What vehicle/s - Family/ Hauler Budget-friendly All-Balls-In-The-Air Edition

mndsm wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote:

mndsm wrote: I'm biased because I like big stupid trucks, but I vote keep the F350. You're never going to lose money on that. Buy the missus a small wagon- IE corolla, accord, whatever.

This is a fair point. My truck prior to the F350 was a 3/4 ton Dodge. I bought it for 4800 and sold it- 8 years and 80,000 miles later- for the same money. I *think* the F350 will hold it's value similarly.

That's just it- I'm looking at trucks in FAR worse shape than your f350 and they're fetching 15-20k. Diesels are bringing RETARDED money right now. You already have it. It's probably one of the better recent diesels out there (I know if I was diesel shopping i'd want a 7.3 TD) and really, it's going to get roughly the same MPG as a similar, smaller vehicle, while being far more capable in the long run.

MPG isn't a concern as much as DPM (Dollars per mile). Given the price of diesel in the U.S.A, there's effectively a 20% mileage penalty in driving a diesel vs. a gas model.

I bought the 7.3 because the internets told me they were the second coming of Christ. Other than the power, which is nice, I don't really like it any better than my 5.9 Cummins. It's heavier, thirstier, harder to work on, more expensive to maintain and not as reliable. If the 5.9 Cummins came in front of any sort of a decent automatic I'd have been shopping for another 12V.

Long Wheelbase Transit Connect Wagon with 2.5l?

Or get the first generation LWB and benefit from the high roof. Downside? Weak trans.

I'm waiting to see if people start doing manual box conversions on the 2005+

In reply to PHeller:

I like the TCs, but I don't see one of them hauling an LTD race car. ;-) Maybe a volvo amazon on a tow dolly.

In reply to mndsm:

If you'll pay me 20k for my F350 I'll drive it to Minnesota for you. It's a rust-free southern truck.

Oh totally missed the need for a tower. Though you just needed it for a bunch of kiddos.

G_Body_Man wrote: Either this or a Suburban HD.

The PowerStroke Excursion was my first thought as well. Sell the F-350 and Jimmy, keep the trailer.

Or, go the GRM route and find an 80's Grand Wagoneer and put a Cummins in it.

In your exact same shoes, only with less to spend, we bought a Subaru legacy 2.5 gt wagon. Wife loves it, and family trips are pleasant in it. Also tows a car on a wheel dolly suprisungly well.

Ford Flex? Toyota Sequoia? Nissan Armada?

To echo the others, it sounds like the 3/4 ton Suburban is made for your situation.

For such limited use (and this is exactly what I did) get the best old 1500 Suburban you can find. I got a 99 4wd GMC for not much more than scrap price and with a couple thousand in deferred maintenance it's a beast. I'd take it anywhere in any conditions. I tow a heavy trailer (in D only) and have no problems with the 4L60. This last winters blast has SWMBO driving it every day and loving it. Two weeks ago it took on 12" of virgin snow without blinking.

I'm curious about the 4L60 now. From what I've read recently, it's basically just an electronically-controlled 700R4. Is this true? The 700R4's supposedly a good towing tranny, which is why I question this. The older 'Burbs used the 200R4, which was also supposed to be pretty beefy.

What did the older big block (454) Subs run as trannies, in the pre 4L80 days? Did they just use a TH400? From what I've seen, it looks like the 454 and the 8.1 get about the same (dismal) fuel economy.

Talked to the wife about this last night. The idea of a Trailblazer came up- basically a newer, 4 door version of what she has now. I think the ones with the I6 engine were pretty stout. She was actually not terribly opposed to the van idea, but she stipulated that she may have to paint it if we went that route. I got her an airbrush kit for Christmas a few years back, so I'm not sure what she may have in mind...

92dxman wrote: Ford Flex? Toyota Sequoia? Nissan Armada?

I love the flexes, but they seem to get stupid money used.

I know nothing about the Toyota and Nissan entries into the "Stupidly Huge SUV" category. I have heard Kia Borrego's are screaming deals, though their orphan status has me a bit concerned about parts.

Edit: Armadas seem to be rated for 9k pounds, and get a bit better mpg (around 15 combined). I would think they're more reliable than Suburbans and don't have the "Toyota Tax" attached to them like Sequoias do. And they're rated to tow more than the Sequoia.

I, too, like the 4.2 in the Trailblazer. Get the 2WD though, the 4WD has the shafts sticking into the oil pan. That doesn't sound easy to service.

Also, if you're going through all of this trouble, you're really going to replace a Jimmy with a Trailblazer? It's essentially the same thing, just improved over the years.

tuna55 wrote: I, too, like the 4.2 in the Trailblazer. Get the 2WD though, the 4WD has the shafts sticking into the oil pan. That doesn't sound easy to service. Also, if you're going through all of this trouble, you're really going to replace a Jimmy with a Trailblazer? It's essentially the same thing, just improved over the years.

+2 doors though, which would be huge, and a better engine. Didn't know that about the 4x4 version though, ick.

Ford Flex? GMC Acadia/Chev Traverse?

All can tow 5k lbs with the towing package and are far more pleasant DD's.

If you get a 'Burb, get a 1500. Far more pleasant to DD than a 3/4 ton.

NGTD wrote: Ford Flex? GMC Acadia/Chev Traverse? All can tow 5k lbs with the towing package and are far more pleasant DD's. If you get a 'Burb, get a 1500. Far more pleasant to DD than a 3/4 ton.

We're pretty...durable people. My F350 has cloth seats, rubber floor mats, and oxcart springs with live axles front and back, and neither my wife nor I have any trouble driving it on a 1000 mile trip. She DD'd a '68 Camaro in college, still drives it, and loves it. She's even mentioned to me about getting an 80's Suburban.

http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/4874759903.html

Old school buses can be acquired for very little money. Lots of room!