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bajafreaks
Nomad
Posts: 419
Registered: 3-27-2007
Location: Gardnerville, NV./ Los Barriles BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days !!!
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Recommended Baja truck/car ???
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.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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A toyota 4runner would be perfect....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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El Comadante Loco
Nomad
Posts: 274
Registered: 6-12-2004
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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..
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slimshady
Nomad
Posts: 291
Registered: 9-3-2008
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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.
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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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 .
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slimshady
Nomad
Posts: 291
Registered: 9-3-2008
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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.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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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]
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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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.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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| 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]
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Heather
Nomad
Posts: 370
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: National City, CA
Member Is Offline
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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!
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bajafreaks
Nomad
Posts: 419
Registered: 3-27-2007
Location: Gardnerville, NV./ Los Barriles BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days !!!
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Thanks very much for all the advise...all good info.
Keep it coming.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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trouble free nissan pathfinder down there for 6 years. all the mexicans could work on it. parts were easy.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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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
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2405
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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Ditto
what Skeet said
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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| 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...
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2405
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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maybe some like this
http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/chevrolet-suburban-cars3492...
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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| 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.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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| 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.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
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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.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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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]
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