scionlife

OK Toyota, listen up. I want a very specific vehicle and I think that if you build it "they will come". I currently drive a Lexus SC430 as my daily driver and also drive a 94 T100 pickup for making trips to Lowes, etc. I am tired of having to own two vehicles and want a single vehicle that can meet all of my demands.

- Front engine, RWD, give it some power (3.5L V6? Tundra V8?)
- Convertible top/large sunroof of some type, possibly slider with fixed pillars
- Four doors, can be suicide rears like the Tundra extended cab or FJ Cruiser
- Four seats so that I can carry four normal people
- A shorty pickup bed maybe 3' deep
- Towing capacity of a standard 1/2-ton pickup
- A removeable, bed-mounted rack that and allows transport of long items

You see... I like the Infiniti FX because it is both sporty and can haul people comfortably, but it has no utility... leather and wood grain are too nice for this rig. I like the FJ Cruiser, but it has no pickup bed. The Chevy SSR is neat, but can't tow anything and it's kinda cheesy looking.

I want to be able to commute, pick up stuff at the hardware store (concrete bags in the bed, lumber on the rack, appliances on a trailer), take a spirited drive along the twisty highway to the ocean with the wind in my hair, and pick the kids up from school. I want to do this for $25,000.

Tell ya what, Toyota. Take an FJ Cruiser, give it a shorty bed on the back in place of the closed storage compartment. Cut a giant hole in the roof. Offer it in 2WD and lower it a hair with some 20" wheels. Sell it to me for $25,000 and I will be in heaven. Hell, make it a hybrid and I'll pay another few thousand!

Anyone else interested? Maybe I can start a group buy!


Darren's Imaginary Concept Vehicle

ReverseGTR

Aside from having a turbocharged H-4 instead of V6 or 8, AWD and 4 normal doors with non of them being suicide (unless you have the cash to make them) the Subaru Baja Turbo may interest you.

Aside from the front and lack of side skirts it also closely matches your drawing.

THE_DON

Honda Ridgeline?

-THE DON

scionofPCFL

It sounds like you want a 4 door El Camino?

It would be eaiser to take a saws all to a 4dr Tacoma to cut out the roof.

scionlife

The Ridgeline not so much... I want something a little more carlike and sporty. The Subaru is actually a great idea, if they offered an STi version of the Baja it might be exactly what I need! The funny thing is that Subaru discontinued that car because sales were so dismal. Does that mean that I am only one of a few that are looking for a vehicle like that?

ReverseGTR

Subaru actually restarted a limited production of the Baja for 2006. It also wouldn't be too hard to tune it up to STi specs considering it uses the same engine and the key differences is the intercooler, transmission which can fit,lower preasure turbo as well as obvious the intake and exhaust.

Whether the rest of the Baja can take that power without tuning is the major question, which shouldn't be too much of a problem since chassis is Legacy based. But if Subaru can do it with the Forester I bet someone can and probably already did pull it off with the Baja.

scionlife

Funny, I actually ended up at a Subaru dealer today. My brother is looking at an Impreza Outback. I took a look at the Baja and there is just something wrong with the proportions. I think it needs a longer wheelbase.

I'd like to see someone with a Baja drop it with some 19's on it... clean, low and mean. Hmmm.

ReverseGTR

I haven't found an actual one but I have found a very good CG model of a Baja with 19s. As for wheelbase I don't think you can do much with the length but as for width perhaps there is a wide body kit?

The only other modern car I can think of that can fit your discription of what you desire even more is the Holden Crewman SS. But you would have to travel to Australia to get that, plus its RHD.

scionlife

Now THAT is an interesting car! Hmmmm... if the Holden has power and came with a huge sunroof then it would fit the bill perfectly! I better do some more research, haha.

scionlife

ModelAXb

that thing is bada$$

scionlife

I am pretty sure that is similar to the Pontiac GTO here in the states. It started as a Holden, although I don't think it is body-on-frame construction like this Crewman. The body shape is definitely similar, though.

scionlife

...and here is the ultimate! A 2004 Crewman Cross 8 in eBay in Australia for AU $41,000 (US $31,000). Wow, this thing is nuts!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=160025654264

Skunk

Yeah, Baja Turbo with VF34 or 16g turbo swap for the win. The EJ25 can make like 270-300awhp (about 325-350hp) with that setup. You'll probably need suspension, rims, and maybe a bodykit/paint job to make it look the way you want. But it'll be capable of blowing most sports cars off the road.

jct

if you want a truck you can try to find one of these

to all yall haters out there i said BAH to you... least i tried...

and dodge really did make these

i for one would love to own one of these and drive it every where i go!!!

scionlife

Yeah, I'm aware that those exist... but since I don't want a truck, and I want four seats and four doors that isn't even close to what I want. It was a noble attempt, though... it is definitely a convertible with a truck bed, but I wouldn't consider it fast. Fun? Hell yes.

jct

thats when you do some thing like this but with a bigger motor http://engine-swaps.com/frames/frame_Truck_Dakota.html

ok i'm done tryin

scionlife

Haha... I give you points for effort anyway!

OldYeller

Sounds like you want a bigger version of the OD.........

scionlife

The OD?