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What kind of vehicles do you guys all drive when your going hiking? Im thinking about investing in a 4wd high clearance Jeep or something of the sort so I could get to some places where I definitely couldnt get to with what Im driving now (73 mustang):) I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today for $2600 and I was thinking about checking it out. What "hiking vehicle" is easiest to drive and which gets the best gas mileage (even though I know most wouldnt be too fuel efficient.)

I would make that decision based on your need/desire for outside storage. I went with a pickup because all too often I haul bigger stuff that is easier to put in the back. The downside is a slightly smaller back seat area for passengers, and the issue of keeping cargo dry during rain events. But only you can decide which makes more sense for what your needs are. Both are capable vehicles.

For the record, it is preferred to pronounce the pickup truck Frontiere, like the late-owner of the St. Louis Rams.

@SpiderLegs
I have a 2001 4x4 frontier crew cab with a snug top. It came with limited slip and does pretty well in snow and off the beaten path roads to hikes. I wish it came in diesel or got a little better gas mileage. Big_load can vouch it handles pretty good even in completely saturated snow covered cherry creek road going to and from Cold Springs canyon. It even towed JJiii's jeep back from Superior when it decided to leave us on the same cherry creek rd.

MtnBart01 wrote:Big_load can vouch it handles pretty good even in completely saturated snow covered cherry creek road going to and from Cold Springs canyon.

It does, at least with you driving. I was shocked by the depth of mud when we stopped to get around rocks. I didn't take getting started again for granted, but should have.

@SpiderLegs
Xterra of course! See most recent photo set from pine mountain 4 by 4 loop, stoic I believe...very good endorsement of Xterra, oh and I have one...zero problems 2009 115,000 plus miles...

They're so similar that it probably doesn't make much of a difference. my friend recently got a Frontier the same year as my Xterra (2006) and inside they seem identical. It depends on you're overall needs. I have 2 kids and make trips to Costco regularly, so I need the enclosed storage. A more relevant question may be standard or automatic transmission. I have a standard (stick), and I swear by that, especially for 4wheelin'.

I had a Subaru Brat and I wish I still did. It was so much fun.

@Widowmaker
I know some Subaru Brats...some of them actually post here.

Darth Stiller wrote:I have a standard (stick), and I swear by that, especially for 4wheelin'.

I was a 'stick' guy for 45+ years until an intermittently locking left knee put me in a dangerous situation one too many times.

Now that I've had the Cherokee a few years I'm quite happy with the automatic... driving up a hill so steep my legs are shaking in fear, I no longer wonder what gear I'm in or whether I can work the clutch or not.

Further, experimenting over the years off-and-on with a Body-Bugg on hikes and 4 wheeling drives, with the Samurai I was using way more energy driving than even my toughest hikes. But now with the Jeep, unless it's a real knee-knocker, driving is a breeze compared to the Samurai.

@CannondaleKid
I've been driving standards since 1985, and I have to agree with you. If I get another vehicle it will be an automatic.

@SpiderLegs

I know many people who like their Xterras. I know very little about the Frontier. I tend to favor the imports, as I've had poor experiences with the reliability of American made vehicles. Both are likely quality choices. I suspect with either you may want to upgrade the stock suspension.

My biggest debate was to go for a pickup vs a SUV. I decided the SUV, though every so often I really wish I had a pickup. Of course many times I am really happy I have the SUV. I am much happier since I upgraded the suspension.

Got a '97 CR-V today. She's AWD with solid ground clearance so I'm hoping to have some fun with it soon. New tires are on the list of things to do.

Patrick L wrote: New tires are on the list of things to do

Will Subaru Tires fit a Honda ... You may be able to pick up some Gently used tires. They may even come with a Gently used Subaru

@Patrick L
Congratulations! Can we take the minivan out, put Flat Denny behind the wheel, and drive her off a cliff?

I'll take that gently used Subaru and roll it off a cliff!

The van was totaled earlier last month when a 4th gen CR-V decided to make a sudden and ill-advised lane change. They took out my rear passenger door as if it had a bullseye on it and the other driver's insurance deemed the ol' van a total loss. Had I taken a salvage title, I would have been game for the cliff idea, but only with Flat Denny's permission.

I think I found BEEBEE's hiking vehicle....

Need to bring this thread back to life. Going car shopping this weekend. Looking for a decent Frontier or XTerra is like hunting for unicorns. Found one that fit our needs & budget without outrageous mileage on it but it was snapped up pretty fast. Even have some dealers keeping an eye out for us, but no luck.

So looking for an SUV that I can use to primarily go car camping and get to trailheads on. Toyota and Nissan are my first two choices but right now out of our budget or really tough to find. It's been years since I've bought a domestic and to be frank I am completely mechanically inept. So need something really reliable, because I can't fix them.

In no particular order I have given thought to Ford Explorers, Kia Sorrentos and Mazda CX-7. Anything else that I should keep an eye out for?

FJ. Probably tougher to find at a good price than Xterra though!

Older Explorers are actually better than the newer ones as far as ability to abuse and have it survive. (Stay with 2010 and earlier).

I think that domestics have improved greatly in quality, reliability, and length-of-life over the years, and I would not rule out a Jeep Grand Cherokee or even a Liberty. Corporate cousin Dodge Durango is also an option (it's built on the same line as the Grand Cherokee) worth looking at.

Found a unicorn yesterday, 2006 Xterra w/ 4WD, low miles, the right color and at a great price. The dealer told me that during the time we were test driving it and doing all the paperwork four other people either stopped in or called to look at it.

Took it out for a test spin this morning up to Crown King then down the backside to Mayer. Best of all the CD player doesn't skip when you are bouncing around.

Lucky you!!!

SpiderLegs wrote:the CD player

What's that?