upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 6:05 p.m.

Looking for a new work vehicle. Selling my E350 van because I just don't need something that big anymore. Don't own anything I actually like to drive currently, so here is my chance. It probably has to be a wagon, unless I find something I want bad enough to pull a trailer. It would be a very small, very light trailer. Not necessarily opposed to that option, I've found even 4 cylinder cars can regularly pull a small trailer with no problem....(maybe not a miata:() all in a wagon would keep things less complicated though...must be manual trans, reliability would be great...pluses for horse power, rear or all wheel drive. Tight buget of $3500 or less. Thank for the input!

grafmiata
grafmiata Dork
1/15/12 6:34 p.m.

4.0 Jeep Cherokee... /thread.

stuart in mn
stuart in mn SuperDork
1/15/12 6:35 p.m.

What do you need to carry around for your work?

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 6:51 p.m.

In reply to stuart in mn:window cleaning stuff, which includes a little little giant ladder and 2 ladders on a roof rack

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 6:53 p.m.

In reply to stuart in mn: so a hatchback could possibly work also..hmmm

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 6:59 p.m.

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 6:59 p.m.

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 7:00 p.m.

of course you can go with the standard GRM answer.

Taiden
Taiden SuperDork
1/15/12 7:02 p.m.

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 7:13 p.m.

In reply to FlightService:If I thought I could drive that everyday like that and somehow get the rest of my supplies in it...I WOULD!

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 7:25 p.m.

....I think I can solve that for you

Remember the answer is always Miata!!!

In all seriousness, what about something like a V70/XC70 or a Legacy/Outback?

Mitchell
Mitchell SuperDork
1/15/12 7:26 p.m.

Just add more bracketry.

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 7:37 p.m.

In reply to FlightService:those are exactly whayt I've been looking for;) the vovlo maintanence dollars scare me, though I've never owned one...so far haven't found much of the volvo and the legacy and outbacks this time of year in my area of the north are difficult to get also. just keeping my eye on both and anything else that pirquilates my interest

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 8:10 p.m.

My boss is a Volvo nut, says the turbos always weep, other than that he seems not to work on his other than maintenance things.

Good Luck!

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/15/12 8:20 p.m.
FlightService wrote: My boss is a Volvo nut, says the turbos always weep, other than that he seems not to work on his other than maintenance things. Good Luck!

Thanks! I know not to much about turbo's, other than I like them! a weeping turbo a big problem?

FlightService
FlightService Dork
1/15/12 8:26 p.m.

Not according to him, obviously you watch oil loss but he has 200K+ on 3 of them and hasn't replaced a turbo yet.

Any Volvo experts on here?

patgizz
patgizz GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/15/12 9:02 p.m.

what kind of work are you doing?

i love astro vans when a fullsize van is not necessary. but not a fun vehicle to drive. it's an appliance just like any other work truck. not really true, the cargo vans are actually quite peppy when empty.

benzbaron
benzbaron Dork
1/15/12 9:18 p.m.

The 80s and 90s toyota pickup is hard to beat if you can find a nice one. Many were beat to death but you can still find 22re pickups with under 150k miles for around 1500-2500 around the SFBA. You cannot beat them or kill them if you treat them correctly. I'm saving mine until the mahindra diesel comes stateside. The damn truck still gets 27mpg highway at 240k miles and can tow 3500lbs, the payload is 1100lbs. Show me a nicer truck for the money.

Taiden
Taiden SuperDork
1/15/12 9:49 p.m.

You could sell those trucks here for $3500-5000 without much issue depending on rwd/4x4, just because they aren't rusted out.

driver109x
driver109x HalfDork
1/16/12 6:44 a.m.

+1 for small trucks...xcab would be better. As far as smaller vans, around here, its astrovans, caravans and previas is what I mostly see used as work vans.

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/16/12 6:54 a.m.

Focus wagon, Saturn wagon, or 4 banger pick-up of your choice.

upwardlymobilehome
upwardlymobilehome New Reader
1/16/12 8:19 p.m.

Thanks for the help...really trying to get something fun too since I have nothing at this time...it's a tough split, work vehicle that is fun, but I'm really gonna try

Taiden
Taiden SuperDork
1/16/12 8:33 p.m.

I think the point is pretty much any wagon/hatchback/truck will work with a roof rack.

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