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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: suavidad
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What kind of truck do you drive in Baja?
Hola, mes amigos,
I am contemplating driving from Los Angeles to Loreto for the first time ever and I need to buy the right kind of truck. (My everyday car isn't going
to cut it.)
I have about $5K - $6K to spend. My concerns are repairability, durability, and insurability.
One mechanic recommends a Toyota, but they are muy caro...plus how available are parts if something happens? Are Fords or Chevys better because of
the cost and availability of parts and which cars do Mexican mechanics know best?
I will be one of two women in the vehicle, so dependability is a must.
Later on, I would like to find others to caravan with us to Loreto for the "Fishin for the Mission" tournament in July. A safety in numbers kind of a
thing.
Any suggestions would be great...muchas gracias.
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty!
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Best Truck For Baja???
For $5k to $6k? 1995-1996 Toyota Tacoma! There's more than a few Taco owners here on the board, and if you give it a day or so, you'll see a list of
responses to your post a mile long. Everybody's got their favorites, but I'll bet the great majority of the responses will include the word "Toyota".
If you need something bigger to haul lots of stuff around, an American-made, fullsize pickup might be better suited, but you'll spend a lot more on
gas, and they're usually not as reliable. Breaking down on I-5 is one thing, but it's a whole lot worse when you're in the middle of nowhere. 
Suerte!.. Cameron
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
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If it were me in your shoes, I'd buy a used Toyota Dolphin RV like this one found on craigslist.
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: suavidad
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hey there, Pack, I'm looking for a truck, not a casa!
I am going to be bringing fishing gear and diving gear for about six people...the other four are coming by plane...but one intrepid fool, I mean
friend, wants to go on a "road trip"!
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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While I don't drive one (at present), parts are available for Toyota's about everywhere in Baja that I've been. Lots of Mexicans drive Toyota's.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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TOYOTA
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: suavidad
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uh oh, bajaguy...are you laughing at toyotas or with toyotas?
put up or shut up...what do YOU drive to baja?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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If'n I had the $$$$$, I would be driving a new Toyota Tundra double cab, 4x4....but for now, and only going as far south as our place in Ensenada a
2002 Mazda Tribute, a 1986 Subaru Brat (stay in Ensenada car) or a 1995 Toyota Camry....but If'n I had the $$$$$.........Toyota Tundra.....oops,
already said that!!!
If I didn't have the Subaru, I would be calling that above number for the Toyota P/U!!!!!!
[Edited on 4-28-2007 by bajaguy]
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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With as much gear as you intend to carry you'll need a full size truck.
I use a Ford F150 extracab. It's a great truck. I used a Ford Ranger extracab and it's was great but only for 1 or 2 people plus gear.
Fords are probably the most popular truck in Baja.
Toyotas a good trucks. I think it's a bit of an urban myth that they are more reliable than american trucks. My buddies drive toyotas and they have
had their problems.
$5000 isn't going to buy much truck. It will lickly be high milage. Check autotrader.
Look for something completely stock. That includes the radio. No aftermarket stuff like alarm etc.
The less tampering t has had the more reliable it will be.
"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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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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hey, Fishbuck......check yer u2u (please)
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: suavidad
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I was wondering about Ford trucks...see alot of them around town and while they don't hold their re-sale value as well as a toyota, I am not looking
for re-sale - I want safe transportation...not pretty...just something that will get us there and back, maybe get on a beach or off the beaten track a
little...
So, this is very helpful...anyone else want to vouch for a Ford?
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Baja-girl
A Toyota Tacoma will carry all of your stuff but think you should get one with a shell to lock it all up. There are many in the Autotrader in your
price range.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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I think he's laughing like, "What other choice is there?" The consensus on this forum will undoubtedly be Toyota for the gas mileage and the
availability of parts.
I myself drive a VW bus. I wouldn't recommend a VW to anybody, but yet I couldn't imagine driving anything else. It really handles the washboard, gets
decent mileage, has plenty of room for gear and sleeping, is light enough to dig out of sand, and it surely must be the funnest vehicle to drive on
Baja roads and outback. The value of my VW is minimal, and I try to not bring too many irreplaceable items, so I'm prepared to abandon it and take the
bus if need be. But that's just me.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
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I have a '92 Ford Ranger, and it has never let me down - I've been lucky. It's just not as much fun to drive. The camper shell is definitely a must
however. Mine has lockable doors on the back and sides.
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Baja_Girl
Nomad
Posts: 157
Registered: 4-2-2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: suavidad
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Don't get this wrong, but I'm a little leery about two girls driving around in a truck y'all nickname a "taco" - I think there is a dirty joke in
there somewhere...nevertheless, I'm going to keep an open mind...
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
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I must admit that it took me quite a long time to make the connection between "taco" and Tacoma.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Pack....didn't want to mention it, but I also have a VW....a 1973 THING...great run around car....my Yellow Lab likes it!!!
Baja Girl...that Toyota above has 4WD and a shell....looks like a good deal to me.....check it out.....Give it a once over with a Toyota mechanic and
maybe new shocks and tires....good to go!!!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Just buy it, get in it and drive south till the front wheels get wet.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja_Girl
Don't get this wrong, but I'm a little leery about two girls driving around in a truck y'all nickname a "taco" - I think there is a dirty joke in
there somewhere...nevertheless, I'm going to keep an open mind... |
I think it's only a problem if it's pink! The truck that is...
"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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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Oh boy. Can't wait to see where this goes.
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