What vehicle to purchase? (college student on a budget)

[navigator]

the Jeep Cherokee with the 5 speed and the I6 is a great choice.
It is easy to work on and if you keep the fluids changed and don't run it hot it will run a long time.
They are also easy to work on.

the 2000 and 2001 have a head that is more likely to crack but 99 and earlier are just tanks.

 

[thebrassnuckles]

for expo use IFS should be fine if not better than a SFA.. sometimes I wish my 85 was a later year so I could have IFS.

 

[Avantcore]

for expo use IFS should be fine if not better than a SFA.. sometimes I wish my 85 was a later year so I could have IFS.

Mind expanding on this thought? I am interested in hearing why you think IFS is better for expo use and why you wish you had it sometimes. Educate my less road experienced self .

 

[thebrassnuckles]

Mind expanding on this thought? I am interested in hearing why you think IFS is better for expo use and why you wish you had it sometimes. Educate my less road experienced self .

IFS gives better handling and ride, at a sacrifice for off road ability, (mainly suspension travel)
unless the OP is out flexing his SFA all over like a rock crawler, I dont think he would notice the loss of suspensions travel.


I sometimes with my 85 was IFS because I dont crawl my 4runner, I like to drive faster, and would like the better handling of an IFS system.... but its what I've got, and my Ram is IFS, so it'll be my go fast and still feel nice vehicle.:smiley_drive:

 

[eric1115]

My IFS 4Runner rode a big smoother and more car-ish than the Cruiser. I seldom explored the limits of its articulation on forest service roads that seem to be the prevailing style of terrain most people on this board travel (certainly some travel more demanding trails, but seemingly they are in the minority). Washboard roads, small chattery stuff was smoother in the IFS truck than my SFA, leaf sprung F&R FJ60.

No doubt the SFA on my 60 flexes better than the IFS on an '86+ pickup or 4Runner (excluding a TC long travel kit or other major mods), and I do utilize that, but not on the terrain most folks here travel. I do like the stout construction of the SFA; steering knuckles seem to take more abuse than ball joints, control arms, and other IFS components with fewer alignment issues, clunks and rattles, etc.

For me, the benefits of a solid axle front end outweigh the disadvantages, but certainly not everyone is in that boat. Many folks doing the "expedition" thing would do just fine with 2WD and durable tires! Much of my backcountry driving fits that description, but I do occasionally dangle a wheel in the air too so it's a compromise I'm willing to make.

 

[Avantcore]

I agree, although it would be quite some major $$$ to change it later from IFS to solid axle from what I have seen.
I thought Tacoma's were IFS also and they seem to do rather fine off roading. Although obviously this is probably due to many improvements in IFS engineering I would assume.

 

[eric1115]

I agree, although it would be quite some major $$$ to change it later from IFS to solid axle from what I have seen.
I thought Tacoma's were IFS also and they seem to do rather fine off roading. Although obviously this is probably due to many improvements in IFS engineering I would assume.

It is a fairly expensive swap, and requires a fair bit in the way of fab skills.

Both the '86+ trucks and the '96+ Tacomas do pretty well offroad. The '86-94/5 run a torsion bar setup and old school steering. I think the Taco's get coils and r&p, though I'm not sure. I do think the older generation front end was a bit more stout, even if it did give up some handling and ride quality to the newer stuff.

-Eric

 

[frumpy]

I know I may take hell for this... Jeep TJ. I had one all through university and LOVED it. When I first bought it I assumed that it wouldn't be practical, but it was and it was fun.

Manual transmission- tons of them out there

20+ MPG - with a reasonable tire size and proper gears its doable (or even go with the 4 banger)

Rather good aftermarket support - tons of aftermarket support

Reliable - IMHO they are damn reliable and most the repairs are cheap and easy, the 4L is also bulletproof

Under $8,000 - lots out there for that price and even some already decently modded

Non-domestic (no Ford, Chevy, etc) - well, it's domestic so doesn't meet this one

There would be 2-4 people always (most likely 2) - be a little tight with 4 but I did it a fair bit in my university days. Also once you pull (or fold up the rear seats) there is quite a bit of room in the jeep.


and... you can take the roof and doors off

 

[4671 Hybrid]

I too believe in not spending a fortune on ridiculous priced vehicles or name brand clothing.... can you say affluenza? Which I think is ironic since fashion is my career.

The Samurai wouldn't work out in Illinois weather, it would be like owning a Wrangler it seems like, you would have to store it for the winter (or freeze to death). I hated driving my radio stations company Wrangler in the winter, seemed like you could never get warm enough in it.

I am drooling at the thought of hitting the dunes. You have no idea.

Sorry for the late response, somehow I missed this. Anyway, I think something may have been wrong with your Wranglers heater core, or maybe I just had one that was great. Either way, I've had both a Wrangler and a Samurai in the winter and neither one had trouble keeping the cab warm. The Samurai was used in IL, IN, WI, and even SD and after the initial warm up I rarely, if ever, left the heat on high. I used it in one particularly brutal IN winter (I used to live in Schererville) and heat was never a concern....

I am personally not a big fan of the styling of the *non* K5 blazers, but I do love the old K5's, if they weren't such a money sucker I would be all over one. The few K5's I have seen around here were so ridiculously rusted, the only non-rusted example I saw was in Champaign, some cool kid painted it entirely matte red, lifted on some black procomps and spray painted on the rear tailgate "zombie emergency evacuation vehicle" in flat black with a bio hazard sign.

Other than fuel, these are pretty reliable trucks. The Chevy 350, TH400/TH350 transmissions, and axles are all proven components. I have a buddy that DD's a lifted K5 and he rarely does any maintenance outside of the normal lube and preventative stuff.

I never knew they made diesel Suburbans, that's awesome. Too bad they're so huge, I cannot even imagine the nightmare of driving it around/parking it in Chicago.

True the Suburbans are huge, but I DD'd a Suburban as my work truck while I worked in Chicago and never had too many problems. True, you may have to spend an extra few minutes looking for a space but it was never obnoxiously excessive and had me wishing for something smaller. The pain at the pump was a real concern though, this truck was armored, always drove hard, and rewarded us with only about 7-8 mpg in city driving..ouch.



I know you've already narrowed it down to the Toyota's you mentioned but I didn't want you to make your decision based on perceptions and not facts.

 

[Ronct110]

Humm....

If I am a college student on the budget (been there).....

Want to take road trips and explore on wknds (I didn't see need for off-road so AWD is ok or even 2WD)

Manual transmission

Good aftermarket support

Non-domestic

Good mpg 20+

Under $8k

.... I'd say Subaru Forester. I owned a 1st gen; perhaps move a bit newer like the 2nd gen; saw a 2001 for sale in my town for under $4k w/manual transmission. AWD as you well know; it was in great shape! $4k is on the high side. Seen older 2nd gens go a low as $2k. Then you will have extra cash for road-trips! And do you own repair if you can.

I'd owned a 5 speed Jeep XJ and MJs... Easy to work-on but but mpg is not that great for college student on a budget.

Hard to find stock Samurias... most I've been have been lifted, w/off-road tires and would not be appealing for someone looking stock vehicle; plus space is tigher wise if you want to carry 2-4 people (vs Forester)!

Don't go for Land Rovers (which I am into), unless you have disposable income or love the brand.

Honda CRV w/AWD is another to consider; but hard to find one w/manual transmission.

I'd say Forester, and be done with it! Go buy one now, explore before summer is over and school semester starts again.

And when you're finished w/college. Go buy the most ************ vehicle your credit can afford. J/k.

Actually, my suggestion would be the oppossite. Don't tie yourself up w/material things and credit (will have time for that later like buying a house) - travel the world first!

Good luck!

Ron

Hey all,

Well my question is a generic one, with some personal twists. What vehicle do you think would suit my needs?

I am still in college and I am on a budget but I can no longer stand NOT taking road trips and exploring every weekend. I grew up metal detecting, investigating ghost towns/old mines and camping and hiking in state parks and traveling all over the United States. I have owned nothing but rally/track cars since I was 18 and for now have outgrown this, it does not support my other hobbies.

Here's what I am after and having trouble finding:

-Manual transmission (I have been driving manual since for 8 years straight, auto feels ridiculous to me, this is making things hard in selection).

-20+ MPG (most likely dreaming, but I am a college student on a college gas budget).

-Rather good aftermarket support.

-Reliable (again, college budget, simply cannot afford to be taking it in constantly or having it break down on me.

-Under $8,000.

-Non-domestic (no Ford, Chevy, etc).

There would be 2-4 people always (most likely 2), roads that range from sand to gravel to bigger rocks to off-roading from trails (I love unmarked trails/areas). Currently I live in Illinois.

Thanks for your educated comments and thoughts, I searched the forum and via Google and produced no results that were of help. I know what I seek is a unicorn but maybe there's a mythical vehicle I am unaware of?

To quote Scott from a comment posted in a thread that I thought was befitting:
"My thoughts are a vehicle that can be purchased for less than $8,000, get better than 25mpg and be comfortable and practical for a family."

 

[Avantcore]

I know you've already narrowed it down to the Toyota's you mentioned but I didn't want you to make your decision based on perceptions and not facts.

No, you're fine. I appreciate any input as always from knowledgeable people. I am still abiding my time waiting for a clean example of something I like to pop up. I am use to taking 6 months+ looking and waiting to find clean examples. The K5's seem terrific if they weren't 8-11mpg. I just don't see how anyone could deal with that kind of mpg ever.

The Honda Crv is a new one, I'll look into it just because I know nothing about them. The foresters I do love but their clearance is an issue for me. Just as I would snag a 96-00 Impreza wagon for cheap, I would probably take a Forester if I ran across a good deal for the time being.

Ok so I am just going to add this in here for anyone else who may read this thread and is looking for an affordable vehicle:

Apparently there was a GMC Yukon / Chevrolet Tahoe (2) door, 6.5L turbo-diesel variant from '94-'99 that got 19mpg. Unfortunately however, it seems they only came in automatic ever.

Just a FYI for those who may not have known about it.