What car should I buy?

[LarryBoy]

Former Taco owner. Loved it, took it everywhere, put a shell on the back and could sleep in it with tons of room, later put a small pop-up camper on it and lived the life of luxury. Never any mechanical problems. But now they're too expensive.

I have an FJ cruiser and love it, but not for urban anything because of poor visibility out the front/side. Can't tell you how many times I've almost pulled out in front of a car I didn't see because of the thick posts and huge side mirrors. I now look a bunch of times before pulling out. Have 230k miles, only minor repairs and have camped in it so many times I've lost count. It will go anywhere.

I did not consider an FJ. Interesting possibility, thanks! Visibility issues noted.

 

[LarryBoy]

Gonna put in another vote for the Outback. Our 2017 Outback (purchased in June 2016) hasn't had a single issue aside from a small passenger door issue covered by our warranty, and it's gotten us everywhere we've needed to go. I'm 5'7" and have slept in it. Didn't have to go diagonal (but also if I were a few inches taller, I would have had to).

That said, I eventually want to get a small truck or something similar for the additional off-road capability on more difficult mountain roads. Was going to replace my Civic for one next fall, but the Civic crapped out on me a few months ago and I didn't have the funds for the truck. So I got an Impreza.

That's funny, because I'm 5'7", and you're 5'7", and yet you're taller than me. Guess I'm a... gentleman's 5'7"

 

[Rockskipper]

I can sleep straight in my FJ w/o pushing the front seat up and I'm 5'7". Because the FJ's rear compartment isn't flat, I had to put in some boards holding up a small piece of plywood, took no time at all and easy to remove for cleaning. Be aware that you can't open the back door of the FJ from inside, but I just used a keyhole saw to cut a small hole in the back plastic where I can stick my finger in and undo the latch. I love sleeping in it because the windows are placed such that it seems cozy and is hard to see in and yet I can see out. I rigged up a mosquito net to put over the back so I can sleep with the back door open when it's hot and buggy. I also have screens for the front windows and back window.

The best thing about the FJ is how much fun it is to drive.

 

[LarryBoy]

I can sleep straight in my FJ w/o pushing the front seat up and I'm 5'7". Because the FJ's rear compartment isn't flat, I had to put in some boards holding up a small piece of plywood, took no time at all and easy to remove for cleaning. Be aware that you can't open the back door of the FJ from inside, but I just used a keyhole saw to cut a small hole in the back plastic where I can stick my finger in and undo the latch. I love sleeping in it because the windows are placed such that it seems cozy and is hard to see in and yet I can see out. I rigged up a mosquito net to put over the back so I can sleep with the back door open when it's hot and buggy. I also have screens for the front windows and back window.

The best thing about the FJ is how much fun it is to drive.

Yeah that sounds pretty appealing. I like being able to go from driving to asleep in about 30 seconds.

 

[Nethos]

Surprised I haven't seen anyone mention a Honda Element. Checks a lot of boxes here, though to be fair I haven't looked at the prices of the used market in some time.

I own one that has a pop-up on top, but you can easily sleep in the back via platform or straight to the bed(the seats remove completely and easily).

Knocks against it are the lowish clearance, and mpg maybe, though I doubt an Outback has much more. 4 cylinder if that matters to you. Might be a premium on it though since they don't produce it anymore.

 

[LarryBoy]

Surprised I haven't seen anyone mention a Honda Element. Checks a lot of boxes here, though to be fair I haven't looked at the prices of the used market in some time.

I own one that has a pop-up on top, but you can easily sleep in the back via platform or straight to the bed(the seats remove completely and easily).

Knocks against it are the lowish clearance, and mpg maybe, though I doubt an Outback has much more. 4 cylinder if that matters to you. Might be a premium on it though since they don't produce it anymore.

Interesting thought. I really like the vast, barrier-free interior design of the Element. It's ugly as all get-out, but it's a super efficient space design. I don't think it has enough ground clearance for my purposes (6.9 in vs 8.7 on a Forester/Outback) but would definitely be something to consider if I weren't down in Cedar Mesa or GSENM all the time.

 

[Nick]

Small truck is worst of everything to be honest. Cost nearly as much as a full size while offering less of everything that makes a truck a truck. I had a GMC Canyon for a couple years and was just constantly irritated by everything it couldn't do, couldn't haul, couldn't fit in the bed and the thing was so crippled to achieve 'good mpg' stats it may as well have been a car.

Full size is the way to go if you're going to get a truck imo.

FIGHT ME TACO OWNERS!!!

I've owned multiple Tacos, and I agree. I've never gone over a half ton before, but I have a one ton on order. We'll see how I feel after driving that around for a while...

 

[Reef&Ruins]

Used Xterra. Although the gas mileage is lousy. The back is plastic with tie downs and you can remove the rear seat cushions to turn it into something kind of like an enclosed pick up.

 

[Bob]

Used Xterra. Although the gas mileage is lousy. The back is plastic with tie downs and you can remove the rear seat cushions to turn it into something kind of like an enclosed pick up.

And way more capable in the rough stuff

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

You can take my Toyota Sienna when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. wake me up from a warm night's sleep with all kinds of room to sleep 2+, carry gear, pets, kids, hockey gear, and tow a trailer or camper; and I haven't stayed awake all night worrying about the cost of gas as I get 20+ mpg, and can take it just about anywhere I care to go.

Is everyone on this site 5'7"? (I'm not)

 

[LarryBoy]

You can take my Toyota Sienna when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. wake me up from a warm night's sleep with all kinds of room to sleep 2+, carry gear, pets, kids, hockey gear, and tow a trailer or camper; and I haven't stayed awake all night worrying about the cost of gas as I get 20+ mpg, and can take it just about anywhere I care to go.

Is everyone on this site 5'7"? (I'm not)

Yes. If you're more than 5'7", a few strategic amputations should do the trick. If you're shorter, then platform shoes are an easy fix.

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Yes. If you're more than 5'7", a few strategic amputations should do the trick. If you're shorter, then platform shoes are an easy fix.

Off with his head!

 

[LarryBoy]

Off with his head!

"Come back here you yellow coward! I'll bit yer legs off!"

 

[RyanP]

You can take my Toyota Sienna when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. wake me up from a warm night's sleep with all kinds of room to sleep 2+, carry gear, pets, kids, hockey gear, and tow a trailer or camper; and I haven't stayed awake all night worrying about the cost of gas as I get 20+ mpg, and can take it just about anywhere I care to go.

Is everyone on this site 5'7"? (I'm not)

Totally agree. I love my sienna for outdoor use, and have spent many nights sleeping in the back of it. If only it was more capable on the rough roads...

 

[Reef&Ruins]

Totally agree. I love my sienna for outdoor use, and have spent many nights sleeping in the back of it. If only it was more capable on the rough roads...

Used to have an 09 Sienna. Traded it for a 16 Odyssey this past summer. Both are great vans, but the newer Honda gets way better gas mileage. FYI, the brand new 21 Sienna, is hybrid only, so Toyota will win the gas mileage crown for now.

 

[Reef&Ruins]

@Bob, which is exactly why I traded my Forester for it. One try of the Upper Muley Twist 4wd road down the wash and one try of the Egypt TH access road and that was enough. Didn't need a 3rd strike to spring for an Xterra.

 

[LarryBoy]

@Bob, which is exactly why I traded my Forester for it. One try of the Upper Muley Twist 4wd road down the wash and one try of the Egypt TH access road and that was enough. Didn't need a 3rd strike to spring for an Xterra.

For the record, I've made it down the Egypt road in my Forester. It was a little tough doing it at night, but the return trip in daylight wasn't too bad!

 

[Bob]

For the record, I've made it down the Egypt road in my Forester. It was a little tough doing it at night, but the return trip in daylight wasn't too bad!

Lol....this is true. Way back when, I took my stock vw beetle over Union Pass road...they said you had to have a 4x4. .... But it was slow going.......the correct vehicle makes a lot of difference....

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Used to have an 09 Sienna. Traded it for a 16 Odyssey this past summer. Both are great vans, but the newer Honda gets way better gas mileage. FYI, the brand new 21 Sienna, is hybrid only, so Toyota will win the gas mileage crown for now.

If Honda made an AWD Odyssey, that's probably what I would have bought.

 

[Wanderlust073]

Neighbor just got the XL bulid on a new 2500: https://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/prospector-xl-2020/prospector-xl-build-and-price/

No lust worse than truck lust, let me tell you...