Best vehicle?

[archerships]

I'm planning to purchase a new (to me) vehicle. The most importat criteria to me are the following:

* Diesel-fueled. (10)
* Durable (9)
* Inexpensive (8)
* Widespread availability of parts. (8)
* Easy to repair and maintain. (8)
* Reliable. (8)
* Fuel efficient. (8)
* Powerful. (8)
* Capacious. (8)
* Maneuverable (7)
* 4 wheel drive. (7)
* Aesthetically pleasing. (6)
* EMP-resistant. (5)

The numbers next to each criteria indicate how important that factor is to me on a scale from 1 - 10.

Here are the vehicles I'm considering:

Land Rover
Chevy 6.5 L 4x4 crew cab pickup.
Chevy 6.5 L 4x4 full-size van
Ford F350 4x4 crew cab pickup
Ford E350 4x4 van
1982-83 VW diesel pickup

Any others I should be considering? What would be your pick?

Comments

[aldoushuxley.livejournal.com]

VW Touareg is coming out with a diesel engine but I think it is going to be expensive.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Parts availability would be a problem. I would prefer a vehicle that has been out for a while so that the parts are readily available in the field.

[aldoushuxley.livejournal.com]

Here's a list of diesels. Jeep Liberty is probably a good bet.

http://www.dieselforum.org/where-is-diesel/cars-trucks-suvs/diesels-for-sale-in-the-us/

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[phenyx.livejournal.com]

http://www.robgray.com/motorhomes/ <-- meets all your criteria.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Heh. I would _love_ to buy that vehicle. A bit out of my current price range though.

[commander-zero.livejournal.com]

Any of the older (1970's) Fords with a diesel. Alternatively, you could buy something and have a diesel dropped in. Same for the Dodge's.

My own dream vehicle is Toyota Land Cruiser....be nice to have it in diesel and Im sure a small diesel engine could work in one.

Whatever you get, make sure theres a snorkel or other provision for floods.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Hmm...good point about the snorkel. What's your opinion about Chevy's? I'm thinking of standardizing on 6.5 L chevy engines. I currently have a Chevy step van, and most step van's appear to have 6.2 L or 6.5 L chevy engines.

[commander-zero.livejournal.com]

Im biased towards Fords for no real reason. however, since any vehicle is going to be, presumably, rehabbed and modified by you to fit your needs the manufacturer wont matter since any parts that are prone to problems are something youre probably going to replace or remove anyway.

Some folks like the 'Burbans but I'd prefer an open pickup truck. more versatile. Additional mods might include charging system for an additional 12v battery, 12v outlets, disable the interior cablight or toggle to 'nightvision' red light, spare fuel tanks, extra heavy bumpers, more than one spare tire, the usual tools 9winch, hilift jack, etc), headlight guards, etc, etc. Do a search for "BOV" or "bugout vehicles" and see what comes up.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the search tip. EMP + vehicles was bringing up some hits, but BOV and "bugout vehicles" works much better.

[candid.livejournal.com]

I hear the new Civic is EMP-resistant.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's great!

Wait a minute....

[smjayman.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking from a sheer parts availability standpoint, you probably want to stick with Ford/Chebby. Older jeeps would be my next choice, but distant 3rd.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree. Any ideas on which (Ford or Chevy) are the easiest to work on?

[smjayman.livejournal.com]

Honestly any of the trucks are simple. Lots of room to turn wrenches. I know more about Fords, but I think Chevys might take the lead in terms of raw parts availability in the junkyard. I think that you should go with what you have more experience with or what you have more friends who are comfortable working on. If you were up here I'd say FORD.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the feedback! One thing I've found during my research is that cars made in 1975 or earlier don't have to undergo CA-emissions testing. So whatever I get will likely be pre-1975.

[new-iconoclast.livejournal.com]

The Ford pickup, hands-down. In a pinch, you can live in it or tow your house behind it. Get the right tires and enough ground clearance and it will go anywhere.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Why not a Chevy pickup?

[new-iconoclast.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of biased towards Fords; no particular reason except that I own one, I guess.