Need Your Advice: Thinking of Getting A New Sand Sled/Fishwagon

[Joe]

Bah! Rovers, Hummers...give me a break.
I was at the gas station the other day and this guy with a Hummer came in and asked why the pump shut off....The clerk told him it automatically shut off at $50.
S_ _ _ that's the same price as a pair of K-1000 Korkers.

Give up the sand fishing and become a Rhody mountain goat fisherman. Get yourself an little electric hybrid and fish on the cheap. Take the extra money and become an even bigger tackle-ho.

[JohnR]

Ben, if you buy a truck right, say an Avalanche within 400 of invoice (not hard to do on most vehicles), get the 3500 rebate plus the 1K bonus cache, skip the dealer F&I and got to your bank and get 4-4.5% for 48 months and BUY it, you will do better trading it in at 3 years for something NEW then by leasing. The trick is that getting the $4500 in rebates, throwing some downstroke, and taking advantage of 4% financing, you're payment will be close to that of a lease unless the vehicle has a high residual value (high lease residual vehicles do not make good "Sand Sleds" ). After 3 years with one year left you flip it into a new car. If you lease you are not getting all the incentives and the cheap rate financing available now (auto leases typicaly won't disclose their internalized rates or what you are buying the car for and they get to cushion their bottom line as you negotiate payment and not "buy" price). So at the end of 3 years or so you pay 2K+ in overmileage fees plus any dents, nicks, tires, and scratches, then you need to come up with another 2-3K downstroke and start the entire lease process over again on a different vehicle.

Trust me, leasing is not a good fit for you. Buying is. If you were getting a car to drive 15 miles round trip per day to the commuter rail and once a month to the mom-in-law's house leasing would be OK. You are not a good lease candidate.

[fishweewee]

Thanks John, I'll look closer into the economics of lease vs. buy.

BTW, you can back out the lease rate from the monthly payment if you have a financial calculator, as long as you know the residual value (which obviously he has to disclosed by law), the term of the lease, and the capital cost reductions (down payment).

I've pissed off more than one sales manager by nitpicking the numbers.

-B

[Sweetwater]

I had an S-10 Blazer that I used on the beach for years. The nice thing about it compared to some others of similar size (i.e., Durango) is that it has a tail gate rather than a lift gate, which I like as a surface for working on rods and gear. Has more clearance than some of the older Explorers, good power in the Vortec. However, I found it too small for all my junk. Also the non-slip differential went on it at about 60,000 miles.

If you buy a used 4x4, make SURE it has a non-slip differential AND that it actually works. They're expensive to fix when (not if) they go.

Recently upgraded to a Ram 1500 quad cab and I love it. Can use the quad space for extra passengers or to keep easy access to gear rather than in the bed. The bed is over 6 feet (6.25 feet) so you can catch a bit of sleep if need be (no Rangers heard me say that). Great clearance, but the hemi is a gas-pig.

The Ford 150 off road seems to have a bit higher profile than the dodge 1500 off road package.

[Slipknot]

Have you looked at the Tahoe? They look like they would make a fine beach buggy. I bet you can be into one for about 27-28

[fishweewee]

Yeah Bruce, the Tahoe's are schweet and just a tad more manageable than the Burban's. Very roomy and you can sleep in them. But I was thinking of something just a tad smaller and more fuel efficient.

[Sweetwater]

My recommendation would be either an S10 Blazer, a Dodge Durango, or even a GMC Envoy/Chevy Trail Blazer (the last 2 a bit larger than the S10 model).

As I posted earlier, my S10 blazer did well for me for several years. I still have it (gave it to my daughter), has 125,000 on it and the engine is still running well. I have had some problems with body rust (who hasn't that runs the beaches). It has drum brakes in the rear and the sand seems to gunk them up over time too. Also, I had the electronic 4-wheel drive go on me and lock into permanent 4-wheel low. I (with the help of the Barnstable fire department) got it "hardwired" back into 2-wheel low for the ride home...but that was a pain!

I only would go with a manual 4-wheel shifter now.

[Slipknot]

I know how much gear you pack, get the Tahoe not something smaller. The 4.8 is decent on mileage isn't it? Or do you want a foreign vehicle like an Isuzzu or toyota? Popperjohn is selling his 4runner for 5 grand.

[fishweewee]

Bruce, gonna try to stick to an American nameplate. Sick of spending a premium on import parts and service.

[Skitterpop]

Ben,

I don`t have a recommend but I`m in the business and have heard a ton of horror stories about the Jeep Grand Cherokees...

I`m considering a Toyota Tacoma even with the frame warnings related to salt.....I need a daily commuter to, that gets decent mileage....I might look at a high mileage lease.


Good luck...some good info. on this post.

[Karl F]

Confused yet wee-wee?

I don't like the newer Tahoes as much as I do the previous generation, but if ya do, get the barn doors, that I know you will like! 'Course you could upgrade and get the Denali, or the Escalade, which is just the Tahoe, with Yuppie trimmings

[JohnR]

WeeWee - my point about the disclosure is that seeing most people can't do that their have less incentive to negotiate on it. Again, the premise behind a lease is to negotiate the payments.

I've heard the new Envoy's are a little soft in the sand. As for economy, I bet my 4.8 V8 get's better mileage than your Land Lubber. Since the fuel blends stopped using "Winter Blend" fuels, ny fuel economy has popped up 2 MPG average in the past week where I'm now averaging 18+ mix city/highway. On Highway trips I can knock on 20MPG when not running AC. Not bad for a fullsize truck

[Raven]

you might consider having a tacoma sprayed from underneath while up on a lift and still brand new metal some of that undercoating aligator skin or rhino hide ? what ever it is...... as an alternative.

[KLMulder]

Hey Wee Wee do yourdelf a big favor and pick up a copy of Consumer reports before you buy.

As for getting a domestic I can understand that even though I sell Toyota's but also do yourself a favor and look at the parts content of anything you consider. I think you would be very unhappy with the amount of parts that they use from Mexico, China etc etc in a domestic.

If you need any help with anything let me know. Even if you would never consider a Toyota I would be happy to share info I have access to to help you find what will work best for you. ask Bliz how I do buisness and you will know that I would not steer you wrong.

KL

[capesams]

I wish someone would make a 4wd mini-van.

[Nebe]

Originally posted by capesams
I wish someone would make a 4wd mini-van.

they do or at lest they did.. the VW Syncro-

Ben- Buy a Tacoma 4x4 and you'll never see your mechanic agian.....

Plus they're made in virginia

[TheSpecialist]

Ben you may want to look at the Explorer, I think it's just the size you want. Me expidition is 7 years old , with 120,000, only major problem has been the alternator last summer, and about 800 in front end work a couple of months ago.

[bassmaster]

Buy My truck Ben.......
It raises fish

[BasicPatrick]

Ok My 2cents

Overall Toyota makes by far the best Vehicles on the planet right now

FW & BC own the Izuzu Rodeos??? (4 door version) and they are suprising on the room inside and are by far the best riding Sleds I have ever ridden in

I would have to look at the H2 but it is way out of my money range

4 wheel drive Van is the most functional I have ever ridden in but are rare

S-10 Blazers are tiny and I think you will go nuts losing all that room

Damn they need to bring Back the V-1500 plain old Big boys

Suberbans are the sack but are bery large

[jeffsod]

"I wish someone would make a 4wd mini-van."

The old Mazda MPV's offered real 4wd I believe (not awd).



Anyone read anything about the new Chevy Equinox? Looks like another AWD suv from what I have seen.

[fishweewee]

Originally posted by JohnR
I bet my 4.8 V8 get's better mileage than your Land Lubber. Since the fuel blends stopped using "Winter Blend" fuels, ny fuel economy has popped up 2 MPG average in the past week where I'm now averaging 18+ mix city/highway. On Highway trips I can knock on 20MPG when not running AC. Not bad for a fullsize truck

I'm locked into permament 4WD, so there's no question you're getting better mileage. I'm getting 13 gallons to the mile.

Good info on this thread, I didn't know the Jeep Cherokees had so many problems.

[RickBomba]

Suburbans are the sack???
Bite yer tongue.
LATER,
rICK

[NIB]

The Nissan was motor trends 4 wheel truck of the yr .the Crew cab P/U just beat out the ford.My dream vehicle is the Ford Van with the Quigley conversion.I will own one, the next truck. got bout 7 yrs to go.Set up ur bunk, tackle shop, no rods outside the vehicle, easy in an out,live bait in the back.I don't know why people bother with any thing else.I seen Bill Wetzel tryin to sleep on top of his tackle in his Tahoe.It wasn't pretty.

[UserRemoved1]

QUIGLEY4X4.COM



You can pull everyone else out when they get stuck

I own a Envoy SLT also....airbag rear end with a posi rocks...

[BigFish]

I will take my 85 Jeep CJ-7 any day......top off...."anywhere". In a word...."FUN". Great in the sand. With the swapped 318 Chrysler engine it has great power and flies on the highway to get me to sand city quicker! If I had to buy a new vehicle for myself, I would either buy a new Jeep Rubicon.....or the new up-coming Jeep Limited which is a newer version of the old Jeep Scrambler. Looks pretty nice and I am gonna check them out! Good Luck FWW!

[Karl F]

Just took a look over at Edmunds, the GC with the 4.0 gets high marks. I know a lot of people that own one, are on their second, or third, and swear by them. Seen several with more than 200K on them, with happy owners.

One thing to keep in mind, all brands have their reputations, and all brands break at some point, if they didn't, parts stores and mechanics would have nothing to do.

I'm sure your doing the web-auto review thing, and the tire kicking. Not a fun process. Whatever you get has to fit you.
Mid-full size SUV, the one thing I would stay away from, and it looks like they will all go that way soon enough, is the Independent Rear Axle, yes it does give a better ride, but those control arms look like they would be constantly plowing sand, where I go.

My wife has a 97 Expedition with 90 K on it, battery, tires, brakes, one O2 sensor, and oil changes, she saw the new ones, and (whew!) does not like them, 'cause they sit a lot lower than hers.. Independent rear axle helps them get lower for the insurance companies mandates. She has her reasons, I got mine

My F150 is a 98 with 80K on it, tires, one brake line, altenator, and a front axle accuator, $40 part, but took a month to get!, and oil changes. Biggest cripe I have is that the 150 cab is a LOT smaller than the full sized half ton cabs on the Chebby and Dodge.

My son is on his second Jeep, GC 93 with 38 K (YES, that is why he bought it, had 31 on it when he bought it), I threaten to repo it at least once a week, 'cause I love it. I had it all day yesterday, he was peesed, took the keys away from me last night

[piemma]

Chevy Trailblazer. 2004 17" tires, 285 horse 6cyl and 18mpg. I pull a 6000lb Fleetwood travel trailer back and forth to the Cape at 70. Runs great on the beach, but not this year.

[Trayder]

WeeWee-

What year is your Disco? I have a 2001 Disco and a 2002 Suburban. I had always heard that the LR's suck but being the stick in the mud I am, bought one anyhow. Currently it has 97K on it and besides some minor waranty work from the get go it has been pretty darn good, nothing besides routine maintence. I do however know any LR that is before 1999 is a joke, lucas electronics leaks like a sive etc etc.

My Landrover is much more reliable than the Suburban as a matter a fact. My Burban, in the shop right now, has been a proverbial nightmare. Blown Transmission at 40K, Fuel punp seals 2-3 times requiring new pumps each time, Brakes ever 20Kmiles. and some freak casting for the transfercase that blows fluid over 60mph (why its in the shop know) etc etc. It too has 95K on it and who knows what is going to rear its ugly head next. Granted, I do love the truck as i can not find anything similar I am conviced this one is a bad apple of the bunch as my previous 1997 Tahoe went 187K with only minor issues.

I do not think the perfect truck/suv exists.

[chris L]

get a VW bus and paint it multi colored with a peace sign and beeds all around the insdie with fuzzy dice . That should prove your no yuppie . Oh yeah grow some hair !

get a 4X4 van . then you can have the weewee motel . "you can enter but you cant leave "

[fishweewee]

Trayder, your Rover is probably a series II manufactured when BMW owned the Rover nameplate. So you might have gotten a slightly better product.

Mine is a Series I Disco ('99).

However, all Rovers suck according to JD Power. Land Rovers rank near dead-last for mechanical reliability.

Just wait a few more miles...you'll see what I mean.

-WW