BajaNomad

?What should I buy?

Cardon Man - 1-21-2008 at 01:13 PM

I'm in need of a vehicle that will handle the rigors of the coastal road between San Jose Del Cabo and La Ribera. A wash board ready "commuter" vehicle if you will. Something reliable with decent suspension that won't rattle me to death. I'd prefer to keep it under a $5,000 investment.

My question to the off road motorheads is this: What type of vehicle do you suggest? Baja bug? Jeep? Other? Am I even in the ball park for something good with 5k?

I'd be eager to hear any thoughts, opinions, anecdotes from the experts.

Al G - 1-21-2008 at 02:07 PM

I am a little confused as to what you really need...and not an off road expert. No regular "car/truck vehicle will run dirt roads without rattling...low tires help, because they act as soft springs...if your commute is short...a quads (Polaris for sure) offers wash board free rides. Now let the real experts stand up....:biggrin:

David K - 1-21-2008 at 02:14 PM

Get a SUBARU... Because Baja Bugs and Jeeps (CJs or Wranglers) will not be comfortable, just fun. After Toyota, I had the most luck with Subaru for being inexpensive to own and bullet proof in Baja...

Barry A. - 1-21-2008 at 02:19 PM

My son has a 2005 Saburu Baja (same frame as an Outback) which he takes everywhere off road, and it rides like a dream------he has just over 100K on it with NO PROBLEMS at all, other than flat tires.

He just went to trade it in on a new "Baja" but they don't make them anymore. So he spend the money for a complete serviceing, and is on his way to rack up another 100K, he hopes.

barry

David K - 1-21-2008 at 02:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
My son has a 2005 Saburu Baja (same frame as an Outback) which he takes everywhere off road, and it rides like a dream------he has just over 100K on it with NO PROBLEMS at all, other than flat tires.

He just went to trade it in on a new "Baja" but they don't make them anymore. So he spend the money for a complete serviceing, and is on his way to rack up another 100K, he hopes.

barry


WHAT!!! NO MORE BAJA!!? :lol:

Basically a four door Outback wagon, but behind the back seat doors it is an open pickup/ El Camino like bed... A four door version of the older Subaru BRAT.

David K - 1-21-2008 at 02:34 PM

Here's what I found about the Subaru Baja: Despite a novel concept with no direct class competition, Baja drew few sales, a big disappointment for Subaru. Sales remained meager despite the addition of a Turbo model for 2004. Evidently, buyers either didn't know what to make of Baja or didn't much care for it-which means used examples will be few and far between.

Barry A. - 1-21-2008 at 02:45 PM

Yep----you sure don't see many of them anywhere. My son absolutely and completely LOVES his. Me??? I would buy a Forrester-----higher off the ground, and more versatile, and my "stuff" won't get all dusty. :lol:

Al G - 1-21-2008 at 02:51 PM

Maybe an old one would be worth rebuilding...maybe softer shocks and springs...are they 4X? You could gut one so soft springs and maybe heavy duty quad tires at 6-7 PSI...:biggrin:

tripledigitken - 1-21-2008 at 02:53 PM

For $5,000, why not an OJ Bronco. :O

Lots of them around, parts are cheap and lots of parts in Baja.

Decent ride off road.




Ken

mtgoat666 - 1-21-2008 at 03:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cardon Man
I'm in need of a vehicle that will handle the rigors of the coastal road between San Jose Del Cabo and La Ribera. A wash board ready "commuter" vehicle if you will. Something reliable with decent suspension that won't rattle me to death. I'd prefer to keep it under a $5,000 investment.

My question to the off road motorheads is this: What type of vehicle do you suggest? Baja bug? Jeep? Other? Am I even in the ball park for something good with 5k?

I'd be eager to hear any thoughts, opinions, anecdotes from the experts.


Every vehicle suspension will rattle your teeth on washboards. I think heavier vehicles rattle worse than lighter vehicles (because of their relatively stiffer suspensions) -- my most comfortable washbaord rides have been in econo-box rental cars (small car suspensions seem to handle high frequency/low magnitide deflections best).
If you want an econo solution, then get a passenger car. You don't need high clearance or 4WD for washboards, so why pay premium for it? For an econo beater car for basic transportation, try a bug, civic, corrola, etc.
But you are looking for justification to buy a manly man car with oversize tires, correct? Think of some other reason besides washboards

great advice

Cardon Man - 1-22-2008 at 08:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Every vehicle suspension will rattle your teeth on washboards. I think heavier vehicles rattle worse than lighter vehicles (because of their relatively stiffer suspensions) -- my most comfortable washbaord rides have been in econo-box rental cars (small car suspensions seem to handle high frequency/low magnitide deflections best).
If you want an econo solution, then get a passenger car. You don't need high clearance or 4WD for washboards, so why pay premium for it? For an econo beater car for basic transportation, try a bug, civic, corrola, etc.
But you are looking for justification to buy a manly man car with oversize tires, correct? Think of some other reason besides washboards


Thanks all for the opinions! 666...I'd love to buy another "manly, over size tires rig" but I'm not sure I need one at present. I have a trusty old 85 Toyota pick up that has served me very well with years of Baja use. 3" suspension lift with BFG mud terrains. She's a runner for sure with 250K on it. The Toyota is going stong but we need another vehicle for general running around. I'd prefer to keep those miles off of the old toyota too.

I've checked out a couple of Baja bugs. But I've either found some real beaters with a questionable future....or, really nice ones that are very cool but spendy. Not sure if I need 6k worth of Baja Bug? But I damn sure don't want one that ends up broke down in 6 months either.

bajaguy - 1-22-2008 at 08:52 AM

Suzuki Samauri or a Geo Metro.....inexpensive, good runner, can customize with shocks and tires, won't cost you a bundle, can tow behind the Toyota.

Maybe a rail?

Pompano - 1-22-2008 at 09:39 AM

Do you need to be enclosed? If not, maybe you could have great fun with a soft-tired rail. Will handle all terrain at higher speeds than normal 'commuters.'

Just watch out for buzzards sitting on road kills!!

-.jpg - 35kB

Cardon Man - 1-24-2008 at 11:40 AM

Yo Pompano. You're lucky that buzzard didn't take your head off! A rail would be cool. But I was thinking enclosed would be a good way to avoid eating dust and gravel. Bajaguys Geo suggestion got my interest. I even own one! But it's back in the states. I found one guy one line that had rigged a Geo for off road. Unique to say the least.