Best Vehicle For Chasing

[Scott Hammel]

Test drove this 2010 Equinox today:

Very impressive! In fact I would say I liked it a tad better than both Subaru's I was considering. I don't think I would buy this exact one as it already had 20k on it leaving me only 1/3 of the remaining warranty but I will be keeping my eye out. Fortunately I did some research about the vehicle beforehand because the sales guy didn't know anything about it. You would've thought I was selling him the car.

 

[J Tyler]

I don't mean to sound like a salesman myself, but don't forget the Equinox comes with a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain that follows the vehicle. No cost to transfer that warranty either. An engineer I work with bought one, and he is one of those "interesting" people who keeps a little notebook in his console and writes down every time he buys gas so he can "track it". In mixed driving, he averages 28mpg (!). His kids live in Topeka and on the highway he gets 34mpg. My Xterra gets 17! Ouch. Brags to everyone who will listen! Good guy. We go to lunch a lot, and it really is nice. The build quality makes my Xterra look pretty bad! LOL! Then again, his Equinox can't go wheeling (if that matters!). His is "Mocha Steel" with the "Brownstone" interior (I had to go look it up just now), and is THE combo to get IMO.

 

[Jason Foster]

I'd sell anyone my subaru. Even lowered it can still do this:

http://www.twitpic.com/26ln2n

I would certainly go with an Equinox myself for overall satisfaction. Some sacrifice in Off-road, but gains in ride height, gas mileage, and reliability are big wins in my book on the newer/current versions of the Chevy. Well, actually I'd prefer the GMC Terrain, looks sharper IMO.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I drive an 08 Xterra, and to me, it's the perfect fit for a storm chasing vehicle. It looks good, it's 4 wheel drive, and it has plenty of room for gear and other chasers. The gas mileage isn't too bad to me. The best part...it's very dependable. I drove a 2001 Frontier before I bought this, and the Xterra gets noticeably better gas mileage. I've always been a Nissan fan though. I had a Nissan truck in high school and put 167,000 miles before selling it. I then bought a 95 Nissan truck and put 80,000 miles on it before trading it for another one. The 01 Nissan Frontier had 170,000 miles on it when I traded it for the current Xterra. None of my vehicles ever had any major problems at all. I love the dependability of Nissan's.

 

[James Wilson]

An all black Toyota Tundra!

 

[Adam Adkins]

I use the Toyota 4runner. It gets 20mpg and has full time 4WD plus a locking center differential. Plus it is the most reliable SUV on the market! But I also use it to go 4WDing!

 

[Michael Towers]

Forget Toyota...they are all POSs now.

Well I’m pretty darn satisfied with my POS Camry, so satisfied I decided to stay with Toyota as I just bought a 2010 Highlander Limited 4x4. The Camry (2005 XLE V6) has given me 210,000 trouble free miles and my gas mileage is actually now at it’s all-time best (30mpg hwy, guess she just got broken in, lol). I’m more than confident it’s got at least another 100,000 miles in it and based on my experience I expect it to remain reliable and likely absent major maintenance issues. It’s comfortable for long trips and I never worry about breakdowns. I’ve put over 13,000 chasing miles on it this year with 3 days logging over 1,000 miles each and another 2 with over 800 each. Since I chase solo I have no problems fitting all my gear, I guess my only issue in that department is stowing the tripod fully extended in the back seat for easy access; it fits but has to be placed at an angle and carefully positioned in order to prevent damage to the head. I love the car and would continue using it but for the limited road access due to the low clearance and lack of AWD. I tend to be very judicious in considering gravel road options but have still come very close to getting stuck. After barely escaping the muck May 23 this year near Leoti, Kansas I swore I’d never go off pavement again. The very next day I found myself back on gravel as it was the only option if I were to stay with the circulation. I realize that’s how I am, I can make all sorts of rules (no core punching, no non-paved roads, no chasing after dark, etc.) but in the heat of the moment I’ll break them if the opportunity is tempting enough. July 13 in North Dakota was the last straw (punched a core, got cored, drove multiple times on gravel, chased after dark…on gravel, lol). After making it through a harrowing stretch of wet gravel I made a solemn vow, even voiced it aloud, that I’d never go on gravel again. 30 minutes later I’m escaping golfballs from a core and the paved road (not even marked on Delorme) becomes gravel. Turn back and get cored again? Heck no, back on gravel again. It was then that I firmly decided if I’m going to chase the way I chase then I need to get a vehicle with AWD.

My criteria:

-Truck or SUV
-4x4
-Wheels >17â€
-Reliable
-Durable (life > 10 years, >300,000 miles)
-Fuel efficiency >20mpg hwy.
-Comfort
-Price <$40k

I looked into other brands but based on my satisfaction with Toyota I narrowed my choices to the RAV4 Sport & Highlander Limited. The RAV4 looked appealing but didn’t offer the space or comfort of the Highlander and that ultimately led to my final decision. I bought my new Highlander last Friday and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. Great ride, lots of space, 19†wheels, 4x4, averaging 25mpg on the highway, looks sharp and should last me many years and provide me the access I want when the best road options are non-paved. Dents are a concern but I really shouldn’t worry; I made a firm vow, even voiced it aloud, that I’m never gonna punch a core again…

 

[Scott Hammel]

Just pulled the trigger last night on my new chase vehicle! First ever 'brand new' vehicle I've ever purchased. I now join Team Subaru...

Bam! 2010 Forester!
Love the color, love the ride, love being covered under a warranty again, and all of that stuff. The sunroof on this thing is humongous! Verne, I might be enquiring about where you got your windows reinforced! I am very happy though and glad to be done with the search.

 

[Mark Blue]

Nice ride Scott! I know what you mean about the sunroof being big though. My 2009 Murano has two of them - the front and back seat are both under glass, so there is no place to hide in a wicked hail storm except maybe in the far back. I try to avoid hail like the plague, but one of these days I may not have a choice. Having a new car makes core punching seem insane or the last thing a guy would ever want to do.

 

[Tyler Allison]

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Farmers fields don't stop me

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Farmers fields don't stop me

Wrangler here too, can turn on a dime and drive through anything...

 

[Aaron Strum]

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Farmers fields don't stop me

I can't tell form your avatar but Unlimited as in 2 door TJ or the 4 door JK?

Never minds looks like a 2 door. :$

If I was able to chase I'd would also do a Wrangler just would need to get a hardtop.

 

[Tyler Allison]

4 door Jeeps? no such thing.

 

[Wes Carter]

4 door Jeeps? no such thing.

http://www.jeep.com/en/2010/wrangler_unlimited/

 

[Jason Foster]

4 door Jeeps? no such thing.

You can't be serious about not knowing this.

Mike T. I'm mostly speaking of the newer models. I suspect you're not going to have the same success with the new Highlander as you did with the 05 Camry. Toyota just has not being doing things right. Look at the Tundra....which has been plagued with issues including major frame rust problems. I'm sure some models will fair better than others, but the truth is in the recent quality tests and awards too. Not going to Toyota anymore.

Now....I've posted this before, as my personal pick for best chase vehicle...of course it is way out of the O.P.'s price range, but I think we've strayed a little bit from the OP, so:

And starting in the fall, you'll be able to get it in crew cab...which is what I was waiting for. Now just to find a spare $45 grand. I've seen two in personal already (although both black) and they are more bad-ass in person.