Bobby's used car lot and Free Carfax

[BmillsSkier]

I prefer the van that was the Previa precursor. Which I believe had a 4WD option. I like those mid 80s stylings. Toyota Tercel 4WD SR5 wagon would of course be on the list.

When I was a kid we had the Nissan Van version of that precursor for a short while (I think Nissan bought it back but can't remember). It was a cool car that, when combined with the Volvo in the drive, earned us much scorn from all our American car-loving neighbors in suburban Michigan.

another old Range Rover or hybrid Jaguar or rebuilt title Maserati or something.

If this doesn't have Top Gear Christmas Special written all over it, I don't know what does.

[riser4]

If this doesn't have Top Gear Christmas Special written all over it, I don't know what does.

Roadkill Garage. Special guest, Austin Montucky.

[gravitylover]

Roadkill and all of the other good MT shows are gone Everything was cancelled when they filed bankruptcy a few weeks ago. You can still watch Freinburger and Finnegan on their YouTube channels but good luck finding some of the other shows. I'm gonna miss Wheeler Dealers.

ElChup is sorta right but the primary has to fit the particular purpose because I HAVE TO earn more going forward and the only way that's happening is if I can move around without the spectre of being stranded (or at least a seriously reduced chance). I will soon be on the hunt for a proper SC AWD Previa 5spd because I still need a minivan and I want something more interesting than my current POS.

[riser4]

Roadkill and all of the other good MT shows are gone Everything was cancelled when they filed bankruptcy a few weeks ago. You can still watch Freinurger and Finnegan on their YouTube channels but good luck finding some of the other shows. I'm gonna miss Wheeler Dealers.

ElChup is sorta right but the primary has to fit the particular purpose because I HAVE TO earn more going forward and the only way that's happening is if I can move around without the spectre of being stranded (or at least a seriously reduced chance). I will soon be on the hunt for a proper SC AWD Previa 5spd because I still need a minivan and I want something more interesting than my current POS.

Fuck. I liked Roadkill Garage.

[Touring_Sedan]

I can move around without the spectre of being stranded (or at least a seriously reduced chance). I will soon be on the hunt for a proper SC AWD Previa 5spd because I still need a minivan and I want something more interesting than my current POS.

Pretty sure these two are mutually exclusive. I'm not buying shit from some beater in a 25 year old minivan.

[gravitylover]

Well, apparently you wouldn't be one of my customers. That's ok. I can only think of two of my current dealers that wouldn't care, the rest would appreciate it and a few would try to buy it from me.

[BmillsSkier]

Gravity. Find yourself an Explorer Chevy conversion van. We had one in the late 90s/early aughts that we got to shuttle the fam between OH-SC and it was a friggin hotel suite on wheels with a TV, Super Nintendo, electric folding bench/bed and swivel captains chairs; what more do you want?

All the pimp ass space you need, none of the clapped out 25 year old minivan you don't. It's a Chevy V8 so it's not going to die unless you want it to; you can probably find one like ours that was used a few months out of the year and despite being old, its now in your price range and still in good shape; it'll take the biggest tow hitch you can bolt on to it; and it'll save you on hotel rooms when you're criss-crossing the Upstates.

[El Chupacabra]

Gravity. Find yourself an Explorer Chevy conversion van. We had one in the late 90s/early aughts that we got to shuttle the fam between OH-SC and it was a friggin hotel suite on wheels with a TV, Super Nintendo, electric folding bench/bed and swivel captains chairs; what more do you want?

All the pimp ass space you need, none of the clapped out 25 year old minivan you don't. It's a Chevy V8 so it's not going to die unless you want it to; you can probably find one like ours that was used a few months out of the year and despite being old, its now in your price range and still in good shape; it'll take the biggest tow hitch you can bolt on to it; and it'll save you on hotel rooms when you're criss-crossing the Upstates.

Other than shitty mileage and RWD, it'll be reliable once Gravity fixes everything that needs attention.

For that matter, just buy this:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8SrjNfS2/

[riser4]

Or, find a used 4x4 work van. And pimp it out.

[El Chupacabra]

Or, find a used 4x4 work van. And pimp it out.

#vanlife

[gravitylover]

^^Ya better bring a wizard with you (or a mechanic). Re: Chevy conversion van - Every now and then I'll spot one that's factory AWD (selectrac?) and think about it. We'll see how well my biz is going next year, if I need that capacity I'd consider one.

[BmillsSkier]

Other than shitty mileage and RWD, it'll be reliable once Gravity fixes everything that needs attention.

For that matter, just buy this:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8SrjNfS2/

Why do you hate burnouts?


Also, that truck looks custom but I just can’t put my finger on it.

[El Chupacabra]

Why do you hate burnouts?


Also, that truck looks custom but I just can’t put my finger on it.

I bet that 3/4-ton limo Suburban can do a mean burnout - - while Gravity sits in back, sipping champagne.

[skaredshtles]

#vanlife

...

[gravitylover]

Waddawe know about the Mini Countryman S or JCW? Looks like fun, gets the right mpg and has the space I need. Are they reliable, pricey to maintain, etc.

[heckacali]

Fuck. I liked Roadkill Garage.

Motor trend TV is still a channel on Roku live TV. Weekends are Roadkill all the time, midweek is all the other "reality" car shows

[gravitylover]

Yeah but there won't be anything new.

[riser4]

Yeah but there won't be anything new.

This. Those guys were fucking goofy and fun to watch.

[gravitylover]

Freiburger's YT channel has been pretty active, head over there.

Back to my question that got buried, what's the thoughts on the Countryman JCW All4 with the 2.0 and manual?

[BmillsSkier]

Waddawe know about the Mini Countryman S or JCW? Looks like fun, gets the right mpg and has the space I need. Are they reliable, pricey to maintain, etc.

Horrible reliability reputation from everything I’ve ever read about Mini.

Neighbor’s kid has a JCW and I see a loaner in their driveway more often than not FWIW.

[muted reborn]

#vanlife

#freerugburns

[gravitylover]

Horrible reliability reputation from everything I’ve ever read about Mini.

Neighbor’s kid has a JCW and I see a loaner in their driveway more often than not FWIW.

Well that's too bad. Why do so many potentially great cars suck?

[BmillsSkier]

Well that's too bad. Why do so many potentially great cars suck?

Out of curiosity I googled CR's most reliable used car by brand and see that Mini is 4th from the bottom along with those Stellantis greats, Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler. Ufda.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...y-a2811658468/

[Ted Striker]

Current Minis are just a poor man's BMW. I was poking my head around a friend's Mini Countryman, and it's basically a second gen X1. Exact same engine and (auto) transmission, and I'd be surprised if they didn't share lots of drivetrain and suspension parts as well. The body is very close in size.

If Mini's reliability is reported as being significantly lower than BMW's, I'd be inclined to chalk that up to differing expectations.

[gravitylover]

Both of these ^^ are why I was hoping for direct experiences. I guess that leads to, how do the X1s hold up and is that 2.0 motor any good?