What's a good vehicle for off-road?

[1989GMCSIERRA]

Older XTerras are dirt cheap and the V6 was the base engine. They're fairly small. How off-road capable are they?

They’re actually pretty good. They are pretty much no frills and have a off road inclined interior. They were never meant to be luxury editions. More of a outdoors type. They have some aftermarket support.

 

[RedneckWithPaychecks]

I’ve bought and sold many older S10’s, Jimmy’s, S10 Blazers, and so on, and I still partly own a 93 Bravada AWD (it’s resting in the woods, since 2006). But they are fine on dirt trails without many rocks. I owned a trailblazer and it was fine.

However I’d go with a Jeep, I had a 1985? V6 Cherokee and a 81 CJ 4.2 (originally) 5 speed that had a LA block 5.9. Both did really nice without mods, and there is a reason why you see them off-road and not Range Rovers, Because the work!

 

[97C1500TJ]

I think you need my first gen Isuzu Rodeo! I’d look for a cheap Rodeo in your area. I paid $1300 for mine with 4x4 and a 5 speed. It’s crazy how reliable it’s been for that little. I’ve taken mine on trails.

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[RedneckWithPaychecks]

Friend of mine has a Honda Passport, daily driven with 450k miles

 

[97C1500TJ]

Friend of mine has a Honda Passport, daily driven with 450k miles

They’ll drive forever as long as you keep oil in them. These old Isuzus have too small oil passages and ends up making them rattly and consume oil. I hate to sell mine but it’s a little rusty. Replaced it with a 95 ECSB stepside 150K miles

 

[Aeroscream]

I happen to be partial to the Jeep Cherokee's.
Took a while to find a clean 2dr to build.
Just the wife and I so a 2dr fits our style perfect. The straight 6cyl 4.0L is a great engine if properly maintained.
Not many performance parts are available though. I'm planning a stroker motor build with an eldelbrock aluminum cylinder head, Howard's Cam, and valve train. I already have a upgraded ignition, and fuel systems.
Upgrading the interior with padded leather racing seats and harnesses. I'm building a center console for cup holders, aux switches and firearms storage.
Had a 72 Chevy Blazer I put a big block in and many, many more mods. Should have kept it. I was offered insane stupid money and took it. Bad decision.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

Thought I'd throw in the Land Cruiser into the mix. I've had 80 and 100 series.

The 100 is much nicer as a daily driver but has IFS if that is a turn off. I don't wheel it hard, but for offroad "sightseeing" it has done fine. I've only had to lock the diff a couple times.

Those engines pretty much run forever.

 

[1995Z]

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For cheap, you could toy around with a Suzuki Sidekick or Samurai.

 

[DeCaff2007]

Budget-wise, I think the Jeep Cherokees are still the cheapest capable option. I think Wranglers are the best option, but you don't find decent running YJs or TJs for under $5k. I think a K1500 wouldn't be a bad start.

HA! Funny you should mention a Cherokee and a Wrangler. First vehicle I thought of when I read the OP's question was my wife's Jeep Liberty. The body is rusty crusty but the drive train and engine refuse to quit. That Jeep is like a miniature tank, even in its 99% stock form.

 

[boy&hisdogs]

My dad's mildly built XJ is surprisingly capable, and it's dang near car level of comfort with A/T tires... or at least it would be if the A/C worked...

He had a similar idea when he got it. A 4x4 that the whole family could fit in and could put down highway miles in normal car comfort unlike a CJ/Wrangler.

Any small, 100-ish inch wheelbase vehicle with good tires, lockers and a winch will get it done though. But what's nice about the Jeeps is that they are factory straight axle vehicles and have the best aftermarket.