What is the best weekend warrior vehicle??

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Messages 1 - 82 of total 82 in this topic
xvincex

Sport climber
Concord, California
Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 18, 2013 - 05:19pm PT
I'm looking at buying a new car and unfortunately I commute about an hour and a half a day to work and back to my house so a Mercedes Sprinter is out of the question. I'm looking for something with decent gas milage, 4 wheel drive, the seats can fold down in the back all the way so I can throw a pad down and sleep flat, and something that has the potential of lasting me a good 8 to 10 years of taking it out every weekend to the Sierras from the Bay Area. Any suggestions??
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:21pm PT
Unimog.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:24pm PT
I think Melissa had a nice post of her modified Prius a while back. I've got a Prius, driven it all kinds of improbable places (think parallel track with 24" bushes in the middle), and I'm averaging 20k+ miles per year and 40mpg. Most of that is driving across SF bay area or from LA to SF area. I'm at 106k miles with no major issues so far (just several sets of worn out tires).

That said, I think a Passat Station Wagon with Turbo Diesel might get slightly better gas mileage and have more power if you routinely haul 4+ people and their gear for weekend destinations. If just you or maybe one other most of the time, Prius is good and no hunting for Diesel gas stations.
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:26pm PT
4wd for jeep trail type stuff or awd for snow? Or both?
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:29pm PT
You are in the SF Bay Area, and the roads to Yosemite are paved.
You don't need 4WD.
It also doesn't rain, or you at least have an accurate weekend weather forecast, so you don't need to be able to sleep in the back.
You will want something with high MPG, since it's a long drive to the Sierras.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:30pm PT
Saturn SW2 Wagon manual trans. S series Saturns tend to get 250k lifetimes on average. Simple and inexpensive to service. They are also very low resale value cars. Basically the perfect value combination.

Love mine. Did some simple mods to it and I get 40mpg on the highway 32 in town. Cost me $2100. Thats kinda high for a 2000 saturn but it is hard to find the manual wagons in the excellent condition I got. I expect another 100k out of it EASILY.

It is FWD but I learned how to get into places most folks use 4wd long ago.
ELM !

climber
Near Boston
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:32pm PT
Subaru Forester
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:33pm PT
Toyota has a good track record of performance.

As a weekend warrior, storage is key. You don't want to have pack and unpack every week. You want to leave your stuff in rig (pots, pans, stove, spare water jugs, maybe climbing gear, etc. So vehicles like a Subaru Outback and or a Tacoma truck in a 4 cyl model will get ok mileage for a lot of bang for the buck in a 4wheel capacity.

Psilocyborg

climber
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:34pm PT
4 runner. Tint the windows, sleep anywhere. Take care of it and it will last a long time
climbingcook

Trad climber
sf
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:40pm PT
I bought a used Audi A6 quattro with a manual gearbox something like seven years ago and have put about 100,000 road trip miles on it. Seats fold flat, never gets stuck, don't need chains in the snow, hauls ass on the freeway, enough space for 5 people with a weekend worth of gear, and comfortable for hours on end.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Nov 18, 2013 - 05:49pm PT
Subaru Outback/Legacy for your needs as posted.

Imprezas and Forester's seats don't go all the way flat.

Subaru's are typically the best mpg you can get in an AWD car. There were also the AWD toyota matrix, but they are pretty gutless.

Put a roof box on either. It'll cost about 1 mpg but you have way more storage space and you don't need to shuffle stuff around to sleep in the back.

You could always get a Prius for commuting and something else for the weekends. 45 mpg in a Prius vs. even 30 mpg adds up. Like $5000 in gas savings over 5 years.
Barbarian

climber
Nov 18, 2013 - 06:50pm PT
I just got an Outback, and I'm blown away by the room. I can fold the seats down flat and bivy in the back (wife laughed that I checked that in every car I considered). Has more rear legroom than any other car I looked at. Smooth as silk and has plenty of power. Great mileage! I filled up this morning - 388 miles on 16.2 gallons = 23.95 mpg on pure city driving.
I'm wondering why I didn't do this sooner...
OR

Trad climber
Nov 18, 2013 - 07:56pm PT
Gotta be a Toyota
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Nov 18, 2013 - 08:01pm PT
Dude, get a nice wagon. The Tool never will realize it was you on the gun.

Daddy's Sleeper Wagon
Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber
moving thru
Nov 18, 2013 - 08:08pm PT
I have a 2006 Chevy Express Van, AWD, side doors on both sides. My home away from home. Not built out, it's just for me and I love it. But gas mileage is about 16-18mpg. Looking at this thread and wondering what would be better for me. Subaru's are pretty small for kayaks and a bicycle and living out of for weeks, months at a time. I don't want a truck with a shell. If things go bad want instant access to the drivers side to gth outta there.

Been looking for several years so this thread interests me too. Cheers, lynne.

Edit: Reilly, I've had new and almost new 4wd Mercedes and BMW's. The upkeep is beyond what you want to spend money on.
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Nov 18, 2013 - 08:21pm PT
Love my Toyota 4-runner sport.
AWD as well as super low 4 wheel. Downhill assist braking and on/off of roll side air bags for extreme off roading.
V8 but I get 17 mpg highway! Go figure.
It's been in extreme weather and road conditions everywhere from Alaska to jeep trails in Moab.

Susan

jbaker

Trad climber
Redwood City, CA
Nov 18, 2013 - 09:46pm PT
I've had really good luck with a Toyota RAV4. I've got a 96 with almost 300K on it (my second Toyota to get to 300K), and it has been very dependable. I'm short, so can line the seats up to sleep if it is nasty out. The 96 seats don't fold flat, but a little padding in the right places get you pretty close. I don't mind the minor bumps in the seats if it is dumping outside. It is good on snow and ice and gets okay gas mileage. It does okay off-road, but can't match a true 4WD vehicle. It is easy to drive and park in the city.

Lynn's requirement for getting away without getting out of the back of a pickup reminded me of a camping trip when I was 17. I'd just bought a Datsun pickup with a camper shell, and a friend and I headed out on the road for a week or two. We were camping off a forest service road in Washington, all by ourselves. We'd crawled into the back around 10 and went to sleep. We woke up to the sound of motorcycles. A gang of about 30 riders on Harleys had pull into the clearing where we were parked and started riding circles around us. Luckily, there was a tunnel between the shell and the cab, and I crawled up and started the truck. They opened up the circle and let us go. I'm not sure whether they were taking pity on a wide-eyed 17-year-old, or just wanted us out of their camping site.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Nov 18, 2013 - 09:55pm PT
drove down and back from the Blitzo memorial in my Jetta Sportswagen TDI...

averaged 47 mpg doing the speed limit down and back

slept in the car at Todd's...

it is my road machine, my weekend warrior vehicle...

losbill2

climber
Nov 18, 2013 - 10:02pm PT
What ever the hell that is in the driveway that will start! Never really an issue. My climbing buds for the most part stand ready with curb to crag service!
TGT

Social climber
So Cal
Nov 18, 2013 - 10:02pm PT
I'm kinda digin' my new one.



Not quite what I think you had in mind though.


Mark Force

Trad climber
Cave Creek, AZ
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:04am PT
I'm with Ed. Love my 2004 Jetta TDI (turbo diesel). Five speed, 50 mpg at a good clip on cruise control, lots of punch when you need it, really solid and stable in the snow, huge trunk, put down the back seats and two can sleep in it if you're inventive, and cost $20G new. Runs like a champ at 180,000 miles.

This is kinda cool, though....

limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:36am PT
Debate away but you can't beat a Subaru. Of course get 2wd unless you love winters and head to the snow a lot. Most dirt roads just need careful driving, not 4wd.
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:48am PT
If you are on a tight budget look at the Pontiac Vibe, you get a Toyota Matrix for a GM price. 4wd is not necessary in CA. I have been in some gnarly spots and always pulled it off with 2wd. 4wd is lower gas mileage and more expensive maintenance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Toyota_Matrix_--_07-09-2009.jpg
bergbryce

Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 01:19am PT
There is no debate in CA, Subaru for most of us. The newest models are large and flatten out really well for sleeping. No stopping for chains, good gas mileage and clearance.

If you aren't skiing, driving in snow, I agree you don't need 4wd, and I would focus on gas mileage. Something like a Honda Fit would do just fine.
caughtinside

Social climber
Oakland, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 01:24am PT
I'm with Ed. The Jetta sport wagon tdi is a fun car that gets 45 mpg. Only thing it doesn't have is awd
ruppell

climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 01:59am PT
Most dirt roads just need careful driving, not 4wd.

You don't get very far back into the backcountry do you? 4WD would be highly advisable for a lot of climbing areas.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:48am PT
4WD would be highly advisable for a lot of climbing areas.
Name one or two in California.
No:
 Valley
 Meadows
 Needles
 Lover's Leap
 J Tree
 Tahquitz
ddriver

Trad climber
SLC, UT
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:07am PT
decent gas milage, 4 wheel drive

There's the crux. Seems you can't really have both. I guess it depends on what you consider "decent," but 23 in town is indecent to me.

I'm in the TDI wagon camp at present and get 38 in town with performance. Its big enough for a weeklong trip for two so long as you don't insist on sleeping in the car. For one it would be fine.

Downside is you don't go off-roading with it and mountain snow can be daunting. For that I have a 4wd truck, but it doesn't offer the same creature comforts or mileage as the TDI. I'm going to replace it but with what I really don't know. Kind of hoping a suitable 4wd hybrid option or 4wd TDI appears.

drapnea

Trad climber
SLC, UT
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:28am PT
If you want real off road ability to reach some of the deeper approaches, think Moab and the likes, this should be on your radar.
https://www.google.com/search?q=jeep+ursa+minor+j30&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS563US563&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ZoOLUsyzEpOA2AXXiYHYCg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=1098

Not as stealthy but good 4wd and sleeps 2 without having to move things around.

Euroford

Trad climber
Louisville, CO
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:29am PT
hard to pick just one... best to have a stable of choices.

we are closing in on our ultimate adventure mobile finally. we are pretty sold on the thing, maybe not just the ultimate camping rig, but maybe just the ultimate vehicle period. except for when you need to park it... or do a uturn....

1999 Ford F350, four door, long bed, 4x4 and Lariat interior + all of the towing/hookup crap and tons of aftermarket stuff. honda genny, 2000w inverter, 18-20mpg, badass off road (depending on how off road you need, it tows the jeep nicely) and depending on how you drive it can have between 600 and 700 miles of range between fill ups.

set the cruise control at 70mph and blast from boulder to moab. never before had a vehicle that can do that. with the engine upgrades it'll do 13.8 at brandemere. but... all the noise and black smoke elicits dirty looks from prius owners. rest assured however, with regular oil changes it'll still be blasting up the road 10 years after the prius's have leaked all their lithium into the landfill.

so far its been nice just having room for all the gear, people and dogs, while still enjoying tent camping. next up we'll start looking into a pop up bed camper.





limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 11:22am PT
You don't get very far back into the backcountry do you?

Lol. Honestly you couldn't be further from the truth. Of course I'm talking about the Sierra, not Utah and such.
Grippa

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 19, 2013 - 11:32am PT
Ford E-250 extended body with a 3 inch lift and 30 inch tires. Gets about 16mpg+ on road trips and has loads of room to live in. Cheap to buy, and cheap to fix. Parts from the F-250 trucks are interchangable, and since they're fleet vehicles the parts are everywhere and dirt cheap.
squishy

Mountain climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:48pm PT
THIS IS SUCH AN EASY QUESTION TO ANSWER...

[Click to View YouTube Video]
squishy

Mountain climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:50pm PT
lOOKS LIKE IT DID SOME FLYING OVER MONO LAKE ALREADY:

[Click to View YouTube Video]
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 01:16pm PT
Honda Fit for the win! Man I had fun hunting up these photos. Good memories.







Second choice Feiseler Storch experimental:
squishy

Mountain climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 02:53pm PT
the jeep will just break down, the FJ is too small to sleep in for it's size and the Nissan is too overpriced for what you get..and none of them fly..lol
Stewart Johnson

climber
lake forest
Nov 19, 2013 - 02:57pm PT
GMC Safari
280000 miles and still going
Dapper Dan

Trad climber
Menlo Park
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:02pm PT


Get a 4x4 ! My runner sleeps us both , reliable , decent MPG even with 37's.
Pretty slow though .


edit : FJ cruiser fine to sleep in if you are under 4 feet tall .
Stewart Johnson

climber
lake forest
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:07pm PT
Buy American 4x4s
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:16pm PT
Update for the Prius for prospective buyers: it is *not* a luxury vehicle. It is very loud on the road, enough to adversely impact music listening experience. No seat warmers or mechanized controls (but I like that). When you roll down only one window, you get standing waves of air that buffet your ear drums and need to crack open another window to stop the resonance. The climate controls are overly complicated touch-screen items... I liked the old Honda mechanical knobs: one for hotter/colder, another for fan level. Air conditioning has wimpy output. The vent / air conditioning design leads to condensation inside the vents and it smells bad when you switch from regular to Air Conditioning or vice versa. I've tried changing filters, cleaning it out, didn't fix it. GPS built into the car, you can't use it while car is moving, even if you have a passenger to operate it. The storage space for a spare tire only takes a small donut, can't take a full-size tire.

That pretty much covers the lame stuff, but overall I'm happy with the car. Next time I buy a car, I'll look around though. Don't like it enough to automatically re-purchase the same thing whenever this one dies.
bergbryce

Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:20pm PT
Helps to read the OPs post before posting your preferred rig.
Dude lives in the Bay and is probably weekending it to the Valley primarily.

Jacked up Joe-Bob rigs and other large rigs need not apply in this discussion.
Dapper Dan

Trad climber
Menlo Park
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:22pm PT
Probably approaching $20,000 .

I just broke my upper shock mounting on drivers side , so gotta buy a welder !

It's a fun rig though .

Edit : Berg I'll take you crawling sometime !
michaeld

Sport climber
Sacramento
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:25pm PT
V-Strom 650.
bergbryce

Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 03:45pm PT
I don't understand crawling. I can hike much faster than those vehicles can move. Is the benefit that you can listen to Skynard, drink cold beer and smoke cigs while going over the rocks?
I went muddin' in high school and it was kind of fun but I was 16 then.

Riding in a vehicle on a rough road sucks as it is. Why would I want to do that for fun??

Edited: I thought about it a bit and I imagine that working on your rig, tweaking it, getting it how you want it and for it to perform how you want it is probably a big part of the draw of crawling.
Dapper Dan

Trad climber
Menlo Park
Nov 19, 2013 - 04:03pm PT

Yea crawlin' might be pointless . I guess I like the mechanical and building aspect of it . Most serious 4x4 guys don't fit into those stereotypes either .

Edit: Cool Berg , love to take you on the Rubicon sometime . There in Tahoe you are close to some world class 4x4 trails .
squishy

Mountain climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 05:10pm PT
Helps to read the OPs post before posting your preferred rig.
Dude lives in the Bay and is probably weekending it to the Valley primarily.

ok then, I would suggest a Subaru forester. That's what I use for weekend warrior trips out of Sacramento and it has lovely seat warmers!

GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 06:19pm PT
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Nov 19, 2013 - 06:28pm PT
^^^^ Is that a Tepui tent? The headquarters is here in Santa Cruz and I do business right next to their location. I've looked at them and thought about them....if that's your rig any thoughts?

Susan
GhoulweJ

Trad climber
El Dorado Hills, CA
Nov 19, 2013 - 06:31pm PT
Yes it's a Tepui Tent.
Yes, that's my rig.
I picked it up in Santa Cruz.
I love the tent. It's awesome.
Sets up in 2 minutes goes away in 5 minutes.

I did have some webbing failures. It was cheap webbing. I've heard that they have fixed that problem. I'll buy another one when this one dies.
Euroford

Trad climber
Louisville, CO
Nov 19, 2013 - 08:49pm PT
lol, yes rock crawlers are like SUPER DUPER MEGA POINTLESS.

just like rock climbing... its fun basically, what other reason do you need? for us i consider it an "off day" recreation.

the 4runner above is cool. yota's are out of the box probably the most versatile rigs around.

i'm actually swapping land cruiser axles into my 1950 jeep
julton

climber
Nov 19, 2013 - 08:57pm PT
These car/truck threads are all the same.
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:49pm PT
Audi Allroad . . . 'nuf said.
thebravecowboy

Social climber
Colorado Plateau
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:54pm PT
pork soda
thebravecowboy

Social climber
Colorado Plateau
Nov 19, 2013 - 10:55pm PT
Oh, I mean subaru or tacoma
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Nov 20, 2013 - 12:54pm PT
Best vehicle for a restraining order? Beat up van hands down.






These threads are all the same. People post what they own, but usually they are all good choices.

Not enough information in the original post to really narrow it down (budget, drive in the snow, mpg wanted, etc.). But looking for 4x4 and good mpg Subaru and Martix/Vibe top the list. Of course they are AWD. If you want a true 4X4 with ok mpg then Tacoma/4runner come up.

As mentioned you don't need awd/4x4 for most Cali climbing areas. They are great for skiers because of chain control. Ground clearance is what is usually needed to get to climbing areas with rough dirt roads. A 2WD Tacoma prerunner will get you to places a sports car awd won't.

Euroford, you forgot to mention you need the 7.3 liter diesel, which people seem to think is worth $15,000 for a 14 year old truck. If you do cold weather camping a regular slide in camper may be better than a pop up if you want to stay warm. On the other hand if you want to just leave it on all the time a pop up is nice.

The back of the prius is too short to sleep on without some modifications or if you get the family truckster version.






Or get a prius camper






If you are going in the snow you'll want the Subaru.








If mpgs aren't much of a concern




If you wear leather



or



If you camp in the valley you want something stealthy.





But you may want something enviro






You may decide to follow Phish on tour






Or just get a venerable VW Bus




Euroford

Trad climber
Louisville, CO
Nov 20, 2013 - 05:04pm PT
Euroford, you forgot to mention you need the 7.3 liter diesel, which people seem to think is worth $15,000 for a 14 year old truck. If you do cold weather camping a regular slide in camper may be better than a pop up if you want to stay warm. On the other hand if you want to just leave it on all the time a pop up is nice.

good point. my commentary on how badass the ford superduty is applies strictly to the 7.3L diesel. the gas engines are for the most part underpowered and GUZZLE gas, particularly the V10 models. the 6.0's and later diesels have some minor maintenance concerns, like um, head studs and little stuff like that....

the 7.3 is a phenomenal piece of engineering though. its nice to be able to load up with whatever the heck we want and just hit the road. we've made better times on road trips with this thing than we have EVER made with other vehicles, and oddly enough without ever really speeding.

yeah... finding a nice one at a good price can be tough, i shopped HARD for over a year before finding mine. weird to think that a 99-04 pickup has become a modern classic.

we want to go with a pop-up type bed camper so that we can maintain clearance and center of gravity. we really do take this thing off road and need to maintain that capability.



commentary on others suggestions....

many suggestions by others are just "cars", as in.... nothing special on-road transportation. i am even going to lump subaru's and other all wheel drive cars into that same pile. honestly... you don't need AWD, just get some snow tires. so as far as that goes, just get whatever the heck you want. here in our family we like Fords, so we also own an Escape and a Focus. we like both of them a lot. the Focus has the zippy SVT engine so its a blast, and the escape is the 2.5L 4 banger with the manual trans. its astoundingly capable and gets great gas millage. good tires were key though, we like the Hancook Dynapro ATM on that one.

but really... as far as cars and small SUV's go. buy whatever you like! i'd recommend something from the US, but if you have the cheese those crazy germans make some cool stuff.

for a smaller 4x4 pickup/suv, i do like Tacoma's and landcruisers. super stout machines, older 4runners as well. my neighbor has an FJ80 w/supercharger and a bunch of other upgrades. gawd i love that thang...

living near boulder though, i really can't recommend buying a tacoma or a subaru. awfully hard to find yours in the king soopers parking lot.
Dropline

Mountain climber
Somewhere Up There
Nov 20, 2013 - 05:39pm PT
Did someone say VW tdi performance? With that itty bitty engine? Hahahahahahah!!

Oops. Wrong forum. :-)
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Social climber
SLO, Ca
Nov 20, 2013 - 05:51pm PT
In California you need at least AWD to get past the CHP checkpoints during snow storms.
illusiondweller

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
Nov 20, 2013 - 07:19pm PT
Just drove to Diego and back (Jersey) with my turbo'd wagon:

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Batrock

Trad climber
Burbank
Nov 20, 2013 - 07:36pm PT
Spent many years and owned many vehicles before i found my "perfect" vehicle. A 1988 Land Rover Defender 130 Crew Cab pickup truck. I am almost done installing a newer, bigger, better V8, should be done this week. The old V8 had 260k miles on it and was feeling a little tired. This truck carries my family and all my gear and if I am going solo I can sleep in the back. So far it's been extremely reliable.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Nov 20, 2013 - 07:56pm PT
My twenty year old Spotrsmoblie is the friggin bomb!
Batrock

Trad climber
Burbank
Nov 20, 2013 - 07:58pm PT
If I had the ca$h I would have gone the 4x4 Sportmobile route.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber
moving thru
Nov 20, 2013 - 08:10pm PT
The Fet,

Some people are meant to give joy in life. You are one of them. Still lol at the pics and trying to decide which one for me. :)
FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
Nov 20, 2013 - 08:30pm PT
Ain't perfect but lots of hp, 4x4 & for it's size (huge) great fuel mileage about 18 all around 20 hwy.

guido

Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
Nov 20, 2013 - 08:38pm PT
What Susan isn't telling you, there is a pub right next to Tepui Tent!
Flip Flop

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
Nov 20, 2013 - 09:56pm PT

Paired with the F250 V10 and a 50 cents a mile budget. Cruises at 70 carrying gear for years. Quickly converts to 1600 s.f . Base camp. Shower with soaking tub and wood fired pizza oven, banquet kitchen and coffee bar. Bike repair and wood shop. Sleeps 13 in a pinch ( including porta ledge). Plus 2 in the F-truck. The caravan stays in the high country while I commute. Fits in a single parking spot.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Nov 20, 2013 - 10:01pm PT

Unfortunately the driver is currently unavailable.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Sport climber
moving thru
Nov 20, 2013 - 10:27pm PT


Got it new in 2006. Chevy Express Van with side doors on both sides, all wheel drive. Been good to me. I learned the hard way that you need to keep all tires with equal tread or the transfer case will blow. My bad. It's been a good ride. I haven't built it out just keep my gear in it and I'm good to go at a phone call. Mileage is 16-18...not bad at all for a big rig with power. My home away from home.




SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Nov 20, 2013 - 10:38pm PT
What Susan isn't telling you, there is a pub right next to Tepui Tent!

Busted.

Susan
Mountainerrmatt

Trad climber
Lehi, Utah
Nov 21, 2013 - 09:47am PT
I have an '03 Subaru forester that I bought a year ago and have put 40K miles on. I am 6'6" and my wife and I can sleep in the back just fine. We average 27 mpg but on some trips have gotten as good as 36mpg. I am in Utah so I do a lot of driving in the snow and what not. Looking to get a roof box for it so we don't have to snuggle with out gear in the winter. When you fold the seats down you have to slide the front seats all the way forward and pile gear on the floor then we have some storage bins that are the perfect size to fit between the seats and the bed to extend the bed another foot and a half.
Prod

Trad climber
Nov 21, 2013 - 10:19am PT

Prod.
Prod

Trad climber
Nov 21, 2013 - 11:03am PT
No way DMT,

I saw the thing in person, it is called the Aironado, Airstream marries Olds Toronado. Totally sweet.

Prod.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Nov 21, 2013 - 11:09am PT
Total awesomeness! I want! (the Aironado, not my cousin)
WBraun

climber
Nov 21, 2013 - 11:13am PT
It's now been settled.

The Aironado Is the best and forget all the rest ......
sowr

Trad climber
CA
Nov 21, 2013 - 02:56pm PT
I know most people don't consider these, and the mileage can be a challenge, but not as bad as advertised; I bought a pre-owned Land Rover LR3 back in 2008 with 15K miles on it for real cheap and it's been the best car I ever had, that tail gate and the super-flat second and third row seats are great for trailhead sleeping. Needless to say it just cruises the miles effortlessly and is super comfortable on long road trips and very smooth and capable on the highway and off-road. It now has 120K miles and no problems, plus it had free services for the first 50K, and I've done my own maintenance since then. The interior and exterior look brand new when I clean the mud off!

Prior to this one I had an Isuzu and three Subarus in a row - and they were all pretty chintzy in comparison, which is understandable. My last Subaru, an Outback, got a twisted body when I took on a rocky dirt road without low range and had to gun it to get up a steep incline, that and it kept over heating chronically (only 7K miles when it first happened), I met with the factory rep from SoA and he gave me so much BS that I traded that one in and swore off Subaru forever.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Nov 21, 2013 - 08:01pm PT
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Nov 21, 2013 - 09:06pm PT
Fogarty

climber
BITD
Nov 21, 2013 - 09:12pm PT
Iceaxman

Mountain climber
Utah
Nov 22, 2013 - 06:56pm PT
I'm another voice for the Subaru Outback, especially 2010 or newer with the CVT trans. Loads of room and great fuel mileage. Mine gets around 30 in city driving and 35 or better on the highway. I've gotten as high as 39.4 mpg before. The CVT makes all the difference in fuel economy. Subaru is the undisputed leader in AWD technology, and with proper care, Subarus last virtually forever.
jTaylor

climber
North Shore Massachusetts
Nov 24, 2013 - 11:15am PT



2001 Saab 9-3. Hatchback ftw. Good amount of space, good MPG, more stable that a van..
melski

Trad climber
bytheriver
Dec 20, 2013 - 02:39pm PT
cant beat a mini/van in my book,,,
Lambone

Big Wall climber
Ashland, Or
Dec 20, 2013 - 04:18pm PT
I'm in love with my 4 Runner Trail Edition.
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