There's another thread that seems to be primarily focusing on fun hot hatches and sedans that don't bust the budget in purchase or operation.

My question is a bit different. Undoubtedly those vehicles are a lot of fun, but what does the forum find to be fun among the more capable vehicles? By this I mean those that can handle on-road, off-road, storage, carrying and hauling etc.

I'm decreasingly enamoured of Silverados. They are actually getting a bit to big to be fun, and 2 of the last 4 have had transmission problems without a lot of miles on them.

One might propose the Land Cruiser, which is purported to be a 500,000 mile / 25 year vehicle, but as US sales are ending future spare parts will be from overseas markets exclusively.

I have some prematurely optimistic hopes for the new Bronco.

Would be happy if the International Scout was still in production.

Anyone have good suggestions for long term capable vehicles that are long on fun driving experiences also?

Land Cruiser, DO IT!!!!!!!!

They are already purpose built in Japan parts supply doubtfully will be any different for a long time than it is now.

I would not worry about it.

Guess you could go G Wagon if you are that worried about LC parts.

Land Cruiser.

The Lexus variant will have many cross compatible parts, not to mention aftermarket suspension bits. We've had an LX 470 in the family since 2000. The first one got wrecked, but a later 2005 model is running strong.

I ended up with a new Discovery V in 2018 because I wanted something with a little more family hauling practicality (30mpg highway diesel, 440ft lb torque city driving, more spacious unibody, and like 1000 lbs lighter). With some all terrains it'll get me down the service roads I need to go hiking, through the snow, or to pull a trailer. I'm not pretending that I'll ever take it down an actual technical trail.

I was looking at slightly used Land Cruiser. Found a nice 2019 with 2000 miles on it...

But then found this...

Love my Wrangler. Storage is the only lacking feature, but I’ve got a security deck in the back, and I use the dual point mounting system from quadratec for a cargo carrier off the back, so the storage area is reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
I was looking at slightly used Land Cruiser. Found a nice 2019 with 2000 miles on it...

But then found this...

That is very nice! What have you done to it so far?

My 02 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L V8 is fun to drive, and even in more or less stock form, a capable off road vehicle. The WJ was the last GC to come with live axles and sit a bit higher than their IFS cousins that followed. Mine has a factory Dana 44 rear so a little stouter than the less capable Dana 35.

Mine has a Superchips tuner strictly for shift firmness and shift points so feels very peppy when first tops out. A K&N air filter and high flow exhaust system really woke the motor up. In spring of 19, we went to southern WV to stay at a friends cabin and took a wrong turn. Before we knew it, we had crossed a wet seep stream bed in a gully and gone up about a true 45 degree grade in low gear. After we realized we were off track and got turned around, we went down and the seep was scary to see from the other side. The Jeep did me proud and clawed its way out. When we got down the mountain we stopped at the friends house and described our detour. He looked at the Jeep and asked "How in the hell didn't you get stuck?".

"Jeep", I said.

Land Cruiser, Jeep Rubicon, Tacoma, 4Runner off the show floor you can take overlanding.

Grab a full-size pick-up, like a Tundra or, Dodge Ram, with a few mods/upgrades you can create your own bug-out vehicle. Considering the last 20-years of mass evacuations due to hurricane/flooding, fires and winter storms, being able to move-out with a solid kit, is a much more realistic scenario than a backpack loaded with carefully considered items.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:

That is very nice! What have you done to it so far?

Not much so far...just a 2" lift.

The hard top and nerfs are coming in about a week.

3rd and 5th gen 4Runner. Great combination of affordable & reliable.

Check the Colorado ZR2, it is NOT a wanna be off roader. See link. Never mind the Bison package, it is just cosmetics.

https://www.motortrend.com/car...zr2-comparison-test/

Outback could be considered, could likely handle some mild off-pavement excursions.

Wrangler, 4Runner, Tacoma, Gladiator for more off-road capability.

Land cruisers and 4Runners.

Capable and Reliable.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Outback could be considered, could likely handle some mild off-pavement excursions.

OP said he has a Turbo Forester that he's not that enthused about. So an Outback isn't likely to do much for him.

quote:

Originally posted by TXLe:
3rd and 5th gen 4Runner. Great combination of affordable & reliable.

What's the deal about the 4th gens?

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Outback could be considered, could likely handle some mild off-pavement excursions.

OP said he has a Turbo Forester that he's not that enthused about. So an Outback isn't likely to do much for him.

I think that was the OP of the other thread.
But yes, compared to an XT Forester, the OB would be lackluster. Though, I have not driven the new OB XT.

IMO Capable Vehicles can go around a corner at a reasonable speed. None the vehicles in this thred are capable.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:

quote:

Originally posted by TXLe:
3rd and 5th gen 4Runner. Great combination of affordable & reliable.

What's the deal about the 4th gens?

The 4th gen is a fine vehicle, it just isn't a 3rd or 5th gen, splitting hairs though.

quote:

Originally posted by roberth:

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:

quote:

Originally posted by TXLe:
3rd and 5th gen 4Runner. Great combination of affordable & reliable.

What's the deal about the 4th gens?

The 4th gen is a fine vehicle, it just isn't a 3rd or 5th gen, splitting hairs though.

4TH Gen is also available with the V8

4 Runner. Land Cruiser if you like ‘em big and chunky.