Bullmobile replacement saga

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
08/08/2016 at 10:33 • Filed to: None

We need more cargo space so I’ve been looking at wagons to replace Bullmobile. We agreed on a budget of ~$5k and there are plenty of wagons in that price range.

While I was bringing my maggot farm to the dump this weekend I realized that I would share the same cabin space as this rancid trash if I was in a wagon.

I tell my wife this and the discussion steers to the fact that she wants a truck. I want a truck. I tell her that $5k won’t get us a very nice truck. She says my parent’s truck cost them $4k. I said, “Exactly.” she said, “ ... Well maybe we can increase the budget.”

With my sensible pants on I know that a $4k Mercury Sable wagon and a little trailer would solve all my problems and be an improvement over my current situation with little increase in gas prices. Without my sensible pants ... I want a truck.

DISCUSSION (30)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:41

Buy the truck. Small one. Colorado/S-10/Ranger/Dakota.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:44

$5K will get you a serviceable pickup.

Bad Gas Mileage but lots of space for its size

Slightly over budget but cash talks

Diesel, bruh

bhtooefr > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:44

A Taurus-based vehicle would not be my choice for a hauler, with how weak their rear suspensions are...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > bhtooefr
08/08/2016 at 10:46

A Taurus-based vehicle would not be my choice for a hauler , with how weak their rear suspensions are ...

rear suspensions are

transmissions are

looks are

and so on are

bhtooefr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/08/2016 at 10:48

Well, yes, although the looks don’t affect hauling ability.

(Also, for whatever reason I actually kinda like what they were trying to do with the 3rd-gen Taurus. Then again, I like weird, seeing as I actually bought a 4th-gen Prius.)

TheRealBicycleBuck > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:50

The primary reason I didn’t buy a new truck when presented with the option was seating. I needed to transport two teenagers every day. I didn’t want to mess with any funny doors, so four doors were required. I couldn’t find a four door truck that fit within my budget that wasn’t full-sized and could make me smile.

So I bought a fast wagon.

This worked out since I kept my old truck around for hauling duties. the problem now is that my wife’s protests about the “junky” truck are getting stronger, so I’ll need to get rid of it eventually. A recent trip to the dump with my mom’s small truck & trailer convinced me of the viability of using a small trailer for such duties. Now I just need to buy a small trailer to haul behind my wife’s Explorer.

All that being said, except for a brief period in college, I’ve owned a truck since the day I got my license. Yeah, I like trucks.

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/08/2016 at 10:51

A Colorado crew cab looks like it’d do the job. I’d need a tonneau cover or cap for poor weather field hockey travelling.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > bhtooefr
08/08/2016 at 10:55

That’s why I took out the “for a hauler” bit.

And you can like whatever you want, but to me it looks like they hooked a Contour up to a compressor and forgot to take it off :)

CalzoneGolem > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
08/08/2016 at 10:55

This has to be my DD and the gas mileage of the first and last would cause my wallet to explode. I’d need a 4 door smaller truck.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:56

Just be prepared for a love-hate relationship. And don’t buy the OEM tonneau.

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/08/2016 at 10:57

Meh, a simple swap of springs and struts solves this issue.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 10:59

Not the trans problems.

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/08/2016 at 11:00

Fair enough.

XJDano > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:02

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5676846145…

I’ll drive it out to yah.

Good luck in your search. I am wishing for the same things.

OPPOsaurus WRX > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:04

problem solved:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/569624…

and

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/pro…

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:06

Oh, and also I’d personally avoid the earlier 2.8 and 3.5 engines.

And as for hockey, I can confirm fitment of at least 4 full size bags of ice hockey equipment.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:09

Maybe a nissan?

CalzoneGolem > XJDano
08/08/2016 at 11:09

Ouch ... my mpgs!

CalzoneGolem > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2016 at 11:10

This is going to be an allroad ... yup.

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/08/2016 at 11:10

What engine/year would you get?

OPPOsaurus WRX > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:11

allroad or not the trailer would work well with other things

CalzoneGolem > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
08/08/2016 at 11:11

Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.

CalzoneGolem > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2016 at 11:12

Yeah, a wagon and trailer like that would be perfect.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:13

Barring the 5-speed auto problems from 2005+, you get the durability of a Tacoma without the “Toyota tax”

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 11:14

5.3 from 2009+ :)

On a budget, any one of the newer ones with either the 2.9L or 3.7L engines. 2007+ iirc. The I4 can get some pretty stellar mileage, and if you’d like to trade a little mpg for power, the I5 is quite adequate from factory and even better with a tune.

Dru > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
08/08/2016 at 11:20

That is quite the value for sub $5K. Good find.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 13:14

My S10 was only $4200. 68,xxx miles and near perfect condition with no rust. Of course, it’s also a single cab, short bed with no power accessories, a manual, and RWD.

With that said, at least local to me (STL), I was tripping all over clean small trucks with varying levels of mileage, equipment, and engine choice when I was looking in the “$5k or less” range. Fullsize is a different story though.

CalzoneGolem > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/08/2016 at 13:17

I need a truck that can carry 4 adults.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2016 at 13:23

Should've figured that.

Chevy did sell a crew cab S10 for a couple years, that might work.

CalzoneGolem > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/08/2016 at 13:37

A Colorado crew would work for I needs they are generally > $5k