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Reliable, AWD DD/Commuter Recommendations?

arse_sidewards said:
You can still get a new Impreza or Crosstrek with a manual. It's no difference in cost.

The outbacks and the other mom shit stopped getting manuals over the course of the 2010s.
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Indeed you can, but try getting the 2.5 (I think, haven't shopped that in a while) Crosstrek with a manual. I'm not sure if you can get a Forester with a manual at all any more. That was their last holdout of a bigger than adequate engine with a manual without going wrx for a while.
Same deal with a 3.0 or 3.6 outback (I have one of each). My 3.6 is in the last few years of old-school trans, and you couldn't get a manual with more than a 2.5 those years (10-14). My 3.0 is in need of a trans at 220k. If I didn't think it'd end up a shitshow I'd be looking to manual swap it, but I'd probably be brain damage ahead to buy a manual one with blown head gaskets for cheap and engine swap my 3.0 into it.
 
det107 said:
Seriously? Think about getting a commuter bicycle. Great exercise & good on heart-
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Listen, it has crossed my mind. Is totally doable. BUT, I’n certain I’ll be dead in a week.

The road to work is this winding, hilly, two lane black top with a speed limit of 45mph. Most vehicles, including coal buckets, run that road upwards of 80mph in some sections.

Couple that with darkness (usually going to work around 6-6:30 am) and deer…I’ll die.
 
I forgot about this thread.

Last week my oldest son found a 2002 Chevy Tracker in Parma, Ohio. Seemed like a scam, but wasn’t.

Towed behind an RV since 2005. 154k on the odometer. Everything including the seats feel like max mileage actually driven is 50,000.

It’s too mint for salt, so I’ll park it and drive my rusted ass Silverado and Tahoe during the salty months.

Negatives about it were a cracked windshield and a mouse nest in the blower motor. Most pics from seller.

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posford said:
New Hampshire Oil Undercoating and send it during the winter
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Plan is to run the Chevys until they break in half, then just find cheap ass 4wds to run until they break in half.

Salt kills everything. No matter what.
 
Gtrplyr78 said:
CRV/RAV4, whichever you can score a good deal on. Don't cheap out on tires and baseline repairs. Neighbors 230k CRV runs like a brand new car (drove it/them to and from the airport).
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Our oldest daughter and her daughter both have RAV4's and they've been 100% reliable. My wife had one for a couple of years but wanted something bigger so she traded it in on a 4Runner. Her RAV4 had zero problems.
 
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Ebs said:
First gen Mercedes ML430 and ML500, 2-3 grand.
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Bringing this up from the grave and was curious what the downside to the Merc ML430 and ML500 would be.

I'm starting to look into something this size/year and they are looking to fit the bill. Maybe a hair wider than I would like but price overcomes that:emb:

Price is a driving factor in my search as is size.

Also high on list is having an interior(aka dash) that doesn't feel like it was designed by an OCD/ADHD doing meth:shaking:
 
Cheap Mercedes from turn of the century are always fun :laughing:


Honestly, I'd buy another dirt cheap MB. Provided you have low expectations, are comfortable with importing parts from Germany and figuring out how to defeat whatever you can't get, you'll be solid
 
My ml430 with 185,000 needs nothing but valve cover gaskets and has been beat on the whole 5 years and 60,000 miles I've owned it. Rock solid so far
 
472man said:
My ml430 with 185,000 needs nothing but valve cover gaskets and has been beat on the whole 5 years and 60,000 miles I've owned it. Rock solid so far
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There are, used to be, many with bad transmissions for about 2500-4000

Just low enough that I want a few of them to abuse in a field:laughing:
 
Took a ML430 from 130k to 230k miles without anything big. The few things were minor and common enough to be sorted out in the message boards. Valve covers, oil cooler, oil filter housing are all quick and straight forward o-ring replacements if leaking oil. Sunroof drains pulling out of the front inner fenders seem to be common, check for wet front floors. Center switch panel is 30 buck on amazon if the window switches start to get shitty. Rear drive shaft has a center support bearing if getting drivetrain vibes. Aside from that it was brake pads and oil changes.


Wouldn't mind finding another to crank the torsion bars on and do something like this guys (this is the factory open diff'd awd working):

 
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FleshEater said:
Plan is to run the Chevys until they break in half, then just find cheap ass 4wds to run until they break in half.

Salt kills everything. No matter what.
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you understand what they do not, the salt will always win, especially with boxed frame members

nice suzuki escudo pikes peak edition
I really like those little carmobiles
 
[486] said:
you understand what they do not, the salt will always win, especially with boxed frame members

nice suzuki escudo pikes peak edition
I really like those little carmobiles
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Unibodies definitely last far longer than boxed frames.

This little Tracker is still commuting like a beast. It sat outside all winter, but we had looooong stretches of no salt, so it didn’t stay in hibernation all winter.

Sucks, because I’m only down to ONE salt-exposed vehicle now. Everything else I own is 100% rust free.
 
Is the only difference between ML320, ML430, and ML500 the engine options?

Also, how in the gas mileage between them? I've seen hints that the ML500 is pretty bad.

Another 'option' I've seen pop up on my radar is the Toyota Previa although it seems more mini-vanish than not.
 
Lil'John said:
Is the only difference between ML320, ML430, and ML500 the engine options?

Also, how in the gas mileage between them? I've seen hints that the ML500 is pretty bad.

Another 'option' I've seen pop up on my radar is the Toyota Previa although it seems more mini-vanish than not.
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Bringing this up from the grave.

Is there any reason not to consider the 2010ish ones over 2000ish if price point is similar?

Also, how bad are the diesels in the MLs?
 
Lil'John said:
Is the only difference between ML320, ML430, and ML500 the engine options?

Also, how in the gas mileage between them? I've seen hints that the ML500 is pretty bad.

Another 'option' I've seen pop up on my radar is the Toyota Previa although it seems more mini-vanish than not.
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Step it up to an ML550 AMG, and the miles per gallon won't matter when compared to the smiles per gallon.:grinpimp:
 
The early ones are worlds better on reliability. I'm still rocking my 2001 ml430, now lifted with 33s, 185k miles and no issues with anything power train since I bought it. Broke a couple window regulators and probably is due for a tuneup
 
Lil'John said:
I could always just start another thread rather than keeping shit condensed. But then you would piss and moan about not keeping things together.:shaking:
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Nope, thought this was a new thread cause there's no way I'd be able to remember you posting back in april. :homer:
 
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