I've been loathing buying a car. I don't particularly like paying insurance or fuel, but you do what you must; it's better than being marooned, stranded, stuck- at home.

Anyway, I would like some input from all you fellow dirt bags: what is the best cheap car to get? And by best I mean hardest to kill, longest running, light impact crash worthiness, clearance for dirt roads, best gas mileage, room for gear and crap, snow/ ice performance, and, again, hardest to kill. Something I can strap an extra tire on the roof and mount a skull on the radiator and still go 75, or 80...

I'm pretty good about keeping the oil and fluids up but I'm not too mechanically inclined- especially on anything with too many electronics.

I've been thinking:
toyota tercel, honda civic 4 door, ford escort wagon, molester van and the like. I'm privy to a tercel because I've previously owned one, but it was kinda cramped, but it was only a 2 door.

oh yea, keep it under 2k...

Thanks for any input.

I would go with a 2wd Toyota Tacoma. You should be able to get one w/ 100k miles on it for on the order of $2k, and you'll get at least another 100k out of it. Get a cheap topper and you have a home on wheels.

!990s Subaru Legacy or Loyale. They're ubiquitous for a reason. They're cheap, roomy, 4wd with usually enough clearance (the newer, generally the less off-road capable), reliable, and pretty dirtbaggy. Plus, you can fold down the seats and sleep in the back. The newer ones will do better on the highway, but my 1992 Loyale rarely gets going faster than 75. It does get 25mpg, though.

Honda Element, I call them toasters, but if you have the coin check out this link, they only do this to elements.

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm

They may not look pretty, but function before fasion

+1 for the Honda Element

I call mine the Toaster too, kind of weird.

Did you put an Ecamper on yours? Neighbor has one, looks sweet.

Under 2k people, come on now. The subies are great, but you're seeing less and less of them from the late 80's / early 90's for a reason. I'd definitely go with one from that time period rather than mid 90's when they seemed to have a lot more stupid/expensive problems. As was mentioned above, a little old Toy or Nissan pickup is a great idea. I picked up a '94 ford aerostar 4wd minivan for $1900 a few years ago, and it was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned, I put about 20k miles on it, including a few big road trips, and lots of mountain and dirt road driving, and the only problem I ever had was a blown oil pressure line, so essentially nothing. Maybe I got lucky with that one, but I really like those vans. Otherwise, those toyota 4x4 station wagons have a good rep. I'd personally go '92 to '94 Ford (no later, seriously, forget post '95) or asian and common, so there's lots of parts.

The Toyota 22R motor is the longest running ,lowest maintenance motor in automotive history. They come in trucks and cars. 4 cylinder,good milage....... You can't beat a Toyota.

Yeah dude a Toyota tacoma w/camper shell makes for a great home!

Screw budget! Get a Dodge Sprinter and pimp that shit out!!!

... or follow this thread... http://www.mountainproject.com/v/climbing_gear_discussion/be>>>>>.

vw vanagon syncro! roomie and kills it offroad and on snow

Best climbing vehicle = any rental car

I paid $2300 for my 97 outback, and i love it!

Subie!!!

I would actually agree with sam...if you are already doing fine without a car. Hitch to the local crag and save your money for rentals on your trips. Cars eat your money alive. I do have a 69 VW bus though, and I must agree, it is the best auto I have had for getting around in snow and off road, and it is 2wd.

I've got a 95 Legacy Wagon with well over 200k on it and would recommend it any day. However, if I were to buy a vehicle strictly for climbing and skiing-related travels and shelter, it would be either a mid-90's Toyota Previa or Chevy Astro van. Both all wheel drive, easily livable, and running on notoriously dependable engines.

Second the suby or try a Toyota Previa Van. Picked up ours for 4k, all wheel drive and supercharged. Comfy, plenty of room, and will go alot of places-yes it is a 22R motor as well. Spend little more than 2k. 2k will get you a car, but is will probably need work. Spend it now, or spend it later!!!

When you are dealing with that low of a budget, you simply get the best vehicle that you can find for that price. The cash for clunkers program greatly reduced what is available to you.
Speaking on general terms, any Toyota under $2K will be on its deathbed.
You would most likely find the highest chance of a Subaru lasting a while, but plan on a $6-700.00 timing belt job w/in a year. You might actually want to consider a bike with saddlebags, definitely get more from a mechanical point of view. Another idea is team up w/ some other fellow capital-challenged compadres for a community vehicle if its just for cragging

Who cares as long as it has a stickered-up rocketbox!!

Those are dope.

Thanks for all the input. I'm leaning toward the toyota vans (86-89 or so) or the previa (early 90's) Also perhaps a subuaru.
safe travels

There's a reason Subarus are ubiquitous at crags across the country.

If I could do it in this forum I'd RT @KevinMcGlaughlin's comment on the Toyota 22R engine. Find yourself an early 4 cyl Tacoma 4WD and put a topper on it. Rig the back like I have below and you've got yourself a great road trip rig.

The flat deck makes a great bed if you carpet it. Keep it high enough to get a full-height Action packer underneath.


Split the bed the long way. Then you can get a bike or two in the back and still sleep.


The entire rig goes in and out in a couple of minutes with 2 cam straps.

Best,
Mal

97 honda civic for sure. I took mine bouldering last october...and by that i mean i hit a boulder and crumpled in the front set off air bags etc. I still have it and drive it, all i had to do was replace the windshield and since then I've put over 7k miles on it. hondas are invincible! and i keep a crash pad in the back and have never had problems toting around gear and the like. oh and suggestion if you do get one, ditch the front bumper, i've found that by doing that i've been able to go and pretty much any climbing approach i want so long as i go slow.

here's a pic http://mountainproject.com/v/sam_feuerborn/106581207

The legendary John Sherman has some damn good insight into what the best climbing vehicle is here: http://www.deadpointmag.com/blogs/5-john-sherman/70-october->>>>>



You should really read the post as it is extremely funny in my opinion.