teletech
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So, it seems to me this thread is mostly a bunch of dudes speculating about what vehicle a woman needs. I thought I'd do something different and check with some females I know about what is important to them. Obviously the OPs daughter is quite remarkable but based on the input of some not so girly-girls about an expedition vehicle that spends a lot of time both on and off pavement...
What women really want (well the ones I asked):
Turns out, they want to pee indoors! By a wide margin vehicles with some internal height and size were favored when this was considered.
Something without too many windows and the ability to block them out when sleeping or changing.
A top speed of 70 and power steering, bonus points for cruise control, a stereo, and a vehicle quiet enough to hear it.
Enough room for all their stuff.
To be able to get into the driver's seat easily from the back for safe departure in an emergency.
They aren't a fan of really tall vehicles, contrasting with some of the above but who says we have to be consistent.
Run flat tires, or at least ones with thick sidewalls.
Lastly, but above all, what they REALLY want is to be respected to make their own decisions. I'd offer information and send her to drive anything you might be considering before actually getting too invested in an idea for a vehicle she will ultimately hate. Even if it involves several plane tickets it's worth it and I bet you can fine an enthusiast with a close approximation of anything you could want who would be only too happy to let her give it a spin, because that's the sort of folks we are, or at least I hope it is!
I know there are those who beat the "how will you get parts" or "a local garage has never worked on one" drums. I believe this thinking is very pre-Internet. I mean, look at this site! I wanted a part for a British tank and I had it in 72 hours from the UK! It wasn't cheap but nor was it awful and mechanics are increasingly having to look up service data online anyway so never having seen something might not even matter. Just find a local (in the US) specialist for the vehicle type in question and keep their number in the glovebox.
If ex-military: I'd say if your bankroll would support it, a nice HUMVEE/H1 with an ambulance body might be the best off-the-shelf choice for around here. I'd look again at the Pinzgauer, the 710 has the better geared transmission and I've heard good things about the fuel economy, well good for what it is... I wish I could find it now but there was a great thread about a cross-country (several countries actually) road trip in one. They are becoming super popular in the adventure travel circuit in the US which bodes well for parts, support, and reputation since the tour outfits seem to be able to run them profitably.
If an old MV: Sure, the M1010 or M725/M43 ambulances are also pretty small in a good way and completely indestructible, the 725 is faster and could be used without much work but ironically the older M37 based vehicle has a better upgrade path, you do a little drivetrain work and install a Cummins 4BT motor and you can get parts very easily and any mechanic who has worked on a modern Dodge truck is passing familiar with the motor.
I bought a VERY rough M37 in Canada and drove it a couple thousand miles back home, doing deferred maintenance and repairs along the way and getting common parts was no problem, it was stock so 55-60MPH made for long days but with revised gearing I could see it being reasonable. The dash-throttle was a bit like cruise control.
Civvy ambulances should be given extra consideration as they are usually well maintained, comfortable (insulated, tall, good lighting,etc), and fairly fast without being huge. The trick is to find one without too much overhang in the back.
Google "used ambulance for sale" and you get a lot of hits from places that sell used fire trucks and the like, there are some really lovely vehicles that cost A BUNCH when new, have been used very little and maintained very well.
The type I units are often available as 4x4, type II are occasionally found (often quiglys).
I bought a used Quigly ambulance on the east coast last year and drove it back to CA. It was smooth, quiet, and well mannered. Enough like my regular van to be a nice freeway ride and tall/secure enough inside to make the girlfriend happy. The downsides were the mileage (a bit worse than a regular van but not much), the additional height made for a slower trip down the blue-ridge mountains but not too awful, and the design has somewhat limited front suspension travel which could be a liability in severe offroad situations. It is nice that all the parts are standard.
In addition. I like military/EMS vehicles over civvy SUVs because two-legged predators tend to associate them with authority and seem to steer clear.
Again, good luck,
What women really want (well the ones I asked):
Turns out, they want to pee indoors! By a wide margin vehicles with some internal height and size were favored when this was considered.
Something without too many windows and the ability to block them out when sleeping or changing.
A top speed of 70 and power steering, bonus points for cruise control, a stereo, and a vehicle quiet enough to hear it.
Enough room for all their stuff.
To be able to get into the driver's seat easily from the back for safe departure in an emergency.
They aren't a fan of really tall vehicles, contrasting with some of the above but who says we have to be consistent.
Run flat tires, or at least ones with thick sidewalls.
Lastly, but above all, what they REALLY want is to be respected to make their own decisions. I'd offer information and send her to drive anything you might be considering before actually getting too invested in an idea for a vehicle she will ultimately hate. Even if it involves several plane tickets it's worth it and I bet you can fine an enthusiast with a close approximation of anything you could want who would be only too happy to let her give it a spin, because that's the sort of folks we are, or at least I hope it is!
I know there are those who beat the "how will you get parts" or "a local garage has never worked on one" drums. I believe this thinking is very pre-Internet. I mean, look at this site! I wanted a part for a British tank and I had it in 72 hours from the UK! It wasn't cheap but nor was it awful and mechanics are increasingly having to look up service data online anyway so never having seen something might not even matter. Just find a local (in the US) specialist for the vehicle type in question and keep their number in the glovebox.
If ex-military: I'd say if your bankroll would support it, a nice HUMVEE/H1 with an ambulance body might be the best off-the-shelf choice for around here. I'd look again at the Pinzgauer, the 710 has the better geared transmission and I've heard good things about the fuel economy, well good for what it is... I wish I could find it now but there was a great thread about a cross-country (several countries actually) road trip in one. They are becoming super popular in the adventure travel circuit in the US which bodes well for parts, support, and reputation since the tour outfits seem to be able to run them profitably.
If an old MV: Sure, the M1010 or M725/M43 ambulances are also pretty small in a good way and completely indestructible, the 725 is faster and could be used without much work but ironically the older M37 based vehicle has a better upgrade path, you do a little drivetrain work and install a Cummins 4BT motor and you can get parts very easily and any mechanic who has worked on a modern Dodge truck is passing familiar with the motor.
I bought a VERY rough M37 in Canada and drove it a couple thousand miles back home, doing deferred maintenance and repairs along the way and getting common parts was no problem, it was stock so 55-60MPH made for long days but with revised gearing I could see it being reasonable. The dash-throttle was a bit like cruise control.
Civvy ambulances should be given extra consideration as they are usually well maintained, comfortable (insulated, tall, good lighting,etc), and fairly fast without being huge. The trick is to find one without too much overhang in the back.
Google "used ambulance for sale" and you get a lot of hits from places that sell used fire trucks and the like, there are some really lovely vehicles that cost A BUNCH when new, have been used very little and maintained very well.
The type I units are often available as 4x4, type II are occasionally found (often quiglys).
I bought a used Quigly ambulance on the east coast last year and drove it back to CA. It was smooth, quiet, and well mannered. Enough like my regular van to be a nice freeway ride and tall/secure enough inside to make the girlfriend happy. The downsides were the mileage (a bit worse than a regular van but not much), the additional height made for a slower trip down the blue-ridge mountains but not too awful, and the design has somewhat limited front suspension travel which could be a liability in severe offroad situations. It is nice that all the parts are standard.
In addition. I like military/EMS vehicles over civvy SUVs because two-legged predators tend to associate them with authority and seem to steer clear.
Again, good luck,
