a bit OT: Thinking of consolidating tow and DD

I am thinking of selling my 146k mile 325Ci and 250k mile Suburban (both 2004 MY) in order to get my number of cars down to 2. The 996 isn't going anywhere. What's a tow vehicle that isn't so miserable to drive every day? With r-comps now longer allowed in my autox class, I'm towing the 911 way less. I have a really heavy steel open trailer. I do tow a boat some, but it's pretty light in comparison. I started looking at Carmax for a newer suburban and was blown away at the prices. It was something like $13k for another '04 suburban with 110k miles or so. I don't want to spend much more than I'll be able to get for the two cars sold private party plus a bit of cash, call it $17k? If I thought an e39 M5 could tow the 911 and a boat, I would just get that.

Buy something with a red interior. You'll pay next to nothing for it.

Cayenne Turbo.

Just bought a 02 durango R/T 5.9 with 255K on it for $3200. One owner is a friend so i know its history. Its clean and drives great, they say it will pass anything but a gas station. It will tow 7,100 Lb if it has the 5.9, 4x4 and the 3.91 rear end. I got it to tow my new 6,000 lb boat.

Diesel X5 puts down plenty of torque, but for your price point, you're probably looking at fairly high mileage. (I recall the torque being 480, but it might have been only 425). The 35D will tow 3 tons, and even with the pleather seats they're nicely appointed. Mine had bamboo trim - you know, because when you buy a 3-ton diesel that gets 25MPG, it's all about the environment. If you decide on an X5 and need some winter tires, it just so happens...

I think a stock 1st gen Cayenne S will tow over 7,000 lbs. and they're dirt cheap right now.

Cayenne, any model will tow 7K. A Cayenne S was my first choice. I got the 99 C4 and a boat instead. While they are dirt cheap for what they are, you are still going to spend big $ if anything happens to it. I have researched this alot. I can buy a brand new engine from dodge for my durango for about $3K. Does not make sense to buy a sports car to tow a sports car. By a tow car and spend more on the sports car.

+2 for a Cayenne - from what I've read on other threads, people have BARELY made it over large mountain passes in a Cayenne towing a 996 or 986, and have no issues whatsoever with a Cayenne S or Turbo. Plus they are SO cheap right now if you buy a 2004-2007.

Pretty happy with my DD: '04 Toyota 4Runner w/ 4.7L V8. They're rated to tow 7,300lb (2wd) or 7,000 (4wd). They drive better than you think and they're very reliable. If that isn't luxurious enough for you, spring a few extra bux and find a Lexus GX470. Same truck with more leather and Mark Levinson speakers.

Dodge Ram diesel.

If you do your own maintenance, V10TDI Touareg. Cayenne Turbo would be great, again if you do your own maintenance. Honestly though, you're not going to find anything cheaper to tow with than an American truck. Look for a Denali for nice appointments without the premium price of an Escalade; plus you get a 6.0 or 6.2. Aim for an '07+ truck.

Trailblazer SS/ SAAB 9-7x aero

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We are on our 2nd GX470 now. Had an '03 and got rid of it when the mileage was getting up there. Went through an LR4 and an MDX and eventually got tired of hearing about how much my wife loved and missed the GX470. Searched all over the web and found a 1 owner '08 with 23,000 miles for her.

Thanks for the input, guys. I like the 4runner, but I'm afraid it won't have enough HP towing a steel trailer with the 996 on it. Also, if I'm buying it anywhere near Jacksonville, 4runners/tacomas/tundras/Rams all demand a HUGE price premium on the used market, because every Jacksonvillian and sailor wants one as his/her brodozer. I like the 04-07 Cayenne S, but there is that whole cylinder scoring thing. It shouldn't be an issue in a southern car. The turbo looks amazing, but I don't see many for sale. I do all my own maintenance; just did the 996's clutch not too long ago. It's not that I care so much about leather (I actually enjoy the BMW fake leather- it's tough) and I don't care about features like nav or backup cameras. I just need reprieve from this Suburban. It bobs up and down like a ship at sea every time it hits a bump (even with new shocks), the steering wheel IS NOT connected to the steering rack, and the driveshaft has to complete two full rotations before it starts transmitting power to the wheels. I mean the thing is just so beat.

I have an 11 Armada Platinum (includrs full tow package) that tows my steel 16 foot trailer and the 996 or the MX-5 with zero problems, not quite like it isn't there but with zero drama.

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Now that you bring it up, an LR3 or an LR4 would do the trick here too. They've got the towing capacity. Reliability isn't even in the same league as a 4Runner/GX470 though. Might as well get the Pepperwagen

Get a Landcruiser if you can find a good deal. It's got reliability, towing ability, off-road capability, and it's generally reasonably plush.

Really hard to beat a crew cab truck for your price range and needs. It will be big inside, be the best at towing, be reliable, and be cheap to fix if something breaks. Throw some Bilstein 5100s on and most will be respectable to drive, just the shocks absolutely transformed my '12 F150. While I agree with many of the vehicles suggested (Cayenne, 4Runner, Land Cruiser), none of them are great tow vehicles. For trucks, I would look at the Toyota Tundra (1st gen), Nissan Titan, F150, and GMC/Chevy. I put 120k on a Nissan Armada (SUV version of Titan), it was absolutely flawless and actually really nice to drive. My father in law has 140k on a 2007 F150 that has needed absolutely nothing. If you decide to go the SUV route, in that price range the Armada blows away the Expedition, Durango, and GM products.

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We only had the LR4 for about 2 years, but believe it or not, nothing broke on it other than an ashtray. They do eat through brakes and tires pretty fast, and gas mileage is probably comparable to your suburban.

I'm afraid most capable tow vehicles are not nearly as fun to drive as a 3 series if that is your current DD. I would keep the burb for towing and hauling duties and replace the 325i with a newer model or 330 ZHP or something. X5 4.8is or the E70 4.8i would be the best combo DD and tow vehicle that I can think of. I prefer them to the cayenne and they are more reliable. But still not a fantastic DD and not a fantastic tow rig - compromise in both areas. But might be worth a look.

Stick with a Flat 6 ! You can get an AWD flat 6 3.6l engined vehicle with lots of space, towing capability and a bargain price because they are so low profile, nobody goes looking for one. It is a Subaru Tribeca. Flames to follow.

I'd stick to a Burb or a crew cab pickup of whatever brand you fancy. If you want torque and cheap maintenance, go with a 2500 series big block. You can alter the ride with some suspension bits.

My 2010 Mercedes GL450 has been a spectacular tow vehicle. Plenty of power and torque pulling collector cars and antique furniture. Not sure what you can find in the $17k range, but worth a look.

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While I really like the X5, there are so many horror stories about electrical and transmission issues to look at something outside of warranty. OP could bump the price up a bit and get a Viper truck. They are not supposed to be towed with, but many owners use them as haulers. Can't tow a car with a Tribeca. But it is a nice driving vehicle.

There's always this option.

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There was an article I read a year or two back that listed the top ten vehicles for long term reliability, ie, well beyond 100K miles. 6 or 7 of the cars on the list were either a Lexus or a Toyota, with the 4Runner/GX470 and Land Cruiser/LX470 amongst them. Seriously, OP should look at a 4th gen 4Runner ('03-'08) and find one with the V8 option. If wheeling isn't a concern, look for a 2wd model. They're rated to tow 7,300 lbs. The V8 only has 230hp but it's got plenty of torque and it's amazingly smooth/refined. The truck doesn't feel even remotely underpowered. I've knocked out 15 hour days in mine without any griping. $15K is plenty enough to find a decent example.