You have $15k, unlimited gas, and you need a car that will go from Alaska to South Beach

"404 Name Not Found" (404namenotfound) 08/04/2013 at 21:23 • Filed to: None

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What do you do? I have asked this question before, but I made the budget 20k. This time, I want to see what would be the best car. Now if you look closely at the wording, the car needs to be able to cross the Alaskan terrain as well as be fit for the clubs of South Beach, Florida.

What does one buy? Gas is no issue. Car needs to be reliable.

Leadbull > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:26

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I don't go clubbing. I'll take a Toyota Tacoma.

404 Name Not Found > Leadbull 08/04/2013 at 21:28

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Yeah but you need it for the nice restaurants for South Beach.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:29

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Touareg TDI. Hands down, dick out.

Agrajag > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:30

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I think I suggested this last time. Pick up cheap and pocket the rest of the cash. Not suitable for Florida clubs you say. It is when you throwin Benjy's out the window.

CB > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:31

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Used Subaru Forester. Like this one. All wheel drive, low mileage to start off with (hopefully less to go wrong), it can't be too bad a choice.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Fores…

404 Name Not Found > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 08/04/2013 at 21:31

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I like this suggestion. But what about reliability? Are there VW dealers in Alaska? Or the midwest for that matter?

twinturbobmw > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:32

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How about a Mk5 Golf GTI?

Meatstick62 > twinturbobmw 08/04/2013 at 21:39

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I like that idea. Or if you plan to get off the beaten path along the way you could buy a rabbit and do the following:

dogisbadob > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:40

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I've always wanted to do that!

Magnum SRT8

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:40

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Alaska highway is paved the whole way.

So I'll just take the $15k and use it to get a V6 swap for my MR2. Failing that I'd get a Subaru 3.0R wagon, they're around $15k where I live.

Leadbull > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:40

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Breakfast: McDonald's

Lunch: Taco Bell

Dinner: Wendy's

The Trifecta

Leadbull > Agrajag 08/04/2013 at 21:44

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I like your thinking.

twinturbobmw > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:46

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Acura TL:

Mazda 6:

Passat:

Legacy:

ZeedGTI > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:46

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Easy:

Land Cruiser underpinnings for the harsh terrain, Lexus prestige for South Beach. Not only will it make it from Alaska to South Beach, it will make the trip ten times over without any issues.

Close this posting. Next question please.

Desu-San-Desu > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:46

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What do I win?

404 Name Not Found > ZeedGTI 08/04/2013 at 21:47

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I like this suggestion a lot. The thing is that Cruisers are expensive to find at 15k. They might need a little bit of work.

404 Name Not Found > Desu-San-Desu 08/04/2013 at 21:49

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Are there Audi dealers in Montana, and the rest of the midwest states?

RMudkips > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:51

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Good for the Canadian winter and the Southern summer.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:52

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The TDIs are damn near bulletproof. I wouldn't worry about the reliability. And they just need urea like every 20k miles or something. Not a bad deal for 28mpg.

Forgetful > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:54

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404 Name Not Found > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 08/04/2013 at 21:55

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That's really interesting. I never knew that.

ZeedGTI > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 21:57

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At $14.9k, this one looks pretty clean

^That thing is actually pretty tempting...only a few hours from me.

There are quite a few others out there at this price too.

ZeedGTI > Desu-San-Desu 08/04/2013 at 21:58

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He said it needs to be reliable.

404 Name Not Found > ZeedGTI 08/04/2013 at 22:00

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That looks really nice. My really good friend has two of them and one has 175k miles and one has 70k miles. They are both driven by college students and I am amazed how well they run. At around 150-200k miles they might need some service though. But that will make them good for another 100-200k miles.

ZeedGTI > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 22:00

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According to VW there are about 130 dealerships in the Midwest...and one in Alaska.

VW has expanded their dealer network a bit since the 60's ;)

Desu-San-Desu > ZeedGTI 08/04/2013 at 22:06

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My Audi is 23 years old and the only major mechanical work it's needed is a fuel pump (external) and a CV boot. Mechanically speaking, they're pretty bulletproof. Electrically? Well, flip a coin, lol. My cruise control doesn't work, but everything else functions just fine.

BlueMeanie > ZeedGTI 08/04/2013 at 22:34

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I second the nomination of the Land Cruiser. Capable, classy and rugged. I've seen plenty of 98/99 at less than $15k, but nearly every one has 200k miles.

The only other vehicle that comes to mind for a challenge like this would be an LR3, similar to this one from ExPo:

Tell me that wouldn't blend in at South Beach!

VincentPrice > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 22:43

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This 1974 Lincoln Continental because I want to know if there truly is unlimited gas...
Actually though, it would be pretty great. A cloud-like ride, lots of room, and certainly enough flash for my tastes.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle…

Rainbow > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 22:44

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My first thought was "LM002, duh!" but then I realized that if I could find one of those for $15k I would already own it. So, more logically, let's go with a VW Golf Country.

To be fair I actually have no clue what these might cost, but it can't be THAT much, I would assume.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > 404 Name Not Found 08/04/2013 at 22:55

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A friend of mine just made the trip from Anchorage to OKC in his G6. It was him, his wife, two kids, and I think their dog, and took a very similar route as what you have. He made the same trip 5 years ago in reverse to move up to Alaska, and drove his S-10 back from OKC after he went there for some training.

Personally, I'd do it in a wagon of some sort. Audi RS6 Avant, E36 AMG, or CTS-V wagon.

Bricks > 404 Name Not Found 08/05/2013 at 03:39

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I don't know the reliability of a H3, but I don't really care, and it squeezes in just under 15k

911e46z06 > 404 Name Not Found 08/05/2013 at 03:42

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Well, I just got a minty e46 m3 for 18 grand. So you can probably find an OK one for 15. If not, I would go e39 540i or e46 330i. You can get a crazy good example of either for 15k. There's absolutely no beating bimmers on road trips. Quick enough to keep you entertained, comfy enough to keep you sane.

This is of course assuming this road trip takes place during the summer. If you're going to be fighting snow, get an old WRX.

Rows His Own > 911e46z06 08/05/2013 at 04:14

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How minty? I'm am e46 guy myself, so just wondering where other people's purchases are falling at whatever mileages. If that doesn't offend you, that is. I have an m3 and a 330ci of the same vintage

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > Rainbow 08/05/2013 at 05:28

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They are pretty rare, but I found two for sale:

Volkswagen Golf 1.8 country - 3.950 euro

Another one

Frank Grimes > Leadbull 08/05/2013 at 13:01

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Jack in the box? CArls JR.?

Frank Grimes > 404 Name Not Found 08/05/2013 at 13:03

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It actually wasnt that reliable.

911e46z06 > Rows His Own 08/05/2013 at 13:59

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Not at all. It's an '04 SMG coupe with 55k on it. Appropriate dark grey with black interior. Small scratch on the door and a small dent on the bumper, both of which are very fixable. Showing a couple lines on the head unit display. Perfect other than that. Nothing has ever been repainted. It's bone stock except a K&N, and the original air box came with. Dude had every piece of documentation including the original window sticker. Service records and carfax are totally clean. I'm feeling pretty good about the purchase.

Rows His Own > 911e46z06 08/05/2013 at 19:13

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Ooh very nice. I have an 03 smg, steel gray on cinnamon, 88k. My 330 is a 5spd, steel gray on imola. I envy you for the 19
forged wheels. But I am selling them both to buy a 6mt of significantly less miles, hopefully a zcp car. The picture below is right before I got it. It's with my buddy, at his shop right now :(

911e46z06 > Rows His Own 08/05/2013 at 19:22

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Yeah, that's a good call. I wanted a manual so bad, but I spend a lot of time in traffic, so the SMG is a nice compromise between manual and auto.

Good luck man. Tough to find nice low-mileage ones. That's the problem with good cars, people tend to drive them.

Rows His Own > 911e46z06 08/05/2013 at 20:41

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I've driven them both in the traffic around San Diego but I spend a lot of my time on Miramar and I work the night crew now so it doesn't really apply to me as much anymore. And manual driving in traffic doesn't bug me too much, honestly. I like my smg, but sometimes it feels numb and brutal simultaneously. It's an odd feeling I guess

Rows His Own > 911e46z06 08/05/2013 at 20:49

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I've driven them both in the traffic around San Diego but I spend a lot of my time on Miramar and I work the night crew now so it doesn't really apply to me as much anymore. And manual driving in traffic doesn't bug me too much, honestly. I like my smg, but sometimes it feels numb and brutal simultaneously. It's an odd feeling I guess

Rows His Own > 911e46z06 08/05/2013 at 20:51

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I think nibbles earlier so:

Rows His Own > Rows His Own 08/05/2013 at 21:04

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And here is the 330ci. I love my Avant Garde wheels, and I absolutely adore imola interiors. I'm hoping for a gaudy but also beautiful imola on imola combo.

Rows His Own > Rows His Own 08/05/2013 at 21:06

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Edit:Nibbles is trolling me today :(

And here is the 330ci. I love my Avant Garde wheels, and I absolutely adore imola interiors. I'm hoping for a gaudy but also beautiful imola on imola combo.

911e46z06 > Rows His Own 08/06/2013 at 03:12

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Those are both awesome. I don't know where you are man, but I looked at one that was either in Modesto or LA that was Imola/Imola with only like 12k on it. The guy wanted a pile of money for it, but it may be worth checking out if its still for sale. It was either on autotrader or craigs. It was an SMG though.