Sport Utility Vehicles - The Car for Desert Roads in Baja California

What is the best car or vehicle for driving our diverse road conditions? Many such as myself believe, with the challenging city streets, rough roads and anywhere but the, rugged vehicles with 4x4 do help a lot. The SUV or Sport Utility Vehicle as its full name implies was designed for sport. The actual use of these cars by many in the United States spurs me to call them UAV or Urban Assault Vehicles, coined from Bill Murray’s movie “Stripes” where the military makes a weapon of a motor home.

While SUV’s come four wheeled drive equipped many people never leave the pavement with them. Using them solely for the carrying capacity, protection on the highway and just plain vanity in many cases, which is not probably the best use of resources. There is a fair amount of criticism of those SUV drivers for economic and environmental reasons. I believe the criticism is justified if you are not using four wheel drive at least a few times every year, why waste the fuel and spend so much just for a look? They have become somewhat of
 

Of course the wisest thing is to do is not drive in high water if possible and if in high water get to high ground as soon as possible and wait. Unfortunately many of the deaths associated with hurricanes come from people that are moving around and getting swept up in fast moving floods.

So, driving a SUV in this magnificent peninsula can be considered a safety issue for many of us that travel all over. Now what SUV do you prefer? I’m partial to the old trooper seeing as I have had 2 from the 89-90 era. I really like their simplicity size and fuel economy. Something you don’t always hear when talking about Utility Vehicles. Some of the smaller ones like Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda and others have pretty good fuel economy.

People worry about being able to get parts so buy the vehicles that are sold here  like Toyotas or Nissan. The only problem with this thinking is that they probably still have to order the parts even if they sell that car. Hondas are not imported and parts come from Tijuana or the US and take about 1 week.

a fashion statement whether you drive a Land Rover LR3, BMW X5, Suzuki Samurai, CJ Jeep or a military designed Hummer it definitely says something about the owner.

The sport utility vehicles are really becoming more available in Mexico and you now will even find a Land Rover dealer just south of the border.

Here in the desert, these tough little four wheeled drive buggies of all types have become the most popular and probably justifiable vehicle to drive, with many early models finding their final resting place here in Off Road country. (See Troopers Article). There is for a good reason because even in the major cities you may find potholes, detours, high water and rough roads inside the city limits. Of course if you plan to travel out of any of these major populations, almost all of the roads are dirt, washboard and mud in the rainy seasons.

You may not be running a off-road race and don’t really need to be driving an off road blaster or pre-runner but the higher clearance helps a lot even with the abusive topes (see topes) found in cities and especially if you encounter high water.

I also drive a Chevy ½ ton 4x4 which I have driven for close to 200 thousand miles with 150 of it being in Mexico.

I need a large truck a lot of the time for business but when I don’t, I really like the Trooper for running around town and for off road. It is definitely easier in the shorter wheel based vehicles with clearance to get off and on the desert highway and explore the old roads.

Anyway, I thought I might spur some discussion as to what your favorite all around desert car, truck, vehicle or SUV is. Many of our readers are ones, that are coming down for the first time and or are moving here and they always have a interest as to what the “locals” like.

So, if you click here you can send your comments and we will post any of those we find of value unless you ask us not to for some reason. Also feel free to send any photos of your favorite ride or road predicament.

Safe driving and please OjO, mucho OjO.

James