FANTASTIC 4X4s

5 great 4WDs that make a perfect first off-roader

- Christian Hazel

Getting your first vehicle is a rite of passage. For many, it was simple transportation that was a few levels below what was even considered basic. Stuff like coat hanger antennas, duct tape glovebox latches, and doors that were so in need of hinge bushings the latches wouldn't even line up. "You've gotta slam it!" Reliability? Bah, that's for rich people. First vehicles were an experience in the laws of chance and probability. Would it start, or wouldn't it? Let's find out on this edition of, "I'm late for class and need to leave NOW!"

But that was then, and by and large things have gotten better now. Believe it or not, despite all the moaning about how much better things used to be, in terms of vehicle design we're leaps and bounds ahead of where we've come. Sure, there's more plastic that can chalk and fade and look crappy, and trim is held on by glues and double-sided tape that can fail over time, but we're talking about the hard-core mechanical systems that actually get you from point A to B. Engines aren't festooned with miles of vacuum line and analog emissions devices, problematic carburetors, or questionable points ignition systems, so it's not uncommon for a vehicle to easily stretch its term of reliability way out past 150,000 or even 250,000 miles. And that's not to mention modern safety features like airbags, ABS brakes, and so on. So, if it's time to start shopping for your first vehicle, and you just so happen to think you might also like to do a bit of easy to moderate offroading, here are five great 4x4s that can still be purchased for less than a small fortune.

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