I Have 6 Miatas and Need Something for Long Trips! What Car Should I Buy?

Greg is a soon-to-be-retired doctor with a half-dozen Miatas and a wide range of different rides. He’s seeking to take pleasure in his break day with a long-distance cruiser, ideally some type of wagon/hybrid combo. He can spend upwards of $120,000. What automobile ought to he purchase?

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Here’s the state of affairs:

So I’m about to retire from a profession as an ER doc, and I’m interested by a automobile.

Some background: I’ve 6 Miatas (4 that run), a Lotus Elise, an RV, 3 pickup vans, 4 beater Volvo wagons, a Chevy Volt that I commute in, and a few others that I can’t consider proper off the bat. I plan on constructing one of many Miatas into an Exocet with certainly one of my sons. During covid lockdown, my daughter and I swapped motors on a junked Volvo C30 (her dream automobile).

So why on the planet am I interested by ANOTHER automobile?

Well, after I retire ( which will probably be inside a yr – woo hoo!) I want to journey – some will probably be worldwide and a few across the US and A

This can be my very best automobile: a plug in Hybrid station wagon that will get 50 miles of electrical, is tremendous snug for lengthy drives, that may have a 2 inch receiver hitch for bicycles on the again (I’m additionally a motorbike junkie).

Don’t need –

All electrical – infrastructure isn’t there but

BMW – I’m not a dick

one other RV

Do need

SCHMOOOVE!

Station wagon or minivan (or an SUV if I’ve to)

Would actually like to have the ability to sleep in it often.

Rock stable reliability –

I can push the price range as much as $120,000

Quick Facts:

Budget: as much as $120,000

Location: Wyoming

Daily Driver: Sort of

Wants: Wagon or van, capacity to sleep in it, ideally some type of hybrid

Doesn’t need: An SUV or BMW

Expert 1: Tom McParland – Hybrid + Wagon

Well Dr. Greg, after a few years in a busy emergency room it’s time to hit the open street. Of course, a wagon is a wonderful selection however choices are restricted within the American market. Add within the hybrid element and you’ve got narrowed your subject to lower than a handful of vehicles.

However, there may be one automobile that may test all of the containers to a point. The Porsche Panamera SportTurismo Hybrid. That’s a mouthful of a reputation however you get a superb GT automobile with slightly electrical increase. Granted the vary is just about 14 miles, however what it lacks in fuel-free driving it makes up for in efficiency. This Panamera 4 instance has a mixed fuel/hybrid output of 457 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, it’ll have all of the high-end options you count on from a six-figure Porsche. While this journey isn’t going to have Toyota ranges of reliability, fashionable P-cars have a tendency to carry up fairly properly. If a guaranty is a priority you’ll be able to stretch your price range and discover some licensed pre-owned examples.

Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Only One Way to Get That Range

Dr. Greg, I’ve some dangerous information for you. As you’ve most likely found out by now, your very best automobile doesn’t exist. I’d personally love for it to exist, however sadly, solely a handful of plug-in hybrids bought within the U.S. include greater than 30 miles of electric-only vary. But since my fantastic colleagues have already steered choices that cowl most of what you’re searching for, permit me to counsel the one PHEV within the U.S. that truly does have the vary you dream of: the Karma GS-6.

I do know, I do know. It’s not a wagon or a van. It’s solely one thing you’d select if the promise of a PHEV with greater than 50 miles of vary is simply too engaging to move up. Depending on the model you select, the GS-6 has an EPA rated vary of as much as 54 all-electric miles. With smaller wheels, that determine jumps to 61 miles. No different plug-in hybrid available on the market even comes shut. Oh, and did I point out it makes 536 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque? Not dangerous in any respect.

Head all the way down to Denver, and you’ll choose up this Benito Blue Karma GS-6 for $108,000, which is safely inside your price range. Heck, you would possibly even be capable to negotiate a deal since I’m certain demand might be restricted at greatest.

Expert 3: Bob Sorokanich – To Thine Own Self Be True

Doc, you’re not going to love what I’m about to let you know. Because what you want is a rattling minivan.

Specifically, a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Think about it: You desire a plush journey for lengthy days on the freeway, the power to hold your bikes and different gear, and an occasional spot to sleep. Minivan, minivan, minivan. Our personal Steve DaSilva lately took a thousand-mile street journey that concerned an unplanned night time sleeping within the automobile, and you already know what he concluded? The Pacifica Hybrid is mainly the right automobile.

The Pacifica has an awesome inside. There’s a brand new top-of-the-line Pinnacle mannequin for 2023 (proven above), with Nappa leather-based and berber carpeting. That’s the type of stuff you spec in your fancy front room! In a van!

The EPA says you’ll get, at most, 32 miles of all-electric driving in a Pacifica Hybrid. Honestly, there aren’t many fashions on the market that may prime that. With vacation spot charges and whatnot, a Pinnacle mannequin will slot in proper round $60,000, and that’s earlier than you begin including choices. Sure, you’ll be able to roll the cube on a secondhand hybrid Porsche, and hope you’ll be capable to discover a seller when a malfunction gentle comes on midway throughout Dakota. Or, you should purchase your self a brand-new Chrysler, and have the peace of thoughts of understanding you’ll be capable to get it fastened nearly wherever on this continent.

I can inform out of your present Miata-heavy fleet that you simply actually admire a automobile constructed for one particular job. And with regards to the job of your subsequent journey, nothing on this earth will beat a minivan.

Expert 4: Owen Bellwood – The Only Real Option

Hi Doctor Greg, nice to listen to that retirement and extra journey is on the horizon! I’m inclined to say that Tom could have supplied you with the perfect reply to date with the Porsche Panamera. Sure, it’s best to most likely go for the Taycan Cross Turismo, however when you’re set on a quick, hybrid wagon then the Panamera is a great way to go.

But, as Bob factors out, playing on a secondhand Porsche is a threat when you’re nowhere close to a service middle. So, you need one thing new, one thing shiny and, positively, one thing from Europe – the house of the property automobile station wagon.

Sure, you may sack your goals of a hybrid and have an absolute blast in this Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG on the highways. But having at the least a hybrid below the hood is the long run, so it’s best to simply purchase a Volvo. Specifically, you can purchase a model new V60 Recharge, among the finest wanting wagons on the market. It’ll handle 40 miles on a cost, encapsulates you in consolation everytime you sit behind the wheel and has ample house for a nap when you fold away the again row.

Sure, the selection of coloration is perhaps missing, however for round $70,000 you’ll battle to discover a extra good journey.