Mid-Sized SUV of an older vintage

[OreoGaborio]

I decided to stay away from an SUV, they don't do enough truck things and they don't handle like a car - at least not where I'm shopping. I'm going to find myself a $1500 CL truck that I can take to the dump, building supply, and carry a dirt bike occasionally. Other than that I'm going to drive the wagon.

If I had enough room in the driveway, that's exactly the approach I would have taken (nice commuter car, workhorse beater truck), but alas, I ended up with my '05 Pathfinder with a 4.0 V6 which ticks off pretty much everything on your checklist.

Unfortunately I haven't had the best luck with it, but most of the issues were nothing I couldn't take care of myself (and some of the issues were admittedly self inflicted).

[Gixxer]

If I had enough room in the driveway, that's exactly the approach I would have taken (nice commuter car, workhorse beater truck), but alas, I ended up with my '05 Pathfinder with a 4.0 V6 which ticks off pretty much everything on your checklist.

Unfortunately I haven't had the best luck with it, but most of the issues were nothing I couldn't take care of myself (and some of the issues were admittedly self inflicted).

I love that generation pathfinder. Care to elaborate on the issues?

[OreoGaborio]

I love that generation pathfinder. Care to elaborate on the issues?

Mostly wear & tear items, but aside from that...

Fan clutch and fan clutch bearing plate X4 (don't cheap out like I did... pony up for OEM!), cam position sensor failure, evap canister failure, coolant lines for rear heater core, transmission fluid lines (re-route around radiator due to a cross-contamination issue), U joints x6 (?), radiator, pretty sure my catalytic converters are going, or I need new O2 sensors...................... And paint peeling in various places to expose the primer underneath. Think that's about it.

Also did rear shocks myself, wheel bearings myself, timing chain and all guides and tensioners myself (fucking nightmare! But it saved me like 2 grand), multiple belts because the power steering pump is SO NOT adjustable no matter what the service manual says which means it will forever squeak...

Oh, and most recently, a blown headgasket and leaky exhaust valves, which cost me 2300 bucks just days before Christmas.

I'm sure there's more.

Purchased with 84k on the clock, now has 208k.

Aside from all that, it's a great truck.

[nhbubba]

I had two vehicles for a while. I bought the pickup first so it was somewhat nicer. But either way I found owning and keeping two more cost and effort than I thought it would be. Felt like one was always due for an oil change of inspection. Ultimately I felt like the worst paid fleet manager in all the land. The nice half ton I have now is lovely to commute in and tows anything I ask it to.

[carsick]

The nice half ton I have now is lovely to commute in and tows anything I ask it to.

Even a tractor??

[breakdirt916]

@oreo - that sounds horrible!!

I also downsized and dropped 2nd vehicles I wasn't using...1 cheap extended cab truck + street bike + plated dirty is the hot setup for me. Just paying the poor gas mileage...but who cares on a 5 grand truck? CNG not as bad on fuel prices...and take the bike other days...

[loudbeard]

I don't see owning 2 being much of an issue. Wagon will be the daily driver, truck won't see more than a few days a month of use. I'm leaning towards something quite a bit older like a C/K 20 for ease of repair and maintenance. There are some really cool classic trucks out there for not a lot of money. A 3/4 ton with a 12V Cummins makes my pants fit a bit tighter in the frontal region.

I'll hold off for the right truck, good chance it will end up coming from AZ or NM Craigslist. For now I have use of company vehicles if I need, and I'm going to put a hitch on the A4 to pull a utility trailer.

[Tas]

I still can't believe you sold your race program but I'm not in your shoes. Your a better person than me.

[Garandman]

. I'm leaning towards something quite a bit older like a C/K 20 for ease of repair and maintenance. There are some really cool classic trucks out there for not a lot of money.

My brother lives in TX. I keep perusing CL there for a pickup new enough to drive home, old enough to be cool. But only about 20% are 4wd.

Anyone know if TX has temporary registration?

[loudbeard]

I honestly don't really care if it's 4wd or not. It will be such an intermittent use vehicle, if the roads are bad enough to really need 4wd, I'm sure whatever I need to use a truck for can wait. That said, it would be a welcomed bonus.

I'm really all over the map. A C10 regular cab short bed dropped a few inches is a thing of beauty. Not to mention loading a bike in a lowered truck is awesome. 😎

[cdovego]

Ace up your sleeve, I'll buy the lowered c10 short bed off you when you get bored with it.

[loudbeard]

I still can't believe you sold your race program but I'm not in your shoes. Your a better person than me.

Just not realistic right now. Child care will cost $15k this year, I'm now the owner of a 130 year old farm house that needs work inside and out, I live twice as far from Loudon now, and I don't have a setup (trailer/toy hauler/box truck) that I can bring the whole family up in comfortably. I'll be back, but it will be a couple of years.

That said, I'm not quitting racing entirely. I plan on running a full NETRA sprint-enduro season in 2017. That sort of racing is much more accessible to me right now.