[give_it_all_]

So some background info. I have an 06 G5 base with 45,000km on it, manual (standard, stick, 5 sp. etc.) and bought an atv a few months ago. Sadly, I bought the car not knowing that with the manual transmission it can't tow anything
So now I'm looking to get a car that can tow. Somewhere around the $12-14,000 cdn mark. And would like it to be an American company, pref. GM. The max towing should be 1000 or higher.
I have thought about a Saab 9-3 (2004 arc)....and that's where I'm at lol.
Oh ya, and I looked into a Mini because they can tow 1,400 pounds lol
Any suggestions would be great! Thanks

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

sure you can tow an ATV with the car... it just says "don't tow" because GM doesn't understand that people can drive stick and tow... I mean you aren't going to break it especially such a light load

 

[give_it_all_]

Well, I'm going to talk to our mechanic and see what he says. Everyone else I've talked to said that the clutch and transmission can't take the beating (I will be driving 600kms probably every other weekend to get to the cottage).

 

[calgaryhhr]

Like Saabr has said you should be able to tow that load with what you have. I believe the reason behind GM stating that you can't tow with the manual is that it is their impression that people may burn up clutches pre-maturely or blow up transmission with the extra load if they do not know how to drive with a manual very well (at least this is what I have been told by many folks with manual HHR's who actual tow light loads despite the same statement by GM.)

As a side question: could you not tow the ATV up once and leave it at the cottage?

If you do want a new vehicle to tow the ATV I would recommend you possibly consider and HHR. The auto will tow 1000 pounds (as stated in the manual) but many folks have towed more without problems. The stick is not recommended for towing but people have done it without problem.

If you are in Alberta, I might be willing to part with my 06 HHR (auto, fully loaded) for a decent price. I have no need for the vehicle any more and would consider getting rid of it.

 

[eurohazard]

Well to be honest......not accounting for overall safety (that's entirely another topic); Towing 1,000 lbs is no harder on your car than driving around with 4 250lb people inside. Will it wear your clutch more than a G6 driven only by a 98 lb female driver? That depends.....clutch wear is highly dependent on the driver.......but I think we can all agree that it will wear faster than normal. But how much money will you stand to lose by trading in your car? I'd just use that money as "clutch fund" money if need be.

 

[give_it_all_]

I would love to leave it there, but 1. wayyy to many thefts, it would probably take about a month tops before it's stolen. 2. I also ride in other trails 2 hours the way from my house.
An HHR is the same platform/engine as my car so no need for that, but thanks for the offer
Clutch fund...that could work as well. If it is only the clutch that is the problem I would see if there is a heavy duty clutch available.

 

[cyclone]

why don't we just a drive bicycles?

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Clutch fund...that could work as well. If it is only the clutch that is the problem I would see if there is a heavy duty clutch available.

I wouldn't even bother, I mean the clutch normally should be good for at least 300 000 km even 400 000 km depending on conditions. About the worst that could happen is you burn the clutch in 200 000 km instead. OK so just replace it:lmao:

On my Saab it says I can tow 1 500 kg with a braked trailer and makes no mention of automatic/manual.

And anyway, look at the big 18 wheeler trucks. They are ALL manual with clutch and their clutches are good for 1 000 000 km or so

 

[F14CRAZY]

I would get a hitch anyway. Heck my dad tows that much with a '92 Civic. As stated an ATV and a minimal sized trailer won't be much for it when you consider four people and some junk in the trunk (I'm speaking about in the rear of the G5) can weigh as much if not more.

The auto/manual/towing discussion is goofy. Unless the manual trans is really underbuilt compared to the auto a manual should be equal, to me if not better because you can shift it with less shock. Heck for the Forester the auto is rated for 2k, manual for 2400 lbs

 

[01sunfire01]

i have a 2007 g5 gt and its also a 5 speed. you can pull with it no proplem. theres even a company that makes a hitch for the car.

 

[GMfan1111]

i agree with everyone else here you should be able to tow with your G5. i don't see too many G5's towing stuff myself but i have seen a few early 90's civics and camrys tow trailers. Just don't do what this one dude did over at the thrift store I go to and put a couch and several chairs on top of the car. He had a beatup Chevy cavalier wagon and it was amazing that the suspension didn't bottom out especially with all of that weight pressing down on it

 

[give_it_all_]

lol well I wouldn't be loading it up like that.

OK, well thanks for the advice everyone! I think it's time to get a hitch now But if something breaks, you can all be sure to expect a bill at your front door :