Small SUV For Kayak Fishing

4 door Tacoma with a camper shell.

I got rid of the small suv and bought a VW TDI s-wagon. 140hp, 236lb-ft torque. Averaging 36mpg with my outback on top. Tons of cargo room and handles well, it's actually really fun to drive through the windy roads of the Sonoma coast. I plan to flash the chip and it'll get the same mpg but 170 hp and 320 lb-ft torque. That's plenty for me and it's the torque that really matters when you've got that yak on top of the car headed up the hill. Mike

Jimgosc has a TDI Passat wagon too. I recently got a used 07 Passat wagon 2.0T but wish I coulda got a TDI. Still gets 31mpg hiway though and I can sleepin it w/the rear seats down.much easier to load my yak on top too.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2013/05/new-2014-subaru-forester-is-our-top-scoring-small-suv.html

Ended up buying a 2014 Subaru Forester today. Tx for the input. Really wanted an Outback but didn't like the roof racks.

Subarus are good cars.

The GF has been drooling over the 2014 Forester, come to think of it I wouldn't mind if she got one.

did you get an xt?

those new 2.0L turbo's are pretty decent on gas

Congrats on your new ride Scott. I recently purchased a used 2007 4runner too. I hope this vehicle will last me a long time.

Jedmo

4Runner fan can't go wrong with a Toyota


Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.

This.

My 4Runner is 13 years old and has taken a beating and I've never had a single issue with it.

Well you know you are addicted to kayak fishing when you pick a car based on how you load your kayak.  I really wanted an Outback but I use Hully Rollers to rack my AI and the rack design on the Outback is not optimal for rollers. The Forester gets slightly better milage, but is slightly smaller than the Outback but had a better rack and roof design for rollers. I got the premium version with the base 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission. Bought it at Livermore Subaru and had a very good experience although they weren't willing to negotiate much but it is supply and demand so I get it. The Forester had a major re-design for 2014 and is THE hot small SUV right now after it's #1 rating in Consumer Reports.

As far as looks, I think all the small SUV's look about the same. They are not head turners but not ugly either. After 2 days, I will say that I really like the car. Here are some preliminary thoughts:

Pros: performance, safety, fuel economy, reliability, comfortable ride, functionality, overall body integrity, driver visibility, ground clearance

Cons: audio system, interior appearance, load and storage capacity, sleeping comfort,

When our our son was born, we sold our Toyota truck for a Subaru Outback. We liked it, but back in the 80's it was a good, but not a great car. We owned German cars since then and loved them. I will say that Subaru has come a long way in the last 25 years and I don't think there is a better SUV for $26,000 than the 2014 Forester. I looked at everything in that price range. Will post updates as I get them but so far, this car is looking good to great.

Scott

welcome to the Subaru family and I installed Yakima rollers on OB

 I'm driving 3rd Subaru vehicle

Well you know you are addicted to kayak fishing when you pick a car based on how you load your kayak

OMG Scott, +100 LOL!

Sunday night my wife just about spit out her dinner when I told her I want to sell my M Coupe to get a used Forester. "Wow, your getting serious about this kayaking thing. That's kind of a big change maybe you should think about that a while"  I was too embarrassed to tell her that that's all I've been thinking about... For weeks!

ruben

I want to sell my M Coupe to get a used Forester.

you know you are addicted when you start thinking about how to weld a rack on the M Coupe.  See you are still thinking rationally, its when you go nuts that you know you are truly addicted 

Well you know you are addicted to kayak fishing when you pick a car based on how you load your kayak. 

there's another way to shop for cars? 


congratulations on a nice car Scott. I have a longtime friend in Quincy who is on her second forester and just loves them for the snow/slush capability.