What to Buy: 4WD, Reliable, Ground Clearance

[loxxrider]

Let's have a little fun.

Need to buy a car/truck. The requirements are simple. 1) it has to be AWD or 4WD, 2) look relatively nice (not beat up), 3) be reliable, and 4) have decent ground clearance. I was told subaru outback is an example of enough ground clearance.

Don't worry too much about price, but I'd like to keep it reasonable. I'm thinking if it is a car it'd have to be an allroad (not a fan of the new ones, but an old one in really nice shape would be cool!). I'm not really into Subarus... I could be convinced, but I think I'd go for a truck or SUV at that point. If truck, I'd probably be interested in a cummins. If SUV, a lifted X5 would be AWESOME.

Thoughts?



If I could use an R32 skyline GTR for this, that's what I'd really be buying right now

[Midnight]

With as many toys as you have I would be looking at a diesel truck.

[PRY4SNO]

Simple.

Tacoma TRD with a 1.9 tdi swap and all the fixins.

[loxxrider]

With as many toys as you have I would be looking at a diesel truck.

Good point haha. I would be even more inclined to that if I had a place to use a boat where I'll be. Hmm...

Simple.

Tacoma TRD with a 1.9 tdi swap and all the fixins.

I should add that it needs to be very comfortable for many hours/miles of driving. Possibly room to sleep in if necessary. Hence wagon, SUV, or huge truck!

[Mcstiff]

The 18 yrs I lived in PA we never had a 4x4 (or even snow tires) and I never recall it being an issue. Granted, western PA(I think I've deduced that is where you are headed) gets it worse than south eastern PA (of course we did plenty of skiing and winter traveling). Of course, if you're working oil or something, there are private dirt roads where you'd want clearance.

Anyway, PA can be a pain with lifted vehicles. I had a hell of a time getting my 5.5" lifted XJ on 35s inspected, had to run 33s and even then it was on the edge. Also, for the "cost" of a lifted truck PA is not a very friendly place to offroad as none of the parks really have forest roads like the west and most land is private (there are a few private 4x4 parks).

That said, Cayenne Turbo seems like the logical choice that offers comfort, speed, adjustable suspension, sleep ability (snug but still), and it can tow.

Or

[Dutchbroracer]

Well if you want something like a outback or allroad, a truck might not be a good idea. Don't get me wrong I love my truck. I don't daily drive it and it is only a 05 Chevy gas truck. 5.3. 4 doors with heated seats. Gets ok gas mileage. I'm sure you won't be daily driving whatever you get, considering you have a billion cars hahaha (jealous)

You need to look at a dodge cummins mega cab. Find a 5.9 though. Or maybe a duramax.

Or pony up.

[alxdgr8]

Love my Touareg!

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[Midnight]

I should add that it needs to be very comfortable for many hours/miles of driving. Possibly room to sleep in if necessary. Hence wagon, SUV, or huge truck!

I would think one of the top end trucks like the Lariat or Denali would be pretty comfy. You could put a cap on it and put a mattress in the bed if you needed it. IMO I would get a Chevy LTZ with the Duramax.

[ringbearer]

I've got an 08 Toyota sequoia for kid/family duty and it is great but I'm about 15 mpg around town. It is a sweet rig and does very well for being 3 tons. I didn't like the domestic options and the Benz gl with diesel seemed way more baller than I wanted to look and pay for. I wanted big and I got it.

I hear the old 200 Audis are all the rage now days, look at those if you can find one

[themagellan]

The new Q5 TDI's are really in a league of their own right now.

- Torque
- OffRoad with Tires
- MPG's
- Quattro
- Resale value

I have been going through the same in my head for a daily… any even putting aside my VAG fanboi crap, there is no better performance package.

Yes they are expensive, but if you do the math based on it being a diesel you won't get crushed like you'd think.

[alxdgr8]

I'd love a Q5 TDI for the mileage and performance, but I can't give up the 7700lb tow capacity of the Touareg/Q7/Cayenne. A newer one with the 8spd would also be nice since it gets 5+mpg better, but no low range gearbox.

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[audifreakjim]

I am just waiting for something on my A6 to blow up so I can get an '11 or newer Touareg TDi.

[loxxrider]

Ugh so many choices! I wish I had more time to go drive some of these. It makes it a lot harder trying to find one used, but I can't bring myself to buy new. It's just such a waste.

I do like the Toureg Tdi idea or Cayenne... or Q5! Blah.

Ed, you're on the right track with lease roads It will definitely need to go offroad on a daily basis. Jared, it would be a daily because I NEED it for work. I can't take any of my current cars to this work.

I'm going to look a little harder into 11+ Touregs.

[loxxrider]

Whoa... didn't realize you can get a Cayenne GTS with 6 speed manual! Hmm...

[Midnight]

Ooooo

[SEStone]

http://evomsit.com/Results_Cayenne_TT_TFSI_GT700.htm

[loxxrider]

That's ridiculous LOL

I may end up with something a bit more practical, but the early Cayenne Turbos are getting pretty cheap. That would make up for the bad fuel economy lol. Chipped with exhaust would be amazing!

[Mcstiff]

Ooooo

That's my friend Cole, he loves the thing. He used to have a well built TJ and JK but I'm not sure he's taken the Cayenne far offroad.

[ringbearer]

I would highly recommend a high/low transfer case equipped vehicle if daily offroading is in the cards.

[Mcstiff]

[loxxrider]

Oh man, that treser is awesome!!

Off road would be daily, but we're not talking rock crawling haha. Just bumpy dirt roads with probably the occasional deep snow.

[PRY4SNO]

[Justin517]

First gen X5s are cheap. I'd get a V8 model but if you must have a manual you can find the i6 with a stick.

[85oceanic]

Chris, coming from experience. Just buy a good truck and be done with it. Seriously, less parts to wear out (think of the control arms on newer VW group vehicles), CV Shafts to get jacked up and all sorts of other small things. If I were in the market right now to buy a good "off-road" capable vehicle/truck, I would seriously look close at what Dodge has to offer. Their cars are garbage but their trucks are the best on the market today. I would either go with a 1500 4x4 with the new V6 diesel and/or the 2500 Extra cab/short box with a Cummins. OH and bonus, Dodge truck interiors kick ass, if you get a Laramie Longhorn package you get things like heated steering wheel, heated/cooled seats. Pretty much everything my A6 has and more in terms of creature comforts. Seriously, go drive one man and you'll see.





Otherwise I'd look at what everyone else has said along with maybe a Grand Cherokee (surprisingly really nice).

[themagellan]

I've been secretly looking at Long Horns, they are so nice…..