Need vehicle suggestions for around $3000

[brianf408]

Well I don't mean to hijack or necro-post a 2 week old thread, but I'm shopping in a similar budget and was wondering what you guys all thought of Pathfinders? Both WD21 and R50 Pathys seem to be much cheaper than similar years of 4runners, and capable of rougher terrain than I'll probably put it through. Not looking for anything crazy, want something with decent stock capabilities and will eventually lift 1-2" and fit 31s. The only catch is I need something that's semi-DD-able. I'll be keeping my current car around, and on most nice days over 40 degrees I'll be on my motorcycle, but I want a vehicle I can trust to be my DD and survive long trips since most offroad destinations are several hours from me. Oh and a 5-speed, as I hate autos.

Found a great looking 91 Montero 5-speed with 130k on Craigslist today for $2500obo, and was sold before I could even call the guy.

 

[reece146]

I'm not keen on the R50. MacPherson struts don't belong on a truck. The geometry changes tends to wear out tires.

I'm not familiar with the climate in Kansas... on the WD21 inspect the rear spring hanger area for fatigue related rust. The VG30 is a decent little engine but make sure it is well looked over.

 

[brianf408]

I'm not keen on the R50. MacPherson struts don't belong on a truck. The geometry changes tends to wear out tires.

I'm not familiar with the climate in Kansas... on the WD21 inspect the rear spring hanger area for fatigue related rust. The VG30 is a decent little engine but make sure it is well looked over.

We get a bit of wintery weather, and depending on which city in the metro area they either salt or use some sort of chemical to treat the roads. Some vehicles seem to rust like crazy, others look like they've never even been in rain or snow so it's a mixed bag. Any vehicle I look at will definitely get crawled under or inspected on a lift, don't need something that'll split in half from rust. Beyond that, as long as I can drive it home I can handle pretty much any mechanical work it throws at me.

I think I've refined my search down to 2nd gen 4runners, WD21 Pathfinders, and XJ Cherokees. If I end up selling my current car then I'll have a bit more budget for maybe a 3rd gen 4runner, or maybe even a budget Xterra.

Is the 3vze in the 2nd gen 4runners as terrible and gutless as people say? The Miata I'm driving now is pretty damn gutless for a car, but still gets the job done.

 

[scrubber3]

If it were me, I'd get a first generation Xterra. Very stout and easy to work on if needed, handle well on road and off. Very capable with a good amount of room. They are built on a ladder frame and have a good aftermarket for them. People in the rear seats get to see well as the back seats are raised up a bit. You can find them at very nice prices and to me they are just as good if not better than a 4runner. Plus you don't need to replace the drivetrain with stronger components like you would in an XJ. Hands down!

 

[Explorer 1]

Another vote for the XJ

I quote from Off Road Magazine, April 2012 edition

Our Current Project Vehicle Arsenal

"All Purpose XJ"

"It was a fairly easy build that copied other successful builds that have been done a thousand times before."

"Buy with a price in under $1,000, I still think Cherokees have to be the absolute best deal in off-road machines available in the classifieds section."

Jerrod Jones,
Editor-In- Chief
Off-Road Magazines

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[scrubber3]

I quote from Off Road Magazine, April 2012 edition

Our Current Project Vehicle Arsenal

"All Purpose XJ"

"It was a fairly easy build that copied other successful builds that have been done a thousand times before."

"Buy with a price in under $1,000, I still think Cherokees have to be the absolute best deal in off-road machines available in the classifieds section."

Jerrod Jones,
Editor-In- Chief
Off-Road Magazines

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

How much money and wrench turning did they have to do after they spent less than $1000? I know for a fact an XJ stock isn't all that rugged as far as the diffs and axles go.(after turning wrenches some years after ETS from the Army) I know the inline 6 is a good engine depending on year model though. I wouldn't know about the transmissions in them.I guess they are about average. I cannot tell you how many I've seen break a driveshaft or axles on the trail either. Don't get me wrong, I have seen a buttload of them built up and extremely capable, but unless you have a good bit of money or know how to find better parts on the cheap and can turn the wrenches yourself you'd be better off buying something stout in stock form. On that note, they do come with solid front axles....

My .02

 

[RealJon]

Well I don't mean to hijack or necro-post a 2 week old thread, but I'm shopping in a similar budget and was wondering what you guys all thought of Pathfinders? Both WD21 and R50 Pathys seem to be much cheaper than similar years of 4runners, and capable of rougher terrain than I'll probably put it through. Not looking for anything crazy, want something with decent stock capabilities and will eventually lift 1-2" and fit 31s. The only catch is I need something that's semi-DD-able. I'll be keeping my current car around, and on most nice days over 40 degrees I'll be on my motorcycle, but I want a vehicle I can trust to be my DD and survive long trips since most offroad destinations are several hours from me. Oh and a 5-speed, as I hate autos.

Found a great looking 91 Montero 5-speed with 130k on Craigslist today for $2500obo, and was sold before I could even call the guy.

2500 is quite a bit for a 91, i spent 3k on my 99 Trooper that is extremely comfy, reliable, and very good offroad.

 

[scrubber3]

2500 is quite a bit for a 91, i spent 3k on my 99 Trooper that is extremely comfy, reliable, and very good offroad.

I am sure that 91 montero is comfy, reliable, and excellent off road for 500 less than a Trooper. With only 130k it is just now getting broken in. Initial investment in my 2nd Gen Montero was 1500. With all I have done to mine, I have under 4000 invested to include 5 33 inch KM2s that accounted for most of that. Less than 4000 to include all of the recovery gear and maintenance that was done to it as well which meant pugs, wires, plenum gasket, timing belt, water pump, alternator, AC compressor, yada yada yada....

Having done nothing to it yet and in completely stock form, I ran the whole bit of Uwharrie without so much as a hiccup. I think 2500 for a prime Montero is a steal.

Troopers do make great rigs though..

 

[Heading Out]

Honestly, it sounds like almost any of the vehicles discussed in this thread will do what I want them to do. I just have to figure out which one matches me and my personality. Would that be an accurate assessment?

Yes, for sure it has to fit your personality, but some of the above posts have very valid points.

I say the XJ, Toyota's tend to sell for more than the Jeeps, and a Rover at that price is going to be expensive to maintain, and harder to work on. they sell cheep for a reason.

The Jeep is fairly simple and easy to work on, and lots of parts sources. (A parts store in the middle of nowhere will most likely have a Jeep or Toyota part before they stock a Rover part.)

Vehicles like the Isuzu or an early Pathfinder are also a good buy because they're less sought after, and have less aftermarket support, but if you don't plan to modify the

truck much, it really is not a concern. they work well for what you want to do, and are reliable.

 

[BIGdaddy]

For $3000 i'd choose from one of the following:

1985-1989 22re 4cylinder 1st gen 4runner 5spd
1991-1996 XJ cherokee 4.0l auto or manual with np231 tcase and chrysler 8.25 rearend
1999ish 4x4 tacoma 4cyl pickup w/ snugtop
1990s mitsubishi montero 1st gen or 2nd gen ls/sr.
1990s awd subaru wagon outback or forester

 

[scrubber3]

For $3000 i'd choose from one of the following:

1985-1989 22re 4cylinder 1st gen 4runner 5spd
1991-1996 XJ cherokee 4.0l auto or manual with np231 tcase and chrysler 8.25 rearend
1999ish 4x4 tacoma 4cyl pickup w/ snugtop
1990s mitsubishi montero 1st gen or 2nd gen ls/sr.
1990s awd subaru wagon outback or forester

Nice choices sir.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Found a great looking 91 Montero 5-speed with 130k on Craigslist today for $2500obo, and was sold before I could even call the guy.

I am sure that 91 montero is comfy, reliable, and excellent off road for 500 less than a Trooper. Having done nothing to it yet and in completely stock form, I ran the whole bit of Uwharrie without so much as a hiccup. I think 2500 for a prime Montero is a steal.

Unless it's cherry, $2500 is way too much for a 1st gen Monty. Don't get me wrong, I like Montys and I owned a 1st gen (1990) from 1992 until 1997. I sold it for $3300 in 1999, but that was after I put $1500 into rebuilding the top end of the engine due to the notorious valve guide problem.

Even if the engine has been rebuilt, I still wouldn't pay that much for a 1st gen for the simple reason that there are better trucks out there available for less $$. Hell, around here you can find a decent 2nd gen Monty or Trooper for less than that and those are much, much better vehicles in every way. Lots of 2nd gens have factory lockers, which weren't even an option with the 1st gens (instead they got a weak LSD in the rear.)

The 1st gens look cool, but they are very old (80's) technology and really can't compare to more modern vehicles.

If it were me, I'd get a first generation Xterra.

Only problem there is his $3k budget. From what I've seen even a high-mileage X will run north of $5k in decent condition.

I think your 1st gen Pathy idea is a good one. Get the latest model you can (I think they were made through 96.) Troopers are another great possibility - because of the Consumer Reports hit piece in the late 90's, lots of people dumped their low-mileage Troopers onto the used market for dirt cheap. I've been surprised at how many later-model Troopers are found with 5 speed transmissions, too.

 

[reece146]

With the first generation Pathfinder there was an interior restyle during its production cycle. IIRC the newer interior is much more modern looking and less 1980s kitsch. You may like 80s kitsch (it has its place in a fleet of toy vehicles) but it's always good to have options if you don't.

The Trooper is nice because (again IIRC) it uses a GM engine in some years and others retains the GM bell housing pattern. Makes engine swaps somewhat easy to a new engine if that is your thing.

Xterra is decent also... but finding one in the desired price range is the thing.

 

[brianf408]

1990s awd subaru wagon outback or forester

As much as I'd like a 4x4, I've been considering a Subaru for better mpg on my 20+ mile commute every day. I used to have a WRX and I was amazed at some of the places that car would go without a fuss, even on crappy worn all-seasons.

Probably belongs in another section but I have a couple questions about Subarus vs other 4x4s.
1. I don't want to do any rock crawling or anything, but say comparing a stock Forester to a stock XJ for light trails and such, how well would the Forester compare? Obviously the Subaru will suffer from lack of a low gear and locking transfer case.
2. How much can a Subaru be loaded down with gear, roof rack, bumpers, winch, and still be decent to drive without bogging down that little 2.0 or 2.2 engine?
3. Are there even bumpers and winches available to fit without a ton of custom fabbing?
4. Did they still make any models with a low gear in the 90s?

 

[reece146]

IIRC we only got Subarus with low range boxes in the 80s (North America - Loyale and GL?)

The XJ is no heavy weight regarding cargo but a Subaru would have to be lightly packed - think back packer.

Hold your course and get a truck if you think you need low range. There's deals out there, just be patient. The longer you wait the more money you should be saving and at some point the lines will cross.