Hiya. I am new to the forum and new to wheeling in that I have owned a 4x4 for 12 years but off-roading has been limited to logging roads travelling to Fair Harbour and Surge Narrows so that I can launch my kayak and explore the BC coast and play in rough water. I have always enjoyed this rather light "off-roading" (if it can be called that) and have had a bit of a reputation amongst my kayak buddies for being willing to take my vehicle where they have preferred not to take their Rangers, RAM 1500s, etc.
I am looking for advice re a new vehicle. I hope my problem does not seem too "First World".
I have posted this on BC4x4 as well, so apologies to anyone who frequents both sites.
My current vehicle is a '03 Pathfinder. I love it but it has reached the point where I am having to spend thousands to keep it on the road. I have NO vehicle maintenance skills so it always has to go back to the dealership for servicing and TLC.
Whilst researching new vehicles I decided to take the Pathfinder to a bit of rough land with steep slopes where others have obviously been playing in their 4x4s so that I could compare candidates with the Pathfinder in their abilities to cope with the terrain. I rediscovered the fun! My off-road exploits have been limited but have included diesel and gas Landrovers in the British Army, and various tracked and wheeled military vehicles like 432s and Ferrets. I have even driven a Stalwart (strictly speaking a 6x6) and an Abbot self-propelled gun. Many, many smiles!
Job #1 for the new vehicle is to get me to and from work (the Family Treasurer says I can only have one vehicle). Job #2 is to transport up to three 17 foot sea kayaks to exciting places on the west coast and the islands. Job #3 is to let me have more fun driving off-road. I have more than a sneaky suspicion that I will end up seeing more of Vancouver Island's rougher trails in the future.
Sensible, boxy grown up SUVs like the Pathfinder have become a thing of the past. I have ended up looking at only two vehicles. Whichever I buy will be either new or no more than 3-4 years old because I am not practical-minded enough to maintain it myself and it must be a reliable vehicle for Jobs #1 and #2.
So, I have narrowed the search down to the Nissan Xterra (probably in Pro 4X guise) and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (long wheel base because the Family treasurer has also decreed that it must be fit for the IKEA run!). I am less keen on the Nissan as the daft roof rack is not at all kayak friendly. Too high and too narrow. Trucks don't do it for me - more storage space than I need and less accessible than in a SUV.
Now for the uber-First World bit.
I am concerned that I should not aim too "low". When I bought my first sea kayak I went for safe, stable and, frankly, boring. Within only a couple of years I needed something more tippy and fun, something that I could take into surf and fast currents and also paddle around Vancouver Island whilst coping with big waves, gusty winds, etc. If there is anyone on the forum who understands kayaks, the Nimbus Telkwa HV had to go: Hello, Nigel Dennis Explorer.
I am in the extremely fortunate position that I could probably stretch to the Rubicon if I bought the Jeep. But I am worried that if I did so I would (a) be buying something that only the cognoscenti and experts really need, (b) would be terrible at Job #1, and (c) would make me look like a real prat the first time I turned up at a 4x4 club as a Newbie. I really do not fancy being sniggered at for buying something way out of my league and likely to remain so. Having read a few of the posts and seen some of the pictures showing what the members of this forum get up to, I am especially worried about (c). Your vehicles all look properly hard-core and I can only imagine the response that I would get turning up (if invited) in some prissy Rubicon.
In summary:
Any vehicles I have missed out?
Am I nuts to pass over the Xterra?
If I can stretch to the Rubicon, should I buy it or should I aim for the Sahara (which seems to be engineered for a better on-pavement experience)?
Any other issues forum members think I should consider?
Having spent years reading and posting on kayak fora, I know this is all very subjective, but I would love to hear what experienced 4x4ers think.
First off, welcome to the forum! You'll probably get some varying answers to your questions, as we have quite a range of off road enthusiasts here. Everything from hardcore exo caged solid axle monsters to bone stock full sized pickups. In reality, no matter how capable your vehicle is you can always push it and explore new areas, and that is always fun!
Here are my suggestions:
In my opinion, your limiting factor in this case is the need for a newer vehicle. You'll find that most of us use older vehicles. The reason is two-fold. First, you're talking about taking vehicles places that they aren't really designed to go. Things will break. Especially in the case where you are paying a mechanic or shop to do your work for you, it's going to get very expensive very quickly. Even if money isn't an issue, the other big reason is that newer vehicles sort of suck for what we do - for the most part. Have you noticed that trucks are getting bigger and bigger every year? Size is the enemy in the bushes of BC. Many of the trails we drive are modified quad trails, and even if you aren't pushing through the thick of it, a big truck will always pose more problems off road (in our part of the world anyway). If age wasn't an issue, I would suggest either a 2nd-3rd gen 4runner, or a Jeep Cherokee. These are the most capable vehicles I've seen in the back country. Also as far as reliability is concerned, I would wager a bet that a low km 3rd gen 4Runner will outlast a newer Xterra 9 times out of 10. These things go to a million km. Maintenance is cheap.
But.... if you are stuck on the idea of a newer vehicle, then I say Rubicon, hands down. There is no doubt that a newer Rubicon is highly capable off road (very much so). Comparing a Rubicon (of any year) with a newer Xterra (99+) is comparing apples and oranges. One is made to go off road, the other for picking up kids and groceries. If you don't mind exploring with a puckered asshole 99% of the time (at the worry of wrecking your $30k+ vehicle), then the Rubicon is definitely a solid choice. Perhaps the only solid choice in terms of newer vehicles.
In terms of outward appearance in 4x4 groups, you won't be looked down upon for driving a Rubicon. They dominate on the trails and have huge aftermarket support for modifications. That being said, whenever I run into a brand new shiny Rubicon on the trails I always chuckle a little knowing that with all the money they've spent on it, they will never be able to follow me down the same trails :)
Bottom line: Get a low km 4Runner with a small lift and it will outperform and outlast almost everything else out there, with great road manners, and without breaking the bank when you push it. Otherwise, get a Rubicon.
I can't really add much to what Shane has already said, I agree with him on everything. I will restate though that the off roading community is very accepting of anyone willing to get out in the bush with their vehicle no matter what your skill level, or what you drive. Really the only thing that's going to get you in trouble is not respecting the land your on, take out what you brought in and have some basic trail etiquette. I'm sure it's the same in the paddling community.
Thanks guys. I have gone with a Jeep Sahara Unlimited. A little dirty already :-)
Good choice, just a heads up Jeep = "Just empty every pocket" and that's not because they break down a lot but because of the aftermarket support they have and all the MODs you're going to want to do.
Happy trails, keep the rubber on the ground and hopefully see you out on the trails one day.