Protege5 vs Subaru outback or honda CRV?

CRV for sure...love ours...and had a few...many Proteges as well...

Blanco1 said:

You talking about the Vibe?

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Yes, it averages 30-32 mpg. Down side is the vibe gets the 1zz motor that makes 120 chp and weighs 4,000 lbs. it runs 12.8 seconds in the 1/8 mile. Some of the matrix get the 2.4 motor that makes 180 hp. I'm 90% sure they're all automatics too. However Toyota makes a bolt on supercharger kit for them

ScratchNSniff said:

CRV for sure...love ours...and had a few...many Proteges as well...

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I've just learned the CRV is a FWD until the front wheels start to slip then the rear kicks in?
Does it do this fast enough?
Seems u like mud as I do, has it done you right in it's system?
I was sorta leaning towards the Subaru being seems full time vs part time?
Yet I suppose that's just more parts wearing out at the same time?

It's not suppose to be hardcore off Roader, I already have a couple of those.

But you can't off-road the Vibe like the CRV...

The only thing that stops us at the off-road parks is ground clearance with the CRV...they make a few 2-3" lift kits which can accommodate much larger tires...these are oversized as is...has never given a single problem with the 4wd...best part about these CRV's is how many miles you can put on them issue free...sooo many with 3/400,000 miles up for sale...and parts are super cheap...

I've seen a Toyota Venza V6 AWD in Silver driving around my area, you might test one of those out too, as they are more a large wagon than suv. I'm not a Yoda fan and would never touch anything other than a MR2 or Supra... Maybe a Cressida Wagon.

mookhaasa said:

i've seen a toyota venza v6 awd in silver driving around my area, you might test one of those out too, as they are more a large wagon than suv. I'm not a yoda fan and would never touch anything other than a mr2 or supra... Maybe a cressida wagon.

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doh! (boom05)

More option on what to pic from!!!!

Damn my brain hurts from the past few months researching all this and now you add another...

Ok I guess I'll look in to them as well, yet... From a quick google image search I see the back MIGHT be too for my large dog?
& the pictures only show them lowered & looking like street rods not pictures of them off road at all?

tweety2300 said:

Yes, it averages 30-32 mpg. Down side is the vibe gets the 1zz motor that makes 120 chp and weighs 4,000 lbs. it runs 12.8 seconds in the 1/8 mile. Some of the matrix get the 2.4 motor that makes 180 hp. I'm 90% sure they're all automatics too. However Toyota makes a bolt on supercharger kit for them

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The Matrix XRS is the one you are speaking of with more horsepower, 2zz motor. You can actually find that one frequently with a 6 speed MT. The AT version of it is terrible, supposedly. Never drove one.


I did test drive the 6 speed version once, it was pretty fun.

I used to own a 1zz matrix a few years ago. It was pretty sluggish. It did have a MASSIVE amount of room inside it though. It handled pretty good too.

tweety2300 said:

My moms vibe is awd and isn't worth a damn as far as handling. I don't see an NA impreza hanging with an evo or ms3, unless they were just cruising. My mp3 isn't even on the same level handling wise as an evo

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Well a vibe and an impreza arent in the same league so they cant be compared. My Impreza has more power than the MP3 is FWD and basically a sedan with 10 extra HP the Impreza has 170hp and is AWD so it had no problem keeping up with them. As for the cruising yes we were on a cruise but we were no where near cruising. We were WOT hauling butt in the turns and straight. Ask SpicyorangeMSP he was in his speed3 and I was right behind him his buddy was in the evo and my buddy was in his WRX I was right in the middle of the bunch and wasent slowing anyone down.

Back on topic OP how big of a dog are we talking about. I have 3 dogs a husky, lab, and a boxer and they all fit in the back of my impreza standing of course but they had room to move around a bit so if i can fit 3 dogs im sure you can fit one unless its a great dane or a full grown st bernard. Are you set on a wagon or have you considered a small SUV. I saw a CRV was in the mix a forester is awd and has a bigger back to accomodate a bigger dog. So what exactly are you wanting more the space for the dog, or a sometime offroad vehicle.

ScratchNSniff said:

But you can't off-road the Vibe like the CRV...

The only thing that stops us at the off-road parks is ground clearance with the CRV...they make a few 2-3" lift kits which can accommodate much larger tires...these are oversized as is...has never given a single problem with the 4wd...best part about these CRV's is how many miles you can put on them issue free...sooo many with 3/400,000 miles up for sale...and parts are super cheap...

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Are you serious? I've taken it more places than my fiances brother would take his 4wd ranger. I've yet to actually get it stuck. Actually its pulled a few trucks out in the snow after they slid off the road

The dog is a Chessie, about the same size as a large lab at 10 months he's 85 lbs, so he is bound to grow a bit more, we like road trips so I want plenty of room for him comfort.

At this point, I'm pretty set on a '05/'06 CRV AWD, I really just about every thing it offers including how the back seats slide forward to adjust the cargo room.

& yes I want some light off road ability with something I'll leave pretty stock.
I already have to many money pits.
No need to add to that list, I already have my hardcore rigs.
And this car will be mostly the wifes car.
So I also want plush & reliable.
Oh & if I didn't mention before, I want it to be towable flat, with all 4 tires rolling on the ground.

I'm considering a trip to New Orleans for example & would to what ever I end up buying behind the RV.