I have to agree, if ya don't really need an SUV why buy one?
not because it hurts the environment (because there really is an
environmental cost that many people do not think about), but I say
don't but one because of a dollars and sense arguement (an SUV costs
more to operate, insure and buy).
what's the use of getting a big old vehicle if you are just using it
to go drive around town, ya can do the same thing in a regular car....
having said that, given the choice between a 4runner, a land cruiser
and a range rover of about 1990 or there abouts I'd eliminate the
range rover because they are more expensive to work on (at least where
I live and I guess that applies nation wide), the sheet metal on range
rovers is much thicker than the toyotas of the same era (which makes
it better if ya want to pound out dents), but from what I have seen
british cars have a few reliability issues as compaired to the jap
cars.
The only british car I'd consider is the defender, real basic and
tough, but ride is harsh (but it does come with a manual trans which I
like myself).
I have an 80 series land cruiser, isn't perfect but it has a very good
trans (even if it is auto), and it can haul lots of stuff which is why
I picked it over the 4 runner of the same year (and the other reason
is the land criuiser has a solid axle or did the new 100 series made
after 1997 is made for the rich soccer mom/dad demographic), and since
the land cruiser is actually used off road in other parts of the world
ya can get parts to make a really comfortable off road rig.... but it
take $$$$$
the pre 92 land cruisers were underpowered, had an inline 6 of 4
liters, in 1993 LC had a new 4.5 liter engine (which does make a
difference), the nice thing about the LC is ya can find clean ones on
the used market because when they were new they were bought by older
people with $$$$$ who typically don't drive off road or abuse their
vehicles.
the 4 runner at least the early model 1st generation was really nice
because it came with a stick shift, and had a removeable hard top
shell (kind of heavy - had a friend who had one), and it was one tough
son of a gun, but since they are older chances are ya won't find one
that has not been beaten into the ground, that is because they were
sold to younger people (most likely) who drove cars harder.....
[email protected] (Steve Mestdagh) wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> "burntkat IS AT sc.rr.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > Go with the Toyo, hands down. LCs are known to be expensive to maintain,
> > undependable, and not quite as refined.
> >
>
> Umm.. They're both "Toyos". Do you mean LandRover?
> I have an '86 FJ60 Landcruiser. Just had my first breakdown at 270K
> miles. Pretty good I'd say. I had to cough up $725 to fix it.
>
> To answer the original question, either one of these vehicles is
> overkill for your needs. Save the enviroment and get a more fuel
> efficient vehicle. If you're worried about ice get some studs or siped
> tires.
> -steve
