> I consider buying a 4x4 and preferably a 96-98 Toyota Landcruiser 90
> or a 95 Mercedes Gelandewagen G350. I will not use the truck much off
> road. But need the size, safety and durability.
> Witch of these cars will give me less trouble and most value for
> money.
It's not too brigth an idea to buy an off-roader, if you
won't need to drive on poor dirt roads or off-road. Especially
not if you emphase the value for your money, rather than
fancy the image.
You can get the size (for cargo or passangers) and durability
elsewhere, a van perhaps, without the added complexity and
cost of the off-road ability.
And safety. The off-road capabilities do compromize on-road
handling. In particular, they won't be very safe if you try
to drive them like a sedan.
Collision safety (passive) of off-roaders isn't usually too
grand either, except when the unlucky other part is a much
lighter vehicle. And then, of course, the occupants of
the smaller vehicle would have had a rather different view
on the safety issue...
That said, comparing the two (G-series and 90-series)
where it matters (ie the offroad ability), I think
that it's obvious that the G-series is in a bit of a
different league, having rigid axles, full diff locks
and so forth. Comparing the G to 70- (or 60-
or 80-series) Cruisers instead, would be more interesting.
I think that both G and Cruisers have an excellent reputation
on reliability, much more so than eg some Jeeps and Land
Rovers. Reliability is of course essential for vehicles that
are to be driven in difficult conditions in remote areas.
