Future vehicle advice.

[Jester]

I love my current Jestermobile, I do. It's a gorgeous blue 2 door 2000 Chevy Blazer, and it's done everything I've asked of it. But some things are starting to cause trouble, and I am wondering a couple things.

First, should I replace it any time soon?

Secondly, if I don't, when I finally make that move back to Arizona, should I sell the Blazer here for as much as I an get for it, rather than dolly it behind my U-Haul across the country, and then buy something in AZ that would be undoubtedly cheaper than anything I would buy here in the Keys or even in South Florida in general?

These two things are NOT what I am hoping for your help with. They are merely a couple things I am pondering.

What I DO hope to get from you people are some suggestions for the next vehicle in my life.

While I am not opposed to a car, I really have enjoyed my two Blazers, and while they have had some minor issues, all in all, they've been the best two vehicles I've owned.

So what I would probably be looking for would be something similar: a truck-based SUV, two or four door (while I prefer two door, I know that most are four door), decent fuel mileage, sturdy, durable, and preferably not a Dodge, as I have a BAD history with Dodges.

Last time I was looking for a vehicle, my Mom kept suggesting the Subaru Forrester. Which I'm sure is a great car. But that's just it. It's a CAR. Yes, an SUV, but a car-based platform. What I like about truck SUVs is the ground clearance, space, cargo capacity, versatility, and ability to do rugged things that car SUV's can't do.

I have no problem buying used or new, though I've found in my life that better deals are to be had on used. My budget is not miniscule, as I would probably finance, but it is also not in the Porsche Cayenne range.

So....thoughts?

[kpzra]

What size are you looking for? The new Tahoes are nice, but they may be bigger than what you need/want. The Ford Escapes aren't bad we had those for crew cars when I worked at the airport in Alaska.

[Jester]

As I said to the car dealerships last time I was in the market, basically I would want something similar to mine only newer, i.e., a midsize truck-based SUV, such as a Chevy Blazer, Dodge Durango, Jeep Liberty, etc. Midsize...no monoliths.

[Greenday]

My sister drives a Ford Escape. Mileage is decent. She got it used a few years ago and hasn't had any problems with it. I enjoy driving it even though I don't like SUVs much. Smooth ride.

[dragon_wings]

My mom loves her hybrid Ford Escape. It's a nice SUV, not huge but with a decent amount of foot room.

[TheSHAD0W]

Jester, you'd be suprised at how far a Forester will go. I've taken my FWD minivan places you'd go at, and the Subaru is much better at it. (My little brother nearly got stuck on a trail with a Jeep, and when he finally made it to the campsite he found someone with a Forester already there. )

If you're in Arizona, you might even consider getting a combination of a nice efficient street vehicle and a beater pick-up.

[crazylegs]

Seeing as you like them so much, why not another Blazer?

It's what I did with my car (but then I'm more limited than you are in car choice!)

[kpzra]

Seeing as you like them so much, why not another Blazer?

It's what I did with my car (but then I'm more limited than you are in car choice!)

They stopped making them in 2005.

[crazylegs]

I'm guessing there are plenty of second hand vehicles around..?

[Jester]

While Forresters are good vehicles, they are still car SUVs, not truck SUVs, and while I don't discount their abilities, they are not what I am looking for.

Seeing as you like them so much, why not another Blazer?

Two reasons, actually. First, as someone has already pointed out, they stopped making them a few years ago, and chances aren't that great that I could find one with low enough mileage to make it worth my effort.

And then there's the quality issue. Blazers, you see, came in two versions. The version that kicked ass and had very few problems. I've had two of those. And then there was the version that was a huge lemon. I've been lucky twice, don't know if I could do it a third time. See, not all Blazers are as awesome as the two I've had. It's a crapshoot with Blazers, and some of them can really suck.

That being said, I would not automatically dismiss one out of hand....but it seems unlikely.

[KiaKat]

Foresters are no longer on a car chassis. They made the changeover to a truck chassis a number of years ago - upset me, actually, because I'd been considering one when I was car-hunting.

[Jester]

Good to know. I shall reconsider my stand on them, then. Though of course I would have to see one, first.

[crazylegs]

Though of course I would have to see one, first.

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html

Scoobies are exceptionally well built cars - they are used a lot by farmers here in the UK. They're also very capable off road too.

[wolfie]

If you're going to haul the Jestermobile to AZ, use a platform trailer (whole vehicle is on trailer) instead of a dolly (rear wheels on ground). U-haul (and I believe some of the more reliable rental places) rents both types, but the trailer can be backed up while the dolly is a PITA that recommends against backing up.

If you're going to replace it, think of various features that you want/don't want. For glass from the "B" pillar back, do you want the dark tint, clear glass, or don't care? Wagon-type vehicles with clear glass tend to be hard to find. If you REALLY want clear glass, but a particular vehicle has the dark glass, was the base model offered with clear glass? If so, it's a PITA to replace, but clear glass is available for that vehicle.

Do you want a full-size spare tire? Again, that tends to be hard to find.

Someone mentioned the Subaru Forester. For the '08 model year and earlier, the base model had clear glass, and a full-size spare was standard. From '09 onward, dark tint was standard, and the spare tire well wouldn't hold a full-size.

You mentioned not liking Dodge products. Do you know how the Nitro got its name? It's related to the last line in the song "Give Me 40 Acres".

[Jester]

If you're going to haul the Jestermobile to AZ, use a platform trailer (whole vehicle is on trailer) instead of a dolly (rear wheels on ground).

From the moment I conceived of not using the Jestermobile to be the hauler, but rather itself be hauled, I had every intention of using the full dolly (or platform trailer as you call it) rather than the half dolly (with the rear wheels on the ground).

If you're going to replace it, think of various features that you want/don't want.

Of course. And some were listed in my OP. But as for the glass, which you mention, being a guy who lives in the Sun Belt, of course I want the darkest, most tinted glass allowed by law.

Do you want a full-size spare tire?

I would like one if it is possible, but it is not a deal breaker.

Someone mentioned the Subaru Forester.

That would be me. Or more accurately, my parents.

You mentioned not liking Dodge products.

It's not so much that I don't like them as that I've had two of them, and of the two, both sucked more than porn queens.