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hugepedro
Sep 29, 2011, 12:17 AM
Post #26 of 45
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Registered: May 28, 2002
Posts: 2875
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sandstone wrote: The almost new Toyota 4Runner I got in '05 has been great. There's plenty of room for gear, and I can sleep in it. It has great ground clearance and maneuverability. There's plenty of power for acceleration, and for pulling a trailer. MPG is 20.2 average, and about 24 on the open road (more if I keep my speed down). Reliability is best described as bomber -- no problems.
Fo Runnah fo sho! Mine has gotten me up the toughest approach roads that can be done with a non-modified vehicle.
Subarus are for gurlz.
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meanandugly
Sep 29, 2011, 2:05 AM
Post #27 of 45
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Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Posts: 312
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I use to have a Ford explorer and when I put down the back seat I could put in a single bed mattress, which could sleep 2 in relative comfort. If I wasn't using it as sleeping quarters it was great for 4 people with lots of gear, but it was a pig on gas.
I now have a Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport and put a cap on it. it got tons of sleeping room(2 in comfort, 3 in a pinch. The 2 rear seats are tight, but I've sat there and they are do-able. And its pretty good on fuel. I am in the process of putting racks on it for my kayaks, but it a great crag/camping vehicle and drive like a dream through the snow for those ice excursions.
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saint_john
Sep 29, 2011, 3:32 PM
Post #28 of 45
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Registered: Oct 4, 2010
Posts: 494
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Subaru.
My girlfriend has a 97 Outback. It has 200,000 miles and everything on the car still works. AC, power windows, locks, etc...
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rossross
Sep 29, 2011, 5:56 PM
Post #29 of 45
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Registered: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 40
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Forget the grocey getter "4x4" suggestions. If you want a bad ass climbermobile look for a used imported Mitsubishi Delica. 4wd, diesel engine and indestructable (as long as you dont hit a moose like my friend did). You can trick out the inside in many different ways depending on how you want it.
There is a video on youtube of some intense russians offroading one pretty hardcore. I cant post the link b/c youtube is blocked here at work.
(This post was edited by rossross on Sep 30, 2011, 8:17 PM)
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brownie710
Sep 29, 2011, 6:33 PM
Post #30 of 45
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Registered: Aug 25, 2007
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i have a 02 tacoma 4x4 with a cap on the back. i've never wished for more room and there is plenty of dry space in the back to sleep two. I have also never gotten stuck (i'm sure you don't do much ice climbing in AZ) even in the ADK's in the dead of winter on old logging roads headed into ice.
you can usually find even 90's tacomas in great shape with plenty of miles left on them (high 100,000s still means plenty of life for those trucks)
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bigo
Sep 29, 2011, 6:37 PM
Post #31 of 45
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Registered: Mar 11, 2002
Posts: 237
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I drive a 4dr PU truck with a canopy.
-Real 4WD
-lot's of space for gear, passengers and sleeping
-wet/muddy gear is not with passengers
-can tow a trailer
-nice to have a truck at home
cons
-not as good mpgs as a small awd rig (16-20mpg)
(This post was edited by bigo on Sep 29, 2011, 6:39 PM)
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marc801
Sep 29, 2011, 9:20 PM
Post #32 of 45
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damienclimber wrote: I would recommend you do some of your own research on the type of vehicle you are looking for.
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damienclimber
Sep 30, 2011, 9:23 AM
Post #33 of 45
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marc801 wrote: damienclimber wrote: I would recommend you do some of your own research on the type of vehicle you are looking for. That's exactly what he's doing - asking people with similar interests what they would recommend - by far the first bit of research everyone does.
hmmn, I think he wants a free ride. 
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olderic
Sep 30, 2011, 1:43 PM
Post #34 of 45
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Registered: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 1539
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damienclimber wrote: marc801 wrote: damienclimber wrote: I would recommend you do some of your own research on the type of vehicle you are looking for. That's exactly what he's doing - asking people with similar interests what they would recommend - by far the first bit of research everyone does. hmmn, I think he wants a free ride.
Exactly. And with this approach he'll get his $$$ worth.
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marc801
Sep 30, 2011, 2:46 PM
Post #35 of 45
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rossross wrote: Forget the grocey getter "4x4" suggestions. If you want a bad ass climbermobile look for a used imported Mitsubishi Delica. 4wd, diesel engine and indestructable (as long as you dont hit a moose like my friend did). You can trick out the inside in many different ways depending on how you want it. There is a video on youtube of some intense russians offroading one pretty hardcore. I cant post the link b/c youtube is blocked here at work.
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rhythm164
Sep 30, 2011, 4:57 PM
Post #36 of 45
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Registered: Mar 28, 2005
Posts: 964
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Idako wrote: In reply to: If I was to pick one, I'd go with the Subaru. +1
+1 again. I have an 07 Outback. Burly, and even at 6'2" I sleep like a little lamb in the back of that thing. An Organic full pad fits perfectly as a bed when the seats are down, just FYI.
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rossross
Sep 30, 2011, 8:29 PM
Post #37 of 45
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Registered: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 40
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marc801 wrote: rossross wrote: Forget the grocey getter "4x4" suggestions. If you want a bad ass climbermobile look for a used imported Mitsubishi Delica. 4wd, diesel engine and indestructable (as long as you dont hit a moose like my friend did). You can trick out the inside in many different ways depending on how you want it. There is a video on youtube of some intense russians offroading one pretty hardcore. I cant post the link b/c youtube is blocked here at work. Did you read the thread? He already has a serious off-road 4x4 rig - he's looking for something with better gas mileage that he can sleep in but still manage the less intense 4x4 terrain.
Yes I read the thread, thanks for asking to clear things up.
Do you know what a Delica is? Obviously not.
Do you know that a diesel engine gets great mileage? Surprised you dont.
Did you take the 15 seconds to Google it before jumping all over the opportunity to post a typical 'Im much smarter then anyone else on the internet' rc.com reply? No.
If you had, you would see that it is by no way anything like his current " serious off-road 4x4 rig" that has 35" tires. Also if you had taken the extra 2 minutes to look up the youtube video then you would also have seen that it is perfect for "the less intense 4x4 terrain"
I know and have met numerous people (climbers and surfers) who have lived out of one of these for years on end sometimes. It is a perfect climber roadtripmobile. Gets great mileage, big enough to sleep in comfortably, and can handle light off road trails, like in the RRG.
But thanks for asking.
BTW my questions were rhetorical so no need to waste my, yours or others peoples time with the douchy replies.
The picture of the Delica did not upload with my last post (edited now) it is also on this post.
Keep up the good work buddy....
(This post was edited by rossross on Sep 30, 2011, 8:34 PM)
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meinshnake
Oct 9, 2011, 5:26 PM
Post #38 of 45
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Registered: Oct 7, 2011
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Yeah... as far as 8 mpg, I would take that jeep into a dealer, I am in canada and get (in 4wd 08 rubicon, with towing package) 12.5-13 L/ 100km on back roads, only once have I gone above that... and it was driving through the mountains out west red lining in 3rd gear.
Other than that the engines in the subi's can't be beat and they are just really damn nice cars, despite the steep price tags.
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crazy_fingers84
Oct 9, 2011, 6:37 PM
Post #39 of 45
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Registered: Oct 11, 2006
Posts: 418
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Astro Van.
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drjghl
Oct 16, 2011, 5:27 AM
Post #40 of 45
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Registered: Dec 9, 2002
Posts: 135
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I am guessing that 90% of unpaved roads can be handled by a subaru, crv, etc. That means getting to Black Velvet Canyon, the west side of the Stronghold, Winslow Wall. If that is good enough for you, definitely get one of these vehicles.
But if you are dead set on getting down the road to the Homestead, Dry, and Lower Devils Canyon. Don't even consider a faux off road vehicle.
I drive a 2007 Nissan Xterra. It has some nuisance issues but the off road capability is just fine. Back seat goes down. Get a foam mattress from Ikea and fold it in back. Get your down blanket and sleep like a baby. If you're over say 5'7" 5'8" you may be too tall for the bed. Gets about 18-20 mpg. I towed a 5000 pound trailer with it. 130k miles. Running pretty well. Plan on taking it to the Homestead quite a bit this winter. See you there.
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northfacejmb
Oct 16, 2011, 5:50 AM
Post #41 of 45
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Registered: Nov 2, 2006
Posts: 234
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I can't say what's best for you, but when I was in your situation i narrowed it down to three good choices FOR ME and ultimately the one I ended up choosing.
There were five things I was looking for, in order of importance TO ME:
1. Decent 4wd capability, it doesn't have to be a rock crawler but I do want some clearance to get around.
2. The ability to sleep in the back comfortably.
3. Decent gas mpg
4. standard transmission but still have cruise control
5. the ability to comfortably seat 5 if I had to.
The three cars I ended up looking at were,
Toyota Tacoma with camper shell.
Nissan Xterra
Subaru Outback
I needed up going with the Xterra as it was the best BALANCE of my criteria. One of my favorite things about it is that (in the <05 models) you can take out the back seat cushions, and the seat back folds down. This is actually pretty huge as it means that you can simply slide the front two seats as far forward as they go and you've got 6+ft of space for sleeping once you fill the hole behind the front seats. I've got a friend who's over 6ft and he has no problem stretching out.
Thus far the off road performance has been amazing although I did get it stuck once (driver error on my part)
Gas mpg is decent but it certainly could be better (17 city and hwy, though going 35 up and down hills I've gotten 27, what can I say, she loves climbing)
It's got a built in roof rack and basket.
Anyway, there are a ton of cars out there and many many good choices. The Xterra might not be for everyone, but it's a great fit for me and my lifestyle (driving 6+ hours just to get to the mountains then sleeping in the car).
Hope you find something that works!
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yodadave
Oct 16, 2011, 6:25 AM
Post #42 of 45
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Registered: Feb 11, 2008
Posts: 510
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ok so this is not an answer to your question directly but its my solution to the common climbers problem.
Get a honda fit, enjoy 40mpg
save lots of money
hire a 4x4 for the 2 or 3 trips a year to an area that you can legitimately not get into without one.
If your 5'8 or less its plenty comfy to sleep in and if anything the back seats have more leg room than the front.
Added benefit is that when people give you gas money it way more than covers your gas as they are used to getting a ride in jeeps that get 8mpg
Also you get mad respect when you take it down 4x4 only roads and show people what you can do with front wheel drive and some skills
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jae8908
Oct 17, 2011, 3:10 AM
Post #43 of 45
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Registered: May 15, 2011
Posts: 270
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Honda Pilot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Pilot
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catchinwaves
Oct 17, 2011, 4:00 AM
Post #44 of 45
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Registered: Oct 17, 2011
Posts: 3
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It's an improbable trade off. Jeeps are some of the best off road vehicles built, mostly because thats exactly what they were built for. Here are some of the problems. Big enough to sleep in, better gas milage, not too expensive. Reasons why this is improbable.
1. Big cars, big enough to sleep in are more expensive and worse on gas milage r/t weight.
2. smaller engine means better gas and less power which can lead to getting stuck in bad places but i still dont know what your driving conditions are to where you are climbing at so you may not need the power.
3. 4x4 is 4x4, no question about it. awd is not 4x4 and 4x4 is more expensive.
If you want to do it less expensive, get rid of the jeep and buy 2 cars. get one that is hybrid and one that is beat up POS jeep that will run through anything, easy to fix, easy to recover and keep a tool kit with you and use it as a weekend excursion vehicle when you go climb.
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