Looking for advice on my first vehicle!

[islvandlife]

Hello! 

Male, near 30, despondent with late stage capitalism... I'm sure you've heard this story and the questions I'm about to ask numerous times so I appreciate your patience - and if the questions are better suited for somewhere else let me know! 

Never owned a car, drive very often for work. Took one drive a few years back from Toronto to Kentucky and back and a road trip in my mid 20s to LA with some friends - but I didn't drive cause the car was standard. 

I'm looking for my first starter vehicle (budget around $15k CDN max; contingency + first few months insurance/any repairs or additions built into that budget). I'm extremely interested in van life but haven't experienced or lived it yet, so was looking at an AstroVan/GMC Safari or a Cargo Van to start with but decided I need to go with something a bit more practical that can also work as a daily driver in a seasonal climate (it will likely be parked outdoors) in a city like Toronto. 

I'm hoping to start with weekend road trips and looking for a car I can sleep in the back of (6"3) while I try to gain experience camping/hiking (starting out with just small day loops, etc). I'd like to build towards longer road trips, maybe over a month, exploring Canada and the US. I'd alternate between sleeping out of my car and sleeping in hostels/kitschy stays/motels/couchsurfing. 

Any suggestions? Only reason I'm steering clear of minivans is the clearance issue, as if I want to go to some places like I've been up North or in the hills of Ohio (forest/logging roads etc) I'd like something with some clearance so that I can fully explore. 

I've been looking for a 4Runner with a low enough mileage but everything sits around 250k. I've also heard good things about the Subaru Outback/Forrester - what are the differences really between the types of Subarus? 

Basically looking for a good starter vehicle that can work as a daily driver but can accommodate week + road trips for someone who wants to, baby steps, try out the life and see if the actuality of it will stick as much as I romanticize it.

 

[bullfrog]

At 6’3” and wanting ground clearance you will be hard pressed to find a small economical vehicle to meet your needs. Have you tried laying down in a Subaru? A good nights sleep is important. Make sure what you look at meets your needs.

 

[islvandlife]

So far, the models I have earmarked to test drive are: AstroVan/Safari (got to test drive them before I fully write them off!), a 4 Runner and a Subaru Outback. Are there any models that fit this sort of weekend warrior starter car to sleep in type of parameters? I likely won't spend every night sleeping in the van, but would like to spend a few and "build my tolerance" so to speak.

 

[user 423]

A Subaru station wagon might be doable. Legacy,Outback,etc.

Join a Subaru forum to check what the interior dimensions are.

With rear seats folded down it might be roomy enough.

 

[BC Guy]

There is lots of room in the back of an Astro.
https://www.iseecars.com/car/2005-chevrolet-astro_cargo_van-dimensions

Find 2005 Chevrolet Astro Cargo Van interior, exterior and cargo dimensions for the trims and styles available. Choose the desired trim / style from the dropdown list to see the corresponding dimensions.
111.2" WB RWD
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 126.0
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 98.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) - TBD -
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 51.6
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 47.2
Cargo Volume (ft³) 170.4
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in) 111.2
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 189.8
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 77.5
Height, Overall (in) 75.0
Overhang, Front (in) 32.5
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) 46.0
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 26.0
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 6.8
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.4
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 42.0
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.2
Side Door Opening Height (in) 46.8
Side Door Opening Width (in) 34.5
Step Up Height - Front (in) 19.5
Step Up Height - Side (in) 21.5
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity 2
Front Shoulder Room (in) 64.0
Front Leg Room (in) 41.6
Front Head Room (in) 39.2
Front Hip Room (in) 65.0
YF7 Upfitter 111.2" WB RWD YF7 Upfitter
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 126.0
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 98.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) - TBD -
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 51.6
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 47.2
Cargo Volume (ft³) 170.4
Exterior Dimensions
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 42.0
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.2
Side Door Opening Height (in) 46.8
Side Door Opening Width (in) 34.5
Step Up Height - Front (in) 19.5
Step Up Height - Side (in) 21.5
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.4
Wheelbase (in) 111.2
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 189.8
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 77.5
Height, Overall (in) 75.0
Overhang, Front (in) 32.5
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) 46.0
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 26.0
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 6.8
Interior Dimensions
Front Hip Room (in) 65.0
Front Shoulder Room (in) 64.0
Front Leg Room (in) 41.6
Front Head Room (in) 39.2
Passenger Capacity 1
111.2" WB AWD
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 51.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) - TBD -
Cargo Volume (ft³) 170.4
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 47.2
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 98.6
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 126.0
Exterior Dimensions
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.2
Side Door Opening Height (in) 46.8
Side Door Opening Width (in) 34.5
Step Up Height - Front (in) 19.5
Step Up Height - Side (in) 21.5
Wheelbase (in) 111.2
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 189.8
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 77.5
Height, Overall (in) 75.0
Overhang, Front (in) 32.5
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) 46.0
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 26.0
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 6.8
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.4
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 42.0
Interior Dimensions
Front Leg Room (in) 41.6
Front Shoulder Room (in) 64.0
Front Hip Room (in) 65.0
Front Head Room (in) 39.2
Passenger Capacity 2
YF7 Upfitter 111.2" WB AWD YF7 Upfitter
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) - TBD -
Cargo Volume (ft³) 170.4
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 47.2
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 51.6
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 98.6
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 126.0
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in) 111.2
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 189.8
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 77.5
Height, Overall (in) 75.0
Overhang, Front (in) 32.5
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) 46.0
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 26.0
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 6.8
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.4
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 42.0
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.2
Side Door Opening Height (in) 46.8
Side Door Opening Width (in) 34.5
Step Up Height - Front (in) 19.5
Step Up Height - Side (in) 21.5
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Capacity 1
Front Head Room (in) 39.2
Front Leg Room (in) 41.6
Front Shoulder Room (in) 64.0
Front Hip Room (in) 65.0

 

[JasonMcD]

I'm 6'1" and my rig used to be a Jeep Liberty which is comparable in size to the Subaru you're talking about, and i can just about guarantee that you won't have the room to be comfortable that you'll want. Even at 6"1' i was barely able to sleep comfortably in the back with the seats down. Once you add in all your luggage and supplies you're going to be very cramped.

I've recently upgraded to a minivan, and i think its a good middle of the road sized rig. I have 7' by 5' in the back to work with and my Uplander gives me around 25 miles per gallon gas. I may upgrade once again down the road to a Sprinter van once i can afford it.