I agree..............

Well...I think a guy who can afford a Challenge Stradale...

no doubt 'bout that Chris.

+1

Full Size Ford Bronco. They can be had for $5K, and would be a great truck for what you are looking for.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1202789081.jpg

+1 on that Bsiple

LandCruiser is what you need.

Isuzu Trooper -- It's a real truck... not a truck shaped body on a car chassis. I still miss our '98.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1202790791.jpg

Check this baby out.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=546779

I'll third the LandCruiser.

Motion - I think I might have something for you. PM'd you.

Careful in the sand though; :eek:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1202796230.jpg

But good in the mud; :cool:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1202796265.jpg





;):D:D;)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1202796298.jpg

Landcruiser, absolutely no question. There's a reason they use them everywhere from the Arctic to the deserts of Africa. They can routinely go 300-400k, through any terrain, and do it reliably.

Old school Land Rover would be cool, and they are also suprisingly cheap. Of course, you'll spend as much time wrenching on it as you would a Porsche.

http://www.overlandexperts.com/image...nd_cruiser.jpg
http://www.offroadtuff.com/images/AR...sicwinchbb.jpg

I bought a 2002 Limited Sequoia last year for my car that I need but don't really want. The Gas mileage sucks, but I got it for $18k and 50k miles and it has every option, seats 8, and will go forever. Buying this has freed up my option to buy a small 4 door sedan that I really want. I've had a 4Runner and LandCruiser also., both good cars. Went once with a GMC Envoy and wasn't impressed. The older LandCruiser (96) chewed up rotors like they were brake pads. Under designed for road use in my opinion. The Gas mileage in that was REALLY bad.

AWESOME advice and comments! A lot of suggestions I hadn't thought of. Thank you all.

Jeep Cherokee - too boxy and old-school for me. What's wrong with the Grand Cherokees?

4Runners - too small

Pickups - I already deal with loading/unloading a half-ton of rocks in the back of my truck.

Full size SUVS - too big. I need to stick it in the garage for the winters.

Sequoias - Nice, but $12K=$15K for a 2001 is too much. You can buy a 2001 Expedition for $6K

Landcruisers - The early nineties trucks in my budget have too many miles and rebuilt engines.

Anything with Rover in it - Been there, done that. No thanks.

Yeah, I'm cheap.... I just need something fairly reliable with 4WD that I can keep at the place in Montana and store over the winter. No need to spend big bank on something that will only get a couple thousand miles a year and just depreciate.

I'm still leaning towards the Explorers with the 5.0 V8. Nice trucks and you can get them for sub 4500 all day long in nice shape with less than 100K miles. Grand Cherokee sounds pretty good too, but I don't hear many recommendations for them??

the Sequoia is every bit twice the truck of the ford BUT for your purposes i wouldn't be terribly particular about brand.

we have an '01 JGC and it's not THAT much bigger than the std. Cherokee. I6 is the same in both; not sure about the tranny. we've had our issues but there is good online support via forums. i'd trust either Jeep for rough duty and would put my money there. i don't think the explorer is really a good off-road option if that is in the cards.

4 Runner
Cherokee (they last but turn into rattle boxes so get a good stereo and turn it up)
How about an older Tahoe

Grand Cherokee have a horrible reputation for reliability. Cross it off of your list.

Why the Explorer? They're underpowered, get bad MPG, and don't do anything all that well. Expedition is the same, but worse, I can't count how many recalls my in-laws have had on theirs. Further, why is an Explorer or Grand Cherokee ok, but a 4Runner too small? You do realize that they're pretty much the exact same size, right? Oh yeah, and the 4Runner will run until the end of time. Nissan Pathfinder is another good option that's tough and reliable.

Obviously it's your money, I'm just curious. If you want a domestic SUV with a V8, I'd take a Tahoe over the Explorer.

You should buy an Explorer or a Grand Cherokee. :D