Best Vehicle For Chasing

[Scott Hammel]

add: If you do go subbie...go Forrester. Shorter overhangs same interior volume as the Legacy/Outback models. Impreza models might be too small for some (me).

I'm in the market for a new chase vehicle this off season and the Outback is leading the way for me. Still a few others I want to go check out but the Outback really impressed me. I'd probably be looking at a 2010 model. Verne, I will definitely be talking to you at some point about window reinforcement!! The Forester was the initial model I had my eye on but I found the space inside to be quite small actually. I usually have a full car load when I chase and the back seat is extremely cramped and non adjustable. I also didn't find the trunk space to be that big either. If you chase solo or with just one other person, the front cabin and passenger space is more than adequate but the back seat space is what made me look at the Outback.

Anyway, I currently have two vehicles (1 to chase and 1 as a daily driver) which has become too expensive and I need to get back to one car. Anyone interested in a 2001 Pathfinder or a 2004 BMW 325xi give me a call! Hahaha...I'll post back what I finally end up getting.

 

[Jason Foster]

I'm in the market for a new chase vehicle this off season and the Outback is leading the way for me....

I can see if you are looking at a new model (2011 are available for order, and now have the folding side mirrors (among other revisions) which seem to be a huge deal for a lot of folks). I think the Forrester makes for a better chase vehicle but if you think the layout is smaller for your needs, I can see that. I guess it's more upright, so the cargo may not have the "floor area" like the Legacy/Outback, but that is something seems you've checked out already.

I guess if I was going brand new for something under $30,000 the Subaru would be a decent pick. I'll also look at the Nissan Xterra w/ wheel drive. If you could swing it...the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't bad. More than capable and a much nicer ride.

 

[Scott Hammel]

I can see if you are looking at a new model (2011 are available for order, and now have the folding side mirrors (among other revisions) which seem to be a huge deal for a lot of folks). I think the Forrester makes for a better chase vehicle but if you think the layout is smaller for your needs, I can see that. I guess it's more upright, so the cargo may not have the "floor area" like the Legacy/Outback, but that is something seems you've checked out already.

I guess if I was going brand new for something under $30,000 the Subaru would be a decent pick. I'll also look at the Nissan Xterra w/ wheel drive. If you could swing it...the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't bad. More than capable and a much nicer ride.

Yeah the only change between the 2010 and 2011 Outbacks are the mirror thing and the 2011 is available in a new color, so pretty much unchanged. I was looking at the Xterra (pretty similar to my current Pathfinder) but again for it being a mid sized SUV, the back seat room is pretty nominal. It's a great truck otherwise though. I still want to check a Highlander, and the new Chevy Equinox. Because I'm a loser, I've actually got a page on my site about my car search if anyone has something to chime in or wants to check it out! Right here

 

[Jason Foster]

Yeah the only change between the 2010 and 2011 Outbacks are the mirror thing and the 2011 is available in a new color, so pretty much unchanged. I was looking at the Xterra (pretty similar to my current Pathfinder) but again for it being a mid sized SUV, the back seat room is pretty nominal. It's a great truck otherwise though. I still want to check a Highlander, and the new Chevy Equinox. Because I'm a loser, I've actually got a page on my site about my car search if anyone has something to chime in or wants to check it out! Right here

Yay for geeking-it-up on the webpage...LOL.

Forget Toyota...they are all POSs now. Still competitive used, but even the other imports are pissed at Toyota for bringing their quality status down (US autos now rank better than imports in initial quality). The Equinox is a good bet, but the MPGs aren't quite as good as advertised. Look for more like 29 rather than 32 on the highway. AWD likely won't be as strong as the subie...but still decently good.

 

[Von Castor]

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned weight being a factor in their decision. I will certainly give up some mpg's in return for a little more safety. I drive a dodge diesel that gets fairly decent mileage (around 20) but has about double the weight as most of these other vehicles. When facing that 20+ mph head wind my milage doesn't drop off a whole lot either where as these little 4 cylinder engines are screaming just to keep up. The 4x4 is a must here in Oklahoma if you want to avoid most of the chaser convergence and the extra height a truck offers will get you through some higher water. I guess it really comes down to personal preference and what kind of chasing you do.

 

[Mike Kovalchick]

I'm in the market for a new chase vehicle this off season and the Outback is leading the way for me. Still a few others I want to go check out but the Outback really impressed me. I'd probably be looking at a 2010 model. Verne, I will definitely be talking to you at some point about window reinforcement!! The Forester was the initial model I had my eye on but I found the space inside to be quite small actually. I usually have a full car load when I chase and the back seat is extremely cramped and non adjustable. I also didn't find the trunk space to be that big either. If you chase solo or with just one other person, the front cabin and passenger space is more than adequate but the back seat space is what made me look at the Outback.

Anyway, I currently have two vehicles (1 to chase and 1 as a daily driver) which has become too expensive and I need to get back to one car. Anyone interested in a 2001 Pathfinder or a 2004 BMW 325xi give me a call! Hahaha...I'll post back what I finally end up getting.

I did a close comparision to the Outback/Forester this year and choose the Outback. Boiled down to having a nicer interior and better gas mileage with the continuous variable transmission than the Forester. I don't think they updated the Forester in the 2010 model year and seemed a bit dated compared to the Outback.

 

[Walt VanRheen]

My 2010 Outback is the 4 cyl version. I loved it this season. gas mileage is awesome. we got in the dirt and mud on 3 occasions, no problems... drove it right through the stuff. 25k miles in 10 weeks of chasing. 17 tornados later, got her back home and ready for a detailing.

 

[JWWaldschmidt]

Personally, I drive a 2001 Chevy S-10 4x4 ZR-2. 31" tires, Factory suspension lift, very reliable vehicle, and I still pull about 20-22 mpg on the highway. I can never see myself chasing without a truck - I run with a custom headache rack that I'm in the process of mounting all my equipment on. The truck comfortably holds 2 people, though I rarely even have that many with me. It's very ergonomic, powerful enough, and VERY capable offroad, and in snowy/less than great traction situations. I see the truck staying with me until 300k miles.

 

[L.B. LaForce]

Well, you have a few categories: MPG, 4x4/AllWheel, and Space(Room). Minivans have the space, and decent MPG. Cars such as the impala which I am biased to since that's what I have are excellent on the gas mileage, and have a fair amount of room, although the downside of this vehicle is that there is no 4 wheel drive, and it sits extremely low! SUV's have the decent room, and 4 wheel drive, but tend to lack on the MPG.

If you find me a vehicle that can get 35-40MPG on highway, plenty of room, and 4 wheel drive, let me know! LOL

 

[Scott Hammel]

Argh! I'm getting wishy-washy about the Outback now. Like I mentioned earlier, I looked at the Forester first because I liked the way it looked better than the Outback but then changed my mind to the Outback because it had more space. I don't think the Outback is a bad looking car by any means, but while driving to work today I saw a fully decked out Forester turbo version and now I'm having second thoughts. Do I compromise on space (more in the Outback) for a car I really think looks better (the Forester)? The first Forester I test drove was just the 4 cylinder base model, but I think I'm gonna have to go test drive one with that turbo!

 

[Ric Burney]

I ran across this Subaru at the fair last year. If I had the coin....

Of course a few modifications are needed.. ski rack becomes hail guard then a Verne C. paint job

 

[J Tyler]

I've been looking into possibly buying a dedicated chase vehicle. Some vehicles I thought would have better gas milage have been REAL shockers once I looked up their gas milage. Goto www.fueleconomy.gov and you can search all vehicles and get the official numbers.

A Pontiac Vibe is one I've been considering, and IS available in AWD form. A Malibu MAXX is also an interesting choice.

I currently use a 2007 Nissan Xterra 4x4. Installing a set of true ALL TERRAIN tires made a MASSIVE difference in the trucks capability. I use www.tirerack.com to compare different tires to decide on what I want.

To stay out of the hail, I often have to use a dirt road to position. Last month, chasing in Kansas and OK panhandle there was a LOT of flooding with closed highways. We had to use MUD roads to get around the closed roads. The heavy weight also makes the Xterra much harder to hydroplane in heavy rain. We have insane ground clearance too. The metal of the body is also REALLY heavy gauge on a truck too, so it resists hail better.

The killer is milage. 17mpg. On a 1,400 mile trip, you'll spend $200 on gas.

 

[J Tyler]

Yeah the only change between the 2010 and 2011 Outbacks are the mirror thing and the 2011 is available in a new color, so pretty much unchanged. I was looking at the Xterra (pretty similar to my current Pathfinder) but again for it being a mid sized SUV, the back seat room is pretty nominal. It's a great truck otherwise though. I still want to check a Highlander, and the new Chevy Equinox. Because I'm a loser, I've actually got a page on my site about my car search if anyone has something to chime in or wants to check it out! Right here

Chevy Equinox would be incredible. The 2010 model is a huge change over the original. The back seat slides forward and back to give more room to either the back passengers or for the storage area. Its big, yet it gets 32mpg. Amazing. I LOVE the interior too.

 

[Jason Foster]

Chevy Equinox would be incredible. The 2010 model is a huge change over the original. The back seat slides forward and back to give more room to either the back passengers or for the storage area. Its big, yet it gets 32mpg. Amazing. I LOVE the interior too.

The EPA & fueleconomy.gov ratings don't seem to be adding up in real world conditions. I've learned to go with MotorTrend, Automobile, or CarAndDriver Magazine (online or print) tested MPGs. Of course they do tend to test the larger engine variants (like in the Outback), but for many models you can find a more accurate rating. Forums for specific models are also a great resource (did I mention that already?).

Subies for the past four years do seem to average 28-31mpg from my readings. I can't vouch for others. Older subies (older than five or six years, it drops to 25mph or so). Turbo motors....forget it unless you want fast over mileage.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

For a while this spring, I switched cars with my mom for chasing. She has a 1998 Nissan Altima SE with a 5 gear manual trans. This car is able to muster up between 35-40 mpg. I was able to do my big May 10 bust using little gas, only having to fill up twice during the whole 1200 mile trip. I like that car and hopefully when my mom buys her something newer I'll buy that Nissan off of her. Sure its not the most comfortable thing (leather interior helps) but damn that thing has gone on many trips in its life. With 150,000 miles, there hasn't been 1 major repair done. I did replace the whole front suspension (new LF axle, shocks, shock mounts, ball joints, and steering knuckles) about a month ago because I pushed it too hard on a chase and ended up blowing the ball joints and the axle out. Still, only $300 to replace all that. And I did the work myself so no need for labor time.