... change the inputs for your specific case. In my case, riding a bike is perfect for a commute, I can get about half the year in on a bicycle and the rest is driving due to weather, but I also have a very short commute by comparison so a second motored vehicle for me just doesn't make sense.

Longer pushes, I'd go for a motorbike, specifically the Honda Navi, because its really cheap, fun (to ride any bike really) and really good on the mpgs. (assuming your not getting a bike for any other reason than commuting, otherwise... can always get something better)

I'm not sure what the OTD price on the Navi would go for, atm its 1.8k msrp for the bike, I'm only guessing it to be about $2500 after fees. Even with my really low commute, it would only take me personally 4 years to break even on the Navi. If one commutes 50 miles/day 260days/year, break even would be only 6 months.
 

brilliantnick

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Posts
24
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24
Location
Washington
Ram Year
2021
Engine
5.7 hemi
When I used to work a mile from home, I did bike it.
Going into work is a 22-42 mile affairs, not including the train ride.

I like to sit up a little higher, as I have been spoiled by the RAM 1500.
So a small SUV I think would be best for me, also when we go away from a few days, it would be easier and more spacious for packing everything.

Crosstrek was our first thought, since we both liked it and if she needed to drive it, it's close in size to her 2017 Rogue.
A friend just told me about the Forester they bought as well and they like it.
I hate buying new cars, but they are actually cheaper than used in some cases. (Story from my friend convinced me.)
I am toying with the idea of a Crosstrek Hybrid as well, but in general, Subaru lots are empty and you have to pay before they arrive.

I will look at your spreadsheet, thanks for that.


I'd hate to be looking for a car now, the whole 'supply chain issues' is getting really tiresome for everyone involved I'd imagine. I wouldn't expect used subaru to drop really anytime soon either, I sold mine just before the used market for cars really kicked off, but I sold my 7 year old ~70k for roughly 70% of what I bought it for. (granted its about 45% of a new equivalent nowadays but still)

At any rate, you cant go wrong with a subaru, hopefully you will be able to use it for more than just commuting, the forester/outback/crosstrek are nice capable vehicles for taking road trips and have a healthy life span too.
 

Steve Hammer

Junior Member
Joined
May 15, 2022
Posts
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Hospital
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.7 Cummins
I love my 2016 3500! For bullet proof and all weather conditions my wife's 2021 Land Rover Denfeder 110 P400! No buddy can touch what this vehicle is capable off.
 

Jtsim89

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2022
Posts
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Middle Tn
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6
I would recommend a Hyundai Elantra. I’ve had several Hyundai vehicles from Tucsons Santa Fe . The Elantra gets easy 40s on the hwy and I’ve had two of them. I have never had engine problems with any of them
 

Hamlet2k

Junior Member
Joined
May 17, 2022
Posts
2
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0
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2021
Engine
V8 5.7L Hemi eTorque
I'd recommend to be wise when casting your vote and problem solved...
 

artieman1

Junior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2021
Posts
2
Reaction score
3
Location
Winder
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.7
Feel your pain. 2018 Ram 2500 Limited Cummins and I bought a Honda Accord for running around. It is a great option and they have an AWD version. I am Fat (350) and tall 6’2” and it is comfortable. 34+mpg.
 

spacex

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2021
Posts
107
Reaction score
107
Location
NH
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Kia Sportage. They are fantastic in the snow, great MPG’s, and have enough creature comforts.

I had one as a company car, and would buy one as a personal car in a heartbeat.

Can’t recommend these enough.
 

spacex

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2021
Posts
107
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107
Location
NH
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Hyundai's reading about the engine problems between them and KIA had me a little shy about it.
I was looking at their cube vehicle, but backed away after reading about their engine problems over several years.
Forgot to mention this. Oil change religiously and there are no other issues. They have sludge issues when people put them on the “25k mile oil change” regimen lol
 

Ramagain

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2020
Posts
154
Reaction score
131
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2013
Engine
6.7
I got me a b3ater several years back, an 09 Civic w/ 55k miles. My 06 Cummins Dually is a pig and not that fun to daily. My 13 Cummins Dually is a different story though. Love driving it, and it gets better range than the 06 does however she sits because I'd prefer to work this rig than daily it.
 

Tom McClellan

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Posts
99
Reaction score
85
Location
Minnesota
Ram Year
2021
Engine
5.7
We really like our Jeep Cherokee. 4wd, decent mileage, comfy seating (warm and cool) good ride height.
 
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