Is this a dumb idea (3rd vehicle)?

[clyde]

Originally Posted by ff

If I can snag a killer deal on something now, use it to tow the Honda up north, then the $1500 to ship the car would be saved.

$1500 less the following costs:

• Trailer rental: $150 (total guess)
• Hitch: $400ish (you will NEED weight distribution, and if you try it without sway control, you're fucking nuts)
• Extra gas that you'll burn towing: $135 (based on 15mpg towing vs 21mpg not towing at $4.50/gallon...if it were my money, I'd actually plan at 12mpg for $252 extra in gas)
• Extra motel stay along the way: $60

With that, I'd expect towing to cost somewhere in the $800 range.

I also did some weight calculations for you:

• X5 curb weight: 4652
• Trailer: 1,800 (plus or minus a few hundred)
• Hitch: 90
• S2K plus straps: 2,900
• Driver plus minimal personal effects: 210 (guess)

Capacities:

• X5 GVWR: 6,008
• GCVWR: 10,850
• Towing Capacity: 6,000
• Payload (GVWR-curb weight): 1,356

The trailer and S2k combine for a load of about 4,700 pounds. Call tongue weight 611 pounds at 13% of load.

With all of that, you're using up 911 pounds of payload and at a gross combined weight of about 9,652 pounds.

So, to save about $700 on shipping the S2K, you're looking at an absolutely miserable tow through a bunch of mountains in a short wheelbase (111") tow vehicle that basically has no power (just over 200hp and tq) at about 90% of its gross combined rating for probably 3 days. Alone. And in the process, you're putting about 1,600 very, very hard miles onto your "new" vehicle.

If it were me, I'd drive the S2K up there and then buy an X5 up there if I still felt compelled. Shipping the S2K and buying an X5 up there would be my #2 choice.

But, thankfully, you and me are not one in the same.

[lemming]

Originally Posted by rumatt

yes

you 'n ponderosa are more like aty every day.

[Sharp11]

Clyde did the homework for you ff.

I wouldn't buy a vehicle now based on its ability to cover a tow back to MN and serve as a third vehicle.

Buy a third vehicle when you get there - that way the market's open to many more choices - especially those that preclude the need to tow.

Ed

[FC]

Originally Posted by Sharp11

Clyde did the homework for you ff.

I wouldn't buy a vehicle now based on its ability to cover a tow back to MN and serve as a third vehicle.

Buy a third vehicle when you get there - that way the market's open to many more choices - especially those that preclude the need to tow.

Ed

[ff]

Thanks for the homework, clyde.

The sole reason for thinking of this as an option isn't to save $1500 on shipping the S2000. It's just another possibility, and to kill two birds with the proverbial single stone. And the more I'm thinking about it, I wouldn't want to be pulling that kind of weight with an X5, whether the tow rating says it's OK, or not. I was also [naively] believing that the trailer would weigh considerably less than 2000 pounds.

The V8 4Runner might be a better option if I continued to entertain the idea. Which I'm really not anymore.

Originally Posted by clyde

If it were me, I'd drive the S2K up there and then buy an X5 up there if I still felt compelled.

I take it you've never driven one for any significant distance before? :-)

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by lemming

you 'n ponderosa are more like aty every day.

no

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by Plaz

no

Repost

[lupinsea]

Not sure what the S2000's are like to drive but I've done PCH in the Miata. . . it's a 1400+ mile drive from Seattle to L.A. Between the drive down, the drive back, and driving some awesome California roads in the L.A. area I put 5000 miles on the Miata in a little under 2 weeks. Seemed fine.



It would seem to make sense to me to drive the S2000 up.


On the other hand, what's the likelyhood of salt damage / rust on used cars where you'll be moving to? Maybe it might make sense to get a 4x4 elsewhere.



However, if you wouldn't need towing capacity and only 4x4/AWD once you get to MN check out the Cherokees. If it's just something you'd drive during really crappy weather then the Cherokees can be had for dirt cheap. Towing capacity is only 5000 lb., though, so they wouldn't be good for the S2000.

[Biggins]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

However, if you wouldn't need towing capacity and only 4x4/AWD once you get to MN check out the Cherokees. If it's just something you'd drive during really crappy weather then the Cherokees can be had for dirt cheap. Towing capacity is only 5000 lb., though, so they wouldn't be good for the S2000.

I hate to do an off topic thread-jack, but can/do regular Cherokees take regular grade gasoline? I know my buddy puts the cheapest gas in his Grand Cherokee, but he's not a car guy and just goes with what's cheapest.

[equ]

I'd recommend a 330xi any day over an X5.