vehicle recommendation.

So I bought my dodge Dakota new, 250,000 miles ago and I guess it's time for a new rig. I don't think I want a pick up truck this time but still need to haul a lot of tools and a big ladder or two and of course kayak and gear and room enough to sleep in.
Leno has a Honda Element that I likes a lot, roomy for work and play.
Vans are gas guzzlers so I'd like to steer clear....
Ten grand max.... Ideas????? Thanx!

4runner or pickup with a shell man.  Those are the only two options in life!  Vans are cool, but Im getting 10mpg's in my 2500 work van.  The little chevy astro vans are sweet, get about 18mpg's and can be had for 5k or so.  I used to get 16mpg packed to the hair with tools and wire, about 1000 lbs or so.  You can get them in AWD too.  Might be worth a look.

I was looking at Elements for a while, and it seems like the owners really enjoy them, plus, you can put a pretty awesome pop-top on them making them camper cars.
the downside IMO is that getting a kayak up on top would be a bit of a bear.

they do make AWD, and even a few 4wd models though, and are fun to drive around.

Have you looked at wagons?

Aloha

Isao

Element is a good vehicle. Only downside is the backdoors need the fronts open to open themselves. I've been looking at Forrester wagons,bmw wagons,vw wagons, outbacks..etc. Something with enough length for the pa14 but not as tall as.my truck.

If i could chose any car it would be an Older Vw TDI wagon, 48mpg and fun to drive. Kayaks on the roof will lower your MPG's to 35 or so.

Dude, mullets and station wagons are making a comeback. Go with it.

My vote if for the Subaru Outback.  I sold my Chevy 1500 Z71 before moving here last summer.  I've been sharing my wife's Chevy Trailblazer since then.  I get 21mpg hwy and 16mpg around town.  It drops down to 14-15mpg when pulling my jetski trailer with the Pro Angler on it.  That said I'm looking to add a second vehicle and would like something with better mileage and AWD.  The Subie Outback gets great reviews, holds its resale value and the mileage is pretty good for an AWD with as much room as they have!

Eventually ill be replacing the Trailblazer with another truck though!  A guy like me just has to have a truck for all the hunting, yard chores, and wood work that I do!  It'll probably end up being an F150 or a Tundra.  Hopefully by the time that day comes there will be a small diesel offered in a half ton truck!!

I like the durango I bought, but the mpg sucks.

if you care about mpg and reliability than Subaru Outback/Legacy Wagon would be my #1 choice or Forester

Go 4runner and dot look back! U going to SPD tomorrow?

Go 4runner and dot look back! U going to SPD tomorrow?

Ditto. My 2001 has 226,000 miles on it and I've never had a single mechanical issue with it. Ever.

I'm actually probably gonna buy my old lady a new one this year since I've put way more miles on her current one than she has. 

Love my 2005 4Runner (145,000) as well  . A bit of a hoist to the rack for the yaks by myself. . I bought a kayak assist bar that works slick as long as you use a soft small blanket to avoid scratches along the side of the car.  Gotta be careful with Hobies as the back of the yak (rudder assembly) rests on the ground (I cushion that as well when I am by myself). I too would like a new 4Runner; however, I not very excited about the new look. There is one model, year and color that I would buy in a heart beat if I could find one local (shhh its a secret).

If I could have any car I wanted it would be a brand new 2007 4Runner.

My vote if for the Subaru Outback.  I sold my Chevy 1500 Z71 before moving here last summer.  I've been sharing my wife's Chevy Trailblazer since then.  I get 21mpg hwy and 16mpg around town.  It drops down to 14-15mpg when pulling my jetski trailer with the Pro Angler on it.  That said I'm looking to add a second vehicle and would like something with better mileage and AWD.  The Subie Outback gets great reviews, holds its resale value and the mileage is pretty good for an AWD with as much room as they have!

Eventually ill be replacing the Trailblazer with another truck though!  A guy like me just has to have a truck for all the hunting, yard chores, and wood work that I do!  It'll probably end up being an F150 or a Tundra.  Hopefully by the time that day comes there will be a small diesel offered in a half ton truck!!

Dodge is supposed to have a 1/2 ton diesel this summer with mid 20's economy. 

Yeah, but it'll still be a dodge!!!  . Hopefully Ford, Chevy, or Toyota will come out with one!!

I'm sure once one of them comes out with a production model then the others will follow suit!  It only makes sense to get the torque and fuel economy of the diesel with the half ton platform that fits the majority of us.  I'm tired of getting 17-18mpg out of a half ton gas powered truck only to have it drop to 10-12mpg when pulling a small light weight trailer full of kayaks!!  The 1/2 ton diesel should cure that issue without the need for stepping up to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck that I don't need!