So, I've been looking at getting an offroad capable vehicle once the Corolla dies (I mean, it's never going to, because it's a fucking 9th gen Corolla), for getting into some of the more rugged terrain in Northern Ontario in search of mines.

My heart is set on a 4Runner TRD Offroad... alas, the wallet is unhappy with that $50,000 price tag. If I can find one used, it's still about $40,000 after 100k km.

Any other suggestions on 4x4 vehicles that I might want to look into, given the following?

1. This is also going to be a daily driver to some extent, so it needs to have some level of comfort
2. Not a pickup - I want the shorter wheelbase
3. Reliable and long lasting - the nice thing about the 4Runner is that like most Toyota's the body will rot before the engine dies

Posted by Archer So, I've been looking at getting an offroad capable vehicle once the Corolla dies (I mean, it's never going to, because it's a fucking 9th gen Corolla), for getting into some of the more rugged terrain in Northern Ontario in search of mines. My heart is set on a 4Runner TRD Offroad... alas, the wallet is unhappy with that $50,000 price tag. If I can find one used, it's still about $40,000 after 100k km. Any other suggestions on 4x4 vehicles that I might want to look into, given the following? 1. This is also going to be a daily driver to some extent, so it needs to have some level of comfort 2. Not a pickup - I want the shorter wheelbase 3. Reliable and long lasting - the nice thing about the 4Runner is that like most Toyota's the body will rot before the engine dies

Is only reason you don't want the pickup because of the longer wheelbase? Not sure I understand the thought process.

If you're commited to an SUV (and worried about pricetag), I'd look at a lightly used Japanese SUV and put about maybe 3 grand into new suspension & tires. Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander or Sequoia. I personally hate the newest gen of 4runners, interior feels poorly designed.

Posted by blitz If you're commited to an SUV (and worried about pricetag), I'd look at a lightly used Japanese SUV and put about maybe 3 grand into new suspension & tires. Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander or Sequoia. I personally hate the newest gen of 4runners, interior feels poorly designed.

Honda Pilot isn't true 4x4, unless something has changed recently. As far as I know from conversations with Archer, he's looking for something that's capable of actual off-roading.

Posted by shadowedsmile Honda Pilot isn't true 4x4, unless something has changed recently. As far as I know from conversations with Archer, he's looking for something that's capable of actual off-roading.

Think base models have front-wheel but believe 4x4 is available on all trims?

True that it's not a "true" 4wd vehicle and imagine the manual says as much...

Just get the extended cab tacoma ;)

Ext. cab Tacoma is still going to run a huge tab

Posted by RescueMe1060 Ext. cab Tacoma is still going to run a huge tab

^ this

Pickups are pretty much out of the running because of the wheelbase, but also because the Mrs is not a fan of them. Since she's also going to have to drive it...

Posted by Archer ^ this Pickups are pretty much out of the running because of the wheelbase, but also because the Mrs is not a fan of them. Since she's also going to have to drive it...

I admittedly have never looked at pricing for extended cabs (have heard they're very hard to find used), but I bought an '09 4x4 (SR5, might as well be base...) with 72k miles for 15 grand just last year, so the deals do exist...

I think you're in a tough spot... if you're looking for a reliable (japanese), low mileage true 4x4 SUV that won't break the bank, well, that's a toughie...

Good luck!

Posted by Archer ^ this Pickups are pretty much out of the running because of the wheelbase, but also because the Mrs is not a fan of them. Since she's also going to have to drive it...

You mean you don't want to get stuck on a rock like this?

This Taco TRD was ~$25,000 with somewhere around 70,000km. 2013 purchased in 2016.

Posted by shadowedsmile Honda Pilot isn't true 4x4, unless something has changed recently. As far as I know from conversations with Archer, he's looking for something that's capable of actual off-roading.

This, and they have pretty weak transmissions, and that's just with regular driving, not being submerged in water.

Mid 90s 4Runner from somewhere in the southwest USA.

Posted by shadowedsmile https://farm2.stat...871_968f3f1c2c.jpg You mean you don't want to get stuck on a rock like this? This Taco TRD was ~$25,000 with somewhere around 70,000km. 2013 purchased in 2016.

where i'm from, you take something like that into the woods, you deserve to get it stuck.

your requirements are incredibly rigid and what you've mentioned are not going to be cheap by any stretch. However, one option that no one mentioned here is finding a reasonably used Nissan XTerra. Fairly rugged (based on a Frontier chassis if I am not mistake). Are more than capable of off-road travel and are pretty cheap/easy to repair as well has having amenities for being out in the bush (an easy to clean interior being one). Most people that bought them never really used the Xterra as they were intended so finding one that isn't piss-pounded should be fairly simple.

Posted by bandi This, and they have pretty weak transmissions, and that's just with regular driving, not being submerged in water.

That was the ultimate demise of the 2005 that my mom had. It was well taken care of. Mmmm, strawberry milkshake.

Posted by Samurai where i'm from, you take something like that into the woods, you deserve to get it stuck.

Except for two or three awkward rock climbs where the wheel base was tricky, the Taco held its own and kept up with the Jeeps. It never took me more than about 10 or 15 minutes to get unstuck, and I didn't get winched out at all on the trail.

When the truck was purchased, it wasn't meant to be an off-road vehicle. I'm just a terrible influence on my dad sometimes and got him interested in learning to off-road. Which means that I get to borrow the truck to go off-roading.

Brind's Xterra definitely did well on the trail. I'm personally not a fan of Nissan, but it's worth a consideration.

you know, i've never actually looked in to the xTerra as a capable vehicle. maybe I should start looking at one of those instead of an Explorer

Always with the clean XJ suggestion. Always.

Posted by jeepdave Always with the clean XJ suggestion. Always.

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a clean XJ anywhere near Ontario and it's a shame because I love them. They're a truly awesome vehicle.

The last one I owned was a '94, that was in 2005 and it had almost no floors left in it, and the rockers were non existent.

Touareg or Cayenne is always a blast

Touaregs and Cayennes are over engineered, overpriced Nazi trash. I've seen total vehicle meltdowns from moisture as a result of a disconnected AC drain tube, let alone half submerging the thing in a river.

I wouldn't wish a Touareg on my worst enemy. Mostly because they'd still probably still contact me with technical questions about the piece of shit.

Ive had all dressings of touareg and multiple cayennes, never had any issues

Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Built by Toyota's subsidiary Hino.

Posted by Nismo Ive had all dressings of touareg and multiple cayennes, never had any issues

And I have a reliable Hyundai Pony, but seriously, taking a Touareg/Cayenne through some real off road terrain with water crossings and stuff? You'd have better luck taking a bath with a Blu-Ray player. And a better chance of the Blu-Ray player still working after.

They're high maintenance pieces of shit when they're driven by soccer moms, there's soooooooooo much to go wrong with them, especially when you're offroad and miles away from where a tow truck can get. They're nice to drive, yeah, but taking one down some real offroad trails would bankrupt the average Canadian after half a day with the shit that would break. I realize I've only worked on a few thousand of them but they're designed to be a big, powerful SUV to get you to the cottage and tow your boat to the launch and maybe your 911 to the track for a club weekend. Something that can crawl over rocks and drive through rivers on a regular basis doesn't have aluminum dual wishbone front suspension, 4 pot Brembos and an electronic parking brake.