What vehicle to consider?

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I was asked the other day "what vehicle can I get and use today that would be good for economic SHTF or just to G.O.O.D. or just as a daily driver to get home ?" I don't believe they are interested in an "EMP proof" vehicle as it needs to be reliable without constant fixin' up every weekend.

Now, let me give you some insight into this persons travel pattern. They drive about 100 miles per day, about 80% highway and 20% city. Needs dependable vehicle that would get decent mpg. The spouse has a newer (2009) full-sized P/U and puts about 20 miles per day on that. Currently has a 2003 vehicle that gets probably 30mpg and has about 178,000 miles. They told me they wanted to look at options now, because they don't know how much longer that vehicle has. It's not having problems that I'm aware of, but it sounds like they are just thinking ahead just in case.

Ideas that I came up with:
Honda Element AWD
Subaru Outback AWD
Toyota Matrix AWD

Is there any others that I should let them know about?

[eeyore]

I'm not much on buying foreign vehicles, but the best vehicle i ever owned was a 1990 Isuzu trooper 4 cylinder. It was gas engine, manual clutch. I had over 200,000 before i had to repair the clutch and slave cylinder. Then the fuel pump at 210,000. Until i did the head gasket, at 280,000 never had any trouble out of it other then maintenance.

[Jerry D Young]

I can vouch for the Subaru. My brother has had several of them. All had over 200,000 miles before he sold them. And has another one now with 100,000 miles on it and going strong.

[wingfooted]

Your criteria are inconsistent with a true SHTF or G.O.O.D. vehicle. Much of this is covered in 'Patriots'.

1. The only fuel storage worth considering for long term storage is diesel. With treatment and proper procedures (6 month full diesel polishing cycle), fuel storage life is 7 years.
2. Requirement for true 2000 mile range in a G.O.O.D. scenario. This would imply over 100 gallons on board fuel capacity, i.e. pickup with external cross the bed (Transfer Flow, ect.) tank.
3. Need for off road recovery capability. The mainstay is a Warn style front bumper winch, minimum 12000# pull.
4. You'll be carrying a heavy load, possibly with a trailer in a true bug out situation. Again a full size pickup is the only realistic option.
5. Possibility to convert to bio diesel.
6. Manual Transmission is preferable to automatic - less to go wrong with bump start option.
6. Minimal electronics and all electronics should be backed up in case of EMP damage. Electronic storage inside a fully enclosed metal case.

After much research, here's my solution:

2000 Ford F-350, crew cab, full length bed, 6 speed manual transmission w/ external fuel tank.

[Bearman202]

For a bit of insight, I ran a towing business for over 5 years, and during that time I towed a total of TWO Suburu's. They just don't break. My brother had a little wagon, and he sold it with 248k miles on it and regretted selling it. I towed more Mercedes than I did Suburu's. Also, they're nearly all 4WD, but not ALL of them are, so you need to check. Oh, they're fairly common cars here, so it's not like there just aren't any around here. As for Ford, Chevy and Dodge, I considered them as job security. Especially Dodge trucks with over-sized wheels. The transmissions on Dodge trucks fall apart for whatever reason when you put big wheels on them. One other quick note: The Ford 5-speed manual transmissions in the larger trucks, i.e. 350 and above, in some models are the ZF transmissions. They're made in Germany, and they are JUNK. I had two of them, and they both self-disintegrated. One busted the case under heavy load, (biggest problem with that transmission, from what I hear) and the second came apart due to a low fluid situation. They are big bucks to repair/replace. If you're going with a larger Ford truck, get it with the automatic tranny.

[crossbow]

if possible get any 4X4 pre 75 with no eletronic ingnition, no fuel injection. you can stock some parts and you don't need someone in a white coat and a computer to tell you why in won't run, just fuel, spark and air unless it tossed a rod or something serious.

[Klayton]

I would have to go with the subaru... a company that builds ONLY AWD for so many years has to have all the bugs worked out and a reliable drivetrain...
2010 a few lucky people got a diesel forester, I am hoping Subaru noticed how fast they sold out and will be bringing more models with an available diesel engine...
down side to your pick "wingfooted", that large of a vehicle, especially its length, makes it more of a hauler and a hauler that demands a long paved road...
short wheelbases and short overall length vehicles are the best choice (IMO) for off road use, which is what we will be using mostly after the apocalypse
you can use the paved road and be a giant moving target for any and all gangs turn pirates if you want, me I am sticking to the roads as little as possible...
dont forget most modern diesels need little or no modifications to run bio diesel... But make sure you flush your fuel lines with petroleum diesel if you are storing vehicle for any length of time, the vegetable diesel has a tendency to eat through rubber fuel lines and solidifies way too easy in the lines in areas that get cold (can you say my engine is fuel starved but I have a full tank of bio diesel?!?! I knew you could) =)

[610Alpha]

Here is what you need. :)

[tomato]

Wow, that is the truck right there!

I think a Toyota 4runner is a good truck to be going places. I am currently working on modding one right now. I am lifting it a bit for better off-road capabilities. I am putting 28 inch tires on it. I have installed a back up fuel tank in the rear of the cab. I am also going to make the bottom skid plate much stronger. I don't know how strong it would need to be to withstand a mine or IED but being prepared is kind of what I do. I suggest that no matter which truck you get, test it out off roading. It would be awful to take off and get stuck in the first 2 miles of your trip.

[tomato]

Wow, that is the truck right there!

I think a Toyota 4runner is a good truck to be going places. I am currently working on modding one right now. I am lifting it a bit for better off-road capabilities. I am putting 28 inch tires on it. I have installed a back up fuel tank in the rear of the cab. I am also going to make the bottom skid plate much stronger. I don't know how strong it would need to be to withstand a mine or IED but being prepared is kind of what I do. I suggest that no matter which truck you get, test it out off roading. It would be awful to take off and get stuck in the first 2 miles of your trip.

[610Alpha]

I recently pulled a bone head move and backed into a Subaru last weekend. ok now that you have gotten up from ROFL I will continue. The Subaru only had paint transfer while our dodge caravan had a dented bumper. Point of contact on both vehicles was the rear driver side corner of the bumper. Ours dimpled in to easily IMO and the Subaru only had some paint scuffs. Thankfully the damage was under the limit for taking away our safe driving discount :) God is merciful and his grace abounds. In all it will cost me $250 in stupid tax :) plus a lot of ribbing from my wife for the next 6-12 months.

After this I am seriously considering a Subaru. What happened to cars being made out of steel? I bet if I would have been driving something made out of steel it wouldn't even have made a dent.

[Klayton]

I do not think you will be able to put the adequate amount of belly armor on a simple truck, especially a Toyota, to stop an IED/landmine. The weight needed would just make the vehicle all but useless... It would be better to make a flail system and mount it on the front bumper... but flails are useless against remote detonated IEDs...

Just my two copper pieces...

[Urban Survivalist]

What is the best vehicle that would not be disabled by an EMP. Lets see what you think.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

What is the best vehicle that would not be disabled by an EMP. Lets see what you think.

Hang Glider

[jmsneorrcom]

I bought a M 1009 CUCV from a goverment auction - it was used by the Indiana national Guard - it is a militarized version of a Civilian K5 blazer. 4 wheel drive and diesel. I have had some trouble with it, minor repairs, which is good becouse it is our fourth car and it gives me a opportunity to fool around with it.
I dont have a bug out location and was wondering how long I would have it after WROL. was thinking about a mad max modification like a fuel shut off in a hidden location