Ok, so I'm probably going to be getting a new daily driver again, since someone decided that my new-to-me '95 Odyssey needed destroying while it sat outside my house (someone hit it hard while parked). It's likely totalled. I'm thinking that I'm going to have a budget of $3-4k, and I've got 2 kids, so another Miata is not an option.
Priorities: cargo space (I have a small side biz parting cars), decent mpg, reliability, comfort. No P71s or E30s either, or Volvo wagons. . .I wouldn't mind the 3 row layout of a minivan, honestly, but it's not a priority.
Suggestions, other than finding another 1st gen Odyssey/Oasis?
- Nissan Hardbody extracab. Parts go in back, kids go behind the seats... with the 4cyl it is plucky and likes to rev... gas mileage will touch 20 on a good day.
- A bigger pick-up with a crew cab (in case the kids are bigger)
Thats pretty much it outside a minivan, real van or wagon. You said you don't want a Volvo so I'll just assume that you don't want any wagon in that size... leaving you with basically boring or boring-er. Take your pick.
Autolex wrote:
gen 1 xterra.
/thread
i would have to agree....
jstein77 wrote:
JFX001 wrote:
Astro,Aztek or Previa?
Gaak.
Villager/Quest?
Gaak???
Astro's are popular here, and available in AWD, as are the Previa's. Not totally necessary here in Ohio, but it's nice to have in the Winter.
The Aztek, while being ugly as homemade sin, can more than likely be found as a low milage example. Plus, you don't have to worry about anyone stealing it.
The Villager/Quest, on the other hand, is more suited for use as a Barbie Tribute Van.
mw
Reader
8/19/09 9:01 a.m.
My 92 mpv works pretty well. I have driven it for the last 40,000 miles (mostly towing) and have only changed the oil and tires. I don't ever keep the rear seat in it, so I have a decent amount of cargo space.
Possibly helpful?
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/win-sunday-carpool-monday/
Tim Baxter wrote:
Possibly helpful?
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/win-sunday-carpool-monday/
Yup, that issue is on the back of my toilet right now, as a matter of fact.
Honestly, I really hadn't thought of an Asstek. Ugly, but functional. What kind of mileage would I expect out of one?
I'm honestly leaning toward another 1st gen Oddity, because the 4cyl mileage is nice--I was averaging 26 mpg in mixed driving. . .a Mazda 5 would be nice, but not likely in my budget.
I ruled out the Volvo, since I've had one, and was NOT a fan.
steamcorners wrote:
I ruled out the Volvo, since I've had one, and was NOT a fan.
What kind did you have? We have a V70 that my wife drives. We've put 25K on it since we got it a year ago. So far no problems. We love it.
steamcorners wrote:
No P71s
too bad.
the trunk is massive. they're reliable. they're cheap. they ride good. and they do sweet burnouts.
JThw8
SuperDork
8/25/09 7:22 a.m.
MitchellC wrote:
Buick Roadmaster?
^This. Or any of the B-Body (Caprice, Roadmaster, Custom Cruiser) wagons.
Early CR-V or RAV4? Seating for 5, decent storage space, reasonable fuel economy, and should be reliable.
4eyes
New Reader
8/25/09 1:16 p.m.
+1 on the RAV4, my wife used to have one of those and it was perfect for domestic duties.
Subaru Wagon is to Daddymobile as Miata is to everything else. 5-speed, AWD, lots of room, puke-proof seats...
slower than, equally inefficient as, and not particularly more room than, a P71. And IN MY EXPERIENCE only average reliability, a category which I would rate my panther experiences as far above average.) Way less towing capacity. No possibility for burnouts. Twice as much money for comparable miles/condition. That leaves plenty of dough for ultra sweet snow tires that bring the ford up to comparable snow handling ability, thereby also allowing for no compromise summer-only rubber (win-win).
I know you specifically excluded them in your o/p, but i'm taking it for granted that since the ford is part of the holy trinity I'm allowed to evangelize the unbelievers.
Too bad that Caprice wagon with 9c1 upgrades that was on craigslist is no longer available.
EvanB wrote:
Too bad that Caprice wagon with 9c1 upgrades that was on craigslist is no longer available.
Yeah, that sounds like just what the doctor ordered. I have a fair amount of seat time in a standard Caprice wagon (don't ask, it was for work). That, combined with a ride I got in a 9C1 former Mass. state police cruiser at an autocross, tells me that a "9C1 wagon" would be an awesome choice. Difficult - but NOT impossible - to find the genuine article 9C1 wagon, but possible to create.
