Best climbing vehicle...
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I've been loathing buying a car. I don't particularly like paying insurance or fuel, but you do what you must; it's better than being marooned, stranded, stuck- at home. |
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I would go with a 2wd Toyota Tacoma. You should be able to get one w/ 100k miles on it for on the order of $2k, and you'll get at least another 100k out of it. Get a cheap topper and you have a home on wheels. |
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!990s Subaru Legacy or Loyale. They're ubiquitous for a reason. They're cheap, roomy, 4wd with usually enough clearance (the newer, generally the less off-road capable), reliable, and pretty dirtbaggy. Plus, you can fold down the seats and sleep in the back. The newer ones will do better on the highway, but my 1992 Loyale rarely gets going faster than 75. It does get 25mpg, though. |
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Honda Element, I call them toasters, but if you have the coin check out this link, they only do this to elements. |
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Under 2k people, come on now. The subies are great, but you're seeing less and less of them from the late 80's / early 90's for a reason. I'd definitely go with one from that time period rather than mid 90's when they seemed to have a lot more stupid/expensive problems. As was mentioned above, a little old Toy or Nissan pickup is a great idea. I picked up a '94 ford aerostar 4wd minivan for $1900 a few years ago, and it was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned, I put about 20k miles on it, including a few big road trips, and lots of mountain and dirt road driving, and the only problem I ever had was a blown oil pressure line, so essentially nothing. Maybe I got lucky with that one, but I really like those vans. Otherwise, those toyota 4x4 station wagons have a good rep. I'd personally go '92 to '94 Ford (no later, seriously, forget post '95) or asian and common, so there's lots of parts. |
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The Toyota 22R motor is the longest running ,lowest maintenance motor in automotive history. They come in trucks and cars. 4 cylinder,good milage....... You can't beat a Toyota. |
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Yeah dude a Toyota tacoma w/camper shell makes for a great home! |
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Screw budget! Get a Dodge Sprinter and pimp that shit out!!! |
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vw vanagon syncro! roomie and kills it offroad and on snow |
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Jacob Krenn wrote:Screw budget! Get a Dodge Sprinter and pimp that shit out!!! ... or follow this thread... mountainproject.com/v/climb….ding ding ding!!!! brother you speak the truth. Dodge sprinter is the way. |
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Best climbing vehicle = any rental car |
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Sam Lightner, Jr. wrote:Best climbing vehicle = any rental carUnless your a lawyer, Dr., or Trustafarian, no one can afford a rental car for a real road trip unless your slanging herbs along the way, in which case, you want to be in someone else's car. Sorry Brah, we're speaking realistically here. |
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I paid $2300 for my 97 outback, and i love it! |
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Subie!!! |
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I would actually agree with sam...if you are already doing fine without a car. Hitch to the local crag and save your money for rentals on your trips. Cars eat your money alive. I do have a 69 VW bus though, and I must agree, it is the best auto I have had for getting around in snow and off road, and it is 2wd. |
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I've got a 95 Legacy Wagon with well over 200k on it and would recommend it any day. However, if I were to buy a vehicle strictly for climbing and skiing-related travels and shelter, it would be either a mid-90's Toyota Previa or Chevy Astro van. Both all wheel drive, easily livable, and running on notoriously dependable engines. |
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Second the suby or try a Toyota Previa Van. Picked up ours for 4k, all wheel drive and supercharged. Comfy, plenty of room, and will go alot of places-yes it is a 22R motor as well. Spend little more than 2k. 2k will get you a car, but is will probably need work. Spend it now, or spend it later!!! |
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When you are dealing with that low of a budget, you simply get the best vehicle that you can find for that price. The cash for clunkers program greatly reduced what is available to you. |
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Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning toward the toyota vans (86-89 or so) or the previa (early 90's) Also perhaps a subuaru. |
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There's a reason Subarus are ubiquitous at crags across the country. |
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If I could do it in this forum I'd RT @KevinMcGlaughlin's comment on the Toyota 22R engine. Find yourself an early 4 cyl Tacoma 4WD and put a topper on it. Rig the back like I have below and you've got yourself a great road trip rig. Split the bed the long way. Then you can get a bike or two in the back and still sleep. The entire rig goes in and out in a couple of minutes with 2 cam straps. Best, Mal |