04-27-2018, 12:38 PM
I wouldn't buy a property that required a 4x4 to get to unless it was the last 500 feet max. If it takes 45 minutes to drive 15 miles into Hilo, why punish yourself with an additional 30 minute trip to drive X miles to the pavement just to get out of your subdivision? Sounds like a recipe for regret.
All that being said, I scored an $1800 Dodge Dakota 2x on Craigslist about 5 years ago. Still going strong. It was a Puna Unicorn. Great for hauling big loads of mulch with the V6 Magnum engine. But the 1995 year and associated rust isn't going to pass safety inspection forever. Certainly not going to pickup any "babes" with this ugly rusted monster, but fortunately we don't need to worry about that. Sold a Jeep 4WD after I used it to drag a 20' shipping container to where we wanted it. The poor gas mileage, spartan interior, horrid road noise, and high maintenance costs made us regret purchase other than container drag. (Went to green sands beach once in it, but don't think the 4WD was ever required).
Shopping for a good pickup truck here is very difficult but if you have to, don't neglect the Kona market or even the other islands. Or bringing from the madland. Otherwise it takes patience and probably paying over KBB value.
All that being said, I scored an $1800 Dodge Dakota 2x on Craigslist about 5 years ago. Still going strong. It was a Puna Unicorn. Great for hauling big loads of mulch with the V6 Magnum engine. But the 1995 year and associated rust isn't going to pass safety inspection forever. Certainly not going to pickup any "babes" with this ugly rusted monster, but fortunately we don't need to worry about that. Sold a Jeep 4WD after I used it to drag a 20' shipping container to where we wanted it. The poor gas mileage, spartan interior, horrid road noise, and high maintenance costs made us regret purchase other than container drag. (Went to green sands beach once in it, but don't think the 4WD was ever required).
Shopping for a good pickup truck here is very difficult but if you have to, don't neglect the Kona market or even the other islands. Or bringing from the madland. Otherwise it takes patience and probably paying over KBB value.