I have a ford ranger right now that is a beater and a 4wheeler. My dilemma is that My ranger is no longer suitable for my daughter. I need a new vehicle that is all else reliable and suitable for family, but can also handle some off road for snow and rough roads. It would be a plus to be able to haul my 4wheeler, but safety and reliability is what's important. I was thinking of going with a 3/4 ton diesel, but have also thought about a fuel friendly car. My cousin has a farely new Ford diesel that gets the same milage as my Ranger because it's diesel and has room for plenty, plus safe and reliable. Would you go with a truck or go with a car and keep the ranger for a junk truck.

Fun decisions... but you are asking the wrong guy in this case. My choice for a while was to be "vehicle poor" and have one of each.

Providentially, no one was hurt when two SUV's were totaled within the past year and a half.

Both my '97 2-WD Suburban [with 225k mi] and my '03 [municipality auction] Durango 4x4 were both taken to Salvage Title Beulah Land whilst my teen-aged son was driving. [BTW... in both cases, the other drivers were 'at fault'... inc the semi-driver who took a corner too tight and went over "Junior's" front-end.] Those incidents... and selling the '91 full-sized lift-kit eBay Bronco 4x4 has cleared up the driveway somewhat.

My advice? These are not the days to "keep up with the cousins." Perhaps something safe, economical and reliable [aka, suitable for family] is the best option. [Esp. with a young family... put your $$ where it will appreciate... not depreciate. Invest wisely. Check out the 'Articles' tab at http://crown.org/ for many resources regarding budgeting / debt / investing, etc.]

If your Ranger doesn't cost too much in insurance and maintenance [and it can tote your 4-wheeler]-- it might be nice to keep ol' Faithful around.

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Here's a Tribute to the ol' Suburban: thanks for seeing the 4 kids through many miles in TX and FL and snow storms in the NE during the past 13 years...
for Hunt trips with the Amigos...
for a couple Youth Group trips to help with repairing damage from Katrina in Gulfport Mississippi...
for "Junior" driving the freshly detailed truckster off in his eBay tux and en route to his first formals...
Yes, the Good Lord [and the Chevys, Dodges and Fords] have been very good to us.



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GoHip-
Never mind the reminiscence... seek wise counsel... make the best decision... trust your prudent gut...
and Godspeed to you and yours as you safely travel and make wonderful memories.

I'm still kind of up in the air. If, I bought a nice truck, I would probably sell my 4 wheeler and break even on that loan, well I might do that if I bought a car too. I'll have to think about it for a while. The other option is to keep everything as is and just rent a car for longer trips, but still my current truck is not as safe with snow and ice because it's got a light rear end, only front brakes, and a suspension and steering system is gonna need some serious rejuvenating for me to feel more comfortable.

I really think I'm gonna need a new vehicle in the next year. My daughter could enjoy the 4 wheeler when she gets some age, but then again, I'm going to college and it would be no problem to get another wheeler later on after I graduate.

Maybe 4 wheel drive small SUV. can still haul stuff, keep stuff locked inside, safer and more room for multiple people, and still be able to tow a trailer of medium size....

To be continued

Toyota 4-Runner 4WD.

quote:

Toyota 4-Runner 4WD.

Yes. Or if you want something bigger a Toyota Sequioa. We've had one for several years. I've taken it some interesting places. It's a great daily driver for the wife and kids. And I've driven it in some pretty atrocious conditions and felt highly confident in its capabilities. The four-wheel drive system in it is exceptional. The new body style that came out in 2008 has been very popular and pushed the prices of the previous body style down a bit. I wouldn't be concerned about the mileage either if it's a bit on the high side as long as the maintenance has been done. The 4.7l engine may be one of the best engines ever made.

LWD