New Fishmobile

[Bass Babe]

So I'll be making the big bucks in about a month, the tranny's dying on my little Escort, and it's time for an upgrade to a real, honest-to-goodness fishmobile. I probably won't get a new vehicle before May, but I do want to start my research now so that I can make an informed purchase this time, instead of saying, "It's so cute, and it's such a pretty blue color! Gimme! Now!" like last time.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what to get?

Here's some stuff I'm looking for:

Decent gas mileage for its class
Long enough to fit a 10-foot rod inside (just to stash while I'm fishing other rods...will probably get a rod holder, thus...)
Rod rack-able
4WD not absolutely neccessary, but would be great
Dependable, with oft- and easily-changed parts in accessible areas
Not silly-looking, like a half-pickup/half SUV thing, and no lunchboxes like the Honda Element
American

Thanks in advance!

[BasicPatrick]

10 feet inside is the tough part...if you figure 9 foot inside and committ to a locking roof rack there are countless options...

My dream is a 4wd full size 8foot bed VAN...but ungodly $$$ and horrible gas milage.

I would say take a look at the Nissan Exterra. Mjight be all you want for not a ton of dough.

[Bass Babe]

Do locking roof racks lock everything, or do you have to remove your reels? Has anyone heard of any vandalism and/or theft of locked items?

[BasicPatrick]

There are some locking raod racks available...The Surfcaster makes one, and I saw another at Captain Don's in Rhode Island. I have always had the philosophy that if I was to spend tens of thousands on a new truck and I am a fisherman, I an going to buy a quality rod rack and be done...once and for all.
Oh yeah, yes is the answer to your question. There have been rare accounts of theft from racks, and also from inside vehicles.

[Nebe]

Bassbabe, buy yourself a decent used tacoma extra cab 4x4 and get a good cap with tinted windows and a slider on the front of the cap. You can buy rod holders that mount on the cieling of your cap. that way your rods and reels are up and out of the way..Plus they are inside your rig and out of site.. no one will see them. Theft has been a problem at some of the places in gansett that you have posted pics of earlier this year FYI...

you cant beat a tacoma..

[macojoe]

well you no say if you want pick up or SUV?

Suv is nice but you are never going to get rods all the way in!!
I had full size Blazer and use to hand the rods from the celing with the rods inside. This way I could rasie the window to about 1 inch from closed. Now they can't get the reels or rods with out breaking them.

Todays SUV have hatch backs and this will not work for you. so locking roof rack is the only way to go!!

Pick up truck is going to be real tricky to lock your stuff, unless you have a cap, But even then you will have to figure how to lock the back as a large pick up has only a 8 foot bed.
Good luck in your search!

I like the Trail Blazers myself!

[slow eddie]

hib.b.
ever think suburu small suv.4 wheel drive good gas milage, excellent reports in consumer reports? just another option. slow eddie

[shadow]

I agree w/ piemma the ski racks work out great and you can find them for ALOT less then the locking rod racks from the mail order.

[Swimmer]

BB I used to have a f 250, gas mpg sucked, but you could get a 12' rod inside the cap on racks through open window from cap into driver compartment. Now I have a ranger w/not the full extra cab but the one in the middle w/cap and 9' rod fits inside perfectly. I think a 9 1/2' rod would fit without hitting the windshield also. Can't see the rods at all. Holds all kinds of stuff. Gets my brother and I over to the vineyard for ten days chock full including the alcohol no problem. Have rod racks on top also. Gas mileage is o.k. something that anyone could live with.

[Bass Babe]

Houndster -- I'm not quite sure what my price range is gonna be, as my living expenses and salary will be changing as of the end of this month. Just drove Rob Rockcrawler's new Blazer this week in the snow, and now I know that I HAVE to get 4WD. I don't know how I've ever driven without it. A little Ranger with a cap might be nice. Better on gas than the bigger trucks. But I'm not in a rush, as I need to figure out adult budget type stuff and save up for a down payment. I feel like I should have been a perpetual student, and then I never would have to grow up and fend for myself. Right now, I'm guessing that I could swing a $300 or less payment per month. And that's if I quit smoking. Ah, the perils of no longer being a kid.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

I feel like I should have been a perpetual student, and then I never would have to grow up and fend for myself. Right now, I'm guessing that I could swing a $300 or less payment per month. And that's if I quit smoking. Ah, the perils of no longer being a kid.

If you think thats what grad school is like think again.....
unless your talking about being a 7th year sr. undergrad; there are lots of those running aorund

[Stewie]

Ten footers fit in an old style Durango, Maybe even ten and a half footers. I have a 2000 with 102,000 on it. It still thinks it is new.Real comfortable too, and, with the third row seating it'll carry you and seven friends, or you and a whole bunch of grocerys.

[nightfighter]

New rig for me tomorrow afternoon! Pre-owned, dressed out Tahoe. Psyched cause the 1265-2 Allstar didn't quite fit in the 97Blazer, so was constantly breaking it down. But the extra car payment will keep the VS/Saltiga from my reach for this year I think.