Hello, I am new here. I've always had an interest in offroad exploring but never was very serious enough about it to sell my car and purchase a 4wheeldrive. I currently own a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6speed. I love this car, plenty of personality torque and power and is fun to drive and acceleration is very very appealing indeed. (VQ35DE equiped, pathfinder owners know what i'm talking about:sombrero
Since I can remember, I've had an eye on 4wheel drive vehicles and everytime i spot a nice Expo ready Rig, I cant help but to stare in admiration. I also spent hours pouring thru every single picture in the random Rig photographs thread in the photography forum, (All 80 pages!! Just absolutely AMAZING :Wow1::drool There's just something about them that naturally appeals to me. I've also been looking for a hobby, something I can do to just get away from the stresses of life and enjoy myself at the same time.
Well, i've decided to give this a shot! I put the Max up for sale ( i will truly miss her but its time to move on) and I have a buyer who is awaiting his settlement check, and as soon as he recieves it (end of this month, beginning of FEB) he will take her off my hands. I think i've narrowed it down a bit but i still need some valuable opinions. I deffinetaly want a Japanese RIG. My mother is a native of Puerto Rico and I've lived there for 2 years a while back. I can tell you, Montero's are IMMENSLY poplular there. They even have their own parking section at large shopping centres and the beach. It seems every other SUV which passes you on the road is a Montero. The same cannot be said for it here in the States, I'm lucky if I see one every 3 months. However, I do not doubt its reliability and quality so I will put it on my list (96-00 Montero, not a huge fan of the Unibody 01+ Monteros and besides its out of my price range of 5-6k dollars.)
Also in my price range, and on my list is the 98-02 Isuzu Trooper. These are also popular in the carribean islands, but not nearly as popular as the Montero, however they seem to be easier to find and from what i've read (especially on this site) they seem to be reliable and trooper owners seem to be very happy with their rigs. The Montero and the Trooper are my top 2 choices as of now. But any other vehicles reccomendations are gladly accepted. I'm not sure why the Montero/Pajero is so famouse, does anyone know what advantages the Montero may have over the trooper?? or vice versa?? they both seem equally capable.
P.s. I did consider an FJ80 but in my price range they usually have 200million miles on them or are in rough shape. Also, the cost of operating them scares me as well. These RIGS are legendary tanks and extremely capable reliable but my uncle owns a 96 and he warned me about the cost of operating it (if i could find a decent one in my price range).
Thanks!
And its great to be here!!
Since I can remember, I've had an eye on 4wheel drive vehicles and everytime i spot a nice Expo ready Rig, I cant help but to stare in admiration. I also spent hours pouring thru every single picture in the random Rig photographs thread in the photography forum, (All 80 pages!! Just absolutely AMAZING :Wow1::drool There's just something about them that naturally appeals to me. I've also been looking for a hobby, something I can do to just get away from the stresses of life and enjoy myself at the same time.
Well, i've decided to give this a shot! I put the Max up for sale ( i will truly miss her but its time to move on) and I have a buyer who is awaiting his settlement check, and as soon as he recieves it (end of this month, beginning of FEB) he will take her off my hands. I think i've narrowed it down a bit but i still need some valuable opinions. I deffinetaly want a Japanese RIG. My mother is a native of Puerto Rico and I've lived there for 2 years a while back. I can tell you, Montero's are IMMENSLY poplular there. They even have their own parking section at large shopping centres and the beach. It seems every other SUV which passes you on the road is a Montero. The same cannot be said for it here in the States, I'm lucky if I see one every 3 months. However, I do not doubt its reliability and quality so I will put it on my list (96-00 Montero, not a huge fan of the Unibody 01+ Monteros and besides its out of my price range of 5-6k dollars.)
Also in my price range, and on my list is the 98-02 Isuzu Trooper. These are also popular in the carribean islands, but not nearly as popular as the Montero, however they seem to be easier to find and from what i've read (especially on this site) they seem to be reliable and trooper owners seem to be very happy with their rigs. The Montero and the Trooper are my top 2 choices as of now. But any other vehicles reccomendations are gladly accepted. I'm not sure why the Montero/Pajero is so famouse, does anyone know what advantages the Montero may have over the trooper?? or vice versa?? they both seem equally capable.
P.s. I did consider an FJ80 but in my price range they usually have 200million miles on them or are in rough shape. Also, the cost of operating them scares me as well. These RIGS are legendary tanks and extremely capable reliable but my uncle owns a 96 and he warned me about the cost of operating it (if i could find a decent one in my price range).
Thanks!
And its great to be here!!