Looking for my next rig.

[bigmack]

I am in the mood of getting another rig for exploring and outlanding and want some suggestions. My budget is $7k for the car(would be preferred with at least a mod or two).

I really liked the concept of the Isuzu Vehicross, but I am not to keen on the looks and felt the front is a bit cramped for me as I am a ~6ft 2in. Is there anything that is sporty yet capable like the Vehicross? I am told it suppose to be rally car like when it comes to handling, while still being able to off-road trails in Moab(which I may or may not do, who knows) once you put the right tires on them of course. Suggestions on what to look at?

How is the first gen Rav4? If say went with one and did a SAS, could that option work? Or is there other options?

Thankies.

[Squatchout]

You are really looking at apples to oranges there. Th Isuzu VX is based on the 2nd gen 2dr Trooper platform with a few minor upgrades and a custom body that was 10 years ahead of it's time. Very limited production as well. Just a few thousand made and sold world wide. It has a real truck chassis underneath with a fully boxed frame. The rav4 is a cute ute. Not saying anything bad about the RAV4 it's just a different style of vehicle.

At your height a VX would be a tight fit. An Isuzu Rodeo or Amigo might be more up your alley fit wise. Most all Isuzu vihicles are very similar mechanically. There is a lot of parts crossover. They are all pretty capable out of the box. To use the VX as an example the chassis is Trooper and much of the firewall area and interior parts are from the Rodeo line. Each model does have it good points and bad depending on what yu want to use it for.

[Warn Industries]

The RAV4 has a fully independant suspension, too, so any axle swapping might be more work than it's worth. However, I've always been a fan of the RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. Both are "cute utes," but so long as you're not doing anything that requires scads of ground clearance or low range, they're good little rigs. Ditto that with the Subaru Foresters.

Have you considered a Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara or Geo/Chevrolet Tracker? They have IFS but a solid rear axle. Headroom shouldn't be an issue. The four-doors have more room than the two-door models. Gas mileage is in the mid 20s with the four-banger. True 4WD system, and fairly inexpensive.

- Andy

[bigmack]

Well I tried the Amigo, but handling wasn't as sporty as the VX. I would like a bit more sporting handling along with an suv that is acceptably capable. And the VX is perfect, but again it's the size that is not. I started looking at the Rav4 because I have been in a few first gen models and the on-road handling was to my liking, and have also seen stuff about it doing the Dakar rally and the likes. So I dunno, I got the idea maybe it could be an option? I know there was a guy over at pirate trying to do a setup like that with is 2dr up in Canada, but I don't know if he ever finished it.

The CR-V on the other hand apparently has a solid rear axle(thought it is fwd based car) in the first gen. It seems like it could be a better option than the Rav4, but again not sure how sporty it would be compared to the Vehicross. But this entices me less than the Rav4 and VX.

Does the Tracker or Sidekick offer sporty handling(or at leas sportier vs the competition)? They look like nice rids, and the off-road capabilities are there, but not sure if they are sporty enough like the VX. Thanks.

[Warn Industries]

Well I tried the Amigo, but handling wasn't as sporty as the VX. I would like a bit more sporting handling along with an suv that is acceptably capable. And the VX is perfect, but again it's the size that is not. I started looking at the Rav4 because I have been in a few first gen models and the on-road handling was to my liking, and have also seen stuff about it doing the Dakar rally and the likes. So I dunno, I got the idea maybe it could be an option? I know there was a guy over at pirate trying to do a setup like that with is 2dr up in Canada, but I don't know if he ever finished it.

The CR-V on the other hand apparently has a solid rear axle(thought it is fwd based car) in the first gen. It seems like it could be a better option than the Rav4, but again not sure how sporty it would be compared to the Vehicross. But this entices me less than the Rav4 and VX.

Does the Tracker or Sidekick offer sporty handling(or at leas sportier vs the competition)? They look like nice rids, and the off-road capabilities are there, but not sure if they are sporty enough like the VX. Thanks.

Again, the CR-V is a fully independent suspension, like the RAV4 (it's actually based on the Civic). You'll be hard pressed to find many vehicle with solid axles that handle sporty on the pavement.

I would not classify the Sidekick/Vitara/Tracker as having sporty on-road handling.

- Andy

[bigmack]

Dang. So then I guess I have to wait until I can afford something like the Porsche Cayenne(non-GTS) or maybe even Touareg as they seem to be a lager spiritual successors to the VX.

[Squatchout]

We also have a 1st gen CRV. It's an amazing vehicle if you keep to mild gravel roads and such. Very impressive in snow with the right tires. It's one of the most reliable vehicles we have ever owned and I'm geezin'. But deep mud or a few rock slams and it wouldn't be pretty. Like said the drive train is pretty much Civic platform.

[bigmack]

Well I am not sure if I would be doing huge rocks(but pebble size ones, yes), and mud I would like to do as much as I can, and I am sure a snorkel would help out a bit there too, no?

[Storz]

For 7k I would take a long hard look at the Montero Limited, you can get a pretty nice example for that money.

[BigSwede]

Neither the RAV4 or CRV have a low range transfer case, if that matters to you.