Ideal car for bombing dirt roads?

[benjy]

I work in a rural area of Southern Utah, and find myself driving out to Gooseberry Mesa or Little Creek Mesa, and around the community a couple times per week. Current car is a Honda Civic, but it has been taking a beating lately, and I've owned it for 18 months, so it's time for something different.

Most of the roads are graded regularly, but with occasionally rutting and a fair amount of wash-board. The roads can be really bad when wet, but I don't ever need to go somewhere that isn't paved, so I can definitely get away with 2wd. Ground clearance can be an issue, but the civic has gotten me where I need to go, so not really an issue. It will be commuting ~60 miles/day, so fuel economy is a factor.

The budget is CHEAP... less than $5k.

What's cheap, durable, reliable(ish) and can take a beating?

Considerations so far:

XJ/ZJ/WJ - Kind of boring
Small truck - Ranger/Colorado/Frontier

Lifted Volvo XC70/90 - I know nothing about these?



Outback is probably the answer, but don't really care for them. I could do a forester though?



Or offer @Gravy a few rolls of toilet paper for his prerunner ranger?

 

[jeeper]

A lifted crown Vic is the solution to this.

 

[Greg]

Not sure if you can find a Tacoma PreRunner for $5k, but it would be a great option.

 

[mesha]

Older CRV, grand vitara, or rav 4 would work.

 

[Gravy]

You'd LOVE my Ranger.
And I do want to sell it and my TJ and buy a JK.
It's not quite that cheap.
But it is 9 times more rad!
You know I'd hook you up though.

 

[Stephen]

 

[johngottfredson]

I've owned it for 18 months, so it's time for something different.

This is the kind of reasoning I can get behind

 

[4x4_Welder]

Find a cheap old Volvo 7 or 9 series wagon, lift it, and throw some decent tires under it. A turbo wagon for maximum fun.

 

[boogie_4wheel]

First generation Ford Escape?
I have an '05 V6 AWD with a little over 298k mi. Decent flex, decent ground clearance, 24mpg running 75-80 and I've been able to squeeze over 25 numerous times.

I used to travel for work (resulting in the mileage). Daily dirt/mud roads when I was at Barrick Gold. It ate tie rod ends, but has original struts and ball joints.

It's seen plenty of dirt roads and been on 3 wheels. Handles like a car. Easy oil changes. Alternator is low and hard to change. Rear seats fold flat. Road noise is louder than average regardless of tire tread type but not terrible.

I'm very tempted to get another one when/if mine dies. Might try a slightly newer one with the 6spd auto, but would like the simplicity of a first gen with a 5M.

 

[TRD270]

I purchased a crosstrek and have been bombing around the Big Island in it, not sure if you'd be able to find one for sub 5k but good option

 

[Corban_White]

Goblin with taller coilovers and dirt tires.

 

[benjy]

Goblin with taller coilovers and dirt tires.

YES! This is not a bad option... however, it would be nice to have another car for bad weather days. I'm planning on the Goblin being a 70% daily driver. On days I drive out to the goose I'd take the beater.

The more I think about the lifted crown vic, the more I like the idea. I love the idea of having a cool custom daily driver, and also driving to work in a trashy beater sometimes too.

 

[Skylinerider]

Find an older WRX, an put some BFG's on it.

 

[Unimog]

Yea, I know you said you didn't need 4WD, but I would find an old Subaru - almost any model.

 

[mbryson]

 

[Hickey]

View attachment 127368

Find an old ford wagon and give it this treatment.

 

[mbryson]

 

[mbryson]

 

[N-Smooth]

I vote just a 2wd car but with a slight lift. I mean yeah, you could do a Subaru or something but that would be boring. some of the best times I've had on dirt roads were in cars that were not made for what I was doing.

 

[Kevin B.]

Find an old ford wagon and give it this treatment.

My second car was an 80s Mercury Marquis with the 460. If I still had it I would absolutely do this in a heartbeat.