Thank you for all the suggestions!
I did a test drive over the weekend and took a handful of pictures @
http://imgur.com/a/BYxu7
Now, I should have introduced myself a little better. I am not a truck expert.
I am not experienced with wheeling and have not done any hardcore 4x4 trails.
The rust of the roof doesn't make me worry too much.
What are those oil stops underneath? Something too worry about? (maybe a dub question)
I have driven 4x4-like SUVs (Honda fit, a prius, VW Golf, Jeep Wrangler, a random brand I can't remember in costa rica) up random dirt paths until I couldn't get any further with the car.
I like the idea of going somewhere that is really tough to get to, and I 'get it' in that I can see how I would love to do this more.
I already love camping and this just makes it more realistic for longer trips where I can't carry everything on my back.
That brings me to today. Having said all the above, I want to embark on a journey from WA state down to as far as I can go in south america (darien gap will be a ***** to plan the ferries).
I'd love to see Patagonia, or, is there something even further south from there? I want to explore. Wander.
At the end of the trip, I will sell the rig in South America to another traveller. Paperwork is tricky but can be done.
I am looking for a vehicle capable of doing so. From what I've read, you don't
have to have a hardcore 4x4 rig to do so.
Some people go through south america in a normal beat-down sedan car. They can't make it up to the more off-the-beaten paths places and mostly stick to paved roads.
The majority of people, from what I've gathered, just take pretty much any 4x4 car (Monteros, Pathfinders, etc) and they can make it to
ALMOST anywhere. I know that's vague.
There's probably another chunk that has more capable rigs, but I haven't read any exploits that make me think I
MUST GET ONE.
So. Here are my worries:
1) Will this Tacoma make it that far down south without any major repairs that get us stranded.
I can do simple stuff like an oil change. I can get her tuned up (would definitely ask you guys for help/suggestions) before the trip.
But I'm not a mechanic. I won't be able to fix the car in the middle of nowhere with tools that I carry.
2) I am not a 4x4 expert. Maybe I'm getting in over my head going that far without someone more knowledgable/backup.
3) There's no AC and it's an old truck. Not really a big deal, just an annoyance.
The other option I am looking at is getting a Suzuki Vitara.
I have read that if you leave your vanity at the door, these little suckers will get you
almost anywhere the big rigs can get you, and it will get a much better fuel efficiency. Something to consider when you are driving the length of a continent!
I can also get a much newer car (2007) with lower mileage(~80k) for the same price($8000).
Put one of these bad boys on the roof:
http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/choose.php
Do some upgrades: tires, suspension?
Take out second row of seats and build in wooden locking shelves for storage & security.
Deep down, it comes down to the dilemma between these two options:
Option #1: Get the '98 Taco. It's ************ and it sounds ************. Should be tough.
But it's old and could break down. Will guzzle more gas, but it's worth it.
This is the fun car. But I'm not a 4x4 expert so I doubt I'll be doing any extreme stuff with it.
Option #2: Leave my vanity at the door and get the Vitara.
It seems like the responsible thing to do, be an adult, etc. But the Taco looks like so much fun!
Some Vitara's are not too shabby though. It might not get me everywhere that the Taco would, but, it wouldn't be too far off.
Thoughts?
