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Aboiss
Jun 5, 2010, 4:54 AM
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Hello, I'm currently in the market looking for a cheap used car, and with my recent climbing obsession I'm interested in finding out what kind of cars people might recommend for bumming around from crag to crag. I was looking at Subaru Outbacks and possibly Honda CR-Vs in the hopes that after the seats are folded down a mattress could be thrown for sleeping. Has anyone else had experience sleeping out of their cars as they drive around?
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trapdoor
Jun 5, 2010, 5:10 AM
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Honda Element.
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irregularpanda
Jun 5, 2010, 5:18 AM
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trapdoor wrote: Honda Element.
Toyota tacoma or nissan frontier w camper shell and homemade bed- storage space under the bed.
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skiclimb
Jun 5, 2010, 6:17 AM
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old 4 cylinder Rwd toyota pickup
the money saved buying one gives you 6 more months of climbing
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shimanilami
Jun 5, 2010, 6:31 AM
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There is no such thing as a "climbing vehicle". If you choose a car based upon a "recent climbing obsession", then you are a poser and a fool.
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jbone
Jun 5, 2010, 9:40 AM
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meanandugly
Jun 5, 2010, 1:15 PM
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My 96 Ford Explorer is awesome, but a big minus is its a bit of a pig on gas. I put down the rear seats and throw in a single bed matress, screens on the rear seat windows for sleeping at night with ventilation, and pee bottle....just like home and takes care of two people with lots of comfort. Its a 4x4 and have yet to have been stuck even on some of the more than off the beaten track ice trips. Some times I throw in a portable dvd player for those rain days.
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subantz
Jun 5, 2010, 1:16 PM
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a mudder truckin SHORT BUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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grahamh
Jun 5, 2010, 1:24 PM
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If the short bus is diesel it might get better fmiles per gallon. Something with a diesel engine would be my recomendation
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swoopee
Jun 5, 2010, 3:05 PM
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Feet.
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rhythm164
Jun 5, 2010, 4:17 PM
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Outback is a good choice. I'm 6'2" and can comfortably sleep in mine with 2 bouldering pads and other gear inside, plus an Organic Full Pad fits perfectly as a mattress. Tough as bricks too, it'll go through pretty much anything.
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reno
Jun 5, 2010, 4:23 PM
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WarriorChristoph
Jun 7, 2010, 7:32 PM
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Dodge sprinter, get an old cheap one! Great for the crags!
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jungle_george
Jun 7, 2010, 7:48 PM
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Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell or Subaru Outback for a good combination of space and the potential to pass as a non-dirtbag to the rangers.
A windowless perv van would be ideal for living out of and certainly more comfortable, but at the big climbing destinations rangers will be onto you like white on rice.
I recently rigged my tacoma with an inverter, isolator, and auxiliary batter (pretty cheap to do) and I can safely run a small heater and various electronic devices without draining the main battery. The aux battery charges back up from the alternator when I get on the road. Pretty sweet setup.
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marc801
Jun 7, 2010, 8:28 PM
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Aboiss wrote: ... what kind of cars people might recommend for bumming around from crag to crag.
A lot of good suggestions so far, but that one should definitely be at the top of your list.
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darkgift06
Jun 7, 2010, 9:09 PM
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Reliable,
Toyota, Honda, Subaru. indeed all reliable.
Honda & Toyota will be cheaper & easier to fix.
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grahamh
Jun 7, 2010, 10:45 PM
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I'll second the dodge sprinter. Diesel engine. 5' or 7' head room. 30 MPG. Lots of room. Looks like it belongs in Europe, or somewhere outside the USA, aka an intelligent design. I believe it is used by the USPS or Fed Ex. I'm not sure if they've been around long enough though to find a older cheap one.
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raerae
Jun 8, 2010, 5:48 AM
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Toyota Previa.
All Wheel Drive and room for a bed with storage underneath... and its a Toyota so it runs forever.
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shoo
Jun 8, 2010, 2:13 PM
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raerae wrote: . . .and its a Toyota so it runs forever.
This is just too easy.
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areyoumydude
Jun 8, 2010, 4:08 PM
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Isuzu pickup
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jbrown2
Jun 8, 2010, 5:07 PM
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Three choices here.
Get a small rice burner pack it full of shit and sleep on the ground. You'll save lots of cash on gas and be able to climb longer.
I own a previa. 250,000 miles and running strong. Took out all the seats accept the front two and you can damn near fit a queen size mattress in there.
Three. Move to a sick climbing area and buy a bike. Climb there till you have climbed everything than kitch to your next destination. That would be the true dirt bag way. Poach, hitch, and dumpster dive. (no car needed) Just need weed as a hitch hiker gift
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rsmillbern
Jun 8, 2010, 5:17 PM
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I have a 1991 Mercedes E-Class wagon. With the seats folded down it is hugh, and they fold completely flat. Drives great. Will run at 110 mph all day long... Only down side is is drinks gas like there is no tomorrow. Maintenance is not too bad (at least not in Germany).
Looking at a VW Caddy (I don't think you can get this in the US) to replace to benz....
scoTt
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altelis
Jun 10, 2010, 4:07 AM
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ground clearance is the same....forester's shorter wheel base gives it a small advantage as an offroad vehicle, but the outback's length means it stores more stuff...
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majid_sabet
Jun 10, 2010, 4:21 AM
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Majid Modified 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser 4 cyl Turbo Diesel 22-30 mpg
or
Majid Modified 1974 VW bus with 1980 4cyl Mazda Engine 22-30 mpg
I am selling VW for $35000 or Toyota for $30.000 let me know
(This post was edited by majid_sabet on Jun 10, 2010, 4:28 AM)
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suprasoup
Jun 10, 2010, 4:54 AM
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If you wanna get there fast... 1987 Supra Turbo 165mph 20-27mpg
If you wanna get there faster...2007 Yamaha R1 198mph 20-40mpg
For those who wanna get there a little slower...1981 Suzuki GS450 110mph 55-70mpg
And for those who just wanna get there and perhaps survive the inevitable zombie outbreak...1976 Fj40 Landcruiser
75mph 12-18mpg
I'd love to have a Troopie, but the 40 will have to do.
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irregularpanda
Jun 10, 2010, 5:52 AM
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majid_sabet wrote: I am selling VW for $35000 or Toyota for $30.000 let me know
I know this is a classic typo, but I'll take dibs on your land cruiser for 30 dollars and 000 cents.
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kobaz
Jun 10, 2010, 1:29 PM
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irregularpanda wrote: majid_sabet wrote: I am selling VW for $35000 or Toyota for $30.000 let me know I know this is a classic typo, but I'll take dibs on your land cruiser for 30 dollars and 000 cents.
Heh... that's funny but it's not a typo... it's how majid's part of the world (any many other countries) represents thousands.
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ladyscarlett
Jun 10, 2010, 11:24 PM
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Man! All you folks have some mad money given some of the cars you guys are throwing out there.
I think my car gives "Climbing Bum Cars" a bad name, but feel she's done her distance as a Bum Car.
Toyota 94 base model camry, 280,000+ mi, V4.
I mainly think it qualifies because
-it was inherited - thus I stay true to my "Bum" title
-the Land Boat has neccessary carrying capacity, 3 + gear, comfortably
-No air con or radio...this is a Bum Car afterall
-slides under the radar for People of Authority...something about the family sedan look. I have benefited from this on numerous occasions so far
I think my issue is that as a climbing 'Bum', would one really be able to have the vehicle of choice?
Or the one that breaks down at 5am on a remote dirt road in Tuolumne and starts only after much pleading, coaxing, and 'one last try'. And yet, she still manages to intimidate all the other cars into the turnouts on the ride out of Yosemite.
Yeah, my Bum car sucks, but that's the thing, she's a Bum Car, she holds my stuff, gets me where I need to go, and never looks like she has something you might want to steal.
But to the OP, they all have nice suggestions, but still seem quite plush for a true Bum Car...
Good luck
2p
ls
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benbeard
Jun 11, 2010, 2:37 PM
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toyota tacoma w/ colorado plates. These represent about 80% of all the cars found parked in popular Utah climbing spots.
Indian Creek, best crag in colorado, right?
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I_do
Jun 12, 2010, 10:20 AM
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grahamh wrote: I'll second the dodge sprinter. Diesel engine. 5' or 7' head room. 30 MPG. Lots of room. Looks like it belongs in Europe, or somewhere outside the USA, aka an intelligent design. I believe it is used by the USPS or Fed Ex. I'm not sure if they've been around long enough though to find a older cheap one.
That's because it's a mercedes dude.
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pyrosis
Jun 13, 2010, 11:45 AM
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rhythm164 wrote: Outback is a good choice. I'm 6'2" and can comfortably sleep in mine with 2 bouldering pads and other gear inside, plus an Organic Full Pad fits perfectly as a mattress. Tough as bricks too, it'll go through pretty much anything.
Negative on all counts. I put ~90000 miles on my Outback and had it broken down on the side of the road no less than 10 times overheated, and for other problems. >$7000 maintenance in 90k miles = LEMON. Cooling system never did work right in the damn thing. Also very UNcomfortable to sleep in (too damn short, I'm 6'2") and never did quite have the clearance to get to certain areas.
I liked it well enough when it was working. Hated it when it broke which it did all too frequently.
These days I feel only LOVE
for my Toyota.
:)
(edit for spelling)
(This post was edited by pyrosis on Jun 13, 2010, 11:46 AM)
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pyrosis
Jun 13, 2010, 11:52 AM
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darkgift06 wrote: Reliable, ... Subaru. indeed all reliable..
Again, I disagree.
I will never again buy a Subaru.
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angry
Jun 13, 2010, 12:00 PM
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pyrosis wrote: darkgift06 wrote: Reliable, ... Subaru. indeed all reliable.. Again, I disagree. I will never again buy a Subaru.
I agree but I have to "again" to my statement.
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I_do
Jun 13, 2010, 12:15 PM
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pyrosis wrote: rhythm164 wrote: Outback is a good choice. I'm 6'2" and can comfortably sleep in mine with 2 bouldering pads and other gear inside, plus an Organic Full Pad fits perfectly as a mattress. Tough as bricks too, it'll go through pretty much anything. Negative on all counts. I put ~90000 miles on my Outback and had it broken down on the side of the road no less than 10 times overheated, and for other problems. >$7000 maintenance in 90k miles = LEMON. Cooling system never did work right in the damn thing. Also very UNcomfortable to sleep in (too damn short, I'm 6'2") and never did quite have the clearance to get to certain areas. I liked it well enough when it was working. Hated it when it broke which it did all too frequently. These days I feel only LOVE for my Toyota. :) (edit for spelling)
Of course you having problems with your subaru doesn't mean they're not in this top 100 of most reliable cars starting with second place, just after the honda accord with the forrester and the impreza and legacy are also in the top 100.
http://www.gizmag.com/go/5657/
This was just the first link I could find, I'm sure there's better ones out there but claiming subaru's are not reliable is not substantiated by any facts, other then your anecdote.
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Adk
Jun 13, 2010, 12:21 PM
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Element.
I own one. Easy to clean. Goes just about anywhere. Traction control/Vehicle stability assist. 4WD
Seats fold flat and are comfy to sleep on or up and are removable. Fair on gas. 28+ highway
Not as much metal to rust (plastic fenders)
Greaet ventilation on hot days when not running the AC
Easy to fix.
ok, ok....it looks like a toaster!  You don't know that once you are inside though.
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