Help me pick my rig $2000 budget

[zukrider]

montero. i love mine. hard to fit in the budget though.

[Martinjmpr]

A second vehicle means twice the registration fees, twice the insurance and twice the maintenance. Do you really want to go there? I agree with the others who say make do with what you've got until you finish school. Your $2000 budget is only a starting point - anything you get for $2k will need some work, and since I'm assuming your monthly income is limited, that will mean a zero-sum-game: Every dollar you spend on the 'new' vehicle is a dollar you can't spend on your more reliable DD tacoma. You could very easily end up with two non-operating vehicles and no money left - not a good situation to be in.

If you must get a second "vehicle" I'd suggest a 200-350cc dual sport motorcycle. It can get you into the back country and can also take you to school on the days when weather permits.

BTW, your location says Utah. I know it sucks having a 2wd in snow country - believe me, I know as I had a 2wd Ford Ranger when I was in law school in Laramie, WY. Yeah, there were days when I couldn't go very far, although a decent set of tires, some weight in the bed and common sense will get you to the grocery store or to class, and really that's all you need to get to, isn't it?

Your "requirements" are also not really realistic. You want true 4wd with low range, the ability to mount big tires and you also want 20mpg. There are very, very few vehicles that can meet that and most of them are out of your price range. And anything that's in your price range will likely need work - maybe a lot of work.

As for those Tercel wagons, the newest one is now 23 years old (1989 being the last year) and they are notorious rust buckets. Even in the arid west the ones I see running are shot through with rust holes. They are also unibody designs and AFAIK most of them had a carbureted engine.

I'm going to guess you're not extremely handy with motors, because if you were I don't think you'd have asked these questions - sounds like you want something to drive, not a project to work on.

We focus on vehicles and equipment a lot on these boards, and I think a lot of us are "gadget guys" who are fascinated by neat little gadgets and things. If what you really want is to just "get out there" then you already have a perfectly capable vehicle (with the exception of the ability to carry 4 people.) Are you limited as to where you can go? Absolutely, but you can still have an awesome time at Moab, anywhere in the mountains, or even out in the desert as long as you know and understand your limitations. A second vehicle on the trip (even if it's just your buddy's wagon or sedan) will add the neccessary passenger carrying capacity and having two vehicles means that if one breaks down you will have a way of getting some help by taking the other one.

I know that's not the answer you were looking for but you have to realize that your current "situation" (poor college student) is a temporary condition. Rather than trying to remedy it with an ideal "expo" vehicle now, you're best course of action would be to "make do" until you finish school and then get established in a career, and then look to getting something bigger/better/more capable.

[ArmchairRacer]

I know it's going to be a project, if I didn't want a project I'd be budgeting more for the initial vehicle purchase.

[Martinjmpr]

The only one I can think of that meets all your requirements except cost is a 1st gen 4runner with the 22re engine and 5 speed tranny. My dad had one of those and it had no trouble getting 25mpg on the highway.

However, finding one in your price range that's not trashed could be difficult. It's possible a 1st gen Pathfinder with a 4 cyl/5 speed combo could also work, though aftermarket support is not as good.

You can probably meet most of your requirements with an older Isuzu Rodeo. I don't know how rugged and dependable they were and aftermarket is very limited.

A 1st gen Montero 4 door (89-91) with a 5 speed will be good for about 17-19 MPG so that's pretty close. Again, aftermarket is limited. This is a very capable vehicle though I don't know if it will fit 31's without some lift. Ditto for a 1st gen Trooper.

[Martinjmpr]

1995 Rodeo, $1650

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/3148790075.html

98 Pathy, needs a clutch, $1500

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/3129439520.html

Here's a 94 Monty with high miles (240k) for $1800

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/ctd/3074573397.html

Here's a 91 Trooper but it may need some engine work. Only $1100, though:

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/cto/3097584264.html

Here's a 2000 Grand that could work, $2000

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/ctd/3146219887.html

2nd gen 4runner in Provo, $1800:

http://provo.craigslist.org/cto/3081068227.html

Quite a few out there, the only issue is what you are willing to compromise on. The Jeeps will have the best aftermarket support, but probably the worst MPG. The Toyota is probably nice but the 3.0 V6 can be problematic unless you're willing to have the head gaskets rebuilt. Otherwise a solid vehicle. If you can find a 2nd gen 4runner with a 22re 4 cyl and a 5 speed, that'd be the best bet IMO. Not fast by any means but should be able to do anything else you need.

[mtnbike28]

X2

There is plenty of time for toys after college. Spend the money travelling in the truck you have and dont over complicate your life or max out your budget.

x3 - Safari Pacific did a great trip around the US/Can in a 2wd Ranger, use that money to travel!

FWIW

[truck mechanic]

I just bought 98 zr2 blazer for $1700 last weekend, but as others have stated I will put mostlikly another $500 bucks into to pass state inspection. But that only puts you at $2200 if you can do the work yourself. So far I really like this little truck. They say they wheel really well out of the box and I think they have a cool look to them. I was just gonna use it as a dd so I could take my Scout off the road and just finish it, but I just cant leave anything alone so, ill be playng with it soon.
Paul

[4D55 Performance]

You have listed 8 vehicles and I have experience with all of them. I listed them in order of my favorite to my least favorites. In my opinion the Montero is in a class of it own. If you need help finding a nice specimen send me a pm, I live in Utah so I am close by.


1) Montero - The Montero is by far the most offroad capable and durable vehicle in this group. It is also the only flagship/luxury SUV you have listed. It is in a different class. That rear locker is more valuable than any straight axle and you put on 35's with out any mods. The quality of the Montero is on par or better than that of Toyota and Honda. There should be no squeaks or rattles. While the Montero is the biggest vehicle on the list, mpg will be as good as any on this list including the Suzuki, expect at least 20mpg but I think you can get 24mpg since you live in Utah. If you need help I can help you find a nice Montero for 2K.
2) Trooper - I like Isuzus, the first two vehicles I ever owned were Isuzus. The Trooper is similar to Montero in many ways, but it does not have the rear locker, it lacks dealer support, it only seats 5 and the IFS is not as strong as the IFS on the Montero. The Isuzu does flex really well in the rear end which makes up for the IFS and the lack of a rear locker.
3) Toyota - Toyota makes great vehicles, but the 3.0 4runner in under powered esspecially when loaded with gear. I would look to something with more power. I like my dad's 1994 toyota, but it high strung and it is no where near as sure footed as the MOntero, trooper, cherokee or pathfinder. The 4runner is high on this list because of it reliability and aftermarket support.
4) Pathfinder - My personal experience is the first gen Pathfinder is a great vehicle. My sister also owned one of these and she readily admitted that her 1993 Pathfinder was a much better vehicle than her 2000 Jeep Cherokee.
5) Cherokee - The Cherokee suffers from the poorest build quality on this list. Is does not mean the vehicle is unreliable, it just means it squeaks and rattles. The paint will all be faded, the plastic trim is cheap, the dash will be cracked, the seats will be shot etc. While it does have a SFA, it is not as offroad savy as others on this list. I think rock crawling and flex are way over rated. An IFS will be plenty adequate for expedition use. To own a Cherokee you make a lot of concessions.
6T)Suzuki - This is a tough one, but the little suzukis have there place in the offroad community. The main concern is they are low to the ground, and a lift is required to fit 33's, but once you go with big rubber, the engine will be under powered.
6T)Ford - The Ford family uses the TTB front end that is good for offroading, but it is also hard on tires. The real issue is the Fords don't really excel in any area, they are just average. My brother had a bronco II that was a blast to drive but I would not want to go camping with 4 people and all my gear stuffed into a bronco II. Maybe an explorer would be better.
6T)S-10 Blazer - I also grew up being addicted to GM vehicles. I thought they were the best. While I still like the fullsize pickups, but the S-10 vehicles suffer from many issues. The best part of if the S-10 is the 4.3L but that is where the positives end.

[stioc]

...
4) Pathfinder - My personal experience is the first gen Pathfinder is a great vehicle. My sister also owned one of these and she readily admitted that her 1993 Pathfinder was a much better vehicle than her 2000 Jeep Cherokee.

Yeaap. If I knew then what I know now...

[Kenny Olson]

I bought this for $2k. 1987 with 41k miles. LOTS of miles left in it and will modify it to my taste as time goes by. And I knew very little about Zus. Monteros are spose to be good rigs too. I was shopping for one when I found my trooper.