Good morning! I’m writing this from a motel in Springfield, Ohio, after a grueling day including 100 miles through the worst rainstorm I’ve seen in years. I’m beat, but the show must go on, as they say, so here are a couple more vehicles chosen by my better half.
Yesterday, we looked at a couple of cheap reliable beaters from Iowa. I figured the Honda minivan would win; J-bodies are a hard sell with you lot. Personally, I’d take the Sunfire, if I was just looking for a cheap way to get around; it’s not a very nice car, but it’s reliable, efficient, and cheap and easy to fix if something does go wrong.
But if you need more space than a small two-door coupe affords, the Odyssey would be a good choice as well. You should be able to get $2,000 worth of use out of it before the transmission shits the bed again.
Today, Erika has found a couple of cosmetically-challenged SUVs for you to consider. One is ugly on the inside, the other on the outside, but both at least will get you home. Let’s check them out.
2003 Honda Pilot EX – $1,999
Engine/drivetrain: 3.5 liter overhead cam V6, five-speed automatic, part-time 4WD
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Odometer reading: 160,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Oddly enough, this Honda Pilot is pretty similar mechanically to yesterday’s winning Odyssey. It has the same 3.5 liter V6, and the same fragile automatic transmission, but the Pilot adds four-wheel-drive. The front wheels are driven normally, but the rears kick in if the fronts start to slip. You can also lock it in 4WD with a button on the dash. It’s not what you want for off-roading, but for snow, it’s just the ticket.
This Pilot runs and drives well, according to the seller, but it has led a hard life. The interior is ripped and stained, most of the power locks don’t work, and the whole car just has an overall feeling of tiredness. There’s no mention of the transmission’s condition one way or another, but it’s a question worth asking.
One of the Pilot’s claims to fame is that it came with three rows of seats. This is great if you need the seating, but a waste of valuable cargo space if you don’t. It looks like the seller of this one left the rear seats folded down most of the time, and transported something messy back there.
It’s hard for me to find much to say about this car, actually. It’s a completely nondescript family car, an NPC vehicle if there ever was one. But I suppose that has its advantages: Such an invisible vehicle would make a great getaway car. And it’s got room for the whole crew!
1986 Ford Bronco II – $1,900
Engine/drivetrain: 2.9 liter overhead valve V6, five-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: New Albany, OH
Odometer reading: 51,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Bronco II was Ford’s answer to the Chevy S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy, which debuted the same year. It’s based on the Ford Ranger pickup, and powered by Ford’s “Cologne” V6. Earlier models made do with a carbureted 2.8 liter engine, but in 1986 the Bronco II received the updated 2.9 liter version, with electronic fuel injection.
It’s equipped with a five-speed manual and four-wheel-drive, as they all should have been. Yes, you could get a 2WD Bronco II for a while. Weirdly, the 2WD ones still have a transfer case housing like the 4WD ones; it’s just empty. This one, however, has fully functional 4WD, and the seller says it works just fine.
In fact, mechanically, this thing seems to be in tip-top condition, and the seller offers photographic proof in the ad. Here we see this Bronco II rolling down the freeway, admittedly only at 55 MPH, but the steering wheel is straight, and the gauges all appear to work. I’m not sure how prudent or safe it was for the seller to snap a photo like this while driving, but it does get the point across.
However, not all is well in Bronco-land. This truck was used as a snowplow, and as such, it bears the scars of a lot of Ohio winters. The frame is solid, according to the seller, but there’s a lot of rust in the sheetmetal. The latches on the driver’s door and the tailgate also need some work. But if you want a perfect Bronco II, you’re going to pay a lot more for it.
Beauty is only skin-deep, they say; it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Well, one of these has some pretty rough skin, but is actually nice on the inside. The other is uglier inside, but has a nice inoffensive incognito exterior. Which one is more important to you?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
The Bronco II has always been maligned by the enthusiast masses and I never understood why. It’s an SUV version of the square body ranger, I’ve always found them endearing. Add in the choose-your-own-adventure transmission and we’re cruising.
I’ll take the 80s warhorse today and leave the Pilot for someone else to hate every day.
Yes, I am aware the Pilot is the better choice for a daily. But we’re buying off EMOTIONS, dammit!
The Bronco II was seriously prone to rollover. Partially due to the higher center of gravity than the Ranger, and probably partially due to a lot of new SUV buyers unaccustomed to the driving characteristics of these vehicles. It’s a reputation that stuck.
Let’s not talk about 80s rollovers. I’m STILL bitter Consumer Reports railroaded the Samurai to advance their own publication.
Is it though? That transmission in the Pilot is like having an Achilles’ Heel that is actually both of your legs. There are very few cars that I will immediately refuse to even consider, but anything with that Honda trans is definitely top of that list!
I drove a Bronco II to NYC and back (Syracuse), 5speed it was red, the transmission went out near scranton, still I’d take it over the Honda, I hate those transmissions! Look at it funny and it won’t shift anymore!
Plus you can toss a newer Ranger M5OD in it cheaply and easily to solve the issues of the crummy stock trans.
I always thought the 2.9 Cologne V6 came standard with the M5OD
It should be a Mitsubishi trans behind the 2.9
I drove a Bronco II to NYC and back (Syracuse), 5speed it was red, the transmission went out near scranton, still I’d take it over the Honda, I hate those transmissions! Look at it funny and it won’t shift anymore!
Plus you can toss a newer Ranger M5OD in it cheaply and easily to solve the issues of the crummy stock trans.
I always thought the 2.9 Cologne V6 came standard with the M5OD
It should be a Mitsubishi trans behind the 2.9
My first SUV was an ’88 Bronco II XLT (two-tone gold and brown, manual, 4×4) that I had from ’94-00. The Bronco II was fun on the trails in the mountains of Colorado but felt underpowered on I-70 at altitude. Replaced by a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, had a series of GCs since then.
My first SUV was an ’88 Bronco II XLT (two-tone gold and brown, manual, 4×4) that I had from ’94-00. The Bronco II was fun on the trails in the mountains of Colorado but felt underpowered on I-70 at altitude. Replaced by a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, had a series of GCs since then.
Yesterday, I said “no” to another encounter with turn-of-the-century Honda automatic transmissions. But yesterday, the alternative was a red Pontiac.
Today, the alternative is a plow truck that I’d venture to say is in even worse shape than appears in the pictures, with a mismatched interior and unseen other horrors.
Take me to the Pilot, and then we’ll head straight for the local detailing shop.
This is the answer. The Pilot can be cleaned reasonably well in an afternoon(ish). I grew up in Ohio working on rusty cars with my Dad. Happy to still work with the old man, but I’ll pass on the rust.
Yesterday, I said “no” to another encounter with turn-of-the-century Honda automatic transmissions. But yesterday, the alternative was a red Pontiac.
Today, the alternative is a plow truck that I’d venture to say is in even worse shape than appears in the pictures, with a mismatched interior and unseen other horrors.
Take me to the Pilot, and then we’ll head straight for the local detailing shop.
This is the answer. The Pilot can be cleaned reasonably well in an afternoon(ish). I grew up in Ohio working on rusty cars with my Dad. Happy to still work with the old man, but I’ll pass on the rust.
I’d wager, even with the potential transmission issue looming overhead, that Pilot would clean up better than most would think, and would get to a point of a reasonable cheap family car, or a good little flip with some elbow grease and minor work. That Bronco just looks tired, and the rust bubbles scare me away.
I’d wager, even with the potential transmission issue looming overhead, that Pilot would clean up better than most would think, and would get to a point of a reasonable cheap family car, or a good little flip with some elbow grease and minor work. That Bronco just looks tired, and the rust bubbles scare me away.
As with yesterday, I will not vote for that Honda transmission, so Bronco for me. It will run longer, even if it does promptly rust away.
As with yesterday, I will not vote for that Honda transmission, so Bronco for me. It will run longer, even if it does promptly rust away.
I wanted to go for the Bronco but then I saw it had been used as a plow. Solid frame or not, absolutely everything under it is going to be covered with rust. Which means that every simple repair job will become a miserable affair as you fight every single rusty nut, bolt, and screw. So I guess the Pilot it is for me. In my car detailing side business days, I detailed a couple of those and one actually looked much worse than the one shown here. It should clean up just fine.
I wanted to go for the Bronco but then I saw it had been used as a plow. Solid frame or not, absolutely everything under it is going to be covered with rust. Which means that every simple repair job will become a miserable affair as you fight every single rusty nut, bolt, and screw. So I guess the Pilot it is for me. In my car detailing side business days, I detailed a couple of those and one actually looked much worse than the one shown here. It should clean up just fine.
I really wanted to vote for the Bronco II, but sweet fancy Moses is that tape holding the A-pillar together? That is a level of rust that even our own beloved David Tracy would say “Eh, maybe let it go…”
Or break out the Sawzall and make your own roadster!
Honda for me, tho…
Was looking to see if anyone else saw that the windshield appears to be “sealed” with tape.
The Bronco is a POS. The Honda is far from a cherry, but better than the Bronc. If the transmission seems to be working well, then give it a cleaning and new fresh ATF and it is probably good for another 20k miles.
Sawzall idea works for me.
I really wanted to vote for the Bronco II, but sweet fancy Moses is that tape holding the A-pillar together? That is a level of rust that even our own beloved David Tracy would say “Eh, maybe let it go…”
Or break out the Sawzall and make your own roadster!
Honda for me, tho…
Was looking to see if anyone else saw that the windshield appears to be “sealed” with tape.
The Bronco is a POS. The Honda is far from a cherry, but better than the Bronc. If the transmission seems to be working well, then give it a cleaning and new fresh ATF and it is probably good for another 20k miles.
Sawzall idea works for me.
Going Pilot, it’s actually an exterior upgrade over my current ’05 MDX and I bet my seat covers will fit. Timing belt is $1000. I sue mine for big vacations, hauling and horrendous weather.
Love the Bronco II as a toy.
Going Pilot, it’s actually an exterior upgrade over my current ’05 MDX and I bet my seat covers will fit. Timing belt is $1000. I sue mine for big vacations, hauling and horrendous weather.
Love the Bronco II as a toy.
There’s a rollover safety switch on the firewall in the passenger footwell which disables the fuel pump if you turn turtle. I’ve known 2 to get crusty and cause people to replace fuel pump, relay, wiring, etc. Just something to keep in mind if you buy one.
There’s a rollover safety switch on the firewall in the passenger footwell which disables the fuel pump if you turn turtle. I’ve known 2 to get crusty and cause people to replace fuel pump, relay, wiring, etc. Just something to keep in mind if you buy one.
While I like the Bronco II, sourcing replacement body panels that aren’t shared with the Ranger is a bit harder these days than they used to be. Still, not too shabby, though I can also say that about the abused Pilot at this price point. A similar condition Pilot in my area would be at least four times this price.
While I like the Bronco II, sourcing replacement body panels that aren’t shared with the Ranger is a bit harder these days than they used to be. Still, not too shabby, though I can also say that about the abused Pilot at this price point. A similar condition Pilot in my area would be at least four times this price.
$1900 low mileage beater 4×4 with a plow? Sign me up.
$1900 low mileage beater 4×4 with a plow? Sign me up.
I don’t understand the hate for taking a picture of the dash as you drive in 2024. My phones have long had functions to go to camera mode just for shaking it in a certain way. Snap a few pictures without looking at the screen and you’re good to go, just pick the best one out later.
It’s no more of an intrusion into my driving than taking a sip of coffee.
I don’t understand the hate for taking a picture of the dash as you drive in 2024. My phones have long had functions to go to camera mode just for shaking it in a certain way. Snap a few pictures without looking at the screen and you’re good to go, just pick the best one out later.
It’s no more of an intrusion into my driving than taking a sip of coffee.