All-around vehicle for outdoorsmen?

[shawny]

Hi everyone, so I'm graduating college and working soon, and I'm looking into purchasing a new or lightly used vehicle for everyday use. Activities that I currently like to do include: fishing, surfing, snowboarding, camping, and road biking. Activities I hope to get into soon include: KAYAK FISHING and mountain biking.

My total budget is 20-30k, but hope to keep it as low in the 20s as possible. Prefer vehicle that can seat at least 4 and with at least an average of 20mpg. This vehicle will not only be used for outdoor adventures (i.e. camping Big Sur road trips) but also 10-20min everyday school/work commutes and monthly visits to the OC (~90mi).

I'm currently showing interest in a new base model Honda CRV (w/roof rack of course), new access cab Toyota Tacoma, or used supercab Ford F150.

I know y'all are a nice bunch of superoutdoorsmen, so any suggestions or advice on what vehicle I should get or look into? THANKS!!

[socal.beach.bum]

Quad cab taco prerunner. I get an avg of 21mpg, and it has served me well. 4x4 if you are into that, but will sacrifice a few mpg.

[Raskal311]

Originally Posted by socal.beach.bum

Quad cab taco prerunner. I get an avg of 21mpg, and it has served me well. 4x4 if you are into that, but will sacrifice a few mpg.

x5
Been serving me well for 6 years. But i'm getting more like 16.5mpg Dam mini lift a slightly bigger tires. I snowboard, fish, camp, typical socal stuff and even did a few truck trails and in six years I only wished I had 4x4 twice. Both times I was in mammoth on heavy show but the chains did the job. If you have the money go 4x4 off road package. If not the SR5 double cab v6 is awesome don't bother with the sport model its all looks, it performs the same as the SR5. An SR5 short bed should run you around 24k out the door and loaded Offroad 4x4 package will be over 30k.

[Mongo Johnson]

Crew cab pickup with normal bed. Good all-round utility. Yaks (even 13') can be easily loaded in bed. Lots of seating. Versatile.

Downsides will be gas mileage but some newer models have improved . . . maybe a stiffer "truck" ride but lots of flex in carrying stuff, higher clearance, ease of access and tie down.

4 X 4 really isn't needed by most folks, nor are Tonka tires.

[Squid Vicious]

Originally Posted by Mongo Johnson

Crew cab pickup with normal bed. Good all-round utility. Yaks (even 13') can be easily loaded in bed. Lots of seating. Versatile.

Downsides will be gas mileage but some newer models have improved . . . maybe a stiffer "truck" ride but lots of flex in carrying stuff, higher clearance, ease of access and tie down.

4 X 4 really isn't needed by most folks, nor are Tonka tires.

.....right !...and if you really need to tow a heavy load for some reason its a piece of cake !...I have an F-250 Diesel and haven't been happier...with all the things you do your going to need a real truck

[jettytaco]

no short beds!!! You'll need all the room you can get. I had a Tacoma but now loving my Tundra. 15.5 mpg with lots of power and an 8 ft bed for everything I want to toss in there. Get a dualsport motorcycle while you are at it too to save MPG from your truck.

[chxh8me]

I bought my mother-in-laws old awd CRV to use as my outdoorsman beater. It's been awesome. I seem to drive it more than my challenger. Perfect setup for camping, snowboarding, fishing, kayaking, etc... Like you are look are looking for. And as I mentioned, it's a beater (1999), so I don't care if I scratch the crap out of it. But it's been an extremely solid car for all my needs. It's not flashy, and the wife hates driving around in it with me... But I've grown attached to it.

Maybe look into a penta star v6 grand cherokee? I think that gets 25mpg highway, and you can probably find a new one in your price range. I'm digging the ecodiesel v6 that they put in the grand cherokee limited. Good gas mileage (30 highway) and rated for 7400lb towing I believe (someday I'd like to get a boat). Unfortunately they only put the ecodiesel in the limited version and higher end models which bumps it up to 40k or more. I'm still debating on getting rid of the beater and the challenger and picking one up.

[cell128]

Looks like the short bed. Its the same one I got but mines an 07. Your gonna need a bed extender for anything over 10ft. I had to get one for my outback.

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[shawny]

Originally Posted by cell128

Looks like the short bed. Its the same one I got but mines an 07. Your gonna need a bed extender for anything over 10ft. I had to get one for my outback.

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Yup. Will likely get this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P2HWC6/...=I6EMSZCUT0FKV

If anybody has any suggestions for getting a 13-14ft yak on a Taco double-cab short bed feel free to shout out! Thanks.

[cell128]

I've had my taco for 6 years And I love it.....just oil changes and it runs like a champ.

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