BajaNomad

Recommended Baja truck/car ???

bajafreaks - 6-1-2010 at 04:55 PM

I'm looking for advise on a good Baja car or truck that can handle the baja abuse. A daily driver to cruise to town, trips to the airport, touring around. Something dependable that can handle the wash board roads but some what comfortable on 3-4 hours drives at a time. Would like to be able to fit at least 4 people but also room to haul a decent size cargo. I've been thinking about an older toyota 4 runner or something similar. Thanks for the input.;D

dtbushpilot - 6-1-2010 at 05:15 PM

A toyota 4runner would be perfect....dt

El Comadante Loco - 6-1-2010 at 06:25 PM

I have an 86 Isuzu Trooper that will not die no matter what I do to.. Have driven to Gonzaga many times, the old Puertecitos rd and up canyons including Matomi.. Look for mid to late 90's model..

slimshady - 6-1-2010 at 08:18 PM

Go with a toyota 4Runner offroad series. They have the new crawl feature that kicks butt. My next auto will be one. I have Toyota FJ60 down in baja. Now that is tough. I would stay away from those lifted trucks since they are impractical in real world offroading with tight trails. If you could get your hands on an old Toyota Fj40 you or Land Rover 90 series you would be golden.
I have noticed that newer cars tend to get pretty beat up due to all the plastic in them. The older cars were built alot tougher with more metal.

surfer jim - 6-1-2010 at 08:27 PM

As mentioned the Toyota would be good. Also, one of my favorites would be a late 80's ( ?) 4 door Cherokee. Lots of good parts available .

slimshady - 6-1-2010 at 09:03 PM

If you live full time in baja it would be wise to buy a brand new vehicle, however if you want to keep a car down there only to be used a few times a year it would make more sense to buy a used older one.

dtbushpilot - 6-1-2010 at 10:24 PM

I've been driving Baja for many years. I had a really great 79 Jeep Cherokee that was my daily driver in the states for many years and I kept it specifically to leave in MX when I built a house. I made many Baja trips in this Jeep and went places that most people only dream about in it. Well, I did build a house in MX and I drove it down there and drove it around with my beautiful esposa and she asked me why we were driving an old rattly dusty, stereo broken, noisy, exhaust leaking, stick shift, AC broken Jeep around when we had other vehicles that were newer and more comfortable sitting in the garage..........I had no good reply....she was right, we weren't hippies any more, we had other vehicles that were just as capable if not more and were much more comfortable to use......

Well, I sold the Jeep. I posted it for sale a while back on Nomads and had a lot of interest. I sold it to a local (Buena Vista) guy for "almost free" and he loves it. It has an ONAPAFA sticker on the window and it has been assimilated into the Baja landscape where it belongs.

If you're on a limited (very limited) budget and don't mind having "Baja adventure" then go ahead and buy something old and cool but if you want to pick up your friends and family from the airport an hour or more away and have dependable comfortable transportation get something as new as you can afford.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm always up for an "adventure" but I'd rather it be on my terms and not dictated by the vehicle that I chose to rely on.....even depend on to take me and my loved ones to our destination.

I loved that old Jeep and drove it well over 100,000 miles. I didn't let anyone see the little tear on my cheek when Juan drove it away....



This is in our garage now. $8,000, 4wd, gas engine, Sirius radio, cold AC, camper shell, go anywhere dependably......



[Edited on 6-2-2010 by dtbushpilot]

gnukid - 6-2-2010 at 09:47 AM

In order to be a Baja Nomad, like the people of Baja, you will need to travel long distances on a whim, so the best cars for Baja are high mileage cars with comfortable seats and AC. Driving off road is rarely required and most two wheel drive cars can handle most of Baja, where they can't you can park and walk.

However, Baja also presents unexpected obstacles such as large holes in the ground, large topes, narrow roads and inattentive drivers, so the vehicle should be one that you are not too attached too nor too concerned with cosmetics.

Also, while Baja is increasingly well connected, it's often a little more difficult to get parts and tools, so one should be aware that newer vehicles that do not have local support will fail in the most minor and inconvenient way, such as a sensor.

So, the best car is not a toyota truck or cherokee which are usually too small on the inside and do not have great mileage, though they are great mini trucks.

Get a high mileage comfortable vehicle.

k-rico - 6-2-2010 at 10:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid


Get a high mileage comfortable vehicle.


Excellent recommendation. Parts are available everywhere in Baja for this beach cruiser, not that you'll need 'em.

$2000 OBO

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=45789

[Edited on 6-2-2010 by k-rico]

1991 F-150.jpg - 5kB

Heather - 6-2-2010 at 10:11 AM

I bought my Isuzu Rodeo back in '96 because I thought it would be great for Baja. I drove it down to the tip that summer, and it was the only one of its kind around. The third summer down it needed a new alternator and there was no part for it, so I got a "make it fit" one in San Lucas. (replaced later at the dealer).

These days those Isuzu's are everywhere in Baja, and parts are not a problem! It's made at least 10 trips down and back, and was my principal state-side car until a year or so ago. Hubby doesn't think it will make a last trip, but I'd still like to retire it down there!

It's very similar to a 4-runner, but probably at a better price!

bajafreaks - 6-2-2010 at 12:30 PM

Thanks very much for all the advise...all good info.
Keep it coming. ;D

capt. mike - 6-2-2010 at 01:02 PM

trouble free nissan pathfinder down there for 6 years. all the mexicans could work on it. parts were easy.

Skeet/Loreto - 6-2-2010 at 03:08 PM

First let me completely disagree with gnukid.

Yes you will need a four Wheel Drive and you will have only one Paved road when you get to Baja Sur.

My truck of many years was a Ford 150 Four Wheel Drive 6 Cylinder with a Stick Shift.If you decide to leave Hwy 1 at Kilo 79 and go over to the pacific you will need that type of Vehicle. And remember that parts for Toyota's are not easily found. Older Chev's, Fords. and Dodges are Better!!

I personally think a Camper is a Necessity. There are spaces in between that you will be glad you have it.

Anyway just 38 years Experience3 in Baja Sur.

Have a Good Time and get to know the People.

Skeet

desertcpl - 6-2-2010 at 03:13 PM

Ditto
what Skeet said

Mexitron - 6-2-2010 at 03:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
In order to be a Baja Nomad, like the people of Baja, you will need to travel long distances on a whim, so the best cars for Baja are high mileage cars with comfortable seats and AC. Driving off road is rarely required and most two wheel drive cars can handle most of Baja, where they can't you can park and walk.

However, Baja also presents unexpected obstacles such as large holes in the ground, large topes, narrow roads and inattentive drivers, so the vehicle should be one that you are not too attached too nor too concerned with cosmetics.

Also, while Baja is increasingly well connected, it's often a little more difficult to get parts and tools, so one should be aware that newer vehicles that do not have local support will fail in the most minor and inconvenient way, such as a sensor.

So, the best car is not a toyota truck or cherokee which are usually too small on the inside and do not have great mileage, though they are great mini trucks.

Get a high mileage comfortable vehicle.


I remember shari making a comment on how often the folks in B. Asuncion had to repair their cars before the washboard road was paved out there...sure, you can drive high mileage comfort cars on those roads but they don't hold up over time, it sounds like...

desertcpl - 6-2-2010 at 03:18 PM

maybe some like this

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/chevrolet-suburban-cars3492...

gnukid - 6-2-2010 at 04:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
First let me completely disagree with gnukid.

Yes you will need a four Wheel Drive and you will have only one Paved road when you get to Baja Sur.

My truck of many years was a Ford 150 Four Wheel Drive 6 Cylinder with a Stick Shift.If you decide to leave Hwy 1 at Kilo 79 and go over to the pacific you will need that type of Vehicle. And remember that parts for Toyota's are not easily found. Older Chev's, Fords. and Dodges are Better!!

I personally think a Camper is a Necessity. There are spaces in between that you will be glad you have it.

Anyway just 38 years Experience3 in Baja Sur.

Have a Good Time and get to know the People.

Skeet


Skeet, I do have huge 4x4 trucks and campers. I like them but I leave them in the regions I camp, but anyway this isn't 38 years ago. And once again we are likely comparing Northern Baja to Southern Baja which are two separate subjects.

I love all the baja rigs, but in this economic climate, the trip for me from Hippylandia to Cabo is about 2000 thousand miles straight as the crow flies. A round trip plus adventure is about 5000 miles. Do the math, 5000/10 miles to the gallon is 500 gallons at $3/gallon is $1500/trip or you could have a vehicle that gets 30 miles to the gallon or even 40 miles to the gallon. As 5000/30 miles to the gallon that is 166.67 or $500/trip. Consider you will do this twice a year or more.

So if you are wealthy who cares, but if you are a senior on a tight retirement you would be better with a highermileage car in order to afford the trip.

Now that said I do have a 1965 slant six 170cu that gets 30 miles to the gallon and I would never drive a new car to Baja, but I see those who live in Baja Sur prefer smaller affordable high mileage cars.

gnukid - 6-2-2010 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
In order to be a Baja Nomad, like the people of Baja, you will need to travel long distances on a whim, so the best cars for Baja are high mileage cars with comfortable seats and AC. Driving off road is rarely required and most two wheel drive cars can handle most of Baja, where they can't you can park and walk.

However, Baja also presents unexpected obstacles such as large holes in the ground, large topes, narrow roads and inattentive drivers, so the vehicle should be one that you are not too attached too nor too concerned with cosmetics.

Also, while Baja is increasingly well connected, it's often a little more difficult to get parts and tools, so one should be aware that newer vehicles that do not have local support will fail in the most minor and inconvenient way, such as a sensor.

So, the best car is not a toyota truck or cherokee which are usually too small on the inside and do not have great mileage, though they are great mini trucks.

Get a high mileage comfortable vehicle.


I remember shari making a comment on how often the folks in B. Asuncion had to repair their cars before the washboard road was paved out there...sure, you can drive high mileage comfort cars on those roads but they don't hold up over time, it sounds like...


I don't know enough, but my rancho suspension 4x4 trucks seem to bounce around and they are hard on the passengers and the little cars seems to fly over the rough road. It seems jettas and little cars do just fine.

monoloco - 6-2-2010 at 06:09 PM

A friend left me his 1978 Mercedes 300D, I figured the that the Baja would kill that thing in nothing flat considering that it already had 475000 miles on it. Boy, was I wrong, we drove that thing for 5 or 6 years with nothing but routine maintenance, there is a reason that they use them for taxis in a large part of the world, we couldn't kill that thing and it was so smooth over the wash boards. That car is still cruising around San Jose del Cabo minus reverse and sporting an ONAPAPFA sticker. What an awesome Baja rig.

k-rico - 6-2-2010 at 06:19 PM

I met a guy at Nexpa in Michoacan that drove his old 300D from Oregon to there annually for years. Tough cars.

[Edited on 6-3-2010 by k-rico]

wessongroup - 6-3-2010 at 05:46 PM

All good information... thanks

Udo - 6-3-2010 at 06:22 PM

Bajafreaks...


I assume you have checked out the vehicles in DavidK's mission trip.
You can't get more BAJA PROVEN than that!:bounce:

mileage

wessongroup - 6-6-2010 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
First let me completely disagree with gnukid.

Yes you will need a four Wheel Drive and you will have only one Paved road when you get to Baja Sur.

My truck of many years was a Ford 150 Four Wheel Drive 6 Cylinder with a Stick Shift.If you decide to leave Hwy 1 at Kilo 79 and go over to the pacific you will need that type of Vehicle. And remember that parts for Toyota's are not easily found. Older Chev's, Fords. and Dodges are Better!!

I personally think a Camper is a Necessity. There are spaces in between that you will be glad you have it.

Anyway just 38 years Experience3 in Baja Sur.

Have a Good Time and get to know the People.

Skeet


Skeet, I do have huge 4x4 trucks and campers. I like them but I leave them in the regions I camp, but anyway this isn't 38 years ago. And once again we are likely comparing Northern Baja to Southern Baja which are two separate subjects.

I love all the baja rigs, but in this economic climate, the trip for me from Hippylandia to Cabo is about 2000 thousand miles straight as the crow flies. A round trip plus adventure is about 5000 miles. Do the math, 5000/10 miles to the gallon is 500 gallons at $3/gallon is $1500/trip or you could have a vehicle that gets 30 miles to the gallon or even 40 miles to the gallon. As 5000/30 miles to the gallon that is 166.67 or $500/trip. Consider you will do this twice a year or more.

So if you are wealthy who cares, but if you are a senior on a tight retirement you would be better with a highermileage car in order to afford the trip.

Now that said I do have a 1965 slant six 170cu that gets 30 miles to the gallon and I would never drive a new car to Baja, but I see those who live in Baja Sur prefer smaller affordable high mileage cars.


A very good point and one that most of us must deal with... at least I do ...

A possible way to help... build a "still" and make your own ethanol ... what you don't put in your car one can drink..

I'm going to see if I can get it built down here... was going to try and do it myself.. but, I can't ... so, will see if these folks that do such good work with copper can make me a pretty still..

I have put the plans up .... one can down load a copy for free, it cost be a couple of bucks.. but, hey... it really could make it easier for a lot of folks.... maybe..

Won't do much for long drives.. unless you have 50 gal saddle tanks.. but should help for most on routine driving.. and conversion kits are available for most all engines.. from Brazil.. they use ethanol pretty much exclusively for their cars ....

Have fun.. another project.... to go with your others... if you know what I mean...:lol:

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