Hold My Jackaroo: 1991 Isuzu Trooper

Most people know the big three Japanese auto manufactures Honda, Nissan and Toyota for their mainstream approach to car design and sales...but Japan has many auto manufacturers for an island that has less than 2% of the world's population. If Mazda is the other Japanese car manufacturer like pork is the other white meat, and Subaru is lamb...then where does that leave Isuzu (and don't even start with Daihatsu and Suzuki)?  Isuzu might not export cars into the USA anymore, but for a few decades it was an interesting alternative to the other guys...and another other white meat...maybe ostrich? Find this 1991 Isuzu Trooper offered for $3500 in Hollywood, CA via craigslist.

Terrano Regulus: 2001 Infiniti QX4

You might have never heard of the Infiniti QX4 before today...well...because it is an oddball luxury SUV from Nissan's luxury brand sold from 1997-2003. You can barely throw a timing belt without hitting a Nissan Pathfinder around these parts, but good luck finding a QX4 -- I have to imagine that Infiniti only sold a dozen or so...but according to this random website, Infiniti sold about 20k a year -- not much in the modern world, but more than a Nissan GTR. Find this 2001 Infiniti QX4 offered for $3300 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist.

Who You Callin' a Pajero? 1992 Mitsubishi Montero 4X4

Mitsubishi is an oddity among the major Japanese automakers.  It doesn't have the "reliability" stamp of Honda/Toyota, but it doesn't make many "fun" cars like Subaru (except for the Evo and maybe the VR4 things...but that is a story for another time)...but you shouldn't overlook some of the 90s Bishis because they offer a surprising bang per your buck. Find this 1992 Mitsubishi Montero 4X4 offered for $5999 in Orlando, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Pacecar of the Coronapocalypse: 2001 GMC Savana Quigley 4X4 Conversion

I hate to contribute to the general panic around the coronavirus...but like the 50th person jumping into a dogpile, I feel only a small pang of regret in my gut.  Or is that the coronavirus?  Lack of smell and pangs in your gut?  I gotta google this.  Hang on....nope, I'm good.  Anyway, if you are thinking that the virus and ensuing economic recession is going to mean you might need a bugout vehicle, I have to think that a used Quigley conversion panel van has the right combination of 4X4, skid-plate, basher bumper, and no windows to help you survive. Find this 2001 GMC Savana Quigley 4X4 Conversion here on eBay offered for $16,990 or best offer located in Braidwood, IL.

Vortec V6 Power: 1988 Suzuki Samurai

The 2nd generation Samurai is a compact off-roader from Suzuki, built from 1981-1998.  The Samurai makes a miserable ride on tarmac, but is legendary for its off-road capability, with one beating a Jeep record for highest altitude achieved for a 4-wheeled vehicle at 21,942 ft.  We think the Samurai is a logical choice for someone needing 4WD capabilities as they are cheap, easy to fix and built like small tanks...and the only thing you really need to do is to upgrade the miserable lump they called an engine when it was new.  Find this 1988 Suzuki Samurai offered for $19,500 in Pecos, NM via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

4 Liters of Desert Fun: 1995 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

The last few years has been an interesting time for cheap car lovers (like me, the other DT writers...and you) -- and mostly unfavorable.  Classics have jumped up across the board, late model interesting things have gotten serious interest and overhyped prices and the last decade of cars have not depreciated in the manner you would expect (I plan a full diatribe post on that later...) but it always makes me happy when I stumble on a car that is interesting, fun, well preserved, and cheap. It doesn't happen as often as it should, but they are still out there.  Find this 1995 Jeep Wrangler Sahara offered for $6,400 in Alameda, CA via craigslist.

Rad! 1985 Nissan 720 Pickup BushMaster 4X4

This next car comes as a tip from Gregory who simply writes: RAD! in his email to DT.  Yup.  I can't imagine a more fitting word to describe what you are about to see, because this car is so thoroughly evocative of the RAD epoch. Find this 1985 Nissan 720 4X4 BushMaster offered for $3500 in North Hollywood, CA via craigslist.

The BatTruck: 1975 Dodge Ram Powerwagon

This next car truck comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes: The Dodge Power Wagon is revered among Mopar truck owners, and this is a handsome 4x4 example from 1975. If you think your neighbors get too much sleep, then you need to be cranking up this 440 whenever the mood strikes you. Painted Batman Black and listed for $14,000 $12000 in Houston. Find this 1975 Dodge Ram Powerwagon offered for $12,000 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Billy Goat: 1994 Suzuki Samurai

The 2nd generation Samurai is a compact off-roader from Suzuki, built from 1981-1998.  The Samurai makes a miserable ride on tarmac, but is legendary for its off-road capability, with one beating a Jeep record for highest altitude achieved for a 4-wheeled vehicle at 21,942 ft.  We think the Samurai is a logical choice for someone needing 4WD capabilities as they are cheap, easy to fix and built like small tanks...get one while they are cheap...uggg this one isn't cheap. The miles are low, but to get this sorta price, they'd have to detail it and feature it on one of those fancy pants auction sites where suckers people over pay a premium.  Find this 1994 Suzuki Samurai here on eBay with a starting bid of $7500 located in Glenview, IL with 2 days to go.

Off or On Road: 2008 Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra was released for the 2000 model year, right at the time when Ford was in the heat of the Explorer/Firestone crisis, and quite a few SUV shoppers skipped the Ford dealer and found themselves in a body-on-frame Nissan that put an emphasis on ruggedness and affordability over luxury.  A few years later they are very cheap and still trail ready. Find this 2008 Nissan Xterra offered for $4800 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff who writes: I had one of these the first year they came out (2000) and it was a solid ride. Not sure how they progressed over the years, but this one looks clean. Great daily/cash car I'd say!

You Raise Me Up: 1984 Pontiac Fiero 4X4 Monster Ferrari

When people say, aim high...this what they are talking about.  This is the stuff of dreams, forget the James Webb Space Telescope, or the latest Trailer Swift album..this is your nirvana, the apple of your eye, the pea in the pod...it buts the eef in beef and the ding in pudding. When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary, when troubles come, and my heart burdened be, then, I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me, you raise me up, so I can stand on mountains, you raise me up to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me up to more than I can be. Find this 1984 Pontiac Fiero 4X4 Monster Ferrari here on eBay offered for $8900 buy-it-now or make-offer in Richmond, VA. Tip from Matt C.

Only One On Your Block: 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS Ironman Triathlon Edition

The 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS was an intense vehicle when it was released, just look at the name -- CROSS was in ALL CAPS FROM ISUZU.  And then there is this special edition that is known as the Ironman Triathlon version, which added remote reservoir shocks, unique badges, a black hood, upgraded tunes, and a sweet two tone red and black interior.  Why don't automakers do something like this today...imagine if Jeep introduced a CrossFIT version of the Wrangler...that'd sell like hotcakes. Find this 1999 Isuzu VehiCROSS Ironman offered for $8,500 in Payson, AZ via craigslist.

These Words Confuse Me: 1994 Nissan Caravan Homy Autech 4X4 Diesel

It's Loony Labor Day! Sometimes a car has a strange suffix tacked onto the end its name that I haven't heard about before...some kinda special edition or unique designation. But today we've got something really special. We've got a car that has is named in a bizarre cornucopia of gobbledygook...words seemingly smashed together when some automakers played a game of mad libs in the product planning department. Whatever...it is rad.  Find this 1994 Nissan Caravan Homy Autech 4X4 Diesel offered for $12,500 in Hudson, MA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Valp! 1963 Volvo L3304

If you are going to drive off road, there are a few options available; The first is you can just drive your 87 Pontiac Grand Prix you normally take on the road onto a dirt road and just man-up, but you could also get into something like a light SUV/CUV crossover that gives some more dirt confidence...or you can go full Jeep.  But if you want to go even MORE into the woods, you'll need to search out something like this 1963 Volvo L3304 offered for $11,500 in San Rafael, CA via craigslist. Tip from Erik202.

Have Rust Will Travel: 1983 AMC Eagle 4X4

The AMC Eagle was a neat looking 4X4 compact crossover-car thing that beat the modern market to the compact crossover and defined traditional labeling of the time. The sedan/wagon/coupe versions were built on the AMC Concord chassis, but the 2-door SX/4, Kammback, & Sundancer models were built on the AMC Spirit subcompact chassis...but the important part is that they were powered by big inline-6s and could offroad like a Jeep. Find this 1983 AMC Eagle offered for $3,800 in Loma, CO via hemmings. Tip from BP.

TJ Big Six: 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

I looked at this next car and said "wow, that is one well preserved 80s Jeep"...but then I noticed that the model year was a 2001?  Wow.  The TJ generation Jeep Wrangler was built from 1996 through 2006 on a chassis that was a mildly updated version of the 1986-1995 YJ Wranger that was originally developed by AMC during Renault ownership, which was just a slightly upgraded version of the CJ...you can see where this meandering path down Jeep history is going.  Find this 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara here on eBay offered for $6950 buy-it-now located in Ozone Park, NY.

Dolph's Ride: 1963 Volvo Laplander L3313

I was watching this sweet Volvo Excavators advertisement on the youtubes when I pointed out to a friend that Dolph is driving a sweet old Ford pickup and my pal brazenly stated it was because there was nothing old school cool from Volvo that Dolph could drive...which was a complete load of steaming moose pucky because I could pick 50 different old school Swedish rides for the Lundgrenader.  Here is a 1963 Volvo Laplander L3313 offered for $6000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.