Top 10 Used Overland Vehicles: Do you agree?

[Scott Brady]

I love talking about vehicle selection, but mostly because people rarely, if ever agree, which makes for an interesting debate and we all learn a little more. So given that many overland vehicles are purchased used, I put together my list of the top 10 options. I did not take the list lightly, and my favorite vehicle didn't even make the top 10 (what, no Disco on the list?).

Check out the full list here: Top 10 Used Overland Vehicles

Would you make a different list? :sombrero:

 

[Pskhaat]

Two comments:

1. I own both an FZJ80 and UZJ100. I love them both, but I maintain the LC80 is still the vehicle I'd drive to Bolivia. In fact, I'd choose a 91-92. Why did you exclude the 91-94 years?
2. Excellent choice on your #1 4matic wagon. Absolutely love them.

 

[Scott Brady]

I own a 1997 FZJ80 (it is currently in Panama and getting ready to go to Colombia) and have driven the hell out of numerous UZJ100s. IMHO, the 100 is just a much better vehicle- and more reliable. 300,000 miles is easy peasy for the UZJ, while the FZJ just has not proven to be so reliable, especially with random head gasket failures, power steering pumps, overheating, etc.

For adventure travel by vehicle, the UZJ100 is just a better machine :Wow1:

The 92-93 is just getting too old- so hard to find a good example.

 

[jaxs1984]

I was kind of surprised that the new Toyota FJ cruiser didn't make the list. The one's I saw at the OX11 looked capable to me.

 

[Paladin]

Well, at least the 2004 Discovery made the Honourable Mention list. :wings: I travel with more JK's than I do D2's, and I think it's unfair to label the D2 as unreliable (twice! ) and not say the same about the JK. I've found them to be about equal. That is to say, neither are very good. I think it deserves to be on the list for offering really amazing capability (both off-road, and capacity/cargo) with excellent value due to the low price. I also think none of the other vehicles can touch the D2 for comfort on the road, it just blows them all away. Great seats, great visibility, very quiet, good ride, good handling, good steering and brakes... it's just a great driver. It drives like a (not handling) like a sport sedan, not a 4x4. These attributes make up for the reliability. And for the same price as some of the others, you could do a 300tdi/R380 swap and have an un-paralleled round-the-world truck.

Does the Patriot *really* return 30mpg? Call me skeptical. I have yet to REALLY achieve 30mpg on any compact car, let alone a small box with AWD.

 

[Scott Brady]

I've found them to be about equal.

I have found the JKs to be 100% reliable, at least the six we have long-term tested or owned. Obviously, the greater population of JKs do have warranty claims, but data shows them to be pretty good overall. That includes taking them over the Rubicon 14 times in a 30 day period- my back still hurts from that. Not a single warranty claim, including taking my personal JK all the way to the Darien Gap. . .

My DII, not so good with seven major warranty claims in 12 months, on a brand new car. :Wow1:

Have you owned or tested (thoroughly) a JK Rob? What warranty claim data or experience are you using to qualify the statement "equal". If we are going to start playing again, I have to ask that you provide some real experience or data to back-up claims like that - fair? :friday:

 

[irish_11]

I find it interesting that the 4th gen 4runner made it and the 3rd gen was left out. I feel the 3.4L is a solid engine and the smaller size of the 3rd gen (while shorter on interior space) allows it to make it through obsticles the 4th is just too big for.

Also I am a diehard Toyota guy, but I think the XJ should have made the list. Due to its similar size to the 3rd gen 4runners and the sheer number of them I see out running trails. They may be beat like an XJ and wont win a fashion show, but they do have a pretty solid following.

 

[Patman]

I'm surprised that non of the Suby's made the list. Although I suppose the US versions aren't quite up there. A first or second Gen Forester with the lowrange option would be pretty hard to beat.

Love the con on the 4matic. "not expo sexy" How many of us, choose vehicles on this alone!?

 

[Corey]

I was kind of surprised that the new Toyota FJ cruiser didn't make the list. The one's I saw at the OX11 looked capable to me.

I am surprised too since the FJ Cruiser and the 4th gen 4Runner share the same chassis and suspension components, same as the overseas Prado Land Cruiser.

With the A-Trac system and rear locker on the FJ Cruiser, they are quite capable of going just abut anywhere right off the showroom floor, and there are plenty of aftermarket vendors making armor and suspension components for them.
In fact vendors rushed so fast once the FJ Cruiser came to market it blew many away how much aftermarket stuff was available in such a short time.

Also Scott, you might want to fix the paragraph below this:
#6: Toyota 4Runner, Generation Four (2004-2008) $12,000-30,000

The Gen Two 4Runner is a highly effective, if somewhat uninspiring vehicle.

Gen two is 1990 to 1995 with the 3.0 V6.

 

[Christian P.]

I'm surprised that non of the Suby's made the list. Although I suppose the US versions aren't quite up there. A first or second Gen Forester with the lowrange option would be pretty hard to beat.

Love the con on the 4matic. "not expo sexy" How many of us, choose vehicles on this alone!?

Well, I did not participate in creating that list but I am pretty sure Scott did not include the Subaru because they are almost non-existent in Central/South America and Africa.

 

[kjp1969]

I like the parts availability and pricing of my '95 Bronco. The only time it let me down was due to a idler pulley bearing that slowly went south. It finally got noisy enough that I pulled over to change it in Ridgecrest CA. $19 and 10 minutes and I was on my way. Try to get, well, anything for a 15 year old Land Rover for $19.

When you drive an old 'Merican truck, you share the same platform as 75% of the landscapers in any major city. Result? Parts are plentiful and cheap.

It cruises at 75 with good AC and is fairly quiet inside. It gets around 13-14 doing just that. The rear top comes off for the summer. What's not to like?

 

[Howski]

incredible the defender doesn't make the list. they are comparable in price to the g wagon and are available in diesel. i guess my idea of an 'overlanding' vehicle is a little skewed as i do not consider a station wagon or grand vitara to be one....

 

[StumpXJ]

Get rid of the E series (seriously?) and the patriot, add a Cherokee and the list is pretty darn close. I agree wholeheartedly about the little zuk though, in my 4 years in Europe I have seen those things beat to death and they come back for more.



~ Stump

 

[Paladin]

I have found the JKs to be 100% reliable, at least the six we have long-term tested or owned. Obviously, the greater population of JKs do have warranty claims, but data shows them to be pretty good overall. That includes taking them over the Rubicon 14 times in a 30 day period- my back still hurts from that. Not a single warranty claim, including taking my personal JK all the way to the Darien Gap. . .

My DII, not so good with seven major warranty claims in 12 months, on a brand new car. :Wow1:

Have you owned or tested (thoroughly) a JK Rob? What warranty claim data or experience are you using to qualify the statement "equal". If we are going to start playing again, I have to ask that you provide some real experience or data to back-up claims like that - fair? :friday:

What is the most milage you have put on any one truck? 9 women can't make a baby in 1 month. Putting 10,000 miles on each of 6 trucks does not equal 60,000 miles of testing.

I can't speak to your D2 experience, but you had an 02, and it seems even you are admitting the 04 was improved, and there's much evidence to back that up. The engine is still a significant weak point, I will admit to that.

My truck has 110,000km on it with no major failures other than the trans, which cannot be blamed on the truck, it was my fault. I've had a MAF, a wheel bearing, and the front driveshaft. Now I'm getting into all the seals starting to leak, classic LR problem, but not a huge deal.

My experience with the JK is purely from living vicariously through others I've been out with. They've had everything from electronic throttle failures, electrical engineering breakout boxes left in the vehicle from the factory (ooops!), axle tubes exploding, failing clutch M/C, power steering leaks, broken A/C system, wheel bearings and seals, power steering leaks... it just goes on an on, and this is all from a small group of guys I wheel with. Not to mention the clutch/water issue which is pretty significant.

http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread....d-another-mud-pooched-clutch&highlight=clutch

I'll look up some JDP reports later, we already know what Consumers Reports says about it. What data do you have? You should know that if your experience was with media vehicles, they were walked down the line by management and do not really represent production vehicles.

 

[Chazz Layne]

As much as I hate to admit it (I plan to be buried with my '04 D2:sombrero: ), carrying "air suspension parts" isn't all that much of a con on the LR3. Replacement air bags are light weight, easy to pack, and fairly inexpensive. They're also a lot easier to replace on the trail than coil or leaf springs. Granted, they are a little more vulnerable, but not much.