The Survivalist Pledge:

To help all that can be helped,
To defend all that can be defended,
To save all that can be saved,
To free all that seek freedom,
To stay alive as long as I can and stay free as long as I live.

[The following article is excerpted from material that will be used in a comprehensive book on survival vehicles that the author is preparing.--Editor.]

If you're looking for a survival vehicle, you've probably narrowed the field down considerably to a few general types. Now how do you narrow the field down to THE vehicle you will buy? Choosing the individual vehicle model, especially if its a used vehicle, desires much thought and consideration. Researching the individual models of your chosen type will help in making the final choice. More than one information source should be used. Good sources of information include books, magazine article, opinions of owners, and opinions of mechanics. "I know a person who has one and they seem to like it," isn't enough.

The first point to consider is if your needs are best suited by a new or used vehicle, as some models and types are only found in new vehicles while others are no longer made. Your budget may dictate consideration of a used vehicle rather than a new one. This brings up the questions: What are the differences in models? And how do I get a good used vehicle?

These are not easy to answer. There is a large number of books and articles around that discuss different models or give suggestions and instruction on how to buy a used vehicle. Consumers Reports magazine produces one of the better examples. They also publish summaries of used car frequency-of-repair (FOR) records and model evaluations in their "Buyers Guide" issue. Often this information can be obtained in older issues from second-hand stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.) for pennies. Individual issues of the magazines are sometimes found in used book stores or at flea markets.

Perhaps the best source is any large public library which should have files with Consumers Guide and Consumers Reports. Before eliminating a vehicle model based on magazine new model evaluations, carefully read the comments and qualifying statements in the publication. Their information is for the "average" consumer with little though of the possibility of using a vehicle for survival.

Remember these ratings are biased toward an average consisting of family cars in normal usage. The person looking for a survival vehicle needs something outside the average. Four-wheel drive models are more complex and are used more roughly--therefore they have a higher repair frequency than grandmothers "going shopping" car. You can get additional information about various vehicle models you are considering by talking to owners. Mechanics and auto parts salesmen will often give you insights into the most common repairs for the different models you're considering.

Using the "Frequency of Repair" information is another way to help build an opinion of the relative merits or advantage of one vehicle over another. In Consumers Reports (Vol. 41, No. 12, 1976, pps. 375-383) is the FOR data on 1972-1975 models that I will use for discussion. Rather than comparing year to year for the some model (for example, International Scout V8s 1972 and 1974 show average for engine repairs while 1973 shows much worse than average), look for trends. When you do this you'll discover such facts as: Chevrolet Corvettes have more exhaust system problems than Chevy trucks and vans; Jeep station wagons have more cooling system problems than International Scouts; in a VW beetle, there is less trouble with the mechanical parts of the engine than in a VW bus where it has to work harder. These FOR listings show generally higher ratings for passenger cars than trucks and 4X4 vehicles for the same manufacturer. This may show only that these vehicles lead a harder life. A large 1972-1974 Ford sedan shows less than average engine repairs while the same years of Ford trucks show more than average (both vehicles probably have the same engines).

Another useful information table available to you is Trouble and Cost Indexes (TCI) published in Consumers Reports. The TCIs compare a vehicle model against most other vehicles of the same model year. For example, if you look at the Consumers Reports (Vol. 46, No. 12) and check the 1975-1980 model years, you'll find some interesting trouble trends: Chevy 6-cylinder and Ford V8 pickups rate slightly better than Chevy VI and Ford 6- cylinders and much better than Dodge V8 pickups. This same TCI listing shows that the VW Rabbit diesel models have less trouble than gasoline models but that, for the Oldsmobile 88, the gasoline versions have less trouble than diesel models. Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer V8s are shown to have required slightly more repairs than the International Scout V8s and Chevy Blazers; and all three of these models have more trouble than Ford 4X4 pickups with V8s which rate below Olds 88 models with gasoline engines!

Don't let this type of information should not overwhelm your decisions. Instead, use it to put different models into perspective. Another source of information is popular magazine articles on new models (back issues if you're interested in older vehicles) that feature the models you are interested in . Magazines such as Motor Trend, Off Road Vehicles, and Popular Mechanics represent just a few of the different ones available and all of these rush to cover the new models (hoping that readers will buy their publication first). Remember that writers will generally tell (and emphasize) the good things because they want the manufacturers or dealers to supply test vehicles or the "first look at the new models" for the next year. Once every year or so, magazines such as Car Craft, Hot Rod, Truck'N, Four Wheel Drive, and others feature an article on "How to Buy a Used...." or "The Best of...." These articles often give much better insight on the actual merits and values of the vehicles being discussed. (Dealers and manufacturers generally don't pay attention to descriptions of the flaws in models a few years old except to show "improvements" in this year's model over the one they were bragging about last year.) Time spent reading this material will help increase your level of knowledge and reduce the pressures (from the salesman and your own impulses) to buy right away. When reading this material, ask yourself what does "picked model of the year" or "best four drive of the year" actually mean?

As discussed above, the evaluations of magazines (with the exception of ones like Consumers Reports and Consumers Guide) on new products can be helpful but shouldn't be used exclusively to make a selection. Magazines make (or lose) money on advertising and their total circulation. They have to cover the latest topics and merchandise or no one will buy their magazine. At the same time, they have to keep the manufacturers feeling favorable toward them. Articles like "Why You Shouldn't Waste Your Money Buying a New 4X4 This Year!" might triple circulation BUT would cost 80 percent of the magazine's advertising income. Every product has good points and--by mentioning mostly these--everybody working with the magazine stays happy.

What this boils down to is that you as a prospective buyer should look for the understatements such as: "The seating is a little tight" (meaning anyone over 5' 2" can't get behind the wheel); "It handled well on the open road" (meaning it won't turn corners); etc. And remember that the omission of information (like when they drove the test model 5,000 miles and don't report gas mileage). This doesn't mean the articles are false or intentionally misleading--the writers are trying to do their best and still get their work published. Major defects and drawbacks are generally mentioned in any test articles and one or two items needing improvement will usually be mentioned (to show the writer is "honestly" evaluating the item).

Articles (in any magazine) rating new models higher because of technological advancements are best viewed with a few years of hindsight. For example, the diesel passenger cars, full time 4X4 trucks, turbocharging, electronic ignitions, extended chassis lubrication, and electronic fuel injection were all highly rated when they first appeared. Some of these are good and have gotten better in later models, but others never have worked as well as the magazines predicted.

My suggestion is to read and research on your selected models with the following thoughts in mind: Is the model using a known and time-proven drive train (engine, transmission, drive axle) and suspension? Are (or were) the "new models" features refinements, a redesign, or jest a name and cosmetic change? (For example, the AMC changed to the Concord from the Hornet--name and cosmetic change only and later they added the Eagle—a major chassis and drive-train redesign--while keeping essentially the same 6-cylinder engine and body components.)

 

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