Literally any older SUV, just buy based on condition (amount of rust on the underside, healthy engine/trans/t-case). Preference given to ones with a “full-time” setting on the 4wd system.

It sounds more like you’re just jonesing to buy a new truck dude :p

Keep the ‘hoe, Air down to 20, if the beaches aren’t too far apart and you stay at 60mph or below, you’ll be fine. Buy a decent on-board compressor wired into the battery. Even buying a nice ARB, you’ll still be WAY ahead of trying to find a decent 100…

Saturate with an oil based undercoat (including inside of the frame rails) and it’ll be just fine. But yes they did recall 1st gen Tacomas, and frankly 3rd gen 4Runners are fairly susceptible as well. Pic is of my ‘96 in the Midwest. Taking that extra precaution with a good corrosion inhibitor makes all the difference.

You can definitely find a 2nd gen 4Runner in decent running condition in that price range, but anything up north is likely to be very rusty by now (body wise). 1st gens have appreciated enough to not really be an option in this price range unless you want a project. $3500 can get you an earlier year, higher mile 3rd…

You posted a lifted RWD one, for what it’s worth.

I’ve been watching the market in Indiana casually for some flavor of cheap older Wrangler for a few years and absolutely everything is rotted out, both frames and tubs, and/or beaten to death. 4 cyl, 6cyl, everything. As fun as they are, if the priority is as turn-key as possible for $3500, I’d look elsewhere.

More than any particular make/model, with a $3500 you’ll be buying strictly on condition, namely how much rust there is already. Any SUV with a “real” transfer-case based 4wd system would do the trick, take your pick from the Japanese and American options:
4Runner, Pathfinder, Xterra, Montero, Montero Sport, S10…

Subarus have their limitations in deeper softer sand

They’re cheap because half of them have critical rust on the frame. My buddy paid $3k for an ‘02 SR5 (4wd, v6, auto, leather) with only 128k miles. A few minor things as far as repairs and neglected maintenance, but a bit of poking around with a screw driver exposed why the previous owner cut him such a ‘great’ deal:…

You already mentioned it, but $3500 will get you something rusty and rough. The top-down factor is undeniable, but if you just want something capable and turn key for $3500, a TJ or any Wrangler/CJ will not be it.

“The 1st Gen Libby was too good off road for any aftermarket support.”

Whatever makes you feel better I guess LOL

No it most certainly is a parade for America, sorry you sore losers can’t just enjoy something for a change.

I’m sure you’re the same guy that advocates for more gun control. You sure you and your urbanite ilk would have any sort of majority of the military backing you up? You certainly are helpless on your own.

I6 Volvo whiteblocks are gear driven, and that’s very much an everyday plebian motor.

Why is a timing belt “much worse” anyways? Seems that the recent trend is for modern engines to have issues with stretching timing chains leading to quite pricey repairs, versus belts that are engineered for reasonable access and…

I reserved a Jimny with National, was shown to an automatic Diahatsu Terios. I protested and was at least able to get a 5spd Terios. Fantastic little rig actually, the perfect blend of capability and comfort for that country and its lower speed limits. Our rental was located up in the hills so I had an excuse to go…

Careful with that Subie in the sand my dude :p

Street tires are perfect for sand if aired down.

To be fair you’re correct, the new car is close to 7 inches longer, which is noticeable (especially in terms of third row legroom). The older car seems to have “tidier” styling (looks like a CRV of the same era from the front) that maybe makes it seem more compact than it is, conversely the new car with all its busy…

The current Pilot is actually pretty darn close to the original in size, and actually weighs noticeably less! I’m DD-ing an ‘03 currently, it is a very rational size, although the width of the track is pretty surprising (especially when dodging potholes within a lane).

Your Fit is worth way more than $2600 btw. With only 56k miles, I reckon with a good detailing it could bring $7k in a private sale (or even a bit more). So you’ve actually done pretty well.