Advise me on choosing a vintage off-roader?
Hey guys,
The lease on my 2023 Mazda CX30 is coming to an end next spring, and I am starting a new career here soon that will have me driving a Ford Transit van Mon-Fri. I would still need a personal vehicle, of course, and there aren’t really any new cars being made today that I am interested in, or that I think have much of a “soul” without spending $50k+, so I am looking to the past. I have always admired old, capable, unbreakable off-roaders and have been looking at a lot of the 1980-2000 Japanese off-roaders.
I am looking at the:
- Toyota Land Cruisers (60, 70, and 80 series)
- 1st gen Nissan Pathfinder (specifically the 2-door 3.0L V6)
- 1st gen Toyota 4Runner (1985 - 1989 22RE or 3.0L V6 (?))
- Isuzu Trooper
- Nissan Hardbody KingCab (3L V6)
- Toyota Pickup (N50 all the way to the N110)
While not Japanese, I am also looking at the:
- Range Rover Classic (3-door 200TDI or 300TDI)
- Land Rover Defender 90 (200TDI or 300TDI)
- 2nd gen Jeep Cherokee (4L I6).
Since my transit van would technically be my daily driver, this would be my personal vehicle for running errands and going out (I’m not running errands and getting groceries in a transit van!). I consider myself pretty mechanically inclined, however I have only ever had new cars. I do really want to get into camping and start visiting some state and national parks, so I would like this vehicle to be good (enough) on the highway and comfortable enough to make 10+ hour road trips (while I do enjoy comfort, consider I am in my 20’s so am okay with roughing it a bit. Please also consider that I live in Houston, Texas, where going anywhere requires getting on a highway or freeway). I have no interest in going bogging, mudding, or rock crawling. If anything I would maybe do a lite-overland build to support the camping/trail-riding/national-park itch.
I would say the most important things to me are reliability, dependability, being roadtrip capable, and being easy to wrench on (was also looking at the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, but read they are electrical and wiring nightmares). And like I said, I live in Houston, so highway-comfort and A/C is important as well.
What I’m really hoping to get from this post are thoughts/opinions/recommendations of the different engine options of these models, and personal experiences with owning them (maintenance, comfort, road trips, etc.)
Thanks in advance!