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Q:
Alright, so I'm going to be getting my driving license here in about a month or so and am looking for a car. I will probably only have about $2000 by then. Any ideas of a car that I would be able to take hunting and also isn't a piece of junk.
Question by hunt and fish. Uploaded on July 11, 2011
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Answers (27)
Ford Ranger PU. Of course it will probably need some work, It is awfully hard to get a good vehicle at that price, sorry. My First car was a Huge 1953 Lincoln four door Cosmopolitan I bought for $200 in 1965 and drove until 1969. I wish I had kept it.
I've had my license since May and am currently trying to find a nice Ranger, that or a Chevy S-10.
I'd pick a ranger over the s10; I'm not a ford fan boy, just think its a better made truck. Ford's been making the same exact ranger for what seems like 20 years so they have all the kinks worked out. Still a truck, so it will have bad gas mileage. You might want to look into something that is leaner on the gas so you have more $$ to drive to a hunting spot or buy hunting gear. A small trailer can be used instead of the bed of a truck if need be.
Jeep Wrangler. Four wheel drive, has some cargo room and if it has a trailer hitch, you can mount a cargo rack to haul game and gear.
For that price you could find a Suzuki Samurai or an older Isuzu Rodeo. I had a Samurai once. Very small engine so you don't do real well on the freeway, but in 4 low it will go literally anywhere. It got 25 mpg and was fund to drive.
if your going to be paying for your own gas i wouldnt get a big truck, it will cost an arm and a leg to fill it up and you wont be able to drive anywhere. im guessing gas is only going to go up...my opinion, if your not hauling anything or using it for work, dont waste the money on a truck. really anything that can fit a deer in the back you can take hunting. maybe something like an older ford explorer could serve your purpose...not horrid on the gas and has enough trunk space for anything you should need??? idk just a suggestion.
Put a 1.5 inch receiver hitch on a Ford Taurus, Chevy Impala, or Dodge Intrepid and use a hitch-haul rack during hunting season. All the other times of the year you have the comfort of a passenger automobile with more interior room and better gas mileage than a small truck. Buy a Yakama rack with the proper door attachments and you can haul a canoe as well.
Believe it or not, but I've done this with all the sedan models listed above back when I had company cars. You just need to be careful with the ground clearance.
Whatever you get please drive carefully.
Check with your Bank on Repos for a small ford truck or suberu bratt,toyota P/Up...good luck.
As others have said, its tough to find anything that doesn't need some work at that price, but a small P/U should work, and be something you can find. If you have a part time job maybe you could put $2000 down on a truck that is $5000-6000. Your payments wouldn't be too high. You would need a co-signer of course. If that isn't a possibility you should be able to find one in your price range, just expect some problems, and have it checked out by a mechanic before you buy to make sure you aren't hit with a major repair a couple months down the road. I have a '98 ranger xlt that I picked up for $5000 about 4 years ago that has been a great truck for hunting and fishing, and doesn't kill me on gas for everyday driving.
Personally I'd go with a Ford Ranger. If taken care of they last and have plenty of room in the bed for the price.
It's a buyers market right now...shop around and see what you find. For $2000, you might be able to get something that's fairly decent...and always get the carfax!
Welcome back, Bioguy. Glad to see you haven't lost your resourcefulness.
not a ford guy but the ranger is a good option. dont get an explorer, not to hate but I have had to many friends get stranded in one they dont hold up and will end up costing you more money than they are worth. I had a 1985 gmc s15 jimmy that try as I might I couldnt kill it. look around and find something that will last you
Look for a beat up rusty Subaru. It might look like hell but it will get the job done with the AWD (you'd be surprised what you can do in these things) and get around 30 mpg.
My friend picked up a really old beat up Toyota pick up for 2 grand. It looks worse than a mangy coyote, and has some superficial problems, but it runs. He got it because his neighbor has one that is still running strong with over 300,000 miles on it.
I know I'm not going to get a gem and am willing to do some work on it. Right now I'm looking at a 1969 Toyota Landcruiser... any thoughts on that.
Lots of after markit Parts for the landcruiser's on line it should do you well....Great truck..but poor on gas/MPG.
my brother just bought an 86 suburu wagon, its amazing more car companies don't follow there lead AWD cars are just useful and fun. carfax like bioguy said u don't want a water damaged car it will never ever run right
There are lots of good vehicles out there in that price range. A comment of the Ford Ranger: my step-dad bought a new Ranger in '92, and he is still driving it today. It's had a new clutch put in and a few other parts, but he still takes care of it like it was a new truck. So whatever you get, make sure and stay up on maintenance and you will be rewarded in the long run. And drive safe!
my 1st vehicle was a used '90 S10 pickup... I miss that truck! consider a manual transmission, it's better on gas (and I think good to know how to drive a stick!). mine wasn't 4WD, so I don't know if that matters to you.
My advice with the landcruiser is to get it thoroughly checked out first. Where I live we do a LOT of 4-wheeling and I have had buddies that have had those. If they are in good condition they are great trucks, but if they have problems they can quickly turn into money pits. Seen it happen more than once.
Years ago I had a 2-wheel drive S-10 that was ok on gas. It was the long bed version and was VERY easy to get stuck because of the light rearend. I have a friend with a '86 Ranger he bought new. It still runs great with over 350k miles. The problem with the small trucks is that you have much reduced interior space for locking up items while you are away from the vehicle.
Besides sedans, I've also used mini vans to go hunting. A minivan with the rear seats out has plenty of room to sleep in if you are camping near your hunting spot. A Surburban is also large enough but will eat up all your cash for gas.
My current hunting vehicle is a Toyota 4Runner and I use a Hitch Haul to transport the pigs and deer I've shot. It's been the best hunting / canoe carrying vehicle I've owned. Much easier to park compared to my old Surburban!
pighunter...You bring up a valid point about less interior space to lock up in a small truck. To solve this I bought a hard bed cover that locks. Serves the dual purpose of keeping my gear dry, and is easy (a few bolts) to take off if I need to put something big in my bed. If I remember right it cost me about $450, but there may be better deals online. Well worth it. I would never buy a 2wd p/u. They just get zero traction off road, or especially in the snow because of the lack of weight over the rear wheels. Not a desirable trait in a vehicle I want to use for hunting and fishing. Those 4 runners are nice. I considered one of those when I was last shopping for a vehicle.
anything in a 4wd s-10/s-15 pick up,remember check the 4wd b4 you head out ,realizing it doasnt work after the fact sucks
I bought 2006 jimmy that was 4 wheel drive but the front axle was busted and the 4wd didnt work. I didnt know it until I got stuck in an icy parking lot with a slight slope. Have a mechanic look it over before you buy most mechanics will do it for free(especially on an older vehicle with plenty of potential for future work)
Ford Ranger
Post an Answer
I'd pick a ranger over the s10; I'm not a ford fan boy, just think its a better made truck. Ford's been making the same exact ranger for what seems like 20 years so they have all the kinks worked out. Still a truck, so it will have bad gas mileage. You might want to look into something that is leaner on the gas so you have more $$ to drive to a hunting spot or buy hunting gear. A small trailer can be used instead of the bed of a truck if need be.
Jeep Wrangler. Four wheel drive, has some cargo room and if it has a trailer hitch, you can mount a cargo rack to haul game and gear.
For that price you could find a Suzuki Samurai or an older Isuzu Rodeo. I had a Samurai once. Very small engine so you don't do real well on the freeway, but in 4 low it will go literally anywhere. It got 25 mpg and was fund to drive.
if your going to be paying for your own gas i wouldnt get a big truck, it will cost an arm and a leg to fill it up and you wont be able to drive anywhere. im guessing gas is only going to go up...my opinion, if your not hauling anything or using it for work, dont waste the money on a truck. really anything that can fit a deer in the back you can take hunting. maybe something like an older ford explorer could serve your purpose...not horrid on the gas and has enough trunk space for anything you should need??? idk just a suggestion.
Check with your Bank on Repos for a small ford truck or suberu bratt,toyota P/Up...good luck.
As others have said, its tough to find anything that doesn't need some work at that price, but a small P/U should work, and be something you can find. If you have a part time job maybe you could put $2000 down on a truck that is $5000-6000. Your payments wouldn't be too high. You would need a co-signer of course. If that isn't a possibility you should be able to find one in your price range, just expect some problems, and have it checked out by a mechanic before you buy to make sure you aren't hit with a major repair a couple months down the road. I have a '98 ranger xlt that I picked up for $5000 about 4 years ago that has been a great truck for hunting and fishing, and doesn't kill me on gas for everyday driving.
Personally I'd go with a Ford Ranger. If taken care of they last and have plenty of room in the bed for the price.
pighunter...You bring up a valid point about less interior space to lock up in a small truck. To solve this I bought a hard bed cover that locks. Serves the dual purpose of keeping my gear dry, and is easy (a few bolts) to take off if I need to put something big in my bed. If I remember right it cost me about $450, but there may be better deals online. Well worth it. I would never buy a 2wd p/u. They just get zero traction off road, or especially in the snow because of the lack of weight over the rear wheels. Not a desirable trait in a vehicle I want to use for hunting and fishing. Those 4 runners are nice. I considered one of those when I was last shopping for a vehicle.
Ford Ranger PU. Of course it will probably need some work, It is awfully hard to get a good vehicle at that price, sorry. My First car was a Huge 1953 Lincoln four door Cosmopolitan I bought for $200 in 1965 and drove until 1969. I wish I had kept it.
I've had my license since May and am currently trying to find a nice Ranger, that or a Chevy S-10.
Put a 1.5 inch receiver hitch on a Ford Taurus, Chevy Impala, or Dodge Intrepid and use a hitch-haul rack during hunting season. All the other times of the year you have the comfort of a passenger automobile with more interior room and better gas mileage than a small truck. Buy a Yakama rack with the proper door attachments and you can haul a canoe as well.
Believe it or not, but I've done this with all the sedan models listed above back when I had company cars. You just need to be careful with the ground clearance.
Whatever you get please drive carefully.
Welcome back, Bioguy. Glad to see you haven't lost your resourcefulness.
Lots of after markit Parts for the landcruiser's on line it should do you well....Great truck..but poor on gas/MPG.
my brother just bought an 86 suburu wagon, its amazing more car companies don't follow there lead AWD cars are just useful and fun. carfax like bioguy said u don't want a water damaged car it will never ever run right
anything in a 4wd s-10/s-15 pick up,remember check the 4wd b4 you head out ,realizing it doasnt work after the fact sucks
It's a buyers market right now...shop around and see what you find. For $2000, you might be able to get something that's fairly decent...and always get the carfax!
not a ford guy but the ranger is a good option. dont get an explorer, not to hate but I have had to many friends get stranded in one they dont hold up and will end up costing you more money than they are worth. I had a 1985 gmc s15 jimmy that try as I might I couldnt kill it. look around and find something that will last you
Look for a beat up rusty Subaru. It might look like hell but it will get the job done with the AWD (you'd be surprised what you can do in these things) and get around 30 mpg.
My friend picked up a really old beat up Toyota pick up for 2 grand. It looks worse than a mangy coyote, and has some superficial problems, but it runs. He got it because his neighbor has one that is still running strong with over 300,000 miles on it.
I know I'm not going to get a gem and am willing to do some work on it. Right now I'm looking at a 1969 Toyota Landcruiser... any thoughts on that.
There are lots of good vehicles out there in that price range. A comment of the Ford Ranger: my step-dad bought a new Ranger in '92, and he is still driving it today. It's had a new clutch put in and a few other parts, but he still takes care of it like it was a new truck. So whatever you get, make sure and stay up on maintenance and you will be rewarded in the long run. And drive safe!
my 1st vehicle was a used '90 S10 pickup... I miss that truck! consider a manual transmission, it's better on gas (and I think good to know how to drive a stick!). mine wasn't 4WD, so I don't know if that matters to you.
My advice with the landcruiser is to get it thoroughly checked out first. Where I live we do a LOT of 4-wheeling and I have had buddies that have had those. If they are in good condition they are great trucks, but if they have problems they can quickly turn into money pits. Seen it happen more than once.
Years ago I had a 2-wheel drive S-10 that was ok on gas. It was the long bed version and was VERY easy to get stuck because of the light rearend. I have a friend with a '86 Ranger he bought new. It still runs great with over 350k miles. The problem with the small trucks is that you have much reduced interior space for locking up items while you are away from the vehicle.
Besides sedans, I've also used mini vans to go hunting. A minivan with the rear seats out has plenty of room to sleep in if you are camping near your hunting spot. A Surburban is also large enough but will eat up all your cash for gas.
My current hunting vehicle is a Toyota 4Runner and I use a Hitch Haul to transport the pigs and deer I've shot. It's been the best hunting / canoe carrying vehicle I've owned. Much easier to park compared to my old Surburban!
I bought 2006 jimmy that was 4 wheel drive but the front axle was busted and the 4wd didnt work. I didnt know it until I got stuck in an icy parking lot with a slight slope. Have a mechanic look it over before you buy most mechanics will do it for free(especially on an older vehicle with plenty of potential for future work)
Ford Ranger
Post an Answer