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russllmar
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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Posts: 7
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   Topic: Car type for NW and public transportation??
Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 1:36pm |
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Hey all,
So there is a possibility that I may move to Seattle area coming december. With gas prices not going down in the likely future I may be looking for a new car. How necessary is it to have 4wd in the NW? I have a Rav4 now so I would not want to sell it if it is necessary. Will 2wd make it out there? Second question is how is the public transportation in Seattle thru Bellingham area? Can you compare it to Portland also?Those are the areas I am looking at.
Thanks,
Russell
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Russell Marcus
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jblum
Big Boofer
Don Blumin Looper
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Location: United States
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Posts: 527
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 2:09pm |
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No, you def don't need it. It will make mountain passes easier, but other than that, its not essential at all.
I have a Subaru AWD and LOVE it. I think its the perfect car for the PNW.
Portland has the best public transportation anywhere. Seattle is pretty good, but the stuff in Portland is the best.
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JHB
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russllmar
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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Posts: 7
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 2:17pm |
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So is AWD necessary?
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Russell Marcus
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justin
Big Boofer
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 2:18pm |
Public Transpo in Portland is better than anywher north.
As far as a car for the NW I think it depends on what you want to be boating. Up on the Ashlu it is pretty much necessary to have a 4WD with clearance, but for the most part runs are pretty much close to roads or hikeable.
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PowWrangler
PP Junkie
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
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Posts: 793
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 3:16pm |
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AWD is not absolutely necessary, but it comes in handy for skiing/riding when the passes get nasty. It's quite often that the Hwy Patrol requires AWD or chains.
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James
Admin
Sum Dum Guy
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 6:33pm |
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AWD or 4 wheel drive is although not required in the slightest for boating in the NW you will find that it is very nice to have for the obscure dijor. I can think of several runs in BC that require clearance and 4wd, and I can think of several in WA that run during seasons that pretty much limit access to 4wd vehicles, but thats why you run with dudes that are pushing king chili like lief!
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STLboater
PP Junkie
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
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Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 8:31pm |
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The rav4 is a pretty sweet vehicle for MPG and AWD, i almost wish i had gotten one instead of a 4runner.
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Kayak Academy Whitewater Instructor
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russllmar
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 8:13am |
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Hey STLboater,
Does that mean you think I should keep the RAv4 at20-22 mpg vs 35-40 in a corrolla?
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Russell Marcus
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jblum
Big Boofer
Don Blumin Looper
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Location: United States
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Posts: 527
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 9:44am |
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We all know that the toyota corolla was the greatest whitewater kayaking car ever invented!
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JHB
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James
Admin
Sum Dum Guy
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
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Posts: 3598
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 10:30am |
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Dude try a Tercel... the rally coupe of choice for NW snowshoeing and Winter Sports.
The only vehicle that state patrol will allow up the pass with no chains during restricted driving. I think they use them for snow plows up there too!
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Carter_M
Paddler
Joined: 13 May 2005
Location: United States
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Posts: 60
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 4:32pm |
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Your original post sounded like you wanted to know about public transportation between Seattle and parts north (Bellingham). There are some options for getting from Seattle to Bellingham but none of them would work for a commuter that holds regular work hours. Amtrak runs a passenger train in between (which is a great ride) and there are a few different bus options but you pretty much need a car if you have any sort of schedule to hold.
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spilly
Paddler
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
Location: United States
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Posts: 52
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 5:04pm |
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I think it depends on how you plan to use your car. If you live close enough to work that you can bike or have an easy bus route, then you can just use your car to play, in which case I would want awd. If you have to have a long commute every day and if you don't plan on skiing a lot, then a 2 wheel drive commuter would work. I am always really happy when I drive past the people who have to stop to put chains on, but I also get close to 30 mph.
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Sarah
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STLboater
PP Junkie
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
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Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 7:57pm |
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well the newer rav4s get around 28mpg. i believe they are actually built on a corolla frame so they have similar handling. The only thing with the rav4 is you have a bit more storage, space, factory racks and AWD, is that worth the loss in MPG?
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Kayak Academy Whitewater Instructor
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