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Which Rig to Buy Given...
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Posted: 08/28/11
11:40 AM
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I'm a prospective 1st time 4-wheeler wanting to get to the 4-wheeling trails and backpacking trailheads my Camry can't w/ the following specs in mind:
-2004 Model Year or Later.
-Reliable.
-Minimal fuel and maintenance expense...this needs to be a daily driver w/o breaking the bank.
-Also per being a daily driver, ability to seat at least 4 halfway comfortably.
-Usable cargo space and ability to get my surfboard down to the beach.
-Ability to haul would be cool, but it's the least important of all considerations.
-Plentiful availability of accessories would be nice, but also a lessor consideration.
I'm not looking to do anything super technical, just get the most bang I can meeting the aforementioned considerations.
Any recommendations? What $$ range would I be looking @? Any good resources/deal venues I should checkout?
Thanks!
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Posted: 08/28/11
05:51 PM
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If I were you I'd be looking for a '97-'01 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4, four-door. It comes with the 4.0L inline-six and look for the auto tranny (it's an AW4). This engine/tranny is a 250,000-mile-plus combo if well maintained. With the stock-sized tires you can muster up to and over 20 mpg.
----------------------------------------
John Cappa
Editor
Four Wheeler
john.cappa@fourwheeler.com
www.facebook.com/fourwheelermag
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JeepBrah
New User
| Posts: 7
| Joined: 09/11
Posted: 09/09/11
12:12 PM
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That right there^^^
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Posted: 09/10/11
08:31 PM
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agree
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sfr4x4
User
| Posts: 75
| Joined: 02/09
Posted: 09/26/11
08:05 PM
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A '97-'01 Cherokee doesn't really meet the 1st consideration he specified, however I agree it's unlikely he'd go too wrong with it.
It's kindof a shame there's not many truly offroad trail-capable vehicles made anymore these days (the Jeep Wrangler being about the only one left), you have to go back at least 10-15 years before you have more than one or two prospects available to look at.
I will also say there's still a fair number of vehicles that do go further offroad than a Camry... So depending on how far it is exactly you're looking to venture, all may not be lost.
These could be worth a look... They're fairly solid aside from their IFS front axles, seat 4 comfortably, and should get 20 or better MPG:
Toyota 4Runner (or FJ Cruiser)
Nissan Xterra
Pickups if you want hauling ability:
Toyota Tacoma 4-door
Ford Explorer Sport Trac (<Ford's excuse for a 4-door Ranger)
Nissan Frontier 4-door
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