Zachary Lassiter
So I'm looking for a new vehicle. Recommendations?
Skip Talbot
EF5
You can chase in almost anything. I'd say reliability is a plus, but people chase in everything from gas efficient coupes to huge trucks. I see a lot of chasers in impalas. They are probably easy to configure for radio and laptop stands since there is a large police market that does that. Many prefer SUVs because they are roomier and have off roading capabilities. Personally, I'm a fan of my minivan. Its roomier than most SUVs and gets better gas mileage. Its only front wheel drive, but I've also heard that its the tires that make the most difference when you get off the paved roads.
MatthewCarman
Be prepared for hail dents. You can't go chasing with out sometimes being forced to punch a core.
Dean Baron
Supporter
Yea, reliability is probably biggest thing IMO. Also as Matthew said dont get something you dont mind getting a few dents with. One other thing is something that will be able to handle dirt roads. For that I would recommend not getting a Ford Focus. It sounds the entire car is about to fall apart after each chase I use a dirt road on. But I guess it's done fairly well for some of the abuse I've put it thru, but I dont see it holding together as well as others cars could.
Jeff Richardson
EF2
I've had good luck with two Dodge Caravans...very reliable, decent gas mileage, and stable in high winds. Parts are also easy to find even in relatively small towns just in case you should have any kind of mechanical trouble while out on the road. As mentioned before, reliability, safety record, and gas mileage should be at the top of your list. Your choices are almost limitless. The only vehicles I'd steer clear of are very small sport cars (near zero ground clearance) and convertibles. Many SUVs are good choices but watch out for something that has too much of a high profile. That could become problematic when driving in high winds or if you get blasted by a robust microburst. Good luck in your search!
Wes Carter
EF5
LOL, Matthew, it took me a minute to catch that. Way to come in there with a sly one.
Seriously, I agree with Skip. Almost any vehicle will work. I prefer minivans and station wagons. I bought a Taurus station wagon used because there is plenty of room and the resale on station wagons is pretty low so you can get a nice ride for not much cash. I did chase in a Ranger 4x4 but the gas got to be a bit too much, and I never used the 4x4. But then again, it is 'better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it'. I seriously considered a Subaru Outback for that reason until I talked to several people here that had them and said the gas mileage wasn't that great and their repairs were more than normal. YMMV
Tony Laubach
EF5
I second that... two of my three purchased chase vehicles were of the Caravan variety. The downsides are the transmissions which I have replaced in both. I went with AAMCO for the last transmission and purchased the lifetime warranty which paid for itself on the second replacement. They have been great vehicles, very spacious, comfortable, act as a hotel if need be if you fiddle with the seating arrangements, and pretty well drive themselves on long hauls. They do average for gas, but the space allows for a full boat of folks to split the gas with and keep everyone comfortable. Half if not more of the Colorado gang has done a marathon trip with me in mine, and they keep coming back! LOL
With TWISTEX, I have been the commander of a Chevy Cobalt which all-in-all isn't bad. It lacks the dirt road capability, but actually with some work does pretty well. Of course, my other chase vehicle between vans was a Mercury Tracer, so I have done time in a smaller vehicle. The room shrinks, but the gas mileage improves and general repairs are cheaper. It can be done, and I'm not sure I wouldn't go back to that route if need be.
But I do love the vans!
With TWISTEX, I have been the commander of a Chevy Cobalt which all-in-all isn't bad. It lacks the dirt road capability, but actually with some work does pretty well. Of course, my other chase vehicle between vans was a Mercury Tracer, so I have done time in a smaller vehicle. The room shrinks, but the gas mileage improves and general repairs are cheaper. It can be done, and I'm not sure I wouldn't go back to that route if need be.
But I do love the vans!
Robert Edmonds
EF5
When chasing on my own, I drive a 2001 Nissan X-Terra, before when I was starting out I drove a Toyota Paseo. While the Toyota was a small front wheel drive vehicle, it could handle roads quite well. This coming from a kid (me) who drove that thing all around the back roads in the mountains. However, after driving the Nissan X-Terra I feel much more confident when driving on dirt roads while chasing. Not that it's not possible to get stuck, but I can certainly tell the difference when I switched from 2 to 4WD. It got me off a slick muddy road that I read later there were some chasers needing help from some farmers to get out of a ditch back in '08. The 2001 X-Terra is a little slow on the acceleration, however I did test drive one of the newer versions, and they've certainly fixed that issue. Note, I do notice the difference between 35 mpg and 17 mpg.
So when it all comes down to it. I think you need to weigh what is most important to you, your economic situation, and your style of chasing. Do you need to be on EVERY back road, or do you think some fuel economy is better so you can do more chasing (if gas money is an issue). Personally, I couldn't afford certain vehicles I some times find my self imagining what it might be like to chase in.
I personally want to try out some other vehicles eventually while chasing. A 4WD truck (like a certain F-150) or a Subaru WRX come to mind. What I can tell you I will look for when I go searching for another vehicle, good gas mileage & I do want all/4WD. Vehicle space would be the next thing to consider, and with me doing less chasing on my own (it's just too much work as one person), it's becoming more and more important to have enough space, provided by a SUV.
So when it all comes down to it. I think you need to weigh what is most important to you, your economic situation, and your style of chasing. Do you need to be on EVERY back road, or do you think some fuel economy is better so you can do more chasing (if gas money is an issue). Personally, I couldn't afford certain vehicles I some times find my self imagining what it might be like to chase in.
I personally want to try out some other vehicles eventually while chasing. A 4WD truck (like a certain F-150) or a Subaru WRX come to mind. What I can tell you I will look for when I go searching for another vehicle, good gas mileage & I do want all/4WD. Vehicle space would be the next thing to consider, and with me doing less chasing on my own (it's just too much work as one person), it's becoming more and more important to have enough space, provided by a SUV.
Zach Young
No matter what car/truck/van/suv you end up getting, make sure it has comfortable seats! You're going to have your butt glued to it for hours or days after all.
What year/style is your Focus, Dean? I drive a 2005 ZX5 hatchback and haven't had any real problems yet. I don't usually go blasting down remote dirt roads though simply because I don't want to get stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere without AWD/4WD, but it seems to hold up fairly fine so far on the dry dirt roads I've been on. Lately, there's been a little gremlin that's eating some of my fuel economy though.
What year/style is your Focus, Dean? I drive a 2005 ZX5 hatchback and haven't had any real problems yet. I don't usually go blasting down remote dirt roads though simply because I don't want to get stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere without AWD/4WD, but it seems to hold up fairly fine so far on the dry dirt roads I've been on. Lately, there's been a little gremlin that's eating some of my fuel economy though.
Dean Baron
Supporter
I have the 2000 ZX3 hatchback. It's been a problem child, but hasn't been too bad so far this chase season (knock on wood). I think there were a couple years Ford used very cheap parts in its cars, and the car I have is one of them.
Bart_Comstock
EF5
Here is what you need.... although it could use a few more lightbars imho. 
But seriously I chase in a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with AWD and a 4.7l V8. The gas mileage simply is horrid but I wouldn't trade the vehicle for anything in the world as it has been a lifesaver several times thanks to how well the AWD preforms in the dirt and clay and muddy roads and the extra power from the V8 has gotten me out of a few bad near stuck situations this year.
Here she is, I named her The Storm Trooper.
As for hail dents, well those are badges of honor!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-S...photos#!/album.php?aid=184807&id=199009966600
But seriously I chase in a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with AWD and a 4.7l V8. The gas mileage simply is horrid but I wouldn't trade the vehicle for anything in the world as it has been a lifesaver several times thanks to how well the AWD preforms in the dirt and clay and muddy roads and the extra power from the V8 has gotten me out of a few bad near stuck situations this year.
Here she is, I named her The Storm Trooper.
As for hail dents, well those are badges of honor!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-S...photos#!/album.php?aid=184807&id=199009966600
Zach Young
Yeah, when I was thinking about buying mine, I found out that most of the model years prior to 2004 had a high lemon rate.
Ric Burney
EF3
I've used a 2001 Mazda Tribute LX for the last two years w/ no problems (so far). It has 4WD capabilities and has been very reliable overall. I mostly chase solo so it provides ample room but is accommodating for at least two additional passengers. Gas mileage is quite reasonable. Preventative maintenance is a must on any vehicle and this one gets plenty of attention in that department.
http://wxdallas.com/chaseride.html
http://wxdallas.com/chaseride.html
Mike Hollingshead
As crowded as chasing is anymore, I highly recommend these...granted you might have to backpack a couple new tires.
MatthewCarman
You don't want to get something you will be afraid of denting. So make sure you get something that you are ok with getting hail dents as I said before.
Zach I noticed you were asking for jumper cables several days ago on your blog. How did that work out? Did your current vehicle die on you? I had to get a new vehicle recently so I know how it feels if that's the case. This year my Neeson decided to let out all of my oil and I did not realize the rattling noise was so serious until I pulled over and the car died. The noise was ongoing for 1-2 minutes. I now have a Ford Explorer and it is a great vehicle. It has over 170 thousand miles on it but I know the previous owners and they had no problems with it. I put a lot of miles on it and it has never given me a serious problems.
Zach I noticed you were asking for jumper cables several days ago on your blog. How did that work out? Did your current vehicle die on you? I had to get a new vehicle recently so I know how it feels if that's the case. This year my Neeson decided to let out all of my oil and I did not realize the rattling noise was so serious until I pulled over and the car died. The noise was ongoing for 1-2 minutes. I now have a Ford Explorer and it is a great vehicle. It has over 170 thousand miles on it but I know the previous owners and they had no problems with it. I put a lot of miles on it and it has never given me a serious problems.
