Small AWD or 4x4 SUVs with manual transmissions, what is available?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

My mother is looking to purchase a small SUV type vehicle that is either AWD or 4x4 for winter/moving a disabled family member and also to replace our Cherokee beater. The twist is it has to be a manual transmission, nobody in our family wants an automatic. So far I can only think of the Jeep Wrangler and Mini Countrman All 4. Does anyone else know of any with this criteria?

[MK1GTI]

I think you can still get a VW Tiguan in a manual

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by MK1GTI
I think you can still get a VW Tiguan in a manual

Looks like yes but not with 4Motion.

[MK1GTI]

Yeah I just saw that, FWD only :thumbsdow

[Kloubek]

How new is she looking for? Brand new? Depending, there could be lots.

Jeep itself offers the Patriot, Liberty and Compass in manual. But there must be offerings from the main companies that offer AWD. Nissan Rogue? Hyundai Tuscon? Kia Sportage?

Why not do a search on Kijiji for 4X4 suv's with manual transmissions?

[Sugarphreak]

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[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Also should point out she is looking for new only at this point and she doesn't like the Compass/Liberty/Patriots, but doesn't mind the Wrangler.

[Sugarphreak]

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[clemmy26]

American made vehicles? Really?

[Cos]

.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
^^ Well, my post is useless then

Maybe the X3 still comes with a manual? doubtful though. Cayenne should still.

Would like an X3 but no manual, Cayenne is getting far too expensive and large I would say, shes looking at up to $35000ish I think, it will probably only see 5000-8000km a year.

[CanmoreOrLess]

I would think with one of the uses of the vehicle being the movement of a disabled person (at what level of disability?), a vehicle with sliding side doors would be a plus. I cannot think of worse vehicles than the Wrangler and Mini for your purposes. If AWD and a manual are the big needs, I would look at a Forester or Outback. The Forester has a built in sort of guide rail into the upper door to allow for a balanced entry into the vehicle. See bottom photos here:
http://www.cars101.com/forester.html

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by CanmoreOrLess
I would think with one of the uses of the vehicle being the movement of a disabled person (at what level of disability?), a vehicle with sliding side doors would be a plus. I cannot think of worse vehicles than the Wrangler and Mini for your purposes.

Hes not disabled like a wheel chair but he walks with a cane and has a brain injury, he has little to no problem getting into our Cherokee with a 3" lift but does not like having to bend down to get into my moms 135i, its just too low.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Forester and XV Crosstrek look good also.

[FraserB]

Wrangler is going to be the same size, if not higher, than your XJ.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by FraserB
Wrangler is going to be the same size, if not higher, than your XJ.

Its pretty similar from what I have seen. I would like something that half capable offroad so I can take it for a rip as well but I don't get a final say.

[FraserB]

I would go put them side by side. You need to consider the additional height that a JK has from the factory.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Keep in mind our Cherokee is lifted 3 inches though, a base Wrangler is lower than a Rubicon, they seem pretty similar.

[CanmoreOrLess]

The Wrangler* has no door stays, so if the door is being opened on a slight incline the dam thing does not stay open. A guy with a cane will find this a pain in the ass. I recall this negative from a mention on Edmunds.

From a Jeep website: If you need the doors to stay open, park the Jeep facing downhill. If you need the tailgate open, park facing up hill. It's in the owners manual on pg. 107.

*Wranglers are terrific at what they are intended for, especially the newer edition.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

My dad is totally against anything with selectable 4x4 over AWD even though he wont even drive the vehicle, XV Crosstrek and Mini Countryman All4 seem to be his choices.

[Sentry]

Lada Niva, BITCH.

Look at it.

LOOK

http://0.tqn.com/d/4wheeldrive/1/0/v/U/1/Michur_Pol_92LadaNiva_RR.jpg

:D

[blitz]

My wife drives an '11 Forrester. It's a really good vehicle.

[Kavy]

Originally posted by blitz
My wife drives an '11 Forrester. It's a really good vehicle.

Qft

Several of my friends have Forrester's and they are very happy with them.

[Mibz]

Tell your family to stop being so fucking picky.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Mibz
Tell your family to stop being so fucking picky.

Its better to be picky than buy something you aren't happy with, sometimes my car searches take almost a year before I buy something.

[Mibz]

I think you'll find that if you stop being picky then more things make you happy :P

[RickDaTuner]

+1 for forester!

[jesterme2007]

I would go for a newish 2011,2012 Suzuki SX4 with the 6spd manual with selectable 2wd,4wd,4wd Lock. This car is made in Japan and is extremely underrated. It is the cheapest 4WD on the market. With 150HP its should feel great on the highway. Most reviews I read state that is is surprisingly stable and extremely planted at highway speeds.

In Europe it is a Fiat, badged as the Sedici.

The 2012's have 0% or $4000 off I believe right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHfgcJK_KSk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SX4

[HuMz]

Xterra comes in a 6 speed. 7 years on this platform so all the bugs have been worked out. Only downside is its more rugged than any crossover or soccer mom suv. Will take you a wrangler will though since you did mention you may take it offroad.

[soccernut]

My FJ still comes in a 6spd. But accessibility is not that great if you sit in the back. The Manual Tranny models are full time 4Wheel Drive (Sort of works like an AWD) with two more selectable 4x4 modes.

I'd recommend the forester as well.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Definate no to the FJ, Xterra is a small possibility.

[Skidro]

Another car you might like to look at is the smaller nissan x-trail... It has the same 2.5l engine as many other nissans and I drive a 4wd manual one... Only problem with these cars is that they were discontinued.
It has so much space inside and it isn't bad on gas either, although it is select-able fwd it makes the car more fuel efficient.. It uses the type of awd system as the skylines but its reversed :P
Mine is a 2005 but and it just passed 251000 kms

[msommers]

Honestly a forester or outback are probably their best options.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally posted by HuMz
Xterra comes in a 6 speed. 7 years on this platform so all the bugs have been worked out. Only downside is its more rugged than any crossover or soccer mom suv. Will take you a wrangler will though since you did mention you may take it offroad.

xterra was the first one I thought of.

Proven engine and transmission combo.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Going to look at the Subaru XV Crosstrek tonight, seems like the best bet.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Ended up buying a XV Crosstrek last night from Centaur.

[soccernut]

Congrats, Let us know how you like it.

[Sugarphreak]

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[a social dsease]

I'd never heard of it either :confused:

Just googled it, its just a lifted impreza hatch.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review

too bad we don't get the euro version :thumbsdow 2.0L turbo diesel w/ 258ftlbs? :eek:

[Sugarphreak]

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[jdmXSI]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
I wish Subaru would bring back the Turbo Baja :drool:

Edited for accuracy;)

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Ive only driven it about 30km so far but overall impressions are nice ride and handling but god is it slow. I like all the fancy screens and tech and Bluetooth audio, and it gets great mileage.