Welcome to TheOhioOutdoors
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Login or sign up today!
Login / Join

Vehicle Suggestions

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
The wife and I have been talking about trying to have a baby, so with that in mind, my extended cab Ranger just isn't going to cut it as far as car seats go. I drive my personal vehicle all over the place every day for work, and I'm afraid that if I don't get rid of it now, I won't be able to get back what I owe on it after 20k more miles are put on. The only problem is, I need a vehicle that is extremely versatile...

Here's what I'm looking for:
-Obviously, the vehicle has to be capable of hauling hunting and fishing gear.
-It needs to be family-friendly... i.e. room for car seats and groceries.
-I need to be able to haul tools and things in the back for work (I'm an inspector... and I deal with sewage on a daily basis)
-Gas mileage needs to be fairly good... I get reimbursed for mileage, but a gas-guzzler will break the bank for me.
-And last but not least, it's got to look good.

I know... there doesn't seem to be many vehicles out there that would meet ALL of these qualifications... that's why I'm asking for help. I would love to have a full size truck with a crew cab, but A)gas mileage is fuckin terrible and B)everybody wants a shit-load of money for full size trucks these days. I kind of like the looks of the Jeep Grand Cherokees. Any suggestions???
 

Mike

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,840
223
Up Nort
You won't like this, but get a minivan. Make sure it has stow and go seating. Once the seats are stowed, it's WIDE open. You can make it cool by putting a TOO sticker on the back window.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Fuck Jeep! Fuck Chrysler. I would love to own one but it's almost like receiving stolen property under their new ownership.

Anyway.. Big+roomy+good gas mileage. looks like a minivan for you bub.

Orrrrrrr Look at a Diesel Truck. Sure price per gallon is a little more. But they hold resale like a mother fugger and get better mileage than a gas engine pound for pound.

I was looking at a 2005, Chevy 2,500 HD today with 95,000 miles on it.. Decked out. 4 door, leather, Bose, yada yada and it was still $29,000 "dealer price". Now THAT"S some resale on a 5 year old truck with 95k on it. I didn't see that coming. .. A fuggin Gas trucks drops like 15% the first year and 8% every year for the first 5
 

Mike

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,840
223
Up Nort
Here's mine.
 

huntn2

Senior Member
6,090
157
Hudson, OH
Whats good gas mileage to you? some of the GM's cut down from 8 to 4 cylinders which isn't bad seems to work if you don't stomp on the gas all the time. When we were getting ready to have our son this spring I picked up my wife a 2007 suburban with like 25k miles on it for about $25k.

When searching I saw a fair amount of 2-3 year old expeditions and tahoes with 12-25k miles anywhere from $20-$30k. Again, depends on what gas mileage you are looking for and budget.
 

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
lowest owner cost is toyota...wife and i picked up a tundra crew with 36K on it for 16...got 17mpg on a trip to the carolinas at 75 mph. Plenty of room for our two kids under 5
 

RedCloud

Super Moderator
Super Mod
17,381
193
North Central Ohio
I'm an owner of a Jeep Cherokee Limited. That's what I got when we decided to get rid of my Firebird to more family friendly lol. It is a 95' and I purchased it in 00' and it still runs good and has done all I need it to do so far. It is the straight 6 engine and all time 4-wheel drive and surprisingly gets 22mpg highway and about 15-17mpg in town. I would own another one.
 

Beentown

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,740
154
Sunbury, OH
I have been more than pleased with my Hemi Durango. Trips I get more than 22 mpg/18.5 every day (4 cylinders shut off while cruising). But it is BIG! My wife loves riding in it but hates driving it. Which, is fine with me.

We also have a Dodge Dakota 4x4 club cab with the V8. It does everything pretty well with plenty of room for people in the back. I didn't used to be a Dodge fan but...they have changed my opinion. Now we just need them to be privately owned again...fat chance.

Beentown
 

cotty16

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
We had a van and loved it. However, we have three kids and needed it. We'd still have it if it wasn't ready to die. We upgraded to an Enclave. Same room as a van but sportier looking. Price sucks, but man it's a nice ride.
My Tacoma crew cab has plenty of room as well. It also runs like a tank in the mud and snow.
 

rgecko23

*Supporting Member*
7,466
0
Massillon, Ohio
I have been more than pleased with my Hemi Durango. Trips I get more than 22 mpg/18.5 every day (4 cylinders shut off while cruising). But it is BIG! My wife loves riding in it but hates driving it. Which, is fine with me.

We also have a Dodge Dakota 4x4 club cab with the V8. It does everything pretty well with plenty of room for people in the back. I didn't used to be a Dodge fan but...they have changed my opinion. Now we just need them to be privately owned again...fat chance.

Beentown

I get about the same mileage on my ram 1500. I drive mostly highway and it does pretty well. Plus i love it. Even if it is a chrystler product.
 

blemas

Junior Member
175
46
Summit County
My buddy and his wife just picked up a Ford Edge and really like it.

My wife drove a Durango and loved it, it was an 05 and did ok on gas.

We are considering buying a Pathfinder / 4 Runner after her lease is up.

I too am a minivan hater but they are roomy when you need to haul a lot of junk / people. We rented one for our annual Canadian fishing trip, it hauled 4 guys, all our gear, tackle, fishing rods & food for a week and did it all getting about 21mpg all loaded down. The new Sienna is AWD...