Toad: Manx or Jeep?

[Automobilist]

We're interested in picking up an inexpensive car to tow. Must be off-roadable & street legal. Primary interests are; VW "Manx" type buggy or Jeep Wrangler. I know the Jeeps are considerably heavier and more compicated than a VW based buggy would be. Will be flat towed, and used in SoCal deserts, mountains, etc.

Thoughts?

Ed

[OldChief7155]

Jeep. Can get parts anywhere. I tow a 99 Wrangler with no problems.

[hardy1000]

Jeep, tows easily and is reliable. Like OldChief says parts are easy to get if you need them.

[D in Davie]

Yeah but a VW Manx dune buggy is so cool. If it is manual transmission you should be able to tow it. It's light enough so you wouldn't need a supplimental brake system. Here in Florida rain would be the biggest problem but in SoCal that wouldn't be an issue. While the VW is way up on the cool scale it is probably real low on the confort and utility scale IMHO. There are a lot of people on this board who drive jeeps but very few who drive VW dune buggies.

[Automobilist]

I think VW parts would be as easy to get as Jeep parts, and a buggy doesn't need a 4WD system... I can get a nice Manx type for under $5k. Our use would be general "toad" and exploring in the desert. The more open the better as far as I'm concerned. If we go with a Jeep, it will be one we're not concerned with actually using as it was made for... At this point, my wife is more interested in riding our off road bikes, so we'll see what happens. I'll probably just buy either a Jeep or buggy and see if it fits in to our desert / mountain adventuring.