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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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since you are leaving the car in the usa then parts are not an issue
repairs can always be done north of the border
reliability is what you want
it's quite a drive from the border to Bahia Asuncion and back
you don't want something that will break on the way down or up
you really don't need an off-road gas guzzler
you need economy and reliabilty
flights from washington to san diego aren't cheap
and storage in the usa isn't either
example: I have a newer Versa...$80usa to the border
a cheap "throw away" car
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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I'm partial to the Explorer. It's a smooth ride, pretty dependable if you do the restore after buying it used. Not a sand rig but handles dirt and
rocky roads well.
After I rolled the '98 I just bought a '04 V8 and really like it so far. Looking forward to returning to Punta Chivato mid month. The Explorer has a
lot of room to haul stuff or camp in.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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Get something reliable....like a Toyota...and you won't need to worry about parts!  I have an Toyota F J Cruiser that I love. It is reliable and good for highway and off-roading. BTW, I live in Washington also...and have a home
in San Felipe. Have made multiple trips back and forth in the FJ. As for flights to San Diego...at time they can be expensive..you need to shop
around. My husband and I both have Alaska Airlines Credit Cards and that gets us each a 99 dollar companion fair ticket each year which helps. Good
luck with whatever you choose!
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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Heather
Nomad
Posts: 370
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: National City, CA
Member Is Offline
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My baja vehicle is an Isuzu Rodeo. When I first drove it to the tip in 1996 it was the only one in Cabo...since then they are plentiful.
My "taxi rojo" is now retired in San Lucas with my step-son...but it's still running and was very reliable and made at least 15 trips from San Diego
to San Lucas...and points between!
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walters886
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 4-16-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
chevy astro AWD, 99 or newer, cheap, dependable, parts no problem, before I bought mine on a trip from Cabo to La Paz counted 31, that did it for me.
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X2. Great topic. The Fetching Mrs. Nina and I have driven our ’99 GMC Safari AWD van (Chevy Astro) all over the continent and it’s always served us
faithfully – especially traveling Baja. On planet Walter only one vehicle tops the Astro/Safari AWD van in durability, functionality and
dependability and that’s the AWD Ford Aerostar! Oh sure, the Aerostar has got that 1990’s funky, odd wedge shape reminiscent of the Space Shuttle and
definitely won’t win any beauty contests. But local’s love ‘em to death. You’ll see a lot of them on the road as many Aerostar’s find their way SOB
to live their sunset years. Of course you’ll make a classy statement when arrive at your destination in a fancy pants SUV. But the trusty Aerostar
seats 7, can carry 4X8 plywood, a Mariachi band and their equipment, a couple of goats, a cooler full of fish and tow a boat at the same time! Ok,
maaybe not the goats too, but you get the idea.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mojo_norte
| Quote: | Originally posted by Curt63
Toyota 4Runner! |
$$ - same as Tacoma |
Umm... an SUV was asked for, and a Tacoma is a mid size pickup. However, the 4 door Tacoma is close to being an SUV with a pickup bed.
Here are The Toyota SUV choices:
4Runner
FJ Cruiser
Sequoia
Land Cruiser
Highlander
RAV4
Besides a Jeep Cherokee or Liberty or Commander
consider a non-off road but AWD SUV like a Subaru Outback wagon or Forester or the already mentioned Honda.
Remember, JEEP is short for:
Just
Empty
Every
Pocket!
It is just hard not to love a piece of history, that's all. I had a Cherokee, once...
I have had excellent reliability from all Japanese brand vehicles and miserable quality from American brands. Ford trucks and Dodge trucks seem to do
well, but those aren't SUVs.
[Edited on 8-30-2013 by David K]
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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My 2007 Nissan X-terra "off road" model has been great, but not sure parts are available in Mexico--------it averages about 17 miles per gallon w/6
cyl-------it is very competant both on, and off, road. No problems, so far, but I did have to beef up the suspension to make it ride really nice and
a little taller. (Calmini suspension fore & aft for 2.5 inch lift and stiffer ride)
Barry
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
My 2007 Nissan X-terra "off road" model has been great, but not sure parts are available in Mexico--------it averages about 17 miles per gallon w/6
cyl-------it is very competant both on, and off, road. No problems, so far, but I did have to beef up the suspension to make it ride really nice and
a little taller. (Calmini suspension fore & aft for 2.5 inch lift and stiffer ride)
Barry |
I knew you would add that Barry... I just don't see enough Nissans to weigh in on them... I know you love yours and the X-terra is perhaps the only
Nissan I would own, if I had a choice. BobH loves his Nissan Frontier pickup, but it is 2WD and so the only other Nomad I know with a Nissan is
Whistler, and he is modifying it for Off Road racing or just to withstand Baja, at speed.
I have owned VW, Jeep, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Hyundai, Plymouth, and Toyota. All were good vehicles except the Jeep and the Plymouth... with
Toyota being #1 and Subaru a close second... but really almost 0 issues with any of the Asian brands.
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joel
Nomad
Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
Member Is Offline
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I am a fan of the 97 to 2001 Ford Expedition. I have two. They are very cheap, parts are everywhere (most are same as F150) and reliable. I think it
has to be one of the most common part systems in Baja.
They take a fair amount of gas, but I'm only in Baja 1 to 2 months a year. It would take a very long time to pay for the premium you'll pay for a more
fuel efficient car like a 4runner at this point.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by Barry A.
My 2007 Nissan X-terra "off road" model has been great, but not sure parts are available in Mexico--------it averages about 17 miles per gallon w/6
cyl-------it is very competant both on, and off, road. No problems, so far, but I did have to beef up the suspension to make it ride really nice and
a little taller. (Calmini suspension fore & aft for 2.5 inch lift and stiffer ride)
Barry |
I knew you would add that Barry... I just don't see enough Nissans to weigh in on them... I know you love yours and the X-terra is perhaps the only
Nissan I would own, if I had a choice. BobH loves his Nissan Frontier pickup, but it is 2WD and so the only other Nomad I know with a Nissan is
Whistler, and he is modifying it for Off Road racing or just to withstand Baja, at speed.
I have owned VW, Jeep, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Hyundai, Plymouth, and Toyota. All were good vehicles except the Jeep and the Plymouth... with
Toyota being #1 and Subaru a close second... but really almost 0 issues with any of the Asian brands. |
I believe the Nissan Frontier and the X-terra are built on the same frame. My X-wife has had a 4x4 Frontier forever, and loves it.
It's a stiff frame, so the rear locker is REALLY an added plus as you can get in trouble fast when in a frame-flex situation. (it don't flex well)
Barry
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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X-wife ? Does she know that's how you call her? LOL
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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As you can see, everyone has their favorite. No one talks about the broken frames on a toyota coming out of Gonzaga, or a transmission on a ford in
Catavina, or a turbo on a GMC in Nuevo Rosarito.
You don't mention $$$ limits. I would look at what cars (numerous) that fit you price range and then find out what is not recommended (maybe Consumer
Reports or another source of research information). Then make your choice based on best bang for the buck. That will eliminate the "my car is the
best car" syndrome.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
X-wife ? Does she know that's how you call her? LOL |
Nope, and don't you tell her.
B
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
chevy astro AWD, 99 or newer, cheap, dependable, parts no problem, before I bought mine on a trip from Cabo to La Paz counted 31, that did it for me.
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Chevy Astros are great, but she specified SUV, not van. I have a 94 Astro that runs great, it serves me well. But most of my friends don't
understand why I drive a van, they keep telling me to trade it in on a little car.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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do the math...
a car that get 15mpg will cost about $4650 in fuel for 10 trips up and down
a car that get 40mpg will cost about $1750 in fuel for 10 trips up and down
the difference is $2900 usa
think about that...
burning fuel is just like burning cash
...for me...
getting a newer and a little more expensive car
will pay for it's self in 25 trips to the north and back
in just fuel savings
i'm on trip 10
only 15 more to go
[Edited on 8-31-2013 by Bob and Susan]
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
do the math...
a car that get 15mpg will cost about $4650 in fuel for 10 trips up and down
a car that get 40mpg will cost about $1750 in fuel for 10 trips up and down
the difference is $2900 usa
think about that...
burning fuel is just like burning cash
...for me...
getting a newer and a little more expensive car
will pay for it's self in 25 trips to the north and back
in just fuel savings
i'm on trip 10
only 15 more to go
[Edited on 8-31-2013 by Bob and Susan] |
What SUV gets 40 MPG?
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: lleno
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The review of the F150/Ford Exploder by Top Gear ------ Rubbish! Gotta love the candor of the Brits.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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maybe they should go "out of the box"
why do you need an suv when there are "hatchbacks"
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
maybe they should go "out of the box"
why do you need an suv when there are "hatchbacks" |
I think they specified an SUV that doesn't cost an Arm and Legs. Most Nomads want a durable vehicle for utility and one that won't fall apart when
driven on Baja roads . The problem with cars made for the highway is they don't like being driven on bad roads and complain - so increased maintenance
cost and depreciation as they fall apart at rapid rate.
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willyAirstream
Super Nomad
Posts: 1786
Registered: 1-1-2010
Member Is Offline
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1st choice...4runner
2nd.....Aerostar, [ Walter, I have no problem getting the goats and the dogs in there.] Great mileage, great camping base, parts are easy to find.
I also drive a willys with a Jeep Wagoneer drive line. Parts are everywhere. Gas mileage is only 15, less with usa gas.
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