outdoornate65
Adventurer
I'm currently driving a 2008 Toyota 4-Runner with an Autohome Maggi RTT. The T4R has been very good to me and served my needs well exploring the mountains of CO and beyond.
Lately, I've been thinking how nice it would be to build a rig that allows me to get out of the elements instead of standing under my tailgate in the rain.
I previously owned a 1984 VW Westy. Loved that vehicle for its functionality but it spent WAY too much time on a tow truck and was woefully under-powered.
So now I'm starting to research "modern" vans and eliciting help from you guys who have been in my shoes.
Considerations:
Budget: $25k
2wd vs AWD/4wd: I don't do hard off-roading but would like to be able to get down Forest Service roads and deal with winter weather....is AWD enough?
Would be my DD: I have a seven mile commute so not huge mileage but MPG is a consideration.
Regular roof height (HOA restrictions....sorry, not moving) Might consider a pop-top down the road.
**Reliability: I'm not a mechanic....well I'm a "human mechanic" but that doesn't count.
OPTIONS:
Ford Transit: I was really interested in these until I started reading reviews from Transit owners. Scary feedback about all types of problems....are they really that bad?
Ram Promaster and Nissan NV: seem to receive decent reviews but lack some of the features of the Transit/MB.
Sprinter: is out of my price-range.
Chevy Express/GMC Savana (2014 and earlier): are offered in AWD. Unsure about the reliability of these vans.
Ford Econoline Series
I appreciate your thoughts and experiences as I start this research.
Thanks,
Nate
Lately, I've been thinking how nice it would be to build a rig that allows me to get out of the elements instead of standing under my tailgate in the rain.
I previously owned a 1984 VW Westy. Loved that vehicle for its functionality but it spent WAY too much time on a tow truck and was woefully under-powered.
So now I'm starting to research "modern" vans and eliciting help from you guys who have been in my shoes.
Considerations:
Budget: $25k
2wd vs AWD/4wd: I don't do hard off-roading but would like to be able to get down Forest Service roads and deal with winter weather....is AWD enough?
Would be my DD: I have a seven mile commute so not huge mileage but MPG is a consideration.
Regular roof height (HOA restrictions....sorry, not moving) Might consider a pop-top down the road.
**Reliability: I'm not a mechanic....well I'm a "human mechanic" but that doesn't count.
OPTIONS:
Ford Transit: I was really interested in these until I started reading reviews from Transit owners. Scary feedback about all types of problems....are they really that bad?
Ram Promaster and Nissan NV: seem to receive decent reviews but lack some of the features of the Transit/MB.
Sprinter: is out of my price-range.
Chevy Express/GMC Savana (2014 and earlier): are offered in AWD. Unsure about the reliability of these vans.
Ford Econoline Series
I appreciate your thoughts and experiences as I start this research.
Thanks,
Nate
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