If You Had Your Druthers.. What vehicle, new or used would you recommend?

[BuffaloBob]

Couple years ago I detected old mining areas near Breckenridge Colorado, up a jeep trail in the back of a PU truck. My old bones really got shook up. Now I "may" be able to buy a used vehicle that will do well on jeep trails. Not interested in ATVs or expensive off-road rigs. Not interested in off road tires. In fact the narrower the better. Stick or auto doesn't matter, something with a higher center? and easy to handle. My old VW Beetle was perfect. Just basic transportation to get neat up wherever it goes. Old, new whatever. Something YOU would trust to get you there and back. I'm in Colorado so high plains, foothills and mountains are fair game for me. Just can't hike much anymore and the good wife gets mad if I high center the new Camry. To her it's a big deal.. I have thought about older Mercedes which were reliable. Not a Jeep or Explorer guy. Friends old Ford Ranger was OK. If I will the Lotto then I'd pick a Range Rover. How about you? Thanks in advance.. Bob Snare Arvada Colorado

 

[Coldshuz]

a VW Thing? if you could find one running.

 

[Mr.T]

LandRover Defender- They cease production next year, are available at every price and last forever. They will be very sought after in ten years. Every possible extra available. The snorkels are good fun. As are the winches. Each one drives different. Important to get what suits your needs. Anyway good luck with whatever you get, but the RangeRovers are very thirsty! G Wagon would be my second choice. Porsche and BMW shouldnt be making off roaders No offence to anyone, just my opinion. Toyota Hi Lux
would be my third choice!

 

[CincinnatiKid]

Back in '92, I owned a Dodge Power Wagon. 4 speed manual shift w a slant 6cyl motor, 4x4. It would climb any hill I found and had a semi-smooth ride. Wish I still had it.
Seems they're makin' new models now in the $32k range. Ouch...
A Chevy S-10 gets me to sites and back now.
Can't take my woman to dinner in it though.
Good luck
Peace

 

[Boatlode]

 

[BuffaloBob]

LandRover Defender.. Yes I have seen these. I will check Colorado for any I see... Thanks
BB

 

[MrMikeJackie]

LandRover Defender.. Yes I have seen these. I will check Colorado for any I see... Thanks
BB

Your forgetting the whole getting back part. Don't get a land rover. I've had two, nothing but unreliable. If you wanna get into the jungle, bring a land rover, if you wanna get back home, bring a toyota!

 

[BC1969]

Get a AMC Eagle, had one, will go anywhere.
For Sale: AMC Eagles/4wd Jeeps - AMC Eagle Den Forum

Mike

 

[Number9]

Humm? Wonder why they call them "Jeep trails"?

 

[DonDigger]

My adventure vehicle is a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4. Bullet proof 4.0 ltr engine, auto, and competent 4x4. Full power and air, comfortable, and a very good ride for a 4x4. Plus all my gear rides inside where it is safe and dry. The 98 GC replaced a 93 Cherokee 4x4 that my son-in-law now flogs. The 93 has over 200k miles on it and the 98 has 145k. I prefer the older vehicles for off road since messing up paint or sheet metal on newer vehicles can get expensive.

 

[Oregon Viking]

My adventure vehicle is a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4. Bullet proof 4.0 ltr engine, auto, and competent 4x4. Full power and air, comfortable, and a very good ride for a 4x4. Plus all my gear rides inside where it is safe and dry. The 98 GC replaced a 93 Cherokee 4x4 that my son-in-law now flogs. The 93 has over 200k miles on it and the 98 has 145k. I prefer the older vehicles for off road since messing up paint or sheet metal on newer vehicles can get expensive.

My friends Grand Cherokee has over 300K on it. It is more comfortable then any 4x4 I have been in!
We can go from sea level to over 4,000 feet in less then an hour, and the roads can be brutal. It does great off road.
It has the 4.0 straight 6 and is very reliable.

 

[BuffaloBob]

Thank you all.. Now I'm thinking JEEP may be more practical. Plus plenty of repair shops and parts available. I have been in one that rode the fall line through the Quakies.. Old forest road. And I did exit the vehicle as it climbed the top of 8A. Scary ride but a few scratches on the car. Enclosed, warm and dry are good. Now I'm looking at GOOGLE EARTH around LEADVILLE. This is gonna be fun.......
BB

 

[Hendo0601]

Go with a Jeep Cherokee or wrangler. Stay as far away from land rover as possible. Horribly unreliable, and parts are VERY expensive IF you can find them. The electrics on those cars is atrocious. The Jeep with the 4.0L has plenty of power to get you over just about anything, they are bullet proof and reliable as all hell. As posted above its labeled "JEEP TRAIL" for a reason.

I have many many years of experience in the automotive repair world, and I know which vehicles work and which ones dont.

 

[Frankn]

 

[Cool Hand Fluke]

Been there....done that....

 

[Cool Hand Fluke]

Subaru Crosstrek! Perfect for metal detecting! ....Go Giants!!!

 

[Number9]

This one gets me anywhere I want to go...

 

[MrMikeJackie]

This one gets me anywhere I want to go...

Probably the best wrangler they've made so far! Sweeeeet rig. Plain, simple, rugged. Two locking diffs, two solid axles, and a bullet proof and proven engine. And if it's a manual even better.

 

[Tulsa Clovis]

I know you are not an Explorer guy but Explorers are cheap and reliable. I bought my Explorer Sport for $3500 cash with 102k miles 3 years ago and it looked almost brand new. It now has 172k miles and all I have done is tires, shocks, and oil changes and it is still in very good shape. I know its not the coolest rig, but as far as value for the money it has been excellent. You can also pick up 4wd Ford Escapes pretty cheap in good condition, they are reliable and get pretty good mpg.