Two DD, can only keep one...

2002 Mazda protege5, manual, some suspension work done, some exterior and interior work done 140kmi, three kids ten, six and two years old. Vs. 1995 f150 supercab 4x4, new gas tank, calipers and rotors, new shocks and some new urethane bushings about 140kmi. ~20 min ride to work, we use Caravan for most long drives. The volitile weather and my DIY home project self make me say big heavy 4x4, gas prices and fun factor of the tiny car say "keep me". Money and space tell me I have to choose. What says the forum members?

Mazda.

zoom zoom

Mazda all the way. If you need to haul big stuff for DIY projects use the minivan.

I like trucks.

when you "need" a truck, rent one.

belteshazzar wrote: when you "need" a truck, rent one.

Most people forget this option. This is what I do when my Subaru Baja can't haul what I need hauled.

belteshazzar wrote: when you "need" a truck, rent one.

My biggest concern is that I'm someone who NEEDS to get to work when no one else can. I was lucky to have my two days off for this blizzard. Mazda is the worst I've ever driven in snow bar none. Much worse than my two wheel drive Ranger ever was.

Selling both and buying a small SUV isn't an option ATM either. I really do like driving the Mazda. Can I make it much more snow worthy? I also like to take kids fishing and need to drive down some albeit tame dirt roads.

Snow tires for the Mazda? "Tame" dirt road should be fine, just take it slow. (or do a rally build...)

Can anyone help me with what donors might have 15" wheels to fit the Mazda? Figure ill get 4 cheap wheels and get some snows for them (waaay too much $ to put them on my 16"s).

ebonyandivory wrote:

belteshazzar wrote: when you "need" a truck, rent one.

My biggest concern is that I'm someone who NEEDS to get to work when no one else can. I was lucky to have my two days off for this blizzard. Mazda is the worst I've ever driven in snow bar none. Much worse than my two wheel drive Ranger ever was.

I would think any FWD car with a good set of snows would be capable of getting through pretty much any blizzard.

Sounds like a tough decision. I'm not sure of your financial situation. Gas prices here are $3.60-$3.80, so I can't wait to see what they are going to be come summer. If you don't use your truck too often, I would go along with getting a cheap set of 15" steelies and some General Altimax Arctic's especially if you can borrow someones truck when you need it.

base model probe steelies, also DSM's should be a bolt-on as well. i had DSM steelies on my '96 PGT for a couple winters.

on a car that size you want a winter tire no wider than a 195.

I admit I love the idea of making the Mazda as off road and bad weather capable as possible! Maybe a roof rack for light duty projects. It's lowered .75". I wonder if its possible to add an inch or two above stock height? Any ideas guys? Or should I start a new thread about offroading the Mazda?

Isn't this a 4x100 car?

5x114.3

What about a selling the Ford and look for a small (Toyota) used four door truck? I am one of those people that has a need for a fullsize truck but do not use it all the time, they are nice when you need a truck right now as I tried the renting thing years ago, not much luck.

Paul B

Selling to buy isn't in the cards right now money wise. Gotta keep just the most practical one at least for the near future

F150. It can do what the Mazda can do (transport people) but the Mazda can't tow, haul or go into 4x4. Put the proceeds from selling the Mazda towards gas.

When your life changes again and it's possible to have a third car it will be a lot easier to justify getting another small car than another truck. Better mileage, more practical, fun. Once you learn how to live without a truck, it becomes much harder to talk the spouse into one. Besides, you can drag a small project car home with the truck, but the inverse is not true.

Mazda. I hate driving my Ford F250 daily. The fuel bills seriously add up. Rent a truck from Uhaul or Home Depot when you need it.

belteshazzar wrote: when you "need" a truck, rent one.

Maybe. It depends on what you need the truck to do.

Can you rent a truck for a weekend of towing your car to and from a race a long distance away?

Another for Mazda + winter tires.

You don't say what year is your Caravan, but if it's recent, they two surprisingly well. They are great to haul stuff.

Trucks suck (not just gas) for commuting.

my mazda 3 digs through snow like mad. some General Altimax Arctic's make all the difference.