u/KawasexE

I'm in the market for a 4x4 primarily for offroading/fishing/camping, I willl barely commute with it as I already have a smaller car and a motorbike.

My dilemma is, I don't wanna spend to much because it's just a fun car but I don't want to spend to little and get a shitbox. I will be doing a South Island raodtrip adventure next year for a couple weeks so I need something that's reliable. I.E not a surf I buy for 4k and try fix it....

Looking at what's out there, WTF? Its like both a buyers market and a sellers market, some dudes slinging there 450k kms Prado for 25k and others slinging their 350k kms, with upgraded parts from 10-20k. Can't even look at Nissan patrols or Safaris, theyr even more ridiculous..

I'm willing to spend up to 20-25k but at that price it better of had a rebuild or come with a ton of extra usefull stuff.

Currently looking at a legal offroad built - 310k kms Prado LC. Probs get around just under 20k but it's a pretty default land cruiser in the engine department, it has a 1KD which is nice but nothing extra done to it In terms of preventative maintenance, looks like there is a service history to it though. I'm keen on a 1kd since we have a Hiace with one and it's still going 600k strong, no large costs yet except for a radiator fan hub. Open to other ideas though everything I've checked is 30k+

There are cheaper and less Kms non 1kd Surfs/cruisers out there. I genuinely don't know what I should be looking at paying for a 95-07 4x4.

My ideal car is probably a Surf or Landcruiser that has upgraded cooling (radiator, fanhub, intercooling), head/injectors replaced, diff/trans rebuilt, I'd happy with a car like that sitting at around 300k kms.

Also debating on a Manual or Automatic, would love your opinions/experiences, yes I can drive a manual car with confidence but haven't done so In years amd never done so In a 4x4.

And also, Petrol? Or diesel? Fuel crisis does not play a factor for me in this decision. Older car though, I think diesel might be better?

Keen to hear your opinions, appreciate ya replies.