I have a new baby (first one), and am in a dilemma as for what vehicle to buy next.
I have always driven a pickup and/or a tiny fuel efficient car. All my pickups have been the smaller s10/ranger style including the ranger I drive now. Both the cars and trucks have also always been 15 or so years old, because that is all I can afford (Key point there), and I can fix them myself. The trucks are small for the same reasons the cars were: easier on gas, easy to park, nothing to prove.
Now that I am married, I bought my wife a 96 Civic Hatchback with 60k on a perfect body and frame (rare in Minnesota) from an old lady, and I drive an extended cab 94 ranger 4x4. My Pup is going to die within a couple years if not sooner, and I would like to get something more reliable and kid-friendly.
Seeing as how nothing is reliable, not really even a new vehicle, and I couldn't afford one anyway, I need to shop for a replacement sometime in the near future.
I have considered a van (I am not too proud to drive a minivan), but they are hard to find 4wheel drive, or an suv (not utilitarian enough). So I am stuck looking for a truck I guess.
What should I look for? Make Model Year?
It has to have 4wheel drive, and be able to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, large amounts of firewood, and a kid (read: carseat). It would be nice if I could fit at least one other passenger in there too.
I feel like my only option is a full sized Pup with a quad cab, but I am not made of money y'know...
Halp? Suggestions?
I have always driven a pickup and/or a tiny fuel efficient car. All my pickups have been the smaller s10/ranger style including the ranger I drive now. Both the cars and trucks have also always been 15 or so years old, because that is all I can afford (Key point there), and I can fix them myself. The trucks are small for the same reasons the cars were: easier on gas, easy to park, nothing to prove.
Now that I am married, I bought my wife a 96 Civic Hatchback with 60k on a perfect body and frame (rare in Minnesota) from an old lady, and I drive an extended cab 94 ranger 4x4. My Pup is going to die within a couple years if not sooner, and I would like to get something more reliable and kid-friendly.
Seeing as how nothing is reliable, not really even a new vehicle, and I couldn't afford one anyway, I need to shop for a replacement sometime in the near future.
I have considered a van (I am not too proud to drive a minivan), but they are hard to find 4wheel drive, or an suv (not utilitarian enough). So I am stuck looking for a truck I guess.
What should I look for? Make Model Year?
It has to have 4wheel drive, and be able to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood, large amounts of firewood, and a kid (read: carseat). It would be nice if I could fit at least one other passenger in there too.
I feel like my only option is a full sized Pup with a quad cab, but I am not made of money y'know...
Halp? Suggestions?