What kind of rig to get?

[4x4dreamin]

I've made a few posts around here about getting a new car, partly just because I have no clue what I am going to be doing about the car situation. Anyways I have a 2wd silverado that gets terrible gas mileage and I am a poor college student. So I'm looking into selling it to buy a more fuel efficient car, which I might have to end up buying a CAR unfortunately. Preferably I would want a 4x4, and would most likely would not make adjustments too it, due to not having money and I really want a new 4x4 silverado(which I dream of building up for expedition travel ), but that will have to wait till after college. I'm just looking to get a new car to get me through college, and if it were a 4x4 I could not complain.
The question is, is there any 4x4 rigs that are decent off-road vehicles that get relatively good gas mileage(over 14/15 city) and that are reliable at the same time? I want a car that can fit 4 or 5 people without being completely squashed, so standard cab trucks are out of the question. I have about 6000 in the budget, and I would prefer a car that is around 95 or newer.
Any input would be wonderful. Thanks guys!

 

[bucketosudz]

Get a car, finish school, get a job, THEN get the ride of your dreams. Doing it the other way around will just frustrate you, and you will settle for less that what you want. Waiting has it's advantages, you get to spend time researching what you would like to do.

Good luck in your studies.

 

[chp-sk8]

your rig

Save you nickels and try to find a CRD liberty...sounds like that would fit the bill for what you are looking to do.

 

[TwoTrack]

Older X-terra or 4runner?

 

[tombodad]

Look into Suzukis Samurais, Sidekicks, and Trackers.

Also, Subarus are great cars, tough, awesome awd, and realiable to hell and back.

you can find any of those in good shape for 1000-5000 range, and all should get 25 mpg +

 

[lstzephyr]

I am in a situation very close to where you are. I had 4k to buy something that fit your above criteria and I picked an old diesel standard cab truck. I get about 20 mpg, can go offroad, and it is really useful to have a truck. You could go with a surplus military blazer with the 6.2. It would be slow but in budget, and with a bit of work(new interior) could be a nice rig. If you really must carry 4-5 people though how about an older explorer or blazer. May not be the best offroad but my sister's both got around 15mpg and could go enough places. I got my little s10 blazer into a bunch of areas most people didn't believe it would go. Just pick your line well and anything can go almost anywhere. I went offroading one time in a 1991 Eagle Talon(eclipse)!

In my opinion though, if you have little money, really want to (be able to afford to) go somewhere, want the most offroad ability possible and the best mpg you can get the answer is very simple. A motorcycle. Seriously. Bikes are cheap, light, small, fast, get great mpg, and they work great offroad. A bike and a beater 4 wheeled vehicle has worked well for me for years.

 

[4x4dreamin]

Get a car, finish school, get a job, THEN get the ride of your dreams. Doing it the other way around will just frustrate you, and you will settle for less that what you want. Waiting has it's advantages, you get to spend time researching what you would like to do.

Good luck in your studies.

That is possibly what I might end up doing, it is just sad to think about that happening lol. I really enjoy the outdoors, exploring and camping. But I can wait its just not exactly my #1 choice.
And about the bike, that is a great idea, except that would only allow me to travel alone, and I enjoy traveling with people. I might get a bicycle, to ride to school, haha but no money for a motorcycle at this point

 

[UHAULER]

There are lots of suv's that fit what you want, I'm sure a decent one can be had for under 6k. Cherokee, Montero,Trooper, 4runner, forester, pathfinder.

 

[Mobryan]

two, maybe three choices, an a few thoughts.

Lower on the mpg scale, XJ cherokee. 16-17 mpg, but cheap, capable and easy upgrades.
higher MPG, Subaru wagon of some variety, more $$$ up front but better milage.
Depending on the cost of diesel in Socal, the military blazer has a lot of potential. I've seen 40,000 miles ones go for $1500-2500, and they are dirt simple.

Thoughts- Do you NEED 4wd to go play- NO. I've seen guys get first gen VW bus's in places that had jeep guys scratching thier heads, and have personally got a Escort wagon so far up a fire trail that a K5 blazer got stuck following me. You might want to consider a beater compact car, trim back the airdams and slap on some snow tires for traction. The important part is to get out and do stuff, whatever equipment you have.

Matt

 

[Bikemobile]

Look for a subaru outback with 120-200k miles on it. Make sure the college professor who had it before you had the timing belt and headgaskets changed already.

Awd will get you to fun places including snowboarding. Good economy, reliable and easy to work on. Room for 5 and more room for crap in the back. Roofrack and free tibet sticker optional.

I had a 2005 outback and loved it.

 

[KMV77]

As posted above I'd go with a xj or even a tj or yj wrangler (5spd if you can get for better mpg). They will get you around 15 mpg in the city and have 4wd, and also are easy and inexpensive to work on.
Kevin

 

[alexrex20]

Anyways I have a 2wd silverado that gets terrible gas mileage and I am a poor college student. So I'm looking into selling it to buy a more fuel efficient car,

let's assume your truck gets 10mpg, and you replace it with a subaru that gets 20mpg. fuel averages at about $3.50/gal so let's assume a price freeze. the subaru will get you 2x the fuel economy, but at a loss of $6000 (investment in the Subaru). to simply break even in the "trade" you will need to drive the Subaru for over 34,000 miles. so, is it worth it?

if you have a 10mpg truck and you trade it in for a 14mpg 4x4 truck, you will need to drive the 4x4 truck for 60,000 miles before you break even. remember, that's just to break even.

there's nothing wrong with selling your truck for another vehicle, but don't do it to save 5mpg.