Mazda MPV. Yea? Nay?

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

Or Land Rover.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Cherokee. It's the GRM answer.

I hear ya, and I've shopped them a bit, but they're not making the grade for me for a couple of reasons:

1. Seem either very overvalued around here, or they've been turned into hillbilly mud chariots.

2. Not quite enough useable space inside. The floor is high and the roof is low, and I don't want to ALWAYS have to get the trailer for everything.

Minivan is my primary target, but I'm also shopping three-row SUVs like the Durango and Explorer. What they lack in cubic space inside, they make up for by letting me tow a REAL trailer when I need to.

And no Rovers. We already had that discussion at the office. I asked David if he thought a Discovery II was a good idea. He said "It is if you also get some good shoes."

jg

Range Rover Classics will always get you where you need to go.

Whether or not the heated seats will work, you have ANY dash lights, your seat decides to smush you into the steering wheel on it's own, etc etc etc... that's another question.

What's the total amount of stuff you're needing to fit? If it's just you and your parrot, you can fold the rear seats up on the "Churkey" and it gives you a TON of room.

But i hear you on the low roof, high floor thing.

What about full-size Broncos?

Dude, stop trying to justify a British car. I'm weak.

Bronco is intriguing, but I'd like something newer, and I probably need something with more doors, anyway. The third row is not a necessity, but I have a feeling that it'll be hard to shift to not having one if I go too small. I'd rather err on slightly too big than slightly too small (please do not suggest a full-size van. BTDT. Not what I want right now).

This thing will haul people, gear, groceries... you know, all the stuff these types of vehicles are designed to do.

jg

The nice thing about Land Rovers is despite the fact they require a fair amount of repair, they are cool enough that everyone has figured out what breaks and how to fix it before it happens. A DiscoII with fresh head gaskets, fresh driveshafts, air suspension delete, fresh cooling system, recent window regulators, ABS module rebuild or replace, and a non leaky tranny/transfer case is good for another 100k with almost no upkeep. Sounds like a lot but if you buy one from a enthusiast or anyone who has had theirs for the last few years all those things have already been done and the price is no higher.

MrJoshua wrote: The nice thing about Land Rovers is despite the fact they require a fair amount of repair, they are cool enough that everyone has figured out what breaks and how to fix it before it happens. A DiscoII with fresh head gaskets, fresh driveshafts, air suspension delete, fresh cooling system, recent window regulators, ABS module rebuild or replace, and a non leaky tranny/transfer case is good for another 100k with almost no upkeep. Sounds like a lot but if you buy one from a enthusiast or anyone who has had theirs for the last few years all those things have already been done and the price is no higher.

I have a hot link for that:

jg

Too late for that particular vehicle, I know, but I have to chime in here.

I've had an '05 MPV-ES since I bought it new. Now just over 70k miles and I couldn't be happier with it. I've replaced tires and brakes once. Everything else is original and I have had zero issues with the car. It drives very well for a minivan. There are times when it is too small and I wish I had a Honda Odyssey, but those times are relatively rare (family vacations), and I paid a LOT less for the MPV. For day to day, it's great. Just big enough, easy to park, nice to drive. Too bad they quit making them, because I think they had it just about perfect.

I'm not sure about where you're shopping for XJs, but man, they're cheap around here.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/2211557906.html I can go look at this one for you right now if you wanted me to.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/2201358010.html Top of your price range, but you can probably get them down considerably.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/2212140523.html This guys sounds like an idiot, but seems to have a decent Jeep.

I only payed $600 for mine. It does need new floor pans, and needed a rear freeze plug. I replaced the freeze plug, filled it up with the right fluids, fixed some minor stuff, and it's been running fine. If I had to do it again, I'd look for one with no rust, but that's only because I don't want to put the work in the floors. The floors are cheap to buy, and can be welded in over a weekend with ample beer.