I've decided I'm going to stop including a SHTF scenario in the purchase of a new vehicle and get a Honda Fit. If I need too, I will steal a truck or suv.

Should the shtf, then I'm off to the coast to steal a nice 30 foot yacht.
I figure there will always be wind, I can catch fish, get water easily.
I'll end my days happily singing G&S Pirate king song. Arrrrrr!

if situation allows it :

a decent Landrover .....

or a Nissan Patrol GR straight diesel.

or if no fuel

a horse

or your own feet ........


snoopyuk

the best vehicle, is the one that isn't registered to you, that can go off road and has enough room for extra fuel and supplies while getting great gas mileage...a toyota 4x4 pickup perhaps? just make sure you cover it in flat infrared absorbing paint and insulate the tailpipe and motor compartment thoroughly

and don't forget to unplug the brake and running lights

Pre 80's vehicle is less likely to be affected by solar flairs. I just picked up a 72 vw bus with new 2000cc engine. fitted with this www.trailerinabag.com about to modify the trailer for portable solar and wind. I Have bought books on repair and getting tools and spare parts ready. They are easy to fix. Thinking about making into bio diesel.

I live a few miles from an assembly plant. They don't make them there but always have a supply of brand new 4x4 Dodge Ram diesels.. gas tank full and keys in the ignition. Extended cab, maybe id even get a dually.

Id then like to get it to the fabrication shop I used to work at. If I had a full day, id weld in a makeshift roll bar, protect the windows and lights with grated steel and fab up some way of protecting the wheels and gas tank.
With a welder and plasma cutter it wouldnt be too hard to come up with a way of being protected inside the vehicle and able to shoot outside. This is were the bed of the truck becomes very useful. Weld some steel or iron plates spaced along the doors, fenders and body. Id also want a way of carrying some fuel.

I've spent considerable time thinking of my zombie escape vehicle lol

I have a 91 Nissan Pathfinder, with nearly 240K on the ticker.. and she goes anywhere I tell it. I've beaten the crap out of here and she keeps coming back. I can vouch for older Nissan's any day!

Since this is is a theoretical only anything goes question I'm going to say...

My own personal subway system leading to my hideout. Roadblocks? Don't affect me. Mad max style bandits? good luck chumps I'm underground. Fuel? Alls I need is enough power to get to my super secret hideout. In fact i don't even need that. Run out of juice just casualy walk the rest of the way through my secret tunnel. Fool. Frikin. Proof.

Criteria:

Off-road capability (highways may be filled with debris, wreckage)

Parts are common, easy to find (you'll have to repair it, so good luck with those landrover parts)

Fairly common, standard tires (probably the most common thing needing replacement)

Cargo capacity (need to carry your stuff)

Easy to repair (so probably an older model...these new vehicles, you need computers, special tools, etc.)

Solid construction (not a lot of fiberglass)

**********

Just find something that fits all of that, and you've got my choices.

i can think of many scenarios where i could get a dirt bike where no 4 wheel drive would make it.

I'm looking at an older style jeep wrangler and a BushRanger 250 off-road camper, styled after the adventure trailers from Australia. Everything you need to get away will fit into the trailer.