BajaNomad

Prius...Frius

fishbuck - 5-10-2019 at 05:13 PM

Fishbuck's theory of Baja 1 safe driving.
Small car good car. Skinny car very good car.
I had something like a Chevy Aveo.
It was a tiny car. But very cool.
It wheels were just a bit small.
It struggled with Ensenada.
But he loved San Quintin. And dirt roading... and some light trail riding...a fair little 2 wheel drive UTV.
So... Prius?

[Edited on 5-11-2019 by fishbuck]

AKgringo - 5-10-2019 at 06:13 PM

Starbuck (and cpt Ahab) had Moby Dick!

Fishbuck (and cpt. Who?) have Morphy Dick!

Bajazly - 5-10-2019 at 06:43 PM

Like my buddy who used to drive a mid 70's Lincoln Continental in high school always said, "Wrap yo a$$ in steel and become immortal".

I get skinny on those roads but would you really want to hit more than a small cat or get hit by anything bigger than a small motorcycle? And the potholes with tiny wheels, better drag a trailer full of spares with you.

4x4abc - 5-10-2019 at 07:05 PM

all boils down to physics

most cars (any size) are designed for fuel economy on well maintained roads
even most modern 4x4 are not designed to be used in the rough
only pickups and some vans can take the rough

all other cars need to be modified when roads get rough or pavement ends

can you climb Mt Everest with sneakers?
Yes - but you shouldn't

Alan - 5-10-2019 at 07:41 PM

Great visibility, easy to park, go nearly anywhere

IMG_2341 resized.jpg - 44kB

BornFisher - 5-10-2019 at 08:57 PM

They call him Lucky. He spurts more than he spouts!!

fishbuck - 5-10-2019 at 11:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alan  
Great visibility, easy to park, go nearly anywhere

Yes, I must have a jeep. Must be a big motor and auto... shopping...
But this car is for running into town and maybe Ensenada and Border
I have the F-350 4x4 Offroad to join the Immortals and for towing my boat.
I will tow my Prius down and plug it into my solar system.
Unless I need to haul donkey on the hiway... I never buy another gallon...
Offroad Prius.
I'll put some big rims and tuff tire on it. Maybe some racing strips... and a extra high wing... with a light bar on it...
Skid plate and just let it bang Baja... 3-BALL-RACIN' style. Go team 3BALL
Sparks will be flying... show starts at 10pm on my road.
When baby needs beer:bounce:
What could go wrong?

fishbuck - 5-10-2019 at 11:24 PM

And rollcage/roof rack and roof solar panel... haha!
The hatchback one.
And fake no muffler noise from a speaker under the car... extra loud.
But also can be used for ear shattering rapid fire spanish political campaigning.
It will do everything Baja.:cool:

fishbuck - 5-11-2019 at 01:56 PM

Ford Focus C-MAX Hybrid better.
Lot of rallycar parts for it.

TedZark - 5-11-2019 at 02:01 PM

Most small sedans are just fine here. Pay attention and don't drive into the potholes and you'll do fine. You see so many old beaters here, old Toyota Tercels from even the 70s and 80s - old Nissan Sentras from long ago - happily buzzing down the road. Those who feel the need for a huge pickup are ________? Waste of money. Fine if you don't mind, but I want to spend my money on other things. My Toyota Corolla has done just fine here.

pauldavidmena - 5-11-2019 at 03:40 PM

Most of the time when I've gone to Baja I've rented a Nissan Versa or Tiida. Both were tiny and sputtered uphill when running the A/C. Neither could be trusted on some of the dodgier backroads of Pescadero, some of which are either sandy or rutted (or both). They were great on mileage though, and as long as I didn't put them in dangerous situations they were good Baja cars.

As for Toyota, I've had a RAV4 for 10 years and it hasn't given me a moment's trouble on the backroads of... suburban Boston. And the FJ Cruiser I had before that was great in the snow and would likely be a perfect off-road vehicle. With its hummer-like girth and profile, however, it didn't have great visibility and got between 12 and 15 miles per gallon on hi-test gas. I sold it reluctantly but got enough for it to buy the RAV4 cash.

I've test driven a Prius and thought it didn't have enough gimme-up to merge onto a New England highway (my performance benchmark). I also thought the price tag was a bit high - that I was paying for "Prius Prestige". That said, the 2008 RAV4 won't last forever, and a new job will more than double my commute from 12 miles each way to about 25, so there may be a Prius in my future yet.

Alm - 5-11-2019 at 04:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  

I will tow my Prius down and plug it into my solar system.
Unless I need to haul donkey on the hiway... I never buy another gallon...

What could go wrong?

To answer this question, you need to tell the size of your solar and the amount of your daily energy draw not counting the Prius.

Though I have a feeling that this was not a question. As usual.

Alm - 5-11-2019 at 05:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
all boils down to physics

most cars (any size) are designed for fuel economy on well maintained roads
even most modern 4x4 are not designed to be used in the rough
only pickups and some vans can take the rough

Pretty much. The most fuel efficient vehicle on a paved or a good dirt road is a compact car. Or even a motorcycle - less mass, less wind resistance. Though versatility isn't there.

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 09:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TedZark  
Most small sedans are just fine here. Pay attention and don't drive into the potholes and you'll do fine. You see so many old beaters here, old Toyota Tercels from even the 70s and 80s - old Nissan Sentras from long ago - happily buzzing down the road. Those who feel the need for a huge pickup are ________? Waste of money. Fine if you don't mind, but I want to spend my money on other things. My Toyota Corolla has done just fine here.

I agree but good luck not hitting a pothole in Ensenada.:coolup:

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 09:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  

I will tow my Prius down and plug it into my solar system.
Unless I need to haul donkey on the hiway... I never buy another gallon...

What could go wrong?

To answer this question, you need to tell the size of your solar and the amount of your daily energy draw not counting the Prius.

Though I have a feeling that this was not a question. As usual.

Definatly was part of the question. I think my current system make a surplus during the day. But a 120volt system takes too long to charge.
Charging stations are 220.
I'm dumping solar already.
Gasolina baby... that is still where it's at...

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 09:25 AM

Ford Escort Station Wagon.
Fords still rule Baja.

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 09:35 AM

Load the tail end after Shopping Ensenada once a month.
It will look like a Ford Excursion when I'm done with it.
They already were made with 17 and 18 inch wheels... pothole friendly.
90 percent of Baja is graded dirt road. Most cars can do it.

mjs - 5-12-2019 at 10:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
Load the tail end after Shopping Ensenada once a month.
It will look like a Ford Excursion when I'm done with it.
They already were made with 17 and 18 inch wheels... pothole friendly.
90 percent of Baja is graded dirt road. Most cars can do it.


17 and 18 inch wheels with low profile tires are not pot hole friendly. Now if you've got 35 inch tires mounted...

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 10:45 AM

I figure 30'are as big as I can get. Different rim dia. /tire comdos.
I 'm trying 8-9 wide and 30 outside dia.
16's are looking best.
I'm sure pickapart is full of them:coolup:

fishbuck - 5-12-2019 at 10:53 AM

Stock are 15s. About 25 outside and 7.5 wide.
It is probably how I will find one. And I 'll drive it like that to Baja and start looking for cool Focus parts at the YONKE.

BajaMama - 5-13-2019 at 08:19 AM

I have a 2006 F-250 diesel 4x4, a rock crawler 2004 Jeep LJ (well technically those are my husband's vehicles, but my name is on the title, too). I could drive either through Baja, but I like my 100,000+ miles Acura AWD MDX. She does pretty good on basic dirt roads though I have to strap a spare to the roof (comes with a small spare).

BajaTed - 5-13-2019 at 08:37 AM

A simple Toyota P/U with a 22R motor is considered the gold standard in Baja or any developing country. Get asked to sell mine all the time on both sides of border, no other vehicle gets this response world wide.

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 10:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaTed  
A simple Toyota P/U with a 22R motor is considered the gold standard in Baja or any developing country. Get asked to sell mine all the time on both sides of border, no other vehicle gets this response world wide.


Aha! I forgot about the good ole 22ROMEO.
Reliabilty and parts... that' s what teally maters.
I see every kind of for Ranger but very few Toyotas.

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 10:08 AM

I'm trying to u a very efficient car.
Ford Rangers are a dime a dozen.
But surprisingly, they burn only a little less than my 5.4 liter Ford engine in my F-350. (9-11mpg)
Better but not enough better. (15-18mpg)
Why I like the little Focus is that it get's 30mpg no matter what... or a little better.
And all enclosed. It has a roofrack.
Taller tires and it will work fine.
I can carry as many spars as I want with it.

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 10:11 AM

I might be able to sleep in the back too.

Paco Facullo - 5-13-2019 at 10:12 AM

Quote "I can carry as many spars as I want with it."

And the way you drive, you're gunna need um !;)

And by the way, were the mechanics able to straighten that bent rim ?

[Edited on 5-13-2019 by Paco Facullo]

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 10:17 AM

Maybe I can do better... but no one finds a LLanta like I can:cool:

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 03:01 PM

I seem to be obsessed with my little Ford Wagon. 130hp DOHC 2.0L. It looks like a Subura Forester a little.
The one I like is green too. Loaded ,low miles, and cheap.
It will be just like all those little rental racers I use.
But I will beef him up a little... Baja style:cool:
Anyway, open to suggestions about what car is the one that is most useful for running up and down and dirt roading.
A hauler. The Ford has a big cargo bay and factory roof rails
Car not truck. Fair handling. The little Ford has front and rear anti sway bars etc..
30mpg or better...

Whatca got?

willardguy - 5-13-2019 at 03:09 PM

how about a fun project car, a Focus with a 22r mill and trans?:o

https://jalopnik.com/4x4-ford-focus-is-perfect-vehicle-for-t...

fishbuck - 5-13-2019 at 03:40 PM

I like the 22R part of that...