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March, 2025

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Build me an adventure car

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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,150
I am looking for a third vehicle (already have 2 family cars). I want something that will be my biking/hiking/skiing/exploring car. Here are the criteria:
- $8k total budget. Im thinking $5k for the car and $3k for upgrades
- I prefer a wagon but would entertain a truck
- all wheel/4 wheel drive
- Needs to be able to drive long distances reliably.
- Needs to be able to haul at least 2-3 bikes, 2 kayaks, skis, tents and backpacking gear, 2 people and 2 dogs comfortably. This can involve racks on the roof or a hitch rack which will be part of the build budget.

What would you build? You can spend less on the vehicle and more on the build (engine swap or something) or the other way.

**This thread was edited on Nov 16th 2017 at 12:12:24pm
7 years ago
2 0
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Casey
Posts: 7963 - Karma: 26,078
I would buy an old Toyota truck or an outback wagon and do some tire and suspension upgrades, get a canopy for the truck, whatever racks you want for the Subi.
7 years ago
3 0
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,526
Early ford Bronco's are going for 2500 to 4000 all day long. New set of rubber all around, rack system and you are all set. As our friends at the post office say "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
7 years ago
2 0
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,150
snowpocalypseEarly ford Bronco's are going for 2500 to 4000 all day long. New set of rubber all around, rack system and you are all set. As our friends at the post office say "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."


There are so many broncos up near me living outside of Detroit. I always wanted to build one, but they get garbage for gas.
I found this.
http://www.quattromotors.com/auto/used-2005-saab-92x-aero-farmington-hills-mi-near-redford-mi/22775397/

**This post was edited on Nov 16th 2017 at 2:06:25pm
7 years ago
1 0
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Mr.noodle
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 4,655
kingsskierThere are so many broncos up near me living outside of Detroit. I always wanted to build one, but they get garbage for gas.
I found this and it may be a winner.
http://www.quattromotors.com/auto/used-2005-saab-92x-aero-farmington-hills-mi-near-redford-mi/22775397/


You can get nice Saab’s very cheap, but I’ve heard horror stories of them breaking. It can be hard to find parts and way harder to find someone to work on them. If you plan on working on it yourself i hear that can be a nightmare too.
7 years ago
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Hoyer
Posts: 26 - Karma: 166
This would be a lot of work to convert, and i know its not 4wd, but schoolbus's are pretty cheap used. I would try to find the "shorty" kind. the big ones are too big
7 years ago
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,150
Mr.noodleYou can get nice Saab’s very cheap, but I’ve heard horror stories of them breaking. It can be hard to find parts and way harder to find someone to work on them. If you plan on working on it yourself i hear that can be a nightmare too.


Thats a good point. Ill continue my quest.
7 years ago
0 0
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,526
SAAB
Somethings Almost Always Broken

Fun yes, reliable.... no
Not my idea of fun, being stranded on an adventure......
7 years ago
2 0
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 3076 - Karma: 27,464
Broncos are fuckin dope. Also toyotas (land cruisers and tacos). Or, find a wrx and lift it and put mud tires on it. Theres some dude on insta who has one and its some fucking sick mad max shit.

**This post was edited on Nov 16th 2017 at 2:08:06pm
7 years ago
0 0
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,526
How much you looking to do yourself? You could have this delight for $500. New motor, tires, wheels, rack and you are golden!
4x4 Lifted Pacer


7 years ago
1 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5047 - Karma: 18,244
Subaru Justy.

How big are the dogs?
7 years ago
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mike759
Posts: 887 - Karma: 1,989
I've always wanted one of these:

Idk where you live but I found this on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-Land-Rover-Discovery-LE7/112640520167?hash=item1a39e5efe7:g:HaIAAOSwKupZ0afE&vxp=mtr

$350


$960


$470


$110


$300


$140
7 years ago
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 52314 - Karma: 170,469
snowpocalypseHow much you looking to do yourself? You could have this delight for $500. New motor, tires, wheels, rack and you are golden!
4x4 Lifted Pacer




Im still mad i didnt buy the smith limo. Maybe ill get this and weld a rail to the top
7 years ago
1 0
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,872
toyota tacoma. doesn't matter what year or how many miles, those things are well built. can easily find one on craigslist for below your budget.
7 years ago
0 0
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,150
mystery3Subaru Justy.

How big are the dogs?


90lb German Shepherd and a 35lb pit/beagle mix

There are some good ideas in this thread. Now I am more indesicive than I was before.
7 years ago
1 0
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jellomellow
Posts: 961 - Karma: 3,562
older yota for sure. 2nd gen 4runners(89-95), 3rd gen(95-02) or any yota truck within that era are some of the best built out there. Can pick a really well built one with a lift, SAS, big tires a bunch of other mods, and if your lucky a 3.4 swap up for around 5-8k. then you don't need to do and mods and I almost guarantee you will not get stuck anywhere. my 4runner has never let me down. plus the 3.0 in the 2nd gen last forever. not too familiar with the 3.4 but I know they are better.
7 years ago
0 0
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
kingsskierThere are so many broncos up near me living outside of Detroit. I always wanted to build one, but they get garbage for gas.
I found this.
http://www.quattromotors.com/auto/used-2005-saab-92x-aero-farmington-hills-mi-near-redford-mi/22775397/

**This post was edited on Nov 16th 2017 at 2:06:25pm


Mr.noodleYou can get nice Saab’s very cheap, but I’ve heard horror stories of them breaking. It can be hard to find parts and way harder to find someone to work on them. If you plan on working on it yourself i hear that can be a nightmare too.


snowpocalypseSAAB
Somethings Almost Always Broken

Fun yes, reliable.... no
Not my idea of fun, being stranded on an adventure......


You may already know this but that particular model of saab is literally a subaru with saab styling. I wouldn't be worried about parts being hard to find or expensive since theyre the exact same as a 10+ year old subaru which will probably be recommended multiple times before this thread is over
7 years ago
0 0
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,150
cornholioYou may already know this but that particular model of saab is literally a subaru with saab styling. I wouldn't be worried about parts being hard to find or expensive since theyre the exact same as a 10+ year old subaru which will probably be recommended multiple times before this thread is over


I knew it was a SAABaru, but I didnt know if there were unique parts beyond the base powertrain.
7 years ago
0 0
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
From what I remember the only difference are aesthetics. Slightly different body panels and interior but mechanically it's the same car
kingsskierI knew it was a SAABaru, but I didnt know if there were unique parts beyond the base powertrain.
7 years ago
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