HikeArizona.COM

Hi. I am opening up a can of worms here, but wanted to get people's thoughts and see what comes up.

I currently have a Subaru Forester and I like the MPG's and the SUV style. But it's not providing me much assurance when I get back onto some of those gnarly roads out there. The clearance is ok, but I simply need 4WD as opposed to AWD.

I wanted to hear people's thoughts on what works for them. Ideally am I looking for a super reliable (as in low maintenance) good MPG 4WD vehicle. If it were SUV style (meaning some sort of indoor situation to put my stuff) that would be good.

I of course know about Tacomas. But the flat bed isn't ideal for me and I wish the MPG's were a little higher. But that is definitely in consideration (especially if I could put a lid on it). If anyone knows of the best years to consider for reliability, that would be great.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'm looking for something used so again if you know the optimum years for any specific suggestion, that would be helpful. And I'm not going to be able to afford a new Bronco... though on paper that seems like it could be the right car for all my needs.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

@AugustWest
What is that winch in the front for? Pulling out stuck jeeps?

@SuperstitionGuy
The guy indicated he was doing 'serious' off-roading. He had a second Miata in his storage unit that he was converting to offroad for his buddy.

Don't laugh, I was active on Idaho's version of HAZ that was more focused on peak bagging. Their version of Joe was a guy named George that owned a Geo Metro. That guy could finesse a Geo Metro into some pretty interesting spots. You'd drive down 15-20 miles of dirty, dusty backcountry roads to a trailhead and be greeted by a bright yellow Metro that beat you there.

SpiderLegs wrote: ↑Mar 09 2021 6:04 am Don't laugh, I was active on Idaho's version of HAZ that was more focused on peak bagging. Their version of Joe was a guy named George that owned a Geo Metro. That guy could finesse a Geo Metro into some pretty interesting spots. You'd drive down 15-20 miles of dirty, dusty backcountry roads to a trailhead and be greeted by a bright yellow Metro that beat you there.

Didn't Wendy use to drive a Geo Metro?

tracker

te_wa wrote: ↑Mar 09 2021 8:45 pmtracker

That makes a little more sense. My BIL in Gilbert still has two Metros.