Best car to chase in?

[joel ewing]

Ready + Steady - Run + Gun chase partner Doren Berge and I always rent our chase steeds. We take out whichever company's LDW (Loss-Damage-Waiver) policy that we go with each year (it varies between 2 or 3 companies) which adds about $30 bucks DAILY to the rental...in addition to the rental fee. Yeah, it adds up $$$....but both he and I have worked hard all our lives since we were about 14.....and we married women who weren't into having kids either, and that's helped us be able to pull this off annually. We'll normally chase for a good 3 solid weeks to a month....so whatever vehicle we DO pick gets a "real-world" workout, and we go where the storms are anywhere from Montana down to south of Lubbock. We're in for a penny....in for a pound...don't 'cha know!
We always opt for a fully-equipped large SUV....and it's either got to have 4wd or hopefully All-Wheel-Drive.....completely loaded with all the bells and whistles, and when reserving a month in advance....I always stress that we NEED XM-SIRIUS. The last several years we've had Chevy Blazers, Ford Explorers, a Ford Focus (I think it was a Focus...kind of a weird-station wagon looking thing...which we took back due to sub-acceptable vision out of it) a Hummer H-3 (the 5 cylinder) and for 2014 we had a gorgeous Buick Rendevous...it even had DUAL sunroof/moonroofs! This year we had a Blazer again.
I do probably 75% of the driving. Doren is much better at photo + video stuff, and I'm happy to be the wheel man. I'm kind of big + tall (6'3" @ 275lbs) and if a vehicle doesn't fit me....I'm miserable..even if everything else is wonderful about a vehicle. We both thought the Hummer was cool...but it wasn't comfortable for me, and we both hated the poor vision due to the shallow windshield. I really had to crane my neck in a weird way to see out and above me. I LOVE the Ford Explorers...just love 'em completely. But my all-time favorite: The Buick Rendevous. Do you guys remember that high-risk day we had in Nebraska early June last year (2014) that turned into a MAJOR south-moving land-hurricane for hours....well in 30 years of chasing, that was easily the longest SUSTAINED high-wind driving I've had to do, and that Buick just plowed on thru down the road like it owned it. Last year's Nebraska "Pilger Twin EF-4" day...(June 16th)....well there was a LOT of wind near those twin monsters, and again the Buick just kept us on the road like we were glued to it. I was greatly impressed. Lastly, oh hell yes.....there have been several times that without 4wd or full-time 4x4 we would have been stuck someplace and been in big trouble. That Nebraska with it's clay spots on roads will send a car out of control and into a field (or oncoming traffic) in a millisecond. 4X4 has saved our little fannies many, many times. I cannot imagine chasing without it...EVER. You guys with beautiful (dirt) road networks are very lucky. Many places in the alley aren't so friendly. Anyhow....I hope this sheds some light on the subject and helps some chaser when considering buying or renting a chase vehicle.

 

[joel ewing]

Oh....sorry....I would like to add, for those that aren't familiar with what the "LDW" Loss-Damage-Waiver policy is (as mentioned above)....that when you rent a car or a SUV or any vehicle....usually the rental company will offer each customer the option to purchase an insurance policy that covers the renter from having to pay for any damage that might occur while the customer has the vehicle. This is totally separate from your typical "liability" insurance policy that most states require people to obtain before they are legal to drive their personal vehicle on public roads. The LDW policy basically means that if ANY damage accrues to your vehicle that you are currently renting...whether it be from an accident, or the engine has a problem and needs repairs...or if the car simply falls in 2 complete pieces....you do NOT have to pay towards getting that vehicle repaired. In our case this year we were very glad we had opted to take advantage of the LDW policy. Remember the big supercell that sat on top of Rapid City, S. Dakota this past early June (or late May...I can't recall)....well....that cell threw some wicked hail at anybody that drove close to it....including Doren and ME! It completely ruined the hood, the roof and other portions of our Blazer. Amazingly.......it spared the windshield!!! I'm still in shock over that. But, when it came time to turn the Blazer back into the rental company at the end of our trip...they looked at our damage....then looked to see if indeed we had opted to pay for the LDW policy....then looked back up at me...smiled....and said..."Have a nice flight home to Arizona, Mr. Ewing". Had I NOT had the LDW.....the bill to repair it would have been THOUSANDS of dollars. So...for $30 bucks a day...which Doren and I split the cost on anyway....we would have been fools NOT to have opted for it, you see? And.....a mere half-hour later, instead of worrying about how I'm gonna pay for all the hail damage..it was..... "Oh.....s'cuse me... miss flight attendant......may I have another glass of white wine at your convenience, please!"

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Not really understanding all this talk about V8's being anything special for being able to bugger out in a hurry or handle terrain issues better...my Forester has 220+ HP and can get the hell outta dodge in a hurry. I also have great mechanical AWD, a ton of cargo space and, I'll call it fair, mileage.

Personally I'd rather have a small agile car versus a big truck, but to each his own. More power to turning around without reversing on a crappy dirt road.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Shane's right - you can chase in anything. The comfort of a larger car sure is nice, though. My current car gets great MPG, which is my priority (higher MPG means more chase days I can afford). But, it's cramped and uncomfortable for the long hauls. The biggest problem for me with a small car is not being able to leave tripod legs fully extended.

The utility of an SUV on dirt roads helps maybe 10% of the time. If a dirt road is hairy enough that a front-wheel drive is at risk of getting stuck, then a 4WD is also at risk, although a little less so. The problem with some of those roads is that the traction is like driving on black ice. It's not so much an issue to keep moving in the mud, it's the risk of losing control and sliding off, even at very slow speeds. Some of those roads, you can keep moving just fine, its just that gravity takes its toll and pulls you to the side. If you slide off into the ditch, you're done for, even with 4WD. Then there is the issue of mud caking in the wheel wells.

With the rentals, these days there is no guarantee that a LDW will keep you off the hook for hail/chasing damage. Companies are beginning to wise up about this. Renter beware....

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I agree with Dan - Sometime the roads are just too much, even for AWD/4WD. I usually turn around if conditions are sketchy....but for those times when turning around isn't really an option, glad I do have AWD. My tires are more for commuting than offroading though, so that is definitely a factor. I'd say any car can go just about anywhere...depending on the tires and the driver's skill.

I also love my wagon for exactly that factor, Dan, I can keep my tripod extended the whole chase.

 

[Drew Terril]

I have to agree that tires and driver skill is huge. My Titan is only the 2nd 4x4 I've owned, and only the 2nd winter that I've had a non RWD vehicle in the snow. I've had everything from RWD trucks to Camaros in the snow and have never had any issue. That said, my current truck is the first vehicle I've felt comfortable with pulling one of those round bales of hay out into the pasture after it has rained. The 4x4 Dakota I used to have didn't have enough grunt to pull something like that with iffy traction, and the RWD V8s I had over the years would get even the best driver stuck in a muddy pasture with a load like that.

I never felt like I was in danger of getting stuck chasing in my previous trucks, and I may not have limited my search to 4x4 trucks if it hadn't been for helping out on the farm. A good set of tires will make a huge difference on anything, but again, that's where the non chasing purpose of your vehicle should be the deciding factor, unless you can afford a dedicated vehicle for that purpose.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

If I could afford the gas, I would chase on my winter tires. Nothing more grippy IMO, although warm weather wet performance a little lacking.

Currently run UHP all seasons, and while great in dry or wet conditions they completely suck ass in clay mud. Won't buy Falkens again...not enough tread.

 

[James Hyde]

I don't really think there is a good answer outside of common sense. It just really depends on the person and situation. Do you want AWD/4x4? Yeah, duh. But things like budget (gas and initial investment), usage outside of storm chasing, etc. are totally going to be up to the owner and his/her specific needs and their personal tastes of vehicle styles. I do agree with the tires suggestion though. If your gonna chase in the plains, have some good treads that can deal with the terrain and road conditions you'll experience.

 

[Scott Kapser]

I am strongly considering buying a new Expedition this winter. I really like the vehicle and am willing to eat the gas needs, the extra cab room is great since I am a tall guy and I could even sleep in the back comfortably. The question is am I willing to spend that much on a new vehicle and take it into storms? I'll be grilling myself on this question for the rest of this year.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

When I can afford the initial purchase, and more importantly the initial rebuild price (trans/engine/electrical), I fully intend to grab an early 00s Dodge/Chrysler awd minivan.

Toss on some BFG ATs and a cot in the back an have a 20mpg mobile photo platform with two sliding barn doors to shoot from and plenty of room to boondock in.

I've chased in my 07 Forester exclusively. Its nice and un-stuckable. Fast and I can sort of sleep in it, but more room and general comfort would be very nice.

Biggest issue would be Subaru reliability and capability vs well ...chrysler.

 

[Robert Forry]

I tell ya, this thread has me totally rethinking my upcoming next (used) vehicle purchase. As a GM employee I sure so want a decent, late model used GM vehicle, but because I'll be using it to chase with, I'm starting to re-think the idea. It could really be anything...Yeah, I get the GM discount, and am still eyeballing the new Colorado, and now, the Silverado, I really can't do new for another year or so (also, the wife almost has me talked into the new 2016 Camaro).

 

[JamesCaruso]

When I can afford the initial purchase, and more importantly the initial rebuild price (trans/engine/electrical), I fully intend to grab an early 00s Dodge/Chrysler awd minivan.

Toss on some BFG ATs and a cot in the back an have a 20mpg mobile photo platform with two sliding barn doors to shoot from and plenty of room to boondock in.

I've chased in my 07 Forester exclusively. Its nice and un-stuckable. Fast and I can sort of sleep in it, but more room and general comfort would be very nice.

Biggest issue would be Subaru reliability and capability vs well ...chrysler.

Nice idea on the minivan Marc. Surprised nobody else mentioned that as an option. I can totally see the appeal of being able to sit inside sheltered from rain, hail and lightning while shooting from the big opening created by the sliding doors! (Or from the rear lift-gate too - yes, SUVs also have it, but the combination of high clearance while also being low to the ground is nice...)

If you are worried about Chrysler reliability, why not go for a Toyota Sienna minivan, which also has AWD?




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[Marc R. O'Leary]

Nice idea on the minivan Marc. Surprised nobody else mentioned that as an option. I can totally see the appeal of being able to sit inside sheltered from rain, hail and lightning while shooting from the big opening created by the sliding doors! (Or from the rear lift-gate too - yes, SUVs also have it, but the combination of high clearance while also being low to the ground is nice...)

If you are worried about Chrysler reliability, why not go for a Toyota Sienna minivan, which also has AWD?

Key concern is initial cost...a Sienna, even with high miles, pushes into the near $10k range...where I can find a clapped out Dodge for $2k and throw another grand into it to get it working again. If money was no option, I would absolutely go with a late model Toyota. Even the thought of buying a Chrysler product from the late 90s-early 2000s gives me pause, but I figure if I can "restore it" with better parts and fix all the common issues, it might be worth a shot. I figure It's gotta be better than cramming my 6'4" frame into the hatch of my forester every time lightning gets to close or it starts raining.

My ultimate chase rig...same early 2000s minivan, but with subaru drivetrain. That'd be sweeeeet.

 

[Drew Terril]

My ultimate chase rig...same early 2000s minivan, but with subaru drivetrain. That'd be sweeeeet.

You'd pretty much have to have the turbo on that. I don't think the N/A Subi motor would be very good at lugging that kind of extra weight around.

My ideal drivetrain would be the old bulletproof GM 3800 supercharged V6 mated up to a full time AWD transmission. Easy to mod, stupid easy to maintain, and I've seen those 3800s with 300,000+ miles with just your normal maintenance. The Nissan VQ V6s are right up there with them.

Ideal vehicle for me though would be one of those old CUCVs that the military had. Some of them were on the Silverado chassis, some on the K5 blazer chassis, but with . Get the K5 version with the 6.5 diesel, knock down mid 20s on the highway, and be able to go about anywhere with it. We've used those on exercises before, and I was surprised at how well it got around in the mud. Not quite up there with the old 4Runners and Pathfinders (old as in mid 90s), but about as close as you can get for something that size.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I have zero problem with "needing" a turbo. LOL

Just find an STI that's been rolled, yank out the running gear...strip the van down to bare esentials and boom. Come on lotto numbers!