Originally Posted by concealer404

I'm shopping for another XJ-sized SUV. My daily driver has been down since November (just moving slow on fixing it, it's not unreliable), and i've realized that when it's back up and running, a 400whp+ 25 year old FWD econobox, even if reliable, isn't really the greatest thing to daily drive 365 days a year in all weather.

I haul motors, parts, do junkyard runs, etc etc etc.

I'm 100% open to the idea of another XJ, but in the interest of mental masturbation and keeping things interesting (Afraid i'd get bored with two of them), what else did/would you guys consider if you weren't going to get an XJ?

So far, i have the following:

1) 1st gen Pathfinder. Seems that besides rust, these things are absolute cockroaches, and i like the way they look. Buddy had one in high school with the 5spd and i remember it being pretty fun.

2) 1st/2nd gen 4Runner. If i can find one that isn't rusty as hell. (I'm a toyota fanboi at heart)

3) J60/J80 Land Cruiser. See above.

4) Isuzu Trooper or Rodeo? Don't know much about these, but i know the early Troopers are supposedly indestructible.

I don't want a Grand Cherokee. I don't want an Explorer, Durango, or Blazer.


I DO want to spend in the $3k range, and i'm not concerned about having something that's refined or super comfortable (I have a high tolerance and i feel like our lifted Cherokee feels like a Cadillac). I'd prefer to have simple, reliable, cheap, and funky is cool. (Why i really like the 1st gen Pathfinders.)


This vehicle would have less than 10k miles put on it a year, probably more like 5k, as i will still be driving the uncontrollable FWD econobox 90% of the time during 3 seasons, and probably 50% of the time in the 4th season.


So.. what would YOU look at, considering the XJ as a benchmark?