What will my next auto purchase it be in 2011?

[OwnerCS]

Here's an question for the group based on a idea about past purchases and predictive purchasing patterns.

Can you predict what my next auto purchase is likely to be? This is assuming fuel prices (thus the economy) remains constant for the next 12 months.

Needs:

1) Trailer hitch
2) Towing capacity
3) On the fence about 4wd/Awd
4) Seating for 3 adults

Currently owned auto purchase history:

2010 November - 1995 Maxima SE 5-Speed - 150,000 miles (son's hot rod )
2010 June - 1991 Q45 Base - 115,000 miles (the classic V8 rumbler)
2008 March - 2006 Honda Ridgeline - 106,000 miles (high use daily driver)
2004 September - 2004 Honda Civic - 21,000 miles (spare & for gas crisis times)

Past vehicles

1990 to 2008 (Mostly Ford SUVs)
1980 to 1990 (Nissan 280zx and a Diesel Benz)

[MinisterofDOOM]

What range of towing capacity are you looking for? Are we talking F250 "towing a house" or just normal trailers now and then?

Either way, if you're planning to tow regularly (even small trailers) you should avoid unibody car-based crossovers. Their transmissions and frames are not up to the task of regular towing.

For lighter towing, I'd say go with a Trailblazer. Great "real truck" that also offers good road manners. Any of the 3 engine options are excellent.

If you're looking for heavier towing, the new Rams are excellent trucks, but it's really hard to loose at all in the pickup market right now (unless you count having to look at the eyesore that is the Tundra every day, which I do).

I love the Titan and the Pathfinder, but the TB does too many things too well for me to turn it down where SUVs are concerned (nearly bought one last year in fact).

[OwnerCS]

Thanks for the information! Interesting -- very interesting..

I like the look of the new Ram truck -- though I'm not crazy about the dealers around here.. I've been toying with the idea of a Titan King Cab -- but King Cabs seem to be rare around here.

I've thought about having enough towing capacity to trailer the Q to some car shows that a Titan V8 may offer.. However, no reason not to drive the Q to a show it that couldn't be addressed by a bra or clear bra.. Some shows actually reward owners for the car driven the most miles to be in a show -- thus encouraging drivable entries.. Thus a lot of truck GVW overhead for something I would use possibly use no more than 4 times a year..

I never gave the TB a second though as I just considered it to be another multi-platform unibody SUVer.. Now that you pointed it out, I see it has a real frame.. Also, it comes in an SS version..

The two things I like about my current SUT are: 1) the dealer has been great, 2) the in bed trunk has me spoiled. I wonder if the TB has one of those under the floor storage areas behind the rear seat?

Thanks for the tip MD..