What Kind Of Car Do Real Mountaineers/Climbers Have?

COL._Von_Spanker · November 1, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by mattp:

quote:

Originally posted by iain:

4runners have a lot of frou-frou crap that I don't need...

Is there a car on the market that doesn't?

All I want is something that drives like a car but has enough clearance to drive up a poorly maintained logging road, and I gotta buy some kind of all-wheel-drive SUV or sub-SUV and it's going to have electric windows, automatic coffee holder, driving lights, and a 5-disc CD changer.

My sub is so stripped down it doesn't even have the right side view mirror. No power anything, nothing special other than a self installed CD player, (somtime I put in my 2 McCauley 12's with an 800 watt amp, but this gets in the way when full of gear).

Cub holder over the stereo sux...A total pain in the arse.

iain · November 1, 2002

can you even buy a car these days w/o power windows? sorry I have not been in the new car market for some time.

Dr_Flash_Amazing · November 1, 2002

It's getting to be a standard feature on a lot of cars. All good in the Doctor's opinion. The more goodies you can get in a base model car, the better. Hell, you can get a Mazda Protege 5 with everything short of leather interior (worthless maintenance hassle) for 16,000. And the Legacy L comes in nicely equipped for around 18,500. Even the Ford Focus has that shit, although not on the base model (or at least it didn't a year or so ago), and that thing is cheeeeap.

cj001f · November 1, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by STORER:

Since there are all those commercials out there marketing SUVs to climbers, I was wondering what kind of car(s) do you guys have.

Current car(Mercedes) has 275k on it - it's still cruising. The only major drivetrain work that's been done is to replace the injectors (knock on wood). It eats the highway miles - which is really is its only real qualification as a climbers car(though it's been to the Tetons, Winds & Sierras)

[ 11-01-2002, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: cj001f ]

Necronomicon · November 1, 2002

Born of Machine

Worship Machine

Slave to Machine

Become Machine

allison · November 1, 2002

The BF has one of those new Highlanders. I hate to admit it, but it is really fun to drive, very sporty for an SUV. More ground clearance than my Sub, and more comfortable, though it IS an SUV gas guzzler pig thing. Haven't slept in it yet, so the jury is still out on this vital feature for mtn car.

NoBolt · November 1, 2002

Real climbers don't have cars they bum rides or sleep at the crag like trolls.

Greg_W · November 1, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by allison:

The BF has one of those new Highlanders. I hate to admit it, but it is really fun to drive, very sporty for an SUV. More ground clearance than my Sub, and more comfortable, though it IS an SUV gas guzzler pig thing. Haven't slept in it yet, so the jury is still out on this vital feature for mtn car.

"Highlander"?? Vas ist das? Who makes it?

AlpineK · November 2, 2002

I got a Chevy C50, 19,000 GVW. I can haul 10 yards of chips and a trailer.

I am looking for a Isuzu cabover type truck. With a chip box, tool boxes, a dump, and a hoist. I'm hoping to keep the whole thing under 26,000 GVW so the WSSP doesn't make me take a piss test.

North_by_Northwest · November 2, 2002

I would guess from the Climbing Partners section that only half of us own cars. A true mountian vehicle is whatever someone else is willing to drive for you.

I have had two Broncos, super size and small size, and both are good mtn. rigs and not so hard on gas either. I also have an 86 Civic that's going to get some modifications and become my new rally ride.

thelawgoddess · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by trask:

While driving I carry my .45 in a cross-draw rig designed for autos. I can pull my piece and have the barrel in Mr. Carjacker's mouth in a nano-second. It's his move at that point.

[Eek!] damn!!!

CraigA · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by STORER:

I always keep my rock climbing gear in my car. I guess I should remove it, but most people don't even know what it is. I doubt your willing to fly to Cleveland to steal a harness, rope and a small rack of pro.

Steve

Oh, you might be surprised! We Northwest cc.com types are always looking for booty gear and will go to great lengths to get it. [laf]

allthumbs · November 2, 2002

Greg, I PM'd you the link to the FIST holster. Now please tell your wife to quit calling me while you're out. trask

Peter_Puget · November 2, 2002

I always thought they drove their significant others car!

Dr_Flash_Amazing · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by iain:

quote:

Originally posted by Dr Flash Amazing:

Oh. Well, "carry" on, then! Ah ha ha ha ha!

DFA that's world class

"Non-stop laugh riot" is Dr. Flash Amazing's middle name. They had to issue the Doctor a custom driver's license with an extra line on it to get the name to fit.

Greg_W · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by trask:

Greg, I PM'd you the link to the FIST holster. Now please tell your wife to quit calling me while you're out. trask

Got it. Sorry, my wife was looking for eggs; she thought Chicken F'er meant chicken farmer. I have corrected her in this and she is now disgusted with your poulty-lovin' antics.

COL._Von_Spanker · November 2, 2002

Beware of thread drift.

Seriously though people, what do you got and whats yer dream mt car?

I am always tying to decide whats better rally like performance or bogger-like clearance, as both can be very handy at times.

iain · November 2, 2002

I've found the tacoma gets you pretty much where you need to go and it's not a monster truck. I can live in it for a good amount of time too. That said I had an '85 camry sedan w/ 195000 on it and it never got stuck either. killer gas mileage too.

allthumbs · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by Greg W:

quote:

Originally posted by trask:

Greg, I PM'd you the link to the FIST holster. Now please tell your wife to quit calling me while you're out. trask

Got it. Sorry, my wife was looking for eggs; she thought Chicken F'er meant chicken farmer. I have corrected her in this and she is now disgusted with your poulty-lovin' antics.

go suck an egg

Greg_W · November 2, 2002

quote:

Originally posted by trask:

go suck an egg

In that scenario, the egg WOULD come first wouldn't it? [laf] [laf]

Back on-topic, I drive a Chevy Silverado extended cab. It's nice, but spendy on gas and I don't have cover to sleep under if needed. It's a great truck, though. Maybe a Tahoe would be better, then I could lay the seats down and sleep; same with the ForeRunner but I haven't driven one.

[ 11-01-2002, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: Greg W ]

Uncle_Tricky · November 3, 2002

Well, this ride is no longer with me, but it was a memorable one for our deliquent teenage expeditions. I used to have a trashed bent 1969 Ford Galaxy Deluxe. These heavy monsters were often converted for stock car racing--super heavy frame, rocket launch-like acceleration, and single-digit gas milage that inspired delirious joy amongst OPEC members.

You couldn't fill the tank up past half, or it would rapidly leak out, leaving a trail of gas and other vital fluids on the road behind you. In fact, we had to keep a close eye out for people throwing cigarette butts from cars in front of us and take evasive action--or risk being chased down by a trail of burning fuel.

Back in the day I set my own personal land-speed-with-a-boat-attached-to-your-roof record in that car. Myself and three friends were on our way to float the Winchester Wasteway, which is a maze of a swamp/stream/overgrown irrigation ditch that flows from just past George, WA into the Potholes Reservoir. With a 20 foot green canoe strapped to the top of that thing, we pegged the speedometer at 130 before backing off for fear of taking off into the atmosphere.

For a 1969, this car was loaded: it was one of the first models with air conditioning, full power windows, brakes, steering, etc. One of it's other quirks was that the car would die spontanously, leaving us coasting down the North Cascades Highway at 80, with no brakes or steering. While squealing around curves, wrestling the non-responsive steering wheel and stomping on power brakes useless with no power, you had to kick it into neutral, restart it and get it back in drive before losing complete control of the beast.