Explorer Thread!

[Eye of the Tiger]

So much hair though.

It will blow out with the wind. Also brush your dog and get swiffer cloths.

[AutobahnSHO]

Old old Subies had ridiculously low 1st gear. Dunno about newer.

[BimmerM3]

XTerra is a pretty good idea. They're big, though. If money were no object to me, it's probably what I would get (assuming I could sleep in the back ).

What about the 1st gen? They're smaller. There are a few around that are cheap and still have fairly low miles. Maybe less sleepable though.

You're making me think that it might not be a bad idea to have something that is a bit more off-road capable. You know. Just in case.

[Rupert]

You should do a little more research into the area you'll be in in particular. It's possible that the roads in the Denver area are OK because of all the people. In Boise, a Forester would do it for 90% of the trailheads.

[Rupert]

Old old Subies had ridiculously low 1st gear. Dunno about newer.

Not since at least the early '90s.. Some (all?) early Subarus even had a 2-speed transfer case.

[2o6]

Real time 4WD isn't bad, but the diff doesn't get much power and it only works under acceleration.


I'm very surprised no one has said the Toyota FJ.

[Rupert]

FJ is a good idea, the others aren't enough, IMO.

[Cookie Monster]

LOL at trying to get an FJ for $13k. Those things don't depreciate.

[2o6]

Rare as shit in Manual, but




Not sure if the Manual was 2WD only tho




Also

[2o6]

FJ is a good idea, the others aren't enough, IMO.

The X3 isn't as good as a Forester off road? There is no such thing as a 2WD X3

[Rupert]

Liberty was a good rig, don't buy a Hummer, though, geez.

The X3 isn't as good as a Forester off road? There is no such thing as a 2WD X3

BMW AWD isn't good enough, IIRC. I think the only AWD system that you can really call an off road system is Subaru's system(s).

For what I think his need is, my guess is something like the CRV or X3 would minimally work. But since he's buying an SUV for the specific purpose of getting up what I'm pretty sure are rough roads to trailheads, it seems silly to not get something that will be good at it as opposed to minimally acceptable at it. The Forester's size, overhangs, and AWD system make up for not having a low range or really great clearance, IMO.

[2o6]

There's nothing wrong with the H3. It's cool looking and a lot of it's running gear comes from the Colorado and Trailblazer.

[Cookie Monster]

There's nothing wrong with the H3. It's cool looking and a lot of it's running gear comes from the Colorado and Trailblazer.

Except it has that god awful I5 and next to no visibility.

[BimmerM3]

No X3 - I don't want to deal with BMW maintenance bills.

No H3 just because I don't want to own a Hummer.

Maybe an FJ but probably too expensive.

I don't know much about Liberties. I thought they were supposed to be pretty soft, no? If I'm gonna consider giving up the manual transmission, I'd want it to be for something that's pretty capable.

[ifcar]

Liberties were soft compared to the Cherokee, which was what gave them that reputation, but still a big step above a crossover. I'd run a search for the FJ earlier but the only one in the price range had 176k miles.

I wouldn't recommend a Nitro, either. Chrysler tried to turn the Liberty into a crossover and ended up with just a truck with less ability.

[hotrodalex]

LOL at trying to get an FJ for $13k. Those things don't depreciate.

Yup, I was gonna say FJ but looked at prices and ruled it out fast

[BimmerM3]

This wouldn't be so bad.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30363&endYear=2016&maxPrice=13000&showcaseListingId=0&pricesOnly=true&mmt=%5BTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=AWD4WD&modelCode1=4RUN&photosOnlyActual=true&sortBy=distanceASC&showcaseOwnerId=94609&makeCode1=TOYOTA&startYear=1981&maxMileage=150000&numRecords=100&searchRadius=500&listingId=392694423&Log=0


This one is in my area, though I'd rather have the V6 for the slightly better fuel economy.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=30363&endYear=2016&maxPrice=13000&showcaseListingId=0&pricesOnly=true&mmt=%5BTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&vehicleStyleCodes=AWD4WD&modelCode1=4RUN&photosOnlyActual=true&sortBy=distanceASC&showcaseOwnerId=94609&makeCode1=TOYOTA&startYear=1981&maxMileage=150000&numRecords=100&searchRadius=500&listingId=392364516&Log=0

[SVT32V]

A liberty or Xterra are good bets although they aren't the most comfortable. The former can be had with a turbodiesel, which might be nice in the rockies and the elevation.

Wranglers hold their value way too much to even think about anything in your price range.

It is worth mentioning a Grand Cherokee, for your target price a 2005-2007 with reasonable miles can be had (even a V8 model). The drive system (with V8 models) will probably be better than all others mentioned and it will be comfortable and not lethargic like the others. One would expect it to more than handle the trailheads.

[BimmerM3]

It is worth mentioning a Grand Cherokee, for your target price a 2005-2007 with reasonable miles can be had (even a V8 model). The drive system (with V8 models) will probably be better than all others mentioned and it will be comfortable and not lethargic like the others.

Did they finally sort out the transmission by the third generation? My parents had 1993, 1994, and 2001 Grand Cherokees, and they all had transmission issues before 100,000 miles. That's a lot of the reason I'm so averse to automatics in general.

[68_427]

A lift and skidplates is only a few hundred $.  It won't be as extreme as below but it can be.





This one is fairly average prolly a 2in lift with just springs.

[TBR]

My Outback was painfully slow when I spent a week in the Rockies a couple of years ago...I'd recommend a turbo for sure. You will also probably have more options if you wait till you are there...the whole stick is just overrun with Subarus.

[Rupert]

A liberty or Xterra are good bets although they aren't the most comfortable. The former can be had with a turbodiesel, which might be nice in the rockies and the elevation.

Wranglers hold their value way too much to even think about anything in your price range.

It is worth mentioning a Grand Cherokee, for your target price a 2005-2007 with reasonable miles can be had (even a V8 model). The drive system (with V8 models) will probably be better than all others mentioned and it will be comfortable and not lethargic like the others. One would expect it to more than handle the trailheads.

I agree on the GC. I drove one all over the place for 30 kmiles without issue. No idea on the transmission problems, though.

[r0tor]

Grand Cherokee, Xterra, FJ, and 4Runner would be good choices...

[AutobahnSHO]

Aren't FJs tiny inside?

[68_427]

Aren't FJs tiny inside?

Not small but not large either.  They're also grossly overpriced.

[AutobahnSHO]

They're also grossly overpriced.

totally!

I've always loved them and would love one- except for that.

[GoCougs]

I forgot about the Xterra. Could be a very good option. Not as refined, is harder to find, and not quite as reliable vs. a 4Runner, but it will cost less and was available with 6MT. I'd skip the non-VQ first generation though - pretty gutless.

[CALL_911]

Hell yeah to the xterra

[r0tor]

Although if you want to do some serious offroading, logic would dictate losing the manual transmission...

[CALL_911]

He didn't say he wanted to do any "serious" off roading