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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6030
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
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A Chevy Tracker is made by Suzuki....kind of a Vitara with a bowtie! In the US, they came with either a 2.0 liter 4 cyl, or a 2.5 liter V-6.
Everything is a trade off, the four banger is slightly under powered, but my neighbor has 240 thousand miles on hers, with all original parts! I
don't think the V-6 is quite as trouble free, but I have never owned one.
My Kia's (older model Sportage) are a very similar vehicle, except they run Mazda running gear instead of Suzuki, and would be tough to find parts or
trained service in Baja!
All three vehicles I mentioned are based on light truck components, which are not as efficient as the cross-overs that are currently being marketed,
but will handle abuse better!
[Edited on 5-27-2019 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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I have convinced myself I need that Dodge Magnum AWD with a V8 Hemi.
It has good towing capacity. Boat towing.
If I don't need full F-350 capability it would be better for towing.
For example. For San Quintin to Bola.
Mostly paved and cement boatramps.
I can use my truck for a big camping trailer and set up my fishcamp for a few weeks.
And then service that with my plane.
Problem so far is that there is only one of me to do all the flying and driving.
But these little Suzukis do seem like the ultamate Baja gorcery store machine.
Small enough and easy to drive. Picknic on the beach machine.
But that Dodge will eat the highway at 100 and I can still chase DaveK and Curt at 100 on the gravel.
(Disclaimer: I do not drive 100mph anywhere except a private racetracks.) I am not a pro.
A V8 hemi and all.
And gets a theoretical 24mpg on the highway.
But 14mpg when you need the power.
I used to fly into Sacramento and rent a 2wd Magnum and go to Tahoe for snowboarding.
It was a cool car.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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ANY Chrysler product (Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth) from the last 20 years is very LOW on the reliability scale. Not so much the engines as other stuff;
trannies, A/C, PS pumps, interior electrical stuff. Seats are often chit.
You HAVE a truck. It's paid for. Yeah, it doesnt get great mileage. Learn to SLOOOOOOW DOWN in retirement. Cruise at 60. Way better mileage. You dont
want to be towing at 70 anyway. So what if it takes a half hour to an hour longer to get to BOLA? You dont have to cram your life into a weekend
anymore. You come and go when you want.
Just get something that gets good mileage and is reliable for the inevitable trips back and forth to the US from San Quintin. Something easier to
park. A beater; something that doesnt scream "steal me" like a late model Dodge truck will. Mexicans love those trucks because they are made down
here and are reasonably priced.
Has anyone told him about the concept of "pizza insurance" yet? Now's the time!!
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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Excellent advice.
Will get with Baja Bound insurance today or tommorrow for truck.
About $500 for an annual.
But "Pizza insurance" works good too.
On my last ride down I drove so slow...
It was fantastic.
Even on the way back I was mellow.
I don't think I passed one car the whole trip.
And made it easy for the "highballers" to blow past me...
I plan on practicing more of that... slow down and smell the grape vineyards...and strawberry farms... and Taco stands
But it is hard to make an F-350 easy to pass like the little white car was.
He was tiny.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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Got my Washington tags in the mail already!
I'm starting to like Washington again...
So shooting for a Thursday departure for a 4-5 dayer.
In my own truck.
I will get through the border safer...
I think I got the "Guatemalan Goat Flu" last time walking thru with "my people"
But I'm ok now... almost...
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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