The Hunt for a Proper Transport

[LoneWolf]

Otherwise known as I need a car. I've been searching for a while and would like your guy's input on vehicles.

 

Key Things:

 

-Under $6000 USD

-Large Cargo Space (For DJ equipment and probably sleeping/camping in)

-Probably not a minivan

-AWD would be nice

-Doesn't get 2 miles to the gallon

-Comfortable for tall people (I'm 6')

-Good reliability/cheap/easy maintenance (I'm about to become a poor college student)

 

That's basically my criteria. I'm currently looking at the 2.2L and 3.0L Subaru Outback and the Honda Element, but basically suggest whatever you want. Thank.

[CrypticQuery]

The Outback and Element are perfectly suitable choices for what you're attempting to use the vehicle for IMO. I'd lean toward the Subaru if only because I know of their reliability firsthand; cousins of mine have owned nothing but Subarus for the past three decades and have yet to have major problems. Their oldest is a '96 Outback and it has been beaten to hell but just keeps going. Go with it, especially if you know you'll be traversing snowy terrain [not to imply that AWD will always prevent loss of control]. I personally like the looks of the early 2000s Forester.

Noting your criteria though, I can't help but to recommend either a Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari [first photo in spoiler] or Ford Econoline van [second photo in spoiler]. They both have legendary reliability with normal maintenance, they're cavernous inside, and they're nondescript. Just throw some shag-carpet in the back and you'll have the classic 70s band-van look.

The Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis would fit the bill too. They're easy as hell to repair because of their traditional RWD layout, have a plethora of aftermarket parts, and the reliability of both models [with proper maintenance] is incredible. I am relatively knowledgeable when it comes to the CV and GM, so there's that. xD

Regardless of what you do choose, however, be sure to sign up for or browse through enthusiast forums for each respective model. You'll be able to find issues that are common with the vehicles that you're looking at, as well as years or options to avoid. [using the Crown Victoria as an example, through enthusiast forums I found that the 1996-2002 models were equipped with a plastic intake manifold that is prone to leaking/cracking.]

[Snys93]

I automatically thought of an old Honda since it takes near forever for those things to die.

[sroberson]

I had my eye on a Dodge Magnum once upon a time when I wanted to haul stuff around and still have some class(?).  It's like a later gen Chevy Trail Blazer and a Dodge Charger had an unholy mating ritual.  

[LoneWolf]

I had my eye on a Dodge Magnum once upon a time when I wanted to haul stuff around and still have some class(?).  It's like a later gen Chevy Trail Blazer and a Dodge Charger had an unholy mating ritual.  

 

Tbh I've always thought Magnums looked like a hearse or a gangster car. Guess it's just personal preference.

 

@ Crazy: Vans are ridiculously practical but at the same time I have just about no reason to sacrifice the MPG and probably be listed as a potential sex offender. Parts are cheap though and the space is pretty massive, so that's a plus. Still not a minivan so ehue

 

You'll never get the candy if you don't get in the van.

 

Otherwise after searching for Honda Elements I realized that rarely do they come below 6000 so it's looking like a Subaru is my best choice, especially for AWD. I'll keep an eye out for Elements regardless.

 

Any other suggestions?

[Sarita]

Those vans are super neat, though, my dad has one. It's a piece of crap maintenance wise, but the fixes are easy enough. Honestly, if it were me, I would probably go with a Honda Civic, they're surprisingly roomy and really great cars, and you don't have to worry about "great, where am I going to park this huge vehicle?"

 

I am a miniature car enthusiast, the smaller the better, IMO, though, so hahaha. The modern Civics are almost too big for me, the one my grandpa used to own was tiny and perfect (and we got choice parking after he gave it to us because he left his "cleric" sticker on there which was super nice when getting parking at the hospital), with a lot of room in the trunk, surprisingly.

[CrypticQuery]

Noting that you're located in Washington state and that they fit all of your criteria relatively well, I'd definitely go for a Subaru.  When you do get around to checking vehicles, be it in photographs or out in person, take the videos below into account - they have some fantastic tips to know and items to look out for! [Coincidentally enough a Subaru Legacy is featured in them.]

 

 

 

 

 

Those vans are super neat, though, my dad has one. It's a piece of crap maintenance wise, but the fixes are easy enough.

 

Though I can't speak for the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari, I know for a fact that the Ford E-Series/Econoline vans are ridiculously reliable and near bulletproof.  A friend of mine used to drive one for a company; it was running terribly and he found out that the company had run it on only a single quart of oil for several months.  The fact that the engine didn't grenade itself is remarkable and similar indestructibility carries over to other mechanical components as well. 

 

I want to reiterate the notion that you should read up on enthusiast forums though - you'll learn about faults or quirks before they have to chance to come back to bite you in the ass.

[LoneWolf]

Yeah, the Econoline series are pretty sweet, I'd just worry about the fuel economy and the pedophile stigma heheueh. +1 to shag carpeted hippie van. But yeah the Outback or a Forester are my top choices right now, especially if I can find one with the H6 6-Cyl with a timing chain.

 

Though I prolly wouldn't buy it, there's a pretty sweet Ford ambulance that's been sitting on the side of the road for a couple of months with a For Sale sign. It'd be super sweet to own, especially if I got it repainted. Maintenance is prolly not super cheap though.

[CrypticQuery]

Yeah, the Econoline series are pretty sweet, I'd just worry about the fuel economy and the pedophile stigma heheueh. +1 to shag carpeted hippie van. But yeah the Outback or a Forester are my top choices right now, especially if I can find one with the H6 6-Cyl with a timing chain.

 

Though I prolly wouldn't buy it, there's a pretty sweet Ford ambulance that's been sitting on the side of the road for a couple of months with a For Sale sign. It'd be super sweet to own, especially if I got it repainted. Maintenance is prolly not super cheap though.

You're right on the fuel economy; I'd estimate 15-17 MPG on a good day, ha. That stigma associated with the Econoline/E-Series isn't much of a problem around here seeing as the 9,000+ independent contractors all have one.

Make sure to check if your engine is a non-interference engine - that way if the timing chain/belt is worn or breaks the engine won't kill itself. Check the serpentine drive belt for wear as a potential indication to whether or not the timing chain was serviced, and make sure to have it serviced in addition!

That Ford Ambulance is probably awesome; if you can get them I'd love to see some photos of it. The maintenance would be worth it just to say that you own an ambulance - it's better than a hearse, right? . What decade does it appear to be from? [That also reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Homer bought a 1960s Cadillac ambulance.]

[LoneWolf]

You're right on the fuel economy; I'd estimate 15-17 MPG on a good day, ha. That stigma associated with the Econoline/E-Series isn't much of a problem around here seeing as the 9,000+ independent contractors all have one.

Make sure to check if your engine is a non-interference engine - that way if the timing chain/belt is worn or breaks the engine won't kill itself. Check the serpentine drive belt for wear as a potential indication to whether or not the timing chain was serviced, and make sure to have it serviced in addition!

That Ford Ambulance is probably awesome; if you can get them I'd love to see some photos of it. The maintenance would be worth it just to say that you own an ambulance - it's better than a hearse, right? . What decade does it appear to be from? [That also reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Homer bought a 1960s Cadillac ambulance.]

 

Prolly can't get out to get pictures anytime soon, but this is extremely similar to what it looks like.

 

 

I think it'd be tons of fun to own, I figure they're probably asking at least 3500 which with swapping tires and perhaps a repaint would put it out of my budget. Still, I'll prolly go look at it just for kicks

[CrypticQuery]

I want to say that the ambulance is F-Series truck based. I recall seeing one just like it for sale while driving through Alabama during this past summer; the older Federal Signal Aerodynic lightbar was still on top too! $3500+ is a bit steep for something like that though, especially considering that it likely needs major maintenance.

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Also, take a look at this article on All-Wheel-Drive versus Snow Tires. It will likely provide insight as to how false the belief that AWD will save you in snow is. http://jalopnik.com/lets-settle-the-winter-tires-vs-all-wheel-drive-debat-1462180324

[LoneWolf]

Regardless, running a DJ business out of an ambulance would be super sweet. Could prolly make a decent little camper out of it too. It's also based on the ford E-Series platform though so gas mileage, again, is probably shit.

 

AWD won't save your ass but AWD + Proper Snow tires is a dream from what I've heard. We've got some great snaking roads in the mountains up here in Washington so I think it'd be a blast to have.

[CrypticQuery]

Just the ability to refer to yourself as Doctor DJ while driving an ambulance would likely trump any sort of lack of practicality of said ambulance.  

[sroberson]

Tbh I've always thought Magnums looked like a hearse or a gangster car. Guess it's just personal preference.

I understand completely lol. Thats kind of why I said "class(?)". I figure it depends on the person and how they feel about other options that are in the station wagon class of vehicles and still affordable (the Volkswagon sportwagon may not be cheap, which would be my other suggestion). Nothing against vans since I know they can be pretty powerful and very good for hauling, just that gas mileage comparison....