Hello:
I am new member. Drove my 1984 Land Cruiser MT about 325K miles and finally donated it it to a non-profit about 10 years ago. Currently have a Subaru Outback which I take off road in Southwest, Death Valley, etc. Looking to purchase a new off road vehicle. Have come down to either a 100 Land Cruiser series or a new Xterra Pro 4.
For the Xterra, trying to decide whether or not to get an automatic or a manual transmission. Am curious what others' experiences have been. Had decided on a MT and then have read quite a number of people have had problems with them. Want to know people's experience with the Xterra automatic. I will often be towing a poptop trailer that weighs about 1400lbs which I then park and do day trips from. Had wanted to go with MT due to my experiences with old Land Cruiser and also, theoretically, no overheating problems with MT. Have people found the automatic Xterras solid and will they go high mileage? Also, any problems with MTs that people know about first hand or have they been solid?
Other alternative is to go with a 100 series LC and modify it. Mpg is lower than Xterra and maybe not as nimble in close quarters, but also I am assuming LC to be bullet proof if I can find one in the low 100,000s. If I go with an LC, is it worthwhile looking for a 1998 or 99 with the lockers in the rear or just move up to a 2001 or later with the slightly heavier duty independent front suspension?
Thanks in advance for any input in this process.
I am new member. Drove my 1984 Land Cruiser MT about 325K miles and finally donated it it to a non-profit about 10 years ago. Currently have a Subaru Outback which I take off road in Southwest, Death Valley, etc. Looking to purchase a new off road vehicle. Have come down to either a 100 Land Cruiser series or a new Xterra Pro 4.
For the Xterra, trying to decide whether or not to get an automatic or a manual transmission. Am curious what others' experiences have been. Had decided on a MT and then have read quite a number of people have had problems with them. Want to know people's experience with the Xterra automatic. I will often be towing a poptop trailer that weighs about 1400lbs which I then park and do day trips from. Had wanted to go with MT due to my experiences with old Land Cruiser and also, theoretically, no overheating problems with MT. Have people found the automatic Xterras solid and will they go high mileage? Also, any problems with MTs that people know about first hand or have they been solid?
Other alternative is to go with a 100 series LC and modify it. Mpg is lower than Xterra and maybe not as nimble in close quarters, but also I am assuming LC to be bullet proof if I can find one in the low 100,000s. If I go with an LC, is it worthwhile looking for a 1998 or 99 with the lockers in the rear or just move up to a 2001 or later with the slightly heavier duty independent front suspension?
Thanks in advance for any input in this process.