As some of you may remember I recently found a low mile 2002 RX to replace my Jeep since it can carry and tow exactly the same size stuffs while getting 5 mpg more, better road manners, WAY better livability, and just generally a better experience and higher reliability. Well as it happens on the same day I got done detailing the car my best friend had his car hit and needed a replacement, since he has been around my cars long enough he asked if I would sell the RX and naturally I said yes. This has left me once again without a replacement for the seemingly eternal WJ I just can't seem to get rid of lol! This sucks since I thought I finally had a good replacement for nearly free, now I am back to looking for something else....

So with that in mind what are your suggestions? It will be parked outside on the corner of my driveway so it has to be somewhat presentable for the other houses sake lol, so nothing too out of style. I am finding myself very strongly drawn toward a Land Rover Discovery II for a combination of cosmetics reasons and I just think they are so cool/capable and they 100% check all the functional boxes I need. I am leery since it's, well, a Land Rover and I would like to get something that breaks less than my Jeep does/did/will but every time I get one though the shop I just love driving them and how awesomely designed they are. The Range Rover is off the table though since I don't trust one to sit for a long period of time, otherwise I would consider one as well.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Reprimands?

 

Lexus LX450 or a 1990s Land Cruiser

 

4Runner, Highlander, Pilot, MDX, another RX?

 

I like your style but those are WAY too much money for what I need and I would feel bad leaving an 100 series outside! I hate that you brought up the LX450 since that thing is super cool and I do want one.

Maybe, the Highlander and RX are very similar so I would likely go for an RX between the two and the Runner is just as pricy as the LX/LC....I'll have to take a more serious look at a Pilot though. Kind of forgot they exist to be honest, it would have to be one that has a working/not shady history due to the fragile transmissions as I really just do not feel like dealing with a trans in any of these cars other than the LX/LC since it points the right way. Not that those ever break so it's non-factor.

 

If you are okay with headaches and endless repairs, go with the Land/Range Rovers. If you want worry-free ownership, stick with the Toyota/Lexus products.

 

I currently have a Jeep in this role, I would list what I have fixed in the last 120k miles but it's easier to say I DIDN'T replace the PS system, rims, glass, body panels, seats, front axle carrier, and transmission+transfer case. I am fairly sure I have had to repair literally everything else at least once.....at this point I was about to surrender the off-road capability/super durable suspention for the RX so my sanity remains mostly intact.

 

what about a KIA Boreggo?

Yeah…symmetrical full time 4WD. they still have steel fuel tanks as well.(I think). Locking diffs are vacuum I believe.

 

You can't possibly be considering a Land Rover Discovery II and simultaneously entertaining a Highlander, MDX, or Pilot..! You've got retro cool on one hand and boring & ugly but reliable on the other.

To use rental car terms, I vote Discovery II "or similar". Maybe a late 80's 4Runner (the ones where you can remove the rear top) with the V6 engine 5 speed manual. Maybe an old Wagoneer. Maybe an OJ era Bronco. Maybe an Eddie Bauer or XLT 92-94 Explorer.

Any of those of interest?

 

Ya'll probably laugh at me but what you think about the Hummer II?
I looked at one and really liked it but the side windows are high and wife was worried she can't see well out them.
However I thought it looked nice and I can see doing some KC spot lights on the top and a front mounted winch too. lol

Also thought about the Toyota FJ Cruiser but people want stupid money for high mileage beaters so that might not be good candidate to replace old jeep.

 

seems you've already answered your own question. the disco is unique, primitive, and i've no doubt you can fix anything on it.

 

Just get the LX if you could find another relative that is giving one away, too soon?

In all seriousness, get the Discovery, it’s a cool truck and while I wouldn’t recommend it to most people due to reliability, you are a mechanic so fixing one if it has any problems should be easy for you right?

 

Hi patgilm, you have a good point, he can prob fix anything.
However, since I repair electrinics for my job the last thing I want to do is fix broken electronics for stuff that breaks around my house and guessing for a mechanic that may also apply to fixing his own cars. lol
You'd think I'd be ok with it but it's actually just the opposite, maybe others feel different so I don't know, just wanted to throw that out there.

 

I hear you on that, I have friends that are home remodeling contractors and they never have time/don’t want to fix their own house. It’s the last thing they want to do because they do it all day, every day.

 

The FJ is what I would get no hesitation if they didn't cost over 15k for a 2wd with 200k+ miles, they absolutely are what I'm looking for but are about 3-4x what I want to put into the suv.

I'll have to take a look at the hummers, the H2 may be too large but the H3 would be the right size I think. Good suggestion, I'll see if there are any local.

 

Yeah a little too soon lol! Still mad about that.....

I kind of fall into the that same groove, however if the car in question is very well made/highly advanced or other wise interesting I don't mind working on it at all. Even when I get a new type of car in some of the fun is just getting it in the air and looking at the design and the styles of parts/coatings/connectors/suspension used, especially if it's something high end since they have very unique differences brand to brand. Even low end cars are fun to analyze to learn the mentality it was designed with and the use it was geared toward. Something like the Disco falls into that category since it's extremely high performance on top of being very distinct from any other cars in it's class due to the radius arms, offset diffs, and watts link on top of other things like the driveline brake etc. I have worked on 4 of them and the ride on road is very good for the class and the driving experience is very intriguing to me, my concern is the headgasket failures would make me loose my liking if my personal one needs it. I don't want to be soured to my own car from something like that.....there is also a small chance of an "unfixable" failure if I get a 2004 with the 4.6 since the blocks are problematic, makes it hard since I would like an HSE from 04 but the safe choice would be an 02 or 01 SE.

The truly smart thing would be another Toyota/Lexus but the charisma and off-road power of the LR is tempting since I would need to go out of my way to really use the off-road aspect like it was meant to be used. If only the FJ was priced sanely, best of both worlds.