All-around vehicle for outdoorsmen? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

chxh8me · 04-29-2014, 06:45 AM

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.

Pocoloco · 05-02-2014, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I have 2000 and it goes everywhere. 170,000 miles and still purring.
Use it more than my 2500 silverado.
my next choice would be a late model cherokee/straight 6

FISH11 · 05-02-2014, 08:55 AM

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4, any trim model you care for. New would be great because they are improved all the time. I you are looking on a bugget looked used. I have had several and currently drive a 1999 limited 4x4 with a 2" lift, larger tires etc, etc. Of all the cars, vans, trucks I have owned it is the best vehicle all around. They drive more like a car (sweet ride and sports car handling) goes everywhere and I don't have to get out and engage anything. When I get to snow or sand, fishing or hunting, all I do is just keep driving. It does not have that rough truck ride all large or Japanese trucks do. Parts are a lot less expensive and it is easier to find someone that can work on then if you need. It has 202,000 miles and runs like new. Buy American. I work at a Japanese car dealer and used to work on the cars and trucks, they are not as trouble free as people like to think and parts and labor are expensive. So if you don't work on the vehicle your self it going to cost. My jeep has carried anything I ever carried on trucks I owned and it's a great tow vehicle. I personaly would choose the V8 engine because of the extra power and only about 1 to 1 1/2 miles per gallon less in milage. The V8 engine does not have to work as hard and that means keeping the RPM down saves fuel. If available get the later model that has a Hemi. Best all around vehicle. Can't beat heated leather seats, 4X4, AC climate control, etc. etc.

solyluna · 05-02-2014, 10:28 AM

2006 2500 Silverado

5-20 · 05-02-2014, 10:41 AM

I'm probably a little biased, but I think my truck has exactly what you're looking for. It's a 2002 Tundra 4x4 with the 3.4 V6 engine.

I love this truck... It's my 6th 4x4 truck and this one is the best, best, best one I've had in terms of being an overall awesome daily driver that meets my needs for everything (especially since I've only needed to tow a bass boat and nothing huge with it and that V6 did the job adequately) while also giving me awesome gas mileage for a 4x4.

In Texas I consistently got 20-22 on the hwy and probably 18-20 in the city. The city driving MPG is probably what I like the best about this truck. All of the other 4x4's I've had were decent on the highways but absolute gas pigs in the city. Not so with my truck, possibly because the body's the old style and smaller/lighter than most full size pickups. Admittedly, here, my mileage's slightly lower, because the area's a lot more mountainous than texas, but I'm completely fine with what it's giving me.

Another nice thing about this truck is it's a tweener, falling in between the tacoma and those newer full sized tundras and any of the other full sized pickups. Parking and maneuvering in tight spaces are a lot easier with this truck.

Just food for thought. The 3.4 V6 is a fantastic motor. I picked my truck up with 87k and I just hit 157k. Zero problems with it other than needing to replace the radiator and alternator. People often comment on the 3.4 about it being one of the best motors Toyota ever came out with.

And if anyone's wondering, no, the truck's not for sale.

But admittedly, I kind of like the thought of getting a FJ Cruiser. The 4.0 V6 in that truck's pretty awesome and it seems like people who drive reasonably get around 18-20 MPG in that truck, based on what I've read on some of the toyota forums but really, I just don't think I can ever drive anything other than a pickup ever again. Just waaaay too convenient having that bed in the back for all of that gear, and to sleep in. Yeah, on one or two night camping trips, I'll just sleep in my truck -- tons easier than messing with a tent.

Good luck with your decision!!!

shawny · 06-09-2014, 02:40 PM

Thanks, everybody, for all the advice! I ended up leasing a 2014 Tacoma Double-cab 4x2 PreRunner TRD Sport V6 from Cabe Toyota yesterday. Joe Garcia at Cabe is AWESOME! Definitely definitely definitely recommend going to Cabe if you're looking to buy a Toyota.

Will determine at the end of my lease if the Tacoma is for me, or if I need a bigger truck, or if I'm more of an SUV guy. Again, thanks BWE for all the advice! Helped a bunch.

(and now.. the hunt for a yak begins...)

janines.fishtales@cox.net · 06-09-2014, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawny

Thanks, everybody, for all the advice! I ended up leasing a 2014 Tacoma Double-cab 4x2 PreRunner TRD Sport V6 from Cabe Toyota yesterday. Joe Garcia at Cabe is AWESOME! Definitely definitely definitely recommend going to Cabe if you're looking to buy a Toyota.

Will determine at the end of my lease if the Tacoma is for me, or if I need a bigger truck, or if I'm more of an SUV guy. Again, thanks BWE for all the advice! Helped a bunch.

(and now.. the hunt for a yak begins...)

I have owned a Tacoma since 2002. I have a 2013 now. I will never own anything else. I love them! Enjoy your new ride!

J

05-02-2014, 08:55 AM	#3
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4, any trim model you care for. New would be great because they are improved all the time. I you are looking on a bugget looked used. I have had several and currently drive a 1999 limited 4x4 with a 2" lift, larger tires etc, etc. Of all the cars, vans, trucks I have owned it is the best vehicle all around. They drive more like a car (sweet ride and sports car handling) goes everywhere and I don't have to get out and engage anything. When I get to snow or sand, fishing or hunting, all I do is just keep driving. It does not have that rough truck ride all large or Japanese trucks do. Parts are a lot less expensive and it is easier to find someone that can work on then if you need. It has 202,000 miles and runs like new. Buy American. I work at a Japanese car dealer and used to work on the cars and trucks, they are not as trouble free as people like to think and parts and labor are expensive. So if you don't work on the vehicle your self it going to cost. My jeep has carried anything I ever carried on trucks I owned and it's a great tow vehicle. I personaly would choose the V8 engine because of the extra power and only about 1 to 1 1/2 miles per gallon less in milage. The V8 engine does not have to work as hard and that means keeping the RPM down saves fuel. If available get the later model that has a Hemi. Best all around vehicle. Can't beat heated leather seats, 4X4, AC climate control, etc. etc. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

06-09-2014, 02:40 PM	#6
shawny Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: LJ Posts: 37	THANKS!! Thanks, everybody, for all the advice! I ended up leasing a 2014 Tacoma Double-cab 4x2 PreRunner TRD Sport V6 from Cabe Toyota yesterday. Joe Garcia at Cabe is AWESOME! Definitely definitely definitely recommend going to Cabe if you're looking to buy a Toyota. Will determine at the end of my lease if the Tacoma is for me, or if I need a bigger truck, or if I'm more of an SUV guy. Again, thanks BWE for all the advice! Helped a bunch. (and now.. the hunt for a yak begins...) __________________ "The longer a man fishes the more there seems to be to learn." -Zane Grey

04-29-2014, 06:45 AM	#1
chxh8me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 182	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.

05-02-2014, 10:41 AM	#5
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	I'm probably a little biased, but I think my truck has exactly what you're looking for. It's a 2002 Tundra 4x4 with the 3.4 V6 engine. I love this truck... It's my 6th 4x4 truck and this one is the best, best, best one I've had in terms of being an overall awesome daily driver that meets my needs for everything (especially since I've only needed to tow a bass boat and nothing huge with it and that V6 did the job adequately) while also giving me awesome gas mileage for a 4x4. In Texas I consistently got 20-22 on the hwy and probably 18-20 in the city. The city driving MPG is probably what I like the best about this truck. All of the other 4x4's I've had were decent on the highways but absolute gas pigs in the city. Not so with my truck, possibly because the body's the old style and smaller/lighter than most full size pickups. Admittedly, here, my mileage's slightly lower, because the area's a lot more mountainous than texas, but I'm completely fine with what it's giving me. Another nice thing about this truck is it's a tweener, falling in between the tacoma and those newer full sized tundras and any of the other full sized pickups. Parking and maneuvering in tight spaces are a lot easier with this truck. Just food for thought. The 3.4 V6 is a fantastic motor. I picked my truck up with 87k and I just hit 157k. Zero problems with it other than needing to replace the radiator and alternator. People often comment on the 3.4 about it being one of the best motors Toyota ever came out with. And if anyone's wondering, no, the truck's not for sale. But admittedly, I kind of like the thought of getting a FJ Cruiser. The 4.0 V6 in that truck's pretty awesome and it seems like people who drive reasonably get around 18-20 MPG in that truck, based on what I've read on some of the toyota forums but really, I just don't think I can ever drive anything other than a pickup ever again. Just waaaay too convenient having that bed in the back for all of that gear, and to sleep in. Yeah, on one or two night camping trips, I'll just sleep in my truck -- tons easier than messing with a tent. Good luck with your decision!!!