The Ultimate 4x4 Excursion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Cooper
  • 97 comments
  • 3,342 views

Which of these sport utility vehicles is the most capable?

  • Land Rover Defender

    Votes: 12 30.0%

  • Mercedes-Benz Gelaendewagen (G-Class)

    Votes: 9 22.5%

  • Mitsubishi Montero/Dodge Raider

    Votes: 1 2.5%

  • Lamborghini LM002

    Votes: 5 12.5%

  • Jeep Wrangler

    Votes: 12 30.0%

  • Suzuki Samurai

    Votes: 1 2.5%
  • Total voters
    40
R

Robert Cooper

Messages
35
which of these sport utility vehicles is the most capable (the H1 is out of the question!)

-Land Rover Defender
-Mercedes-Benz Gelaendewagen
-Mitsubishi Montero/Dodge Raider
-Lamborghini LM002
-Toyota Land Cruiser
-Jeep Wrangler
-Daihatsu Rocky/Bertone Freeclimber I and II
-Suzuki Samurai
 
I would have to put my money on the landrover. not from experience, but from all I've read on the verhicals in this sort of catagory...although, you shouldn't be allowed to say 'Samurai' and a 'Landrover' in the same breath!
 
There are quite a number of vehicles missing from that list.
 
Land Rover Discovery 3 (LR3 in the US)
 
Jeep yj and cj
lada niva
chevy tracker
jeep liberty
jeep cherokee
jeep wagoneer
AMC eagle wagon
Quigly modified ford dodge and gm full size vans...( very capable and sold as new through dealerships )

and there are so many more I just can't think of...
 
Jeeps are ment to be terrible off road according to jeremy clarkson. Add the range rover to that list. And if your gonna have a lambo add the x5 and cayenne and add the Japanese trucks.
 
Young_Warrior
Jeeps are ment to be terrible off road according to jeremy clarkson. Add the range rover to that list. And if your gonna have a lambo add the x5 and cayenne and add the Japanese trucks.
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Has Clarkson every actually driven one off road? And is he the ultimate authority of everything vehicular? Jeeps are extremely good in the rough stuff. Everything Jeep produced until now has rassed the Rubicon Trail test, which is a long and very rough stretch of wilderness. Even the Liberty made it (admittedly, barely made it).

Also, the Lamborghini he's talking about is a serious and potent off-roader, unlike the X5, Cayenne, or anything Japanese since the old slab-sided Land Cruisers.
 
Duke
Has Clarkson every actually driven one off road? And is he the ultimate authority of everything vehicular? Jeeps are extremely good in the rough stuff. Everything Jeep produced until now has rassed the Rubicon Trail test, which is a long and very rough stretch of wilderness. Even the Liberty made it (admittedly, barely made it).

Also, the Lamborghini he's talking about is a serious and potent off-roader, unlike the X5, Cayenne, or anything Japanese since the old slab-sided Land Cruisers.
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Well in one episode he got a jeep wrangler put it in da mud and it wouldnt go anywhere but when he did the same with the landover it did very well.
 
So of course all jeeps are crap, according to God.
 
Duke
Also, the Lamborghini he's talking about is a serious and potent off-roader,
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That's the first time I've heard the LM002 called that...

From what I've heard over time, it's more or less a useless piece of junk that drinks too much and breaks down on speedbumps.. Stupidly rich people from oil producing countries in the Middle east liked it though - But their houses come with "free for all fuelpumps" anyway...

Ohh - and the delicate V12 Countach engine is a really suiting choice for an off road car as well...
 
I voted the Wrangler. I've owned a couple, and have owned at least 1 Jeep vehicle for the last 15 years. My current '03 Rubicon is one of, if not the best, bone-stock factory off-roader out there. Yes, Land Rovers are nice. But, unless your talking about the D90, they're just so-so. The Wrangler is small, short overhangs, good clearance, with great 4WD systems. Couple that with the MTRs and air-lockers that come stock on the Rubicon, and you have a very nice machine. Mine only has a mild 3" lift and 35's, but its very nice.

There are lots of vehicles that can go out and splash through some mud and puddles. But, if you want real, hardcore offroading, you need a smaller vehicle that can get everywhere. As nice as my old 5.9 GC was, it was just too big for some spots. Thats where a Wrangler or LR D90 will show their stuff.

Hilg
 
Duke
There are quite a number of vehicles missing from that list.
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Yeah, I couldn't find the Honda CR-V either. :p I think I like all of the trucks on the list, except for the Lambo. Not sure about the Daihatsu Rocky, but I've actually heard and read that Samurai's are supposed to be good off-road vehicles. I'm no expert though. Defender has the reputation, Land Cruisers sells where there are no roads, Wranglers should be an awesome off-road vehicle with the famous Jeep genes. I don't know anything about the Gelandewagen(G-Wagon in the U.S.?), but it sure looks capable. Where's Safari/Patrol?
 
I voted for the G-Wagon though... We had those when I was in service, and while they carry the MB mark, they are VERY capable. I was in the more "helpful" part - fire fighting, smoke diving, rescuing etc. and while we only had the small 2 liter displacement engines, they'd still haul a trailer with a 500 pound pump through a muddy field. We also had the old Land Rovers, and while they had NO luxury options WHATSOEVER, they kicked seriously butt when going off road...

Please note - I'm not talking about trail riding, but "real world" stuff.. Hauling people, pumps, generators, etc. etc. in and out of problem areas...
 
I hate Jeeps, they can go off road but everyone I've ever met who owns one thinks they are the best thing sliced bread. I've gotten my buddies Wragler stuck several times, when he assured me it couldn't.

No body in their right mind would take a 70k dollar Land Rover off road. That's just asking for trouble. But it can handel quite well off road, or so I'm told. I refuse to get into anything that ugly.

The G-Wagon is in the same boat, to expensive to off road with. But I'm sure its quite good off the pavement.

I don't know why you didn't include the Hummer, the H1 is sweet off road and its holds up really well. The H2 is pretty good off road as well, trust me I've seen the tests with it. The H3 it just a city Hummer.

But if I wanted to off road I would just take a crappy C/K 1500 and beat the hell outta it. Its cheap and if it breaks, the parts are a junk yard away.
 
Flerbizky
That's the first time I've heard the LM002 called that...

From what I've heard over time, it's more or less a useless piece of junk that drinks too much and breaks down on speedbumps.. Stupidly rich people from oil producing countries in the Middle east liked it though - But their houses come with "free for all fuelpumps" anyway...

Ohh - and the delicate V12 Countach engine is a really suiting choice for an off road car as well...
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I don't know - the one I saw in action looked pretty competent. The guy was cruising along a paved road at about 50 mph and he just detoured off into the semi-rough stuff without slowing down. It was no rock crawler, but it looked like it handled itself pretty well.

That was, of course, 25 years ago.
 
Wrangler (is correct, even including H1) though Bertone Freeclimber is an interesting pick... I saw a Rocky this week and stared as if it were a Ferrari. Daihatsu sold two vehicles in three total body styles in the US, and oddly the Rocky isn't the rarest: I've only seen one or two Charade sedans, ever. Last time I saw one was over a year ago in California. You see the hatches though.

Point being, Wrangler.
 
Oh and screw Clarkson. I love the guy but no offense Brits, he lives in a place where the highest point is just 360 feet taller than the highest point in Kansas. You guys wouldn't know off-road if it bit you in the ass and identified itself as off-road.
 
BlazinXtreme
I hate Jeeps, they can go off road but everyone I've ever met who owns one thinks they are the best thing sliced bread. I've gotten my buddies Wragler stuck several times, when he assured me it couldn't.
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I've gotten mine stuck a bunch. Thats what a winch and some friends are for. If you don't get stuck, you aren't trying enough. Anything can get stuck, thats a given. He's just over-estimating the potential. Is the Wrangler the absolute best vehicle for off-road??? No, surely not. But, for $25k brand new, what you get stock, especially in Rubicon form, is hard to beat.

The H1 is tough. But, its just much to big for hard off-roading. I've only seen one off-road once, but it was a mess. Took 2 spotters to get it up a trail that I didn't need any. Out in the wide open desert or open trail, they are great. But, up in the woods and tight trails, they are just too big.
BlazinXtreme
But if I wanted to off road I would just take a crappy C/K 1500 and beat the hell outta it. Its cheap and if it breaks, the parts are a junk yard away.
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You could do the same with many vehicles. Get an old CJ and you have the same potential. Cheap, fairly reliable, and plentiful parts. If you are REALLY hard-core about it, you'd just build a beater like that. But, I drive mine everyday, so it can't be a beater. I'll gladly pay for that.

Hilg
 
Duke
I don't know - the one I saw in action looked pretty competent. The guy was cruising along a paved road at about 50 mph and he just detoured off into the semi-rough stuff without slowing down. It was no rock crawler, but it looked like it handled itself pretty well.

That was, of course, 25 years ago.
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Are you sure you're talking about the LM002 ?.. The LM002 turns 20 next year and I don't think (IIRC) that you states folk got it until 89 (late 88)....

If he'd detoured off road at 50Mph, his next visit would be the local Lambo shop :lol:

Besides - When tires cost US$ 1000 a piece - Who'd take it off road ;)

It is big though !...
 
Not much can beat a Discovery or Range Rover off road. Espsecially in showroom trim.

Wranglers just dont have the tech that the landrovers have. But im sure they will still perform great.

I vote for the discovery and or range rover if it was on there.
 
M5Power
Oh and screw Clarkson. I love the guy but no offense Brits, he lives in a place where the highest point is just 360 feet taller than the highest point in Kansas
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since when has off road meant "going somewhere high" :odd:
 
And I think I have as good as a idea what off road is as you m5power. I used to live up in the hills of jamaica.

And the best car on that list is the land rover defernder hands down it will beat every single one of those. Good in mud cheap hard wearing easy to repair and you can take it anywhere. Whenever you watch a documentary of people travelling in africa theyre either in a land rover discovery or a toyota landcruiser so that should tell you that if you want to use a off roader properly ie in africa you have one of those as theyre the most practical and hard wearing.
 
3 locking diffs
short wheel base
wheels at all corners
long suspension travel


thats defender 90
gwagen (short wheel base)
i dont think the wrangler has three locking diffs, but i'll include it.
 
BlazinXtreme
No body in their right mind would take a 70k dollar Land Rover off road. That's just asking for trouble. But it can handel quite well off road, or so I'm told. I refuse to get into anything that ugly.
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Thats true, but the poll talks about the Defender (available from € 24 600 in Belgium). Hmmm, just checked the USA Land Rover site and it looks like they don't even sell them in the US.
 
M5Power
Oh and screw Clarkson. I love the guy but no offense Brits, he lives in a place where the highest point is just 360 feet taller than the highest point in Kansas. You guys wouldn't know off-road if it bit you in the ass and identified itself as off-road.
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Amen brother, preach it...

he got stuck, cause he cannot drive offroad, period!
 
TwinTurboJay
Amen brother, preach it...

he got stuck, cause he cannot drive offroad, period!
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and he was in a NEW land rover, new land rovers suck off road, they werent really built for off roading anyway, the old ones however are still the best
 

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