How about this?

Ken, which one is the car?

define car.

"define car."

Indeed, good sir, indeed!

A 2008 Subaru Forester. Yeah, typical Colorado car I know.

"(Some above have small diesel 4x4s, which would be nice, but they aren't likely to be legal in California anytime soon.)"

I'd trade in my Jeep Wrangler for a diesel powered one in a heartbeat. Of course they're available in Europe but not here. Current aftermarket companies have engine swap conversions available ranging from diesels, Hemi, and LSx engines, but they range in the 20k figure price range which is ridiculous.

Chris, I think I might have told you that my ideal trail vehicle is a (not Grand) Cherokee with a diesel swap. Your Jeep looks great, but I'd hesitate to leave a new vehicle like that at the trail head for a week.

On my phone so I don't have pics. But mine is my 2011 Toyota 4runner trail edition. My first non F 150 and I love it do far. I plan on driving it for at least 10 years. My last pickup had 160k on it and was 7 years old but with a family now I had to make the switch

It was the best of mileage and the worst of mileage.

Not exactly the worst but close. My main fishing/hiking vehicle is a 2007 Chevy Suburban (4WD 2500) which gets almost 16 mpg on the highway. Don't even think about asking about in town mileage. The wheel-base is a bit long for serious off-roading but I like the towing capacity, especially when I was hauling my daughter's horses around. Except for the mileage, it's a great long distance highway vehicle. Very comfortable to drive when cruising the highways. I love sitting up high enough to see the traffic flow in front of me.

My other vehicle is a 2011 Toyota Prius which gets 50 mpg (city and highway) when I drive it like an old lady. Unfortunately, the Prius isn't really a rough road vehicle so I don't take it to the mountains very often.

'03 Subaru Baja. 150,000 mi and no problems at all. By far the best vehicle I've ever owned.

I don't know how to drive (I know, shocking, especially at my age). The good news is that it gives me a small carbon footprint because I walk, bicycle, run, etc. I live within 1 km of everything I need including the library and a great Farmer's market.

My husband drives... and he's a Jeep guy. Our Libby aka The Cute Ute, only gets used on weekends and trips so maybe about 6000 km a year give or take.

Currently restoring it. Bought it in '77 and was my daily driver until 1992. in 1979 I rode it on a 3 month 10,000 mile cross country trip, towing a miniature tent trailer.

Current state.


Frame.


Engine and other disassembled parts.


Drawers are full of new factory parts.

My better half does not drive either. She grew up in central Europe and never really had any big incentive to learn how to drive.

Teaching her to drive stick was a lost cause.
Teaching her to drive an automatic has been 'interesting' too. Ahem. :)


Stick = S10 pick up . 4 cyl, stick, 2wd with a camper shell. About as basic as you can get. Pretty decent MPG. Drove it all over for backcountry pursuits: Utah dirt roads, many places in Colorado, from CO to NC and back, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona...you get the idea. Did many late-night trail head bivvies over the years in the back of the camper shell. Good times. :)
Terrible in the CO snow, though. :O

It is now my commuter/utility vehicle. Dirt cheap to insure, clutch was replaced along with some other wear and tear items. Should have it for a while.


Automatic = 2005 Kia Sorrento. Weekend car. Awesome up rough dirt roads and in the snow. 4WD (not AWD) and built on a truck frame. Mediocre gas mileage (low 20s, at best, on the highway) Think the Kias and the Hyundais are what the Toyotas and Hondas were 30 yrs ago: Inexpensive and reliable transportation. Being an automatic, maybe Mrs. Mags will be able to drive it someday........

BUICK REGAL = My first car! A 1978 Regal complete with FM radio. I was a stylin' 16 year old!

Edited by PaulMags on 03/26/2012 13:32:53 MDT.

never left me stranded (nissans,) never had an electrical leak (ford?) or gave me trouble (chevy.) 240k miles and running.

When I am forced to go away on vacation with my wife, I dream about my 4Runner.

We have a family vehicle (Pilot) and I have a car (TL). Neither of which are trail units. For that I use my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with 260K KM's that has never, ever been in the shop for unscheduled maintenance. What a rock.

i recently got a 2001 4runner sport, and love it. it had 75,000 on it when i bought it.it has been getting 23-24 mpg on hwy and has great clearance for a small suv. i hope to take it all around utah and explore with it. i also built a bed in the back to sleep on with gear underneath.

I'm biased and I love my 4Runner too

Edited by mangus7175 on 03/26/2012 15:59:39 MDT.

nick, would that be a CB750 sohc?

thats what it looks like. My buddy is rebuilding one right now. while i'm not a huge fan of them, i do respect them. as far as stone cold reliability and easy fix, they are right along side the KZ1000. I don't get the idea that you would really be into custom chopped up bikes, but a lot of guys are making some pretty nice cafe racers out of the CB750.

cool man, keep us posted as it comes along. interested to see the final.

edit: just saw the title of your post. i guess i was right.

Edited by benwood on 03/26/2012 16:02:08 MDT.

Yes, it is the SOHC. The 77 used the same engine as the 76 F (super sport) model.

Here are some pictures

"Just wondering what everyone drives."

99 Honda HX with 5 on the floor. 45 mpg hwy, ~30 in the city in 3rd gear max.