Need suggestions: good daily driver yet capable off -roading

[echo4747]

I don't really know much about off-roading but I'm thinking it may be fun to give it a try. I'm looking for vehicle suggestions for occasional off-road (dirt,mud,possible 12-18 in deep water)Rather than have a dedicated off-roader I would like something with a fairly decent street ride and some creature comforts for use mainly as a winter vehicle (snow,slush etc Bflo NY area). What I've come up with so far is jeep grand cherokee, and 2010 Toyota 4-runner trail edition. Willing to spend up to 23k ( less would be better of course). What else should be on my list to check out?

 

[jlee]

4Runner, as you mentioned. Lexus GX470 if you want some more polish/refinement (I love mine).

 

[SSSnail]

You'll be surprised of what you can find for that price with the Porsche Cayenne.

 

[desy]

The old Pathfinder was BOF as well

 

[Fenixgoon]

the newer jeeps should be pretty decent - the wrangler got the updated phoenix engine and has more power, torque, and better fuel economy than the iconic I6 of years past.

 

[echo4747]

what about the nissan xterra or volvo xc70 wagon? are they worthy for off road consideration?

 

[desy]

Xterra is also BOF but not as polished as the Pathfinder

 

[Zivic]

i had an 05 xterra. I would buy another. awesome vehicle, bad gas mileage

 

[herm0016]

find an h3 for sale, or even better, an h3 alpha truck. great off road machines and somewhat unique.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Off roading is expensive and breaks stuff. Alot. Doing it with your daily driver on Sunday can mean you don't get to your job on Monday. You've been warned.

I tend to prefer cheaper beaters. Have way more fun out in the bush with a piece of junk I don't care too much about. If $23K is disposable fun money then you can have a pretty capable rig. My personal choice would be around 2007-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee for under $15K and the rest spent on lift, shocks, tires, winch, jack, etc.

 

[cyclistca]

h3 off road ha ha ha ha ha ha

h3 is based on a GM pickup platform and is a piece of beep

XTerra is a bit rough but a capable platform. Get one before they stop making them.

Jeeps are also very capable.

 

[jlee]

Off roading is expensive and breaks stuff. Alot. Doing it with your daily driver on Sunday can mean you don't get to your job on Monday. You've been warned.

I tend to prefer cheaper beaters. Have way more fun out in the bush with a piece of junk I don't care too much about. If $23K is disposable fun money then you can have a pretty capable rig. My personal choice would be around 2007-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee for under $15K and the rest spent on lift, shocks, tires, winch, jack, etc.

It really depends on your definition of offroad. I took my last rig to Mexico (Baja) for about a week last year. It didn't break and it had over 200k on it.

Granted, it was a Landcruiser, not a Jeep.

I've actually never broken something offroad, but I tend to lean towards mild trails (the toughest one I've done was probably the Coke Ovens here in AZ, which is not *that* difficult).

 

[desy]

http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/0611or-2006-hummer-h3/
http://ca.***********/cars/car_vs_car/12_car_vs_car.html

Actually the H3 rates very well off road, its the other areas not so much

 

[garndawg]

Had a '99 Z71 ExtCab that I abused pretty often and never let me down. Now have a 4dr Jeep Rubicon (2015) that takes pretty much everything I can throw at it.

Drives pretty decent, too.

But it's not something I'll hotrod or take curves in!

 

[herm0016]

h3 off road ha ha ha ha ha ha

h3 is based on a GM pickup platform and is a piece of beep

XTerra is a bit rough but a capable platform. Get one before they stop making them.

Jeeps are also very capable.

H3 is the small version, based on similar arc. to the envoy/trailblazer but with nearly all different suspension parts. Maybe you are thinking of the H2, which was based on a 3/4 ton suburban chassis and is in fact gigantic.

If you can find one, The H3 with the 5.3 v8 is a great machine, the I5 and I6 engines are also great. don't listen to the fan boys.

I also owned an X. I loved the concept/size/capability but I did not love the engineering or the gas mileage. (I am a mech-eng)

as far as pickups go, i have a sierra 4x4 with a locker/skids/etc and good rubber. It will go anywhere any other stock vehicle will travel.

much better place for advise on this topic: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/

 

[echo4747]

Off roading is expensive and breaks stuff. Alot. Doing it with your daily driver on Sunday can mean you don't get to your job on Monday. You've been warned.

I tend to prefer cheaper beaters. Have way more fun out in the bush with a piece of junk I don't care too much about. If $23K is disposable fun money then you can have a pretty capable rig. My personal choice would be around 2007-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee for under $15K and the rest spent on lift, shocks, tires, winch, jack, etc.

It wouldn't be a daily driver (actually daily driver to/from work is serene/boring rx450h) Now that I had time to think, I think your right to go with a beater or dedicated off-roader. Even if I'm lucky and things dont break, I know that I would pretty much scratch the paint up with tree branches and brush.I cant see doing that to a 4yr old 4-runner

 

[herm0016]

example sweet ride: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...and-Crusier-40th-Aniversary-w-factory-lockers

 

[jlee]

example sweet ride: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...and-Crusier-40th-Aniversary-w-factory-lockers

Mmmmmm, 80 series.

I loved mine. Slow as shit. Durable as..well, a Landcruiser. :awe:

 

[echo4747]

example sweet ride: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...and-Crusier-40th-Aniversary-w-factory-lockers

Surprised at how well older landcruisers fetch fairly high prices.

 

[WackyDan]

Off roading is expensive and breaks stuff. Alot. Doing it with your daily driver on Sunday can mean you don't get to your job on Monday. You've been warned.

I tend to prefer cheaper beaters. Have way more fun out in the bush with a piece of junk I don't care too much about. If $23K is disposable fun money then you can have a pretty capable rig. My personal choice would be around 2007-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee for under $15K and the rest spent on lift, shocks, tires, winch, jack, etc.

Depends... Grand Cherokees are kinda heavy beasts to bother lifting when compared to some alternatives.

 

[echo4747]

As far as dedicated off road vehicle how does the Unimog compare with Landcruiser? I've see some youtube vids and these big Benz's are doing somethings I didn't think were possible.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Depends... Grand Cherokees are kinda heavy beasts to bother lifting when compared to some alternatives.

Agreed but OP's original criteria was comfy on road and capable off road. JGC is good to go. Lots of parts and support structure too.

Toyota and Nissan are great IMHO too.

 

[echo4747]

Can anyone tell me how the 2010+ "trail edition" 4-runner differs from say a 2006-2008 4-runner? Would it be appreciably better offroad than the 06-08?

 

[jlee]

Can anyone tell me how the 2010+ "trail edition" 4-runner differs from say a 2006-2008 4-runner? Would it be appreciably better offroad than the 06-08?

http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/4runner/2010/road-test-2/

It's a different model truck - also, the trail edition comes with some nice toys. I want to say crawl control is standard, maybe rear locking differential, and KDSS is available (or standard- again, not sure).

 

[herm0016]

As far as dedicated off road vehicle how does the Unimog compare with Landcruiser? I've see some youtube vids and these big Benz's are doing somethings I didn't think were possible.

mogs are more tractor than truck, and they are awesome.

someday, one of these bad boys on a u500 chassis...

http://globalxvehicles.com/global-expedition-vehicle-pangea-4x4-rv/

ex: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/unimog/1428021-fl4-loader-u500.html

loaders, mowers, plows, cranes, anything hydraulic really can be added to a mog.