What car? Need expert opinion

[leovalentin64]

Hello everyone,

I want to escape city and be able to do soft overlanding (2-3 days) with my girlfriend. At the begening at least, further when i got more experience, Morroco is calling me =)
I do that with my Honda Transalp 600 but i can not bring her with me^^

Important for me :
- Budget is 13 000€ MAX
- a vehicle that doesn't depreciate too much
- Confort in motorways (to find good places, where i can go offroad)
- Reliable
- Some offroad abilities (no need a monster truck)

My first choise, it's my dream car was a Mercedes-Benz G Class w463 300 TD but it's too expensive, I can not spend that money.
So I keep searching andI have 2 options:

TOYOTA - Land Cruiser 90 3.0 D4D VX 2002 (238 000km) for 13500€
JEEP - Grand Cherokee WJ 2.7 CRD 2004 (190 000km) for 7800€

I like both of them, they are in a good shape, the jeep a bit modified but razonably, the Toyota is stock. Both with A/C, full option, Jeep have leather seats and Toyota no.
I understand that Toyota is stronger, more reliable and you can find part everywhere. But it's all my budget so can not have fail, and will have to wait for prepare it for bigger trips.
The Jeep, I will have 5000€ left to make it more reliable, check everything, buy a rofftop tent etc etc.
Toyota value will not depreciate, when Jeep will.
What do you think? I'm a bit lost but i like both of them. It's lot of money for me and makes it really important.

Thank you for the ones who read me till the end, sorry for my aproximated english ^^

 

[leovalentin64]

Someone?? Just give me your opinion.

 

[MazeVX]

Take the Jeep, WJs are awesome. Drives great on the street and is very capable offroad.
Just keep an eye on differentials and and stay on top with maintenance.
What transmission is in the jeep? Automatic? If so, get it flushed. Maybe get the engine checked and spend some of the left over money on preventative maintenance.

 

[El-Dracho]

Take the Jeep, WJs are awesome. Drives great on the street and is very capable offroad.
Just keep an eye on differentials and and stay on top with maintenance.
What transmission is in the jeep? Automatic? If so, get it flushed. Maybe get the engine checked and spend some of the left over money on preventative maintenance.

Good advise. And I would just add two ideas if the decision is really just between these two rigs. If the Yota is nearly at the top of your budget I would recommend to go for the much cheaper Jeep and not only save some money for good mainentance and repairs but as well for trips. Plus I always recommend to go with the rig your heart beats for. It will not make you happy if you just buy a rig because people say that it is the right one for you. No, it´s essential that YOU are happy with your decision.

Also, check for 4x4 guys in your artea. There is a hughe community in Spain and also around Valencia. And then ask someone to accompany you who is experienced with the rig when buying.

Enjoy!

 

[genocache]

Both good advice! I like the heart advice from Bjoem, Let's say you really want a G wagon, Find one you can afford and learn to work on it. The confidence of being able to fix it on the trail is unmeasureable. Or get a wealthier girlfriend ;^)

 

[leovalentin64]

Hi, thank you for all your advices!
We can say that my hear beat with the jeep, I made so many reserch about this car that now I have a kind of special link with it!
Also, the actual owner of the Jeep was doing soft overlanding with his wife, so all fluid changed in time and for the sell, lift 5cm,renforced Steering Stabilizer, brand new injectors and all system claened as injector seals.
New panhard bar and silentblock. transmision protected behind, no rust on chassi.
I think, overlander people need reliable rig and they take good care of them.

Also the money left in budget will be used to bring the car to 4x4 expert garage to check everything. And also build a bit the interior, add a small fridge, etc.

I'm going to see the car in 2 weeks, I will try to find a Jeep enthusiast to come with me =)