Want something I can take down to the beach and take out on the sand for camping whenever I can get down there. Looking for something cheap, $3-4000 or less. Also something that is running well (I don't want to be stranded out on the sand), so something that isn't in the best physical condition is cool, since I know I probably can't have both. Also I know the salt and sand is going to fuck shit up. Being able to seat my g/f and a couple friends is really what I'm looking for, with room for camping gear and a couple coolers. Are there any particular trucks I should be looking at? Any with really strong engines/trannys or ones that are cheap to maintain if they're older? Help me out here...

6/4/2011 10:27:25 PM

Just get a Sammi or a YJ and one of those trailer hitch trays for the coolers/rods.

[Edited on June 4, 2011 at 11:09 PM. Reason : l]

6/4/2011 11:00:30 PM

a grand cherokee (zj - 93-98) or 4runner would be good choices for people/cargo haulers. or a cherokee if you didn't mind sacrificing some room. just my opinion

6/4/2011 11:29:59 PM

Cherokees seem to be constantly breaking imo

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2415994921.html

^ how much to fix this stuff?

6/5/2011 1:14:38 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2412593345.html

6/5/2011 1:24:33 AM

I had a 91 4 door s10 blazer 4x4 with a 4.3 that was absolutely awesome on the beach. Hauled a lot of shit. Could strap shit in top. Fabbed up a cooler/rod rack for the front. Loved it.

6/5/2011 12:24:41 PM

Isuzu Trooper

6/5/2011 4:00:56 PM

Are they reliable?

6/5/2011 4:51:40 PM

I had zero problems with mine in 85k. Do all the maintence when you first get it and then drive the wheels off it.

6/5/2011 6:07:23 PM

my 01 pathfinder does well on the beach. I know there are the nissan hating crowd on this board, but i have had good luck with both of nissans.

6/5/2011 7:53:08 PM

I too am interested in this thread -- looking to sell my a6 for some combination of a s2000/e36 m3/350z and old truck / old jeep / etc. So far Ive been looking at similar rides (sans the wrangler since my 4x4 will be for when the snow is bad up north) with the most interest in old trucks and lesser interest in the 93-98 grand cherokees (had one in HS that had a fair amount of problems given its age).

6/5/2011 10:39:00 PM

Quote :

"with the most interest in old trucks and lesser interest in the 93-98 grand cherokees (had one in HS that had a fair amount of problems given its age). "

I'm fairly positive that any 'old' truck will have about the same maintenance cost given age/use/equipment.

Don't be scared of the later model cherokee's, you can run the absolute dog shit out of them.

6/6/2011 7:05:53 AM

please keep up with maintaining the diffs.

6/6/2011 8:42:40 AM

^^ they're nice but don't have any class like an early bronco or something.

http://eastnc.craigslist.org/cto/2363558557.html

get this,

find one with blown engine... merge chassis ... profit.


http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2385851410.html

there... new hard top shitty chassis.

or just get... and do body work as you can afford it.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2413670333.html

[Edited on June 6, 2011 at 9:37 AM. Reason : .]

6/6/2011 9:33:09 AM

^^^ I dunno man I have a friend who is currently having problems with his, had a friend a while back that had lots of problems with his, I've seen too many of them with lots of issues, especially with the cooling system

[Edited on June 6, 2011 at 9:36 AM. Reason : ^]

6/6/2011 9:35:45 AM

yeah and the transmissions SUCK!

i've never known someone to have an auto GC that didn't start slipping in and out of gear.

6/6/2011 9:38:43 AM

I really want to get a mid-80s Jeep CJ-7

been looking for over a year. Just waiting for the right one to come.

6/6/2011 9:46:15 AM

toyota/isuzu

6/6/2011 1:07:27 PM

I've been around enough auto-trans cherokees that have had the ever living dogshit beat out of them to safely say buying one and maintaining it should be a breeze for on-road/beach driving

6/6/2011 1:53:04 PM

Grand cherokee autos suck (42RE - by Chrysler), regular cherokee autos are fine (AW4 by Aisin)

6/6/2011 3:10:07 PM

I am referring to the AW4



...but who's to say you can't swap in a 47RE

6/6/2011 3:44:33 PM

Land Rover Discovery

6/7/2011 7:47:00 PM

what about geo tracker? saw a bunch of those at OBX this past week.

6/7/2011 8:15:57 PM

they actually wheel pretty well and the shitty axles jeep guys throw away are stronger than hell under a zucchini

6/7/2011 9:52:59 PM

except that he said he wants room for 4 adults+gear+coolers. good luck doing that in a two door sidekick/tracker. even if you created the rack space for gear/coolers, you're still stuck with a back seat only suitable for kids and midgets. the 4 doors/xl7's were better, but still on the small side compared to other true midsize suv's. not to mention they're marginal on power to start with, much less loaded.

6/8/2011 5:21:35 PM

4runner would work well

6/8/2011 5:23:55 PM

1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4 ????

Found one for about $700

Are these the ones with the better transmissions than the Grand Cherokees?

Anybody with any experience with these?

It's high mileage

7/8/2011 11:02:18 PM

I didnt want to start a new topic, and it's somewhat related, so I figured I would try to get a few more posts out of this one.

So. I live in Cincinnati/Cleveland (50/50 for work) and currently own an 06 Audi a6 avant. Considering I usually spend my winters in Cincinnati, which has a fair amount of snow but nowhere near Cleveland's amount, Ive been thinking of selling the Audi and buying a used fun car for 10 months of the year, and buying an old cherokee/4runner/whatever for the snow/ice when it comes up. So, (1) if you had 3k would you buy a cherokee, 4runner, old volvo, old subaru, or what?

About me, Im single with no kids so I dont require 4 seats but would like something that I can actually live with on a daily basis as I dont plan on putting much time/money in the second car. With that being said, Im fine with spending up to around 15-16 on the fun car which Id like to have less than 50 or 60k miles.

And (2) Choices? Ive always had a thing for the 350z as its reliable, somewhat fun, and I personally like the looks (albeit a little a fat). From there, I guess I would be looking at things like the s2000 (not crazy about driving the 250 mile trip in the car but i like the shifter/weight/rpm), g35 coupe (2+2 which is nice but i dont like the looks for some reason), and the like. Beyond this, ideas? Id rather not get a higher mileage m3, midlife crisis boxster, etc. Ideas? Opinions for those who have gone through similar decisions? I realize this topic is a little played out but any input is appreciated.

7/21/2011 9:09:55 PM

Quote :

"always had a thing for the 350z as its reliable"

ibtNMSJ

7/21/2011 10:03:13 PM

Ha, fair enough, I would be staying away from the 03-04 given the transmission and tire feathering problems. Ideally, I would probably go with an 06 because while I would like the HR engine, it comes with a bit of a premium and at that price, Im not so sure Id be getting a Z once my options expand with the increasing price. I figure, if I can get an 06 for ~15 with ~50k miles, that would be a decent car, but the s2000's draw is that I could realistically pay 12-13k for something that will likely last as long, be more fun to drive, but a little less of a day-to-day car.

[Edited on July 21, 2011 at 10:38 PM. Reason : ]

7/21/2011 10:36:03 PM