Budget beater with a heater, small-midsized-SUV quirky-not-a-Cherokee Edition

In reply to Swank Force One:

Yessir! I'm confident you wouldn't have a problem throwing that engine in something with some fairly large turbo attached to it. You'd probably end up doing it for for less than most of us spend on a cell phone plan in a year too.

Swank Force One wrote:

MG Bryan wrote: If you're scared of a Land Rover, and in light of a price limit that precludes finding a Vehicross, buy the Sportage. Find the cheapest one you can, and then use the engine for something crazy when you're done with the thing.

Like so? http://richmondin.craigslist.org/cto/4679036041.html

then go here.. http://www.upyourkia.com/

This may fit into your "Hard Mode". 4wd, Manual 4Runner for possibly $2K:

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4647148773.html

Fletch1 wrote: This may fit into your "Hard Mode". 4wd, Manual 4Runner for possibly $2K: http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4647148773.html

If it's not rusted apart, buy that. Check for frame rail rust between the gas tank and frame on Passenger side. Mine broke through there and left the spring hanger dangling in the wind.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Swank Force One wrote:

MG Bryan wrote: If you're scared of a Land Rover, and in light of a price limit that precludes finding a Vehicross, buy the Sportage. Find the cheapest one you can, and then use the engine for something crazy when you're done with the thing.

Like so? http://richmondin.craigslist.org/cto/4679036041.html

then go here.. http://www.upyourkia.com/

OMG.

YES.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but, according to Wikipedia, "The Kia Sportage scored the lowest possible result in the Australian ANCAP crashtests – one star out of five. As well as a failure of the seatbelts, the vehicle structure collapsed." Not a device I would be happy strapping myself into during a blizzard or ice storm if I had to drive on roads full of confused, incompetent morons. Personally, based on your original specs, I think a Grand Vitara (or Chevrolet equivalent) is the way to go.

stretch budget and buy.. http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/4649617482.html

Or

fly out here and get

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/4668310763.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4635401892.html

You're weird.

So here's some weird suggestions:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/4616814861.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4596755501.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/4678613837.html*

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/4652632773.html*

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4614668196.html*

(*Available with factory hardtops, seek and ye shall find)

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4662005225.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4672672773.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4678545589.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4631493600.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4605142491.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/4658801518.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4630641881.html

http://richmondin.craigslist.org/cto/4607602347.html

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4681890722.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4652291535.html

http://limaohio.craigslist.org/cto/4681067853.html

in reply to Iggy:

I can't really stretch budget. We just moved, i'm broke, and this is really just a stop gap for a year, two max before i buy SWMBO an FJ Cruiser and i get our really nice XJ Cherokee for myself.

Real cash budget is $2k, and i'm mostly researching right now, will be 2-3 weeks before i can buy. If i find some stuff in my garage parts piles that ends up being worth more than i thought, i MIGHT be able to swing $3k.

I REALLY REALLY like the second and third ones you linked, though. Seriously cool!

I see the RAV4 down at the bottom of your list, but don't see any in the ads you were looking at. My wife has a 4-door 5sp AWD, and I have been on the lookout for one of the rare-ish 2 doors for myself. Fun little things, and definitely something for not taking yourself too seriously in.

I realize they are pretty girly, maybe THE most girly cars on the planet but I am OK with my masculinity. Plus if I'm ever not, I have an Excursion and a Trans Am with a 5-foot across bird on the hood I can drive too.

Swank Force One wrote: I can't really stretch budget. We just moved, i'm broke, and this is really just a stop gap for a year, two max before i buy SWMBO an FJ Cruiser and i get our really nice XJ Cherokee for myself. Real cash budget is $2k, and i'm mostly researching right now, will be 2-3 weeks before i can buy. If i find some stuff in my garage parts piles that ends up being worth more than i thought, i MIGHT be able to swing $3k. I REALLY REALLY like the second and third ones you linked, though. Seriously cool!

What about a Fly and Drive? IND to SEA on Fronteir are $200 or less one way.

SEADave wrote: I see the RAV4 down at the bottom of your list, but don't see any in the ads you were looking at. My wife has a 4-door 5sp AWD, and I have been on the lookout for one of the rare-ish 2 doors for myself. Fun little things, and definitely something for not taking yourself too seriously in. I realize they are pretty girly, maybe THE most girly cars on the planet but I am OK with my masculinity. Plus if I'm ever not, I have an Excursion and a Trans Am with a 5-foot across bird on the hood I can drive too.

I hadn't gotten that far in the search yet. I didn't search RAV4, CRV, or the Vitara/XL7 yet.

Honestly, if i could find a RAV4/CRV, those would probably be the best actual vehicle, but... i'm also drawn to them the least.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: What about a Fly and Drive? IND to SEA on Fronteir are $200 or less one way.

Done it before a time or two. Open to doing again if it makes financial sense and i have the time. Little low on PTO at the moment due to GRM $2014, though.

closer to home..

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4630641881.html

I wish you hadn't linked that brown one... Now i have to use it as the benchmark. That thing is just incredible.

Swank Force One wrote: Honestly, if i could find a RAV4/CRV, those would probably be the best actual vehicle, but... i'm also drawn to them the least.

You started this thread talking about getting to work in the winter. I think the RAV4/CRV might be more reliable tools for getting that done than some of the other (admittedly more cool) SUV's discussed in this thread.

Get the cheapest and rattiest land rover you can find. See how little you can possibly invest to have an interesting ownership experience. Include sawzalled fenders and 35's into the budget.

Bonus for diy exocage/truggy.

Swank Force One wrote: I wish you hadn't linked that brown one... Now i have to use it as the benchmark. That thing is just incredible.

Yeah.. no carp. I keep going back to it.. It'd be a great vehicle for around here.

SEADave wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: Honestly, if i could find a RAV4/CRV, those would probably be the best actual vehicle, but... i'm also drawn to them the least.

You started this thread talking about getting to work in the winter. I think the RAV4/CRV might be more reliable tools for getting that done than some of the other (admittedly more cool) SUV's discussed in this thread.

Cool is very important to me, though. I have a backup plan to get to work called "Honey, i'm so sorry to wake you at 5:30am, but i need a ride to work" that is acceptable for short term use, but not every day through the whole winter.

Week or two at a time? Sure.

Dusterbd13 wrote: Get the cheapest and rattiest land rover you can find. See how little you can possibly invest to have an interesting ownership experience. Include sawzalled fenders and 35's into the budget. Bonus for diy exocage/truggy.

Lots of point-to-point hackjob wiring, toggle switches, battery powered boombox, Corbeau buggy seats, bedlined interior, and an eventual F2T swap.

I like it.

Not really up for a huge project like that at the moment, though.

BUUUUUUUUT...

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4676945856.html

Small, quirky, econobox, good int he snow, etc. I think I have found the answer:

pinchvalve wrote: Small, quirky, econobox, good int he snow, etc. I think I have found the answer:

I see what you did there.

Actually, i don't, because websense. But i know what you posted, anyways.

Find Montero + 4D56T = PROFIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/331050317018?lpid=82&item=331050317018&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

Seriously though, AWD wagons.

And don't forget the SX4. AWD. Manual Trans. Fun little chassis. You can get them dirt cheap if they need minor work like an engine or transmission.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4623658666.html + http://www.funonwheels.net/hirisesubaru/pages/libertylift.htm ???