Whitewater Forum: Car type for NW and public transportation??

Car type for NW and public transportation??

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Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6618
Printed Date: 17 Sep 2025 at 11:17pm

Topic: Car type for NW and public transportation??

Posted By: russllmar
Subject: Car type for NW and public transportation??
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 1:36pm

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

Replies:

Posted By: jblum
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 2:09pm

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

Posted By: russllmar
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 2:17pm

So is AWD necessary?

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Russell Marcus

Posted By: justin
Date 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.

Posted By: PowWrangler
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 3:16pm

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.

Posted By: James
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 6:33pm

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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Posted By: STLboater
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2008 at 8:31pm

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

Posted By: russllmar
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 8:13am

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

Posted By: jblum
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 9:44am

We all know that the toyota corolla was the greatest whitewater kayaking car ever invented!

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JHB

Posted By: James
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 10:30am

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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Posted By: Carter_M
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 4:32pm

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.

Posted By: spilly
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 5:04pm

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

Posted By: STLboater
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2008 at 7:57pm

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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