These Are The 10 Best Off-Road Bargains For Around $5,000! 

I'm not looking for an "interesting" vehicle when I'm out in the middle of nowhere alone. Reliability and "boring" are what I want. The interesting part comes from the fun of being out there offroading and camping... without breaking down.

Ok so Roman is spoiled which is fine because at his age he might have earned it at this point but he has to remember that not all the population has a huge budget. Thanks Tommy for being the voice of reason.

Sorry, Roman, but at this price point most people aren't looking for "cool" as a feature for a budget 4x4. Tommy for the win!!

All 10 10: 1st and 2nd gen Nissan Frontier/Xterra 9: 4 runner 8: 02-10 VW Toureg 7: Land Rover Discovery 1, 2 & LR3 6: Jeep Wrangler YJ 5: 1st gen Mitsubishi Montero 4: 1st Gen Mercedes-Benz ML series 3: 2005 Chevy Blazer ZR2 2: 2nd gen Ford Bronco 1: 1st and 2nd gen Jeep Grand Cherokee aka ZJ and WJ (they preferred 2nd gen [WJ]) Bonus Vehicle: XJ Cherokee (but these are usually over the $5K limit of this list)

The Young dude is making the most sense.. Reliability above everything else.

A "budget" vehicle should not be expensive to maintain. That defeats the purpose of saving money.

I can’t see you. Your shirt matches the wall.

I think "social distancing" is getting to Roman!

Roman, respectfully you can't always be right. It's time you listen to Tommy.

Tommy, thanks for being smart. Once again, I believe you're beginning to keep the channel alive

I'll take an old 4Runner over the VW any day of the week! I'm with Tommy though, a decent one is hard to find for less than 5k.

I have a 3rd gen 4runner that I would trust from here in central Florida to your studios and back and it has over 200k miles. Also, Tommy is completely right, a 3rd gen 4runner goes for 5-20k depending on condition, a sub 5k 4runner is going to be in need of repairs.

What we have are two point of views from two guys in totally different stages in life. The younger version is excited to go out and see the world. The older version is someone who’s seen the world and appreciates comfort and reliability. As someone in there early 30s I can appreciate both points. Good job guys.

I agree with Tommy, give me a old 4Runner over an old Touareg any day. The VW is a money pit. One break down and it will costs more to repair it than what you paid for it. Even if the Toyota breaks it’s cheap to fix.

I agree with Tommy, I don't see that a Toureg is more " interesting" than a 4Runner. Your cooled glovebox won't be that exciting when your stuck on the side of the road as a 4Runner drives by.

1 year of owning our budget off roader: 96 4Runner that was 100% stock with 200k miles. we only had to change out the Starter which we did ourselves, tire was shot so we upgraded the rims and added BFG Mud terrains. We have done the entire steering wrack and ball joints, added about a 3 inch lift and Snorkel. Wife and I are learning to weld and will install our bumpers once we can make them. ALl in all I feel like it was a damn good buy for our weekend trail rig that a year ago cost us under 5k.

Roman reminds me of my Dad. He's never wrong..😵😵😵😵😵

Boring? That's totally subjective. I'm with Tommy all the way. My "boring" reliable rig will get me where I want to go. Is the topic about getting the best off-road BARGAIN or a comfy road trip family hauler? Everyone admitted it is costly to maintain and repair and what's the market like for off-road parts for the Tourag so where's the bargain there? I think Roman missed the mark and point and Tommy is right on point.

You're saying a Toureg is a better budget off roader than 4runner? You are high!

I don't think Roman needs to be part of any discussion involving budget vehicles because he just doesn't seem to get it. He's like the clueless chick on one of those house hunting shows who thinks she should get a beachfront mansion, fully renovated to her specifications for the same price as an inner city shotgun shack. And though I don't know him he also seems sort of like the guy who enjoys a few hours in the field but then needs to make sure there's a four star hotel nearby to sleep at every night. He's just not the real deal budget minded, outdoorsy type. Can't say that Nathan or Andre are either but they make a better show of it. But hey, if I were considering my "budget" off-roader to be a brand new, $120,000 crew cab custom Luxo Raptor with the built in neck massage, selectable left or right cheek seat warmer, the Swarovski crystal vale stem caps and two temp wine chiller to keep my whites and reds at the appropriate temperature then Roman's assessment would be key in my buying decision!

What, no Isuzu Trooper?!

I'd take a 4runner over a Toureg every day! Especially considering reliability. P.S. its ugly

Tommy is correct about the 4runners. Even ragged out with super high miles people are trying to ask ridiculous prices for them. Doesn't matter where you are in country, its extremely extremely hard to find a decent one for 5k or less.

Only 1 answer, 4runner. You can find them all day for 5-6k. My 03 has just under 300k miles and is the most solid well built car I've ever owned

Best part of the old 4runner is using it to rescue your buddy's "interesting" Touareg/ XTerra from trailside failures.

Jesus! Cool over consistently reliable is only for wealthy people! All due respect but Roman needs to listen to Tommy on this one as hes spot on. Looking cool broke down on the side of the trail doesn't do much to get ya down the trail and home, unless of course you've got a guy like Roman with a big heart driving by and stopping to tell ya how cool your rig is while offering you a tow with his boring but reliable off roader lol.

I have a 1991 2nd gen 4runner with 210k miles on it that we got for $2000. 0 rust (except for the tiniest bit on the rear bumper) seats are actually not even worn and noone has ever lived in it😂 in case you're curious. I live in North Carolina.

Nissan Xterra is great I've owned two of them! Both exceeded 200k and still sold for 6 grand! Amazing platform.

Isuzu Troopers / Vehicross. If you get a 3.5L 6 cylinder, get one with more than 60k on the odo because it means that it's likely survived the oil starvation period. Use synthetic on it. My troopers went anywhere, were super reliable and would hang with all my buddies' rovers.

My pick? Bronco. In 1991 I bought my first F-150, and while I really disliked the gauge cluster, the thing was a tank and I loved it!

There's a dealer detailed 280k miles 04 4runner for like 2500... Knowing there's 4runners with 500k running around and being off-road, should be fine. You said the suspension is clapped out? Aren't you going to lift it anyway? A lift is under 500 bucks, Bilstein 5100s and rear springs. And Tommy is right, it will continue to go. Seats being destroyed? Then just buy seat covers or seats from another one. The VW being compared to the 4runner is a bad idea due to the reliability alone. Roman was wrong in this one, Tommy you got it right.

Tommy is right about the Toyotas retaining their value. Being built so well and lasting so long is way too subjective and not necessarily true though.

Tahoe/Yukon

Love the back and forth between you guys

Wow....who pissed in Roman's Wheaties today?!

Great talk, I go for my 2001 ML320, it has being the most reliable truck I have owned, in the past I had Monteros two of them, not so reliable after 100k miles, Toyota 4runner 1991 my transmission broke after 140k miles, 1999 4runner engine after 180k, ML320 can go strong after 200k. Two weeks ago came back from a trip drove my ML320 for about 4k miles, no issues, even went to an off road park (Patriot MTN Off road park) did it with no problems.

3gen 4runners spatially with rear locker would be the choice of my off roader all day long.

I'm listening so 7!!! Here's what I like about theses podcast and your post! It's like a conversation you would have with your friends at a outing

If "palpable tension" ran a podcast you could also watch on video. Loved this. Miss my dad.

My dad 4runner was still great at 350k at least mechanically. The salt roads of the north gave it car cancer made us has to put it down. So basically buy a used one from Florida and it will never fail.

1:05 - Nissan Xterra and Frontier 6:48 - Toyota 4Runner 11:23 - VW Touareg 1st gen 16:37 - Land Rover Discovery 21:48 - Wrangler 26:43 - Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero 28:18 - Mercedes ML 320 1st gen 34:03 - Chevy S10 Blazer 36:21 - Ford Bronco 80s or 90s 38:00 Jeep Grand Cherokee/Cherokee

Great video guys, I'm interested in getting a Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero and am wondering what years you think are the best or what year you thought that the 4x4 quality of Mitsubishi came crashing down, as you said, thanks!

I agree with everything except the Mitsubishi Montero gen 1. While it is cool, parts for these are getting extremely rare. I think better choice is a gen 2 or 3. The gen 2 can be had with a locking rear diff, will fit 33s stock, and parts are much easier to find. The gen 3s are shunned a bit by the community. It has IS in the front and back. It does have a real center locking diff, a low range transfer case, and an amazing approach angle. The last 3 years the gen 3s got a very good traction control system. If you search RU-vid you can find Aussies conquering some pretty amazing obstacles. IMHO it's one of the best full independent suspension off-roaders, and you can find them for $5k all day.

Why is Tommy more reasonable than a grown ass man? 😂 Who recommends a VW over a Toyota?

Ok I pick Roman I mean the later ones are ok but the Xj it is just an legendary vehicle there is nothing like it

Suzuki Grand Vitara Mid 2000s. Low range and Locking Center Diff. Serious off road cred and Great highway mileage!

Lol this is some of the best stuff ever! 8 minutes 45 seconds I'm cracking up keep it going guys!

I think your impression of the WK is a bit off, it was the first generation grand cherokee offered with the 5.7 Hemi and with quadra drive 2 which was a big upgrade over the WJs 4.7 and QD1. They are easy to find with that option combo, came stock with skid plates and tow hooks, and early model years can be had for around $5k. I'm a little biased as I have owned 2 of them. My current '09 I picked up for $7k with the Hemi, QDII, full off road package and a pretty comfortable leather interior. It's fast (5.9s to 60), quiet, comfortable, realiable, tows great, and with some decent tires does great off road. I'm sure you discount it because of the IFS, but the QDII is better than just about any factory traction management system short of a rubicon or ZR2.

This guy sounds like my dad haha definitely kept watching because Tommy represents my perspective. Thanks TFL! Keep Tommy around and I’ll keep watching!

WK with Quadradrive II is a brilliant offroader. Don't know why you think its not good. You only need some spacers for a 2" lift and thats all

First gen bronco 2! Love my 87 Eddie Bauer with manual locking hubs, locker and manual 4wd shifter. And 4speed with od man trans.

I have an 04 grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8 with over 350k. It's had it's issues over the years. The power steering pump being the main one. But never an issue with the drive train and none with the engine.

How did you miss the Land Cruiser/LX470? Yeah they have around 250k miles at that point but that's legitimately half its service life and it's far more capable than most of these vehicles.

I agree with Tommy and most comments. The 4runner is the ONE. As a mechanic, I wouldn't buy a toureg with tfl's money.

Second one I've tuned into that Roman's mood was....questionable.

What about the first gen Kia Sportage (1999-2002)? I understand these have low range and and LSD and are quite capable offroad.

It was incredible that you included the Mitsubishi Montero in your list, it was the winner of the Paris-Dakar rally for many consecutive years. I was lucky to have the 1997 turbo diesel short version (out of the country), quite luxurious for its class and a very reliable car. A very fast start, a pleasure to drive that car.

Tommy, I find myself in agreement with you more and more. Love the idea of a Blazer overland build. Four years ago I sold my all original Chevy S10 with 384k miles on the 4.3L, and trans, that I bought new in 2001. I know they can be very reliable. Guess I'll start looking for one soon!

Thank you Tommy for being a voice of reason! BTW, the maintenance on the VW makes it a money pit over time. Luxury features don’t mean a crap when someone is on a budget and need something they can depend on. Cool factor means squat when your rig is broken down in the middle of nowhere.

Tommy, regarding the 4 runner and toureg, I heard you. And you are correct.

The locking rear diff was only offered on the Off Road/Pro-4x model Xterras. And they were never offered with rock rails/sliders. They had some aluminum side steps offered but that's it. The 2006/2007 models we're prone to the radiator problem that Tommy is talking about. For those interested, search the Strawberry Milkshake of Death or SMOD. There was also a supercharged option in some of the later year 1st generation Xterras

Yeah, got the 87 Montero 2 door and an 86 Samurai! Love em! Built them to suit my needs and well taken care of.

Awesome podcast guys, keep it up!, fantastic knowledge on vehicles, Id love if you could make a volvo show covering c30, and all the quirky cars they made

i like the dynamic of the father son duo. one seeing value where the other doesn't, helping them to cover more ground with viewers. i like that it has helpful features and innovative technology says one, i like that it starts up every time and is economical to repair says the other.

I've got a 12' Xterra Pro 4X, got it used a few years ago and have put almost 30k on it. Love it, tons of available parts and nothing to break the bank.

Tommy: Reasoned, on topic, measured, researched, mellow, polite. Roman: Emotional, off topic, rambling, over bearing, illogical, condescending. (Scrolled through the comments to make sure I wasn’t just completely off base...glad others saw/heard all of the same. Podcasts are best as conversations...not overbearing over talk. Thanks Tommy, as always, for your approach!)

Alabama Trashcan! LOL Good list I've had all of those Jeeps with QuadraTrac and they're great.

your prices are way off. add a few thousand to every vehicle you mentioned down south.

Cool stuff, a lot of us just need a once a week vehicle for outdoor stuff, thanks for the work on this!

I use to own a 95 grand Cherokee Orvis edition with the 5.2l. It was stock and it would go through anything and pull anything I put it up against. I currently got a 2002 WJ Grand Cherokee with the 4.0l. While they are nice and comfortable, you can do a budget spacer kit to lift. I'm not a fan. I do have a 2 inch spacer kit on mine running 32 inch tires. But it still runs with minor cutting and hammering. I'm looking to go to a 4.5 inch coil spring lift. These lifts, whether kit or pierced together, aren't necessarily cheap. Kits aren't completely reliable and some are expensive. But I'm not going to get rid of my WJ. I want to get a gladiator, but thre WJ will stay. Thanks for ranking them at number 1. I have a friend that has a first gen JK that's done up and I was keeping up with him in the dunes pretty good.

im new to the off road world. my dad had a 1993 ford f150 flareside 4x4 5.0 5 speed manual. he had it since I was in middle school. im 29 years old now. he never took it off road or anything. this last summer he gave it to me. he had it just sitting there for years. I bough 33x12.50r15 tires and just steel wheels. I been fixing stuff on it. got a new aluminum radiator from Frostbite, changed all the hoses except like the little ones, bought Beltein shocks. took it off road 3 times so far and 2 of those times I had problems with it. problems with the coolant. I blew a hose this last time. was running good and when I engaged the 4x4 going up I blew it. I dont trust the truck at all right now. I just drive it around the city. but I noticed no one talks about them on the off road world. its always 4runners, jeeps, and frontiers and Tacoma. why?? cause it's a ford? lol

Personally own the rare 5.9 ZJ and a plain jane XJ. Love them both for how they are.

I went with Roman's #1 pick: I picked up an '00 XJ with 157k on it for $2600 back in January. Needed new tires, seals and maintenance items but the interior is in great shape as is the body (minus some serious paint scratches on the hood). I'm still in it for well under $5k.

Just found this video and I love the dad’s attitude. Very Jeremy Clarkson. Lol

4 runners hold value so good luck finding a low price on one with low mileage.

I used to have a 1987 4x4 Chevy S10 Blazer with a 4.3 liter engine. It was a lot of fun.

Checking local prices while watching and wow 2021 sucks. LOL

My Wj is great. 3 in lift and 32 in tires. Rides great! I put some drawers in the back and it’s great for camping with my friends.

4wd action did a segment like this last week some cheap 4wdrives you can get in Australia for 5 grand or cheaper. Toyota 4runner,Hilux,Prado,Landcruiser Nissan Patrol,Navara,Pathfinder,Terrano Ford Courier,Explorer,Raider Holden Jackaroo,Rodeo,Frontera Great wall Steed,X240 Jeep Cherokee,Wrangler Range Rover Discovery Ssangyoung Musso,Actyon Mazda Bravo Hyandai Terracan Daihatsu Rocky,Feroza Suzuki Jimny,Vitara Mitsubishi Pajero,Triton,Challenger Thats all I can think of for now and yes we are spoilt for choice lol.

The early Jeep Liberties (KJ 2002-2007) are fairly good off road. Most just need lifted, 31" tires, maybe swap to 4.10s and drive.

My 2011 pro 4x is awesome

If you like TFL Truck, I think you'll like this channel as well. Part 1: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BrPSYAtTt84.html Part 2: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xk6QRXVVD3Q.html Part 3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jgdsdUnanSo.html

Super great vidéo guys. Super interesting.

I personnally have a 2010 B4000 (which is pretty much a Ranger) and i was wondering what you were thinking about those?

Looking for a 4x4 under $5k for some light off-roading and overlanding but mainly beach driving but it will also be my daily driver what do you recommend?

I love my Disco 2, I daily it but have a reliable back up. It’s a fun project that I fell in love with. I think with older vehicles you should consider learning to do your own maintenance and repairs.

The ML does fairly well off road

The first and second generation Ford Ford Escapes werent amazing off roaders, but they can be reasonably purchased and modified.

Actually, the a Quadradrive on a WJ is pretty easy to come by since that's what is in almost any 4x4 Limited or Overland trim.

A fun conversation, but I'm really looking forward to Round 2 :D

Hello, I live in Europe and I'm looking for an offroader. You guys are always talking about the big reliable petrol engines... but most of the offroaders second hand are diesels over here... could you tell me more about the diesel engines? So I'm interested in: -Toyota 4runner 2nd gen 2.4td (some 3.0i v6 available), -jeep Cherokee xj 2.5td, -jeep grand Cherokee wj 2.7crd and 3.1td, (I heard the 3.1 had reliability issues and the 2.7 problems with the gearbox) -Mercedes ml w163 270 cdi Thank you for helping me out to make the right and most reliable decision...

You really need to time stamp these podcasts. I'm not interested in EVERY vehicle on this list and jumping around on my own was time consuming and made me quit rather quickly. But, it did make me seriously consider the Nissan Xterra for my next off roader.

2 door Geo tracker convertible. Hands down

3rd gen 4Runner owner here. I have 233k on the original drivetrain and it doesn’t go through any fluids. Being in the Midwest the frame is starting to rust through unfortunately. I love this truck to death and plan on swapping the frame out eventually but am disappointed in the rust issues they have. Should Toyota replace it under warranty or recall? No. It’s 20 years old but even 4th and 5th gens have the same issues with rust. I have seen countless early 5th gen 4runners with more than just scaling rust. I don’t think the frame rust issues are fixed and that makes me hesitant to buy another one.

I'd also include the jeep liberty kj renegade. I bought a 2003 with 77 xxx miles for 3600 $cad ( 2580$ usd). Comes with skid plates, an lsd, full leather interior, sunroof, power seats, roof spot lights and a roof basket. Here in canada, i enjoy the fact i can drive on road with 2wd in summer, fulltime 4x4 in winter and parttime 4x4 offroad.

What? $20,000 plus of service records on your VW and he is putting on your Bargain off-roader list? And that's for a "sorted" one?

Roman's comment about the YJ, that you can lift the wrangler with blocks. You can use blocks in the rear with a suspension lift. You should never use blocks on the front.

What is considered low mileage on a jeep xj? I have an 88 Laredo with 138k.

Is the 4 runner the same as the Toyota hilux surf here in New Zealand??

I forgot to sign up to your Podcast. Love your channel and all the personalities on your channel. So I just subscribed to Podcast. Now there is 7 people listening. I'll share to Social media.