SUV

[2o6]

AWD minivan with a low range?

Delica?

[SVT666]

The Montero seats seven. (I think)

What's the reliability like?

On second thought, I don't think we ever got it here in Canada.

[J86]

AWD minivan with a low range?

Yup, didn't see the low range requirement.

[SVT666]

Don't feel like the AWD minivan route?  Don't some Toyotas come with AWD?

Let's do some offroading with a Toyota Sienna.  If an AWD minivan would do me, I would just keep the Freestyle.

[SVT666]

Delica?

The old Delica's are cool, but there's no way my wife would drive one.

[omicron]

Obviously, you should buy this and use the leftover dollars to have a third row installed.

[SVT666]

Then why are you still looking?

My wife thinks the styling is too boxy.

We're going to test drive the Explorer on Friday.  The Commander and Pathfinder will be on Saturday.

[SVT666]

Obviously, you should buy this and use the leftover dollars to have a third row installed.

Welllllll Duuuuuuuuh!

[Raza]

My wife thinks the styling is too boxy.

We're going to test drive the Explorer on Friday.  The Commander and Pathfinder will be on Saturday.

I don't know man, I love boxy Jeeps.  I am thinking about using a Commander, Patriot, Liberty, or Cherokee as business vehicle in the future (if my plans do actually come to fruition...best laid plans and all). 

[SVT666]

I don't know man, I love boxy Jeeps.  I am thinking about using a Commander, Patriot, Liberty, or Cherokee as business vehicle in the future (if my plans do actually come to fruition...best laid plans and all). 

I really like the look of the Commander.  My wife is kinda "ho-hum" about it, and she likes the look of the Explorer better.  I'm trying to talk her into the Commander.

I think you should use a Compass.

[S204STi]

AWD minivan with a low range?

Vanagon Syncro.

/thread

[Galaxy]

Vanagon Syncro./thread

Multivan Panamericana

[The Pirate]

I really like the looks of the Commander, but I've heard it's reliabilty (not necessarily the drivetrain, but the other systems) can be spotty, and it's not cheap to fix.

If that's true (can't say I've researched it thoroughly, b/c I'm not in the market for one), then I'd probably be leaning towards the Explorer.

[S204STi]

Multivan Panamericana

Alright, you win.  But only because that thing has a VR6 and it's not buried under the floor in the rear and leaking all the time and gutless like a Vanagon Flat-4.

Does it have a 2-speed T-case?  Edit, Yeah I guess it does if you opt for the offroad package.  From their webpage: "The Off-road package* which can be ordered as an option makes the Multivan PanAmericana even more suitable for driving in difficult terrain. This package increases ground clearance by a further 30 mm and also includes an underride guard for the engine, 16" ?MIYATO? wheels with A/T off-road tyres, and gear ratio reduction.

* Cannot be ordered in conjunction with the V6 engine."  -- At least you can get TDIs.

[SVT666]

I really like the looks of the Commander, but I've heard it's reliabilty (not necessarily the drivetrain, but the other systems) can be spotty, and it's not cheap to fix.

Maybe Iffy can shed some light on that.

If that's true (can't say I've researched it thoroughly, b/c I'm not in the market for one), then I'd probably be leaning towards the Explorer.

I like both and I would be happy with either one, but the Jeep is better offroad.

[Galaxy]

The VR6 is gone from the T5s for 2010 anyways because of lack of sales. Unfortunately the 2.5 I5 TDI is gone as well, replaced by a 2.0 180hp 400Nm I4. The I5 was indestructible. It is not uncommon for T4s and already some T5s to get over 500.000km with that engine. I doubt the new high tech diesel will have that robustness.

The problem with the I5 was the production cost. As a pump d?se diesel every cylinder has it?s own seperate pump/injector. The common rail system uses just one pump per bank. That is probably also going to kill off the V10 TDI. 10 pumps versus 2 in the Audi V12....

[SVT32V]

Maybe Iffy can shed some light on that.
I like both and I would be happy with either one, but the Jeep is better offroad.

I could not be happier with my Commander, go to jeepcommander.com for more information.

I would think you could even find a hemi commander meeting your price and mileage criteria.

The Commander will definitely be better off-road, at least in Quadra-Drive II form.

Also a limited will come with skid plates etc., if you are going off road this is a necessity, the explorer just isn't set up for it.

[SVT666]

I could not be happier with my Commander, go to jeepcommander.com for more information.

I would think you could even find a hemi commander meeting your price and mileage criteria.

The Commander will definitely be better off-road, at least in Quadra-Drive II form.

Also a limited will come with skid plates etc., if you are going off road this is a necessity, the explorer just isn't set up for it.

I don't want the Hemi...I know I know.  The fuel economy is bad enough with the 4.7L and a tune up on the Hemi costs a fortune with 16 spark plugs and wires.  Buying used means a tune-up isn't far off either.

What year is your Commander?

[SVT666]

Here's a good one

[SVT666]

Here's another good one

[SVT666]

Damn there's a lot of these things in my price range.

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/ctd/1339973809.html

[Cookie Monster]

I want that Vanagon!

[AutobahnSHO]

I like the idea of that Vanagon but that would be larger MOST SUVs.

AND-
The AWD Toyota van is out, as are most other minivans. They hide a lot of important components under the van but not protected- you'd break it the first rock you went over.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Rodeo can fit two people in the trunk.

[Galaxy]

I like the idea of that Vanagon but that would be larger MOST SUVs.

Yes it is large but it is also space efficient. For example they also offer a compact offroad RV version of the Panamericana called Cape2Cape. Basically a fusion of the Panamericana and the California. The amount of features they can stuff in that thing is amazing.









^ That is a table hiding in the wall.

[SVT666]

Why isn't this available here?

[TBR]

If you want something even more different than the Commander:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=266676384&dealer_id=69445&car_year=2002&rdm=1252453224884&model=MONT&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MIT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98101&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=15000&cardist=1518&standard=false

[SVT666]

If you want something even more different than the Commander:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=266676384&dealer_id=69445&car_year=2002&rdm=1252453224884&model=MONT&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MIT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98101&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=15000&cardist=1518&standard=false

Yeah, it was never sold in Canada so importing it might be difficult.  Even if importing it can be done, getting parts and finding a shop that knows how to work on it might be difficult.

[Rupert]

Vanagon Syncro.

/thread

No low range.

[Rupert]

That generation Explorer has IRS, which is no good off road (might as well buy a Subaru). The Trailblazer is a piece off road, too, especially the LWB versions. They have waaaay too little clearance for their wheelbase.