Last time this was simple. Evan wanted an exotic convertible. I had my heart set on a truck. And George bought the first Volkswagen he laid his eyes on.
This time, we have an unavoidable competition. We know we need four wheel drive, a high clearance, and something that fits in the budget restriction. So that narrows the field. And we all want the same thing. Basically this:
(If I’m honest, perhaps less this specific vehicle than the assurance of a vehicle that could do this without needing to call in a tow truck.)
I dream of a Wrangler. There’s just something strikingly whimsical about a car with no doors.
A soft-top Wrangler would make me incredibly happy, but they’re built to last so availability is low and prices are high. And if there is one, we’ll all be clamoring for it.
Or if not a Jeep, we all swooned at this option:
Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Izuzu, and Geo all made very acceptable little toy off-roaders in the 80s and 90s. Creature comforts are few, but they’re reliable, cheap, lightweight, and combine sufficiently high clearance with a short wheelbase.
We have seen a number of agreeable rides, but again, each seems to come with a few caveats:
About which the seller offered: “It’s a clean title nephew got dui vehicle was impounded I bought it back from the tow yard for him and now he will be in jail for quite sometime so I’m selling it to get back a portion of the money he owns me. It’s a nice vehicle.” It’s that last bit that really sells it.
George does seem to be on a Montero kick, here’s another he found that shows modest promise: “Runs great fog lights are bent only one works because ex crashed into a pole, there is a t.v but doesn’t work and no stereo. Small leak in rear differential and car makes noise when heater is on.”
“It ran when it was parked about 10 years ago.”
Or there’s the classic option! George and Evan both are excited when they see Nissan Hardbody trucks. So am I, but if I bought a second one I know I’d never hear the end of it. But in true D21 fashion, this is one of the more mechanically promising options.