- Dec 5, 2011
- 597
This morning I was thinking of what would be the perfect commuter vehicle for my purposes. Suddenly I had an epiphany. Before I explain the perfect new vehicle, let me explain the criteria.
1. Reasonable fuel mileage. To me this is roughly 30mpg average.
2. Must be capable of being a year round, all-weather vehicle, including unplowed dirt roads.
3. Price. Needs to be in the econo range, preferably under 20K
4. Utility. I don't plan on hauling or towing with this vehicle, but I need to be able to throw some tools in from time to time and not have it be a complete pain to work out of.
Given those criteria, most everything on the road nowadays is out. Several smaller cars, including the Sonic hatch meet 1,3,and 4, but they all sit so low to the ground, I run into serious issues in snow covered roads. That sucks. Almost all the utility based vehicles that are capable of traversing snowy roads are either uber-expensive, or gas hogs. So here is my idea, stick with me, its a little crazy, but would be a load of fun. Also keep in mind, I'm trying for cheap, so as much as possible needs to carry over from shelf GM parts
I call it the 2015 Chevrolet Animal. Start with a Sonic hatchback. Lift it 4 inches, and make it AWD. Stock rubber is 195/65/15. Replace that with 235/75/15 (basic small pickup tires) with some decent grip. Not a big mud tire, just a reasonably capable tire. Now chop the hatch off behind the front doors, and replace it with a small 4-6 foot pickup bed, extending only a foot beyond the rear tires. Interior can still be from the Sonic, as can the 1.4L turbo 4 cylinder. What you have now is a very small short wheelbase pickup. Factory Sonics have 4.9" ground clearance. The lift plus tires would lift it approx 6 inches total, giving 10.9" ground clearance. Our 360s are 7.9". Given AWD and its light weight, it would be a blast to drive, and with that short wheel base, it should be able to scramble over and through most anything. It wouldn't be a powerhouse, the 1.4 turbo is roughly 180hp, but I think for its weight, it would be fine. It would also be equipped with the bar in the bed behind the cab for roof lights, as well as a small push bar/skid plate in front.
I think given that most of this car already exists starting in the 12-13K range, I think with the addition of AWD, this could still be sold under 20K
I will follow with a sketch in the next day or two of what this beast would look like just for fun.
Let me know what you think of my insanity/idea
1. Reasonable fuel mileage. To me this is roughly 30mpg average.
2. Must be capable of being a year round, all-weather vehicle, including unplowed dirt roads.
3. Price. Needs to be in the econo range, preferably under 20K
4. Utility. I don't plan on hauling or towing with this vehicle, but I need to be able to throw some tools in from time to time and not have it be a complete pain to work out of.
Given those criteria, most everything on the road nowadays is out. Several smaller cars, including the Sonic hatch meet 1,3,and 4, but they all sit so low to the ground, I run into serious issues in snow covered roads. That sucks. Almost all the utility based vehicles that are capable of traversing snowy roads are either uber-expensive, or gas hogs. So here is my idea, stick with me, its a little crazy, but would be a load of fun. Also keep in mind, I'm trying for cheap, so as much as possible needs to carry over from shelf GM parts
I call it the 2015 Chevrolet Animal. Start with a Sonic hatchback. Lift it 4 inches, and make it AWD. Stock rubber is 195/65/15. Replace that with 235/75/15 (basic small pickup tires) with some decent grip. Not a big mud tire, just a reasonably capable tire. Now chop the hatch off behind the front doors, and replace it with a small 4-6 foot pickup bed, extending only a foot beyond the rear tires. Interior can still be from the Sonic, as can the 1.4L turbo 4 cylinder. What you have now is a very small short wheelbase pickup. Factory Sonics have 4.9" ground clearance. The lift plus tires would lift it approx 6 inches total, giving 10.9" ground clearance. Our 360s are 7.9". Given AWD and its light weight, it would be a blast to drive, and with that short wheel base, it should be able to scramble over and through most anything. It wouldn't be a powerhouse, the 1.4 turbo is roughly 180hp, but I think for its weight, it would be fine. It would also be equipped with the bar in the bed behind the cab for roof lights, as well as a small push bar/skid plate in front.
I think given that most of this car already exists starting in the 12-13K range, I think with the addition of AWD, this could still be sold under 20K
I will follow with a sketch in the next day or two of what this beast would look like just for fun.
Let me know what you think of my insanity/idea