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Hello all. Small novel approaching...
I will be moving to the foothills of Colorado in the coming days. I need a vehicle to do the following:
A) Daily driver. Must get me to work in all weather conditions. Work is a 20 mile commute, 5 days a week. Some invariably unpaved suburban side streets, but nothing too mountainous/treacherous. Gas mileage matters.
B) Tow a 3k pound boat ( very liberal estimate including trailer, all equipment, full tank of gas etc) to various Colorado lakes, most at high elevation.
Contenders:
2013 Ford Escape SE AWD w/ 2.0 Ecoboost. Tow rating 3500 pounds.
2013 Outback 3.6R. Tow rating 3500 pounds.
The only option I will add on each vehicle is a tow package and studded tires.
Thoughts thus far:
-A turbocharged ecoboost mated to a 6 speed tranny will give me a significant towing advantage versus the 3.6 OB at elevation. But will the longer wheelbase of the Outback mitigate this powertrain advantage when towing? Thoughts?
- MPG better in Ford (18/25 vs. 21/28).
- Any experience with Ford's "AWD but not rly" AWD system? Will it do OK in the snow w/ good tires, or will I wish I had the Subaru come winter?
-Interior quality edge to Outback. Materials just feel better.
- MSRP within 500 bucks, but Ford is cheaper by about 2K with student discount, rebates.
Any comments or musings would be very much appreciated here folks. I'm having trouble with this decision as I'm unfamiliar with Colorado terrain.
I will be moving to the foothills of Colorado in the coming days. I need a vehicle to do the following:
A) Daily driver. Must get me to work in all weather conditions. Work is a 20 mile commute, 5 days a week. Some invariably unpaved suburban side streets, but nothing too mountainous/treacherous. Gas mileage matters.
B) Tow a 3k pound boat ( very liberal estimate including trailer, all equipment, full tank of gas etc) to various Colorado lakes, most at high elevation.
Contenders:
2013 Ford Escape SE AWD w/ 2.0 Ecoboost. Tow rating 3500 pounds.
2013 Outback 3.6R. Tow rating 3500 pounds.
The only option I will add on each vehicle is a tow package and studded tires.
Thoughts thus far:
-A turbocharged ecoboost mated to a 6 speed tranny will give me a significant towing advantage versus the 3.6 OB at elevation. But will the longer wheelbase of the Outback mitigate this powertrain advantage when towing? Thoughts?
- MPG better in Ford (18/25 vs. 21/28).
- Any experience with Ford's "AWD but not rly" AWD system? Will it do OK in the snow w/ good tires, or will I wish I had the Subaru come winter?
-Interior quality edge to Outback. Materials just feel better.
- MSRP within 500 bucks, but Ford is cheaper by about 2K with student discount, rebates.
Any comments or musings would be very much appreciated here folks. I'm having trouble with this decision as I'm unfamiliar with Colorado terrain.