I am looking for a 4x4 SUV with a manual transmission (most models only have
an automatic now), and NOT one which is a converted front wheel drive, such
as the CRV and RAV4. I will be using it for trips, and some off-road on
forest and desert roads. There are not a lot of SUVs with manual
transmissions, but I have road tested a few. Problem is the "on-road" ride
is so bad, I can't wait to get out of them. I don't think I am all that
picky about ride either. I drive a Firebird Trans Am, which isn't exactly
the smoothest riding car around.

Toyota FJ Cruiser - nice truck, and road decently except it has a VERY
annoying constant side-to-side pitching motion going down the road, which
throws your head from side-to-side.

Nissan Xterra - great value, comfortable, no side-to-side pitching, but it
picks up EVERY bump in the road, even ones you can't see. This truck never
smoothes out, even on the best roads.

Hummer H3 - great equipment for off-road, but has the same problem as the
Xterra, although not quite as bad. Even on very smooth freeway, this truck
is jarring. I drove both the regular and Adventure model. Instead of
wanting to get out in five minutes as I did in the Xterra, I lasted 15
minutes.

BMW X3 - decent ride, although I'm a little worried about it getting torn up
off-road, even though I won't be on anything approaching the Rubicon trail.
Maybe someone here has some experience with these off-road they can tell me
about.

I use to have a full sized GMC Jimmy in the early '80s, and it rode fine.
It might have bounced a bit, but with the long suspension travel, it soaked
up bumps great. I don't understand why this can't be done 20 years later.
It seems like we have gone backwards. I also drove a company Ford tall
standing 4x4 pickup, and that thing could hit potholes, and you wouldn't fee
a thing (not an exaggeration).

Anyone have any ideas on what I should look at? I'm out of ideas.

Michael

On Thu, 27 Apr 2006 10:19:40 -0700, "Michael Adams"
<nomail@nomail.com> wrote:

>I am looking for a 4x4 SUV with a manual transmission (most models only have
>an automatic now), and NOT one which is a converted front wheel drive, such
>as the CRV and RAV4. I will be using it for trips, and some off-road on
>forest and desert roads. There are not a lot of SUVs with manual
>transmissions, but I have road tested a few. Problem is the "on-road" ride
>is so bad, I can't wait to get out of them. I don't think I am all that
>picky about ride either. I drive a Firebird Trans Am, which isn't exactly
>the smoothest riding car around.
>
>Toyota FJ Cruiser - nice truck, and road decently except it has a VERY
>annoying constant side-to-side pitching motion going down the road, which
>throws your head from side-to-side.
>
>Nissan Xterra - great value, comfortable, no side-to-side pitching, but it
>picks up EVERY bump in the road, even ones you can't see. This truck never
>smoothes out, even on the best roads.
>
>Hummer H3 - great equipment for off-road, but has the same problem as the
>Xterra, although not quite as bad. Even on very smooth freeway, this truck
>is jarring. I drove both the regular and Adventure model. Instead of
>wanting to get out in five minutes as I did in the Xterra, I lasted 15
>minutes.
>

You are going to have a very hard time finding a american made SUV
with a stick on a lot or otherwise. You might consider a CC truck with
a short box like a GM 2500 HD as you can get a 5 speed with a 6.0 or
a 6 sp with a Dmax or 8.1. I beleive Ford offers a 6 speed with V10
and a PS in like trucks too.
>BMW X3 - decent ride, although I'm a little worried about it getting torn up
>off-road, even though I won't be on anything approaching the Rubicon trail.
>Maybe someone here has some experience with these off-road they can tell me
>about.
>
>I use to have a full sized GMC Jimmy in the early '80s, and it rode fine.
>It might have bounced a bit, but with the long suspension travel, it soaked
>up bumps great. I don't understand why this can't be done 20 years later.
>It seems like we have gone backwards. I also drove a company Ford tall
>standing 4x4 pickup, and that thing could hit potholes, and you wouldn't fee
>a thing (not an exaggeration).
>
>Anyone have any ideas on what I should look at? I'm out of ideas.
>
>Michael
>
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com

Check out a used Jeep Cherokee or a new Jeep Wrangler.

Carl