[Need assistance] What offroading vehicle should I consider

[salahb]

Hello Carnity, 

This is my first post in this forum. Long story short is I'm looking to buy my first offroading vehicle and i'm looking for recommendations. 

• It is only going to be used strictly for offroading/road trips (I already have a daily car)
• I'm looking for something that is very capable in the desert
• I prefer buying a new car 
• I would like something that will require little to no mods in the beginning 
• Budget is 250k 

So far I've only test driven a 4 door rubicon 3.6L which felt quite nice, but just wanted to get more experts opinions and recommendations in case I'm missing out on something.

I'm also not sure if I should consider 2door vs 4door (I don't have kids). 

[Looper]

I would ask you to look for the low-tech options while off-roading. I would defiantly stay away from too many electronics. They simply don't work in the high stress situations. The 4x4 fail, they won't get into low gear or get in and just stay in low gear and refuse to move.

At 250k budget you can look for a Jeep - I can confirm that you can take one directly from the showroom to the dessert no mods needed - If I want to go for it now, then I will go for a Sport version of, not Rubicon. Because Rubicon was meant for the rock crawling specifically. The gearing on the Sport is better for desert. Sahara is a more well anointed Sport - but meant for mall crawling and you might need to change the wheels in sometime in the future. you have the option of 2 door or 4 door. I were to buy one now I will get a 4 door. The quality of the Jeeps have been slightly suspect lately but still manageable and a large community of Jeep drivers everywhere here.

edit: only issue brand new Jeep is you will break the rear bumper without a lift: 2 door on the first drive but 4 door will last a few. That is why people like fitted out cars such as @Batuhan Kulac suggests in the next post.

One more option similar to the Jeep is Ford Bronco if you need a more modern take on the Jeep. Though Jeep was refreshed for 2024 I still think Bronco is more modern in relation to features. But it has more electronics than I would feel comfortable. Haven't seen many in the desert still though so most they are put to use on road. More in the Ford family you can look at the Rangers the younger brother of F150s.

On the retro end you can look at Super Safari Y61. Many swear by the capability of this beast - a no nonsense  beast at that which aged like fine wine. It is old mind you, so no bells and whistles - but reliable as well as cozy comfortable on the road even at high speeds. Definitely more aerodynamic  than a cow.

Toyota Prado 2024 may come across as slightly under powered. I would not comment on it. The big brother in the LC300 EX trim is also can be a great option. But I hate the centre console in them.

My final take on the subject:  Check out everything you are suggested and finally go buy a Jeep in your budget.

Edited January 24, 2025 by Looper
Bumper issue on jeep

[Batuhan Kulac]

Welcome to the community mate!

Any Jeep owner such as @Looper above or myself will tell you to go for a Jeep. It is a lifestyle.

The most iconic offroader, lots of utility, safety and most of all... offroad capability. I've owned almost every generation of the wrangler and the JLs are probably my second favorite after the TJ (which is good since you want a new car anyways).

Based on the criteria you mentioned above I would recommend that you get a Wrangler JL Sport. When you have some spare time, go visit some off-road  showroom. It will give you some perspective. 

I know you said no mods but some are very important for the longevity of the car. Customs Off-road  sell fully loaded JL sports with upgraded suspension, bumpers, tow hooks, lights, etc (all the essential upgrades to avoid risking damaging the car during off-road and making it more capable) for under 250k. I've seen some beautiful brand new 2022s go for about 180k.

Depending on how far you think you will take your offroading... both the 2 and 4 door are equal in capability. A 2 door will eventually start slightly outperforming a 4 door because of its shorter wheelbase and lower weight but it’s a really small difference. All my Jeeps were 2 doors because I liek the look more and they are my desert toys and I also have a second car as my daily.

There are many custom off-road shops that you can visit.

Those are my 2 cents. JEEPER for LIFE 😎

Edited January 23, 2025 by Looper
Edited to remove names of shops because we don’t promote.

[Luke K P]

Ford ranger raptor.

 

Ultra capable in desert, comfortable on road, great power to weight ratio, and no mods required.

Big tray at the back for camping gear if you want to camp.

 

I went and test drove about 10 different vehicles across all price ranges,.. put together a spreadsheet of spec, price, driving experience, warranty etc

Check and details like clearance, angles at front and back, tyres, wheels, suspension, power to weight.

 

Feed it to chat gpt for analysis, Then go buy the ranger raptor 😎

Edited January 24, 2025 by Luke K P

[Luke K P]

@Mike M.

[Marek]

add hilux gr (or sport?) to your list too if you are considering a ranger raptor (sorry @Luke K P) - a little less power (until supercharged), but you have this idiot-proofness built-in with ability to install any suspension lift you want with insane amount of options available. And it's freaking smooth as a butter on a highway, surprisingly + equipped with A-trac so with some experience it would be impossible to get this thing stuck...

[Frederic]

11 hours ago, salahb said:

Hello Carnity, 

This is my first post in this forum. Long story short is I'm looking to buy my first offroading vehicle and i'm looking for recommendations. 

• It is only going to be used strictly for offroading/road trips (I already have a daily car)
• I'm looking for something that is very capable in the desert
• I prefer buying a new car 
• I would like something that will require little to no mods in the beginning 
• Budget is 250k 

So far I've only test driven a 4 door rubicon 3.6L which felt quite nice, but just wanted to get more experts opinions and recommendations in case I'm missing out on something.

I'm also not sure if I should consider 2door vs 4door (I don't have kids). 

You might have to define "off-roading trips" and capability in the desert a bit more.

If you are into the dune-bashing style of off-roading (most popular here in the UAE), then surely the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota FJ Cruiser are the preferred options. Most come however with some compromises in terms of reliability, space, or others.

If you are more into doing long "offroad" or overlanding trips, and love spending lots of time on the road, then you might want to consider looking at:

* Land Cruiser Prado (capabilities, reliability, space).

* Ford Everest (less popular but with some mods could be quite capable... less known).

* Ford Ranger Raptor or Hilux Adventure (if open bed is ok for you).

 

 

 

[Mike M.]

On 1/23/2025 at 9:21 PM, salahb said:

Hello Carnity, 

This is my first post in this forum. Long story short is I'm looking to buy my first offroading vehicle and i'm looking for recommendations. 

• It is only going to be used strictly for offroading/road trips (I already have a daily car)
• I'm looking for something that is very capable in the desert
• I prefer buying a new car 
• I would like something that will require little to no mods in the beginning 
• Budget is 250k 

So far I've only test driven a 4 door rubicon 3.6L which felt quite nice, but just wanted to get more experts opinions and recommendations in case I'm missing out on something.

I'm also not sure if I should consider 2door vs 4door (I don't have kids). 

I wrote this feedback / opinion not long ago:

please feel free to go through it as I think it answers some of your points ur looking for:

That being said and it all depends on your character and profile, if this car will be ur first offroader, I strongly suggest to go with something that will teach you the art and skills of driving in the desert with minimal dependency on tech or power to mask any weakness. I started off with a pajero and I couldn’t be happier or more satisfied that I started with one of the most under powered, yet extremely reliable SUVs. It literally forced me to learn how to drive in the desert based on pure skills as there is 0 power that will help you to hide or mask any weakness. Once you master the art of driving and the best lines to choose to flow like water, then I would recommend you to go for the only vehicle that can do it all with 0 competition in the current global market: All ICONIC brands accounted for in my statement (it’s my humble and personal opinion). This vehicle is the Ford Ranger Raptor. I know my recommendation is a long route but you can take my word for it when I say that Pajero drivers see lines that no other drivers can see because those drivers never had to develop that skill due to their vehicles’ capabilities. 
Very long answer but hope it helps somehow @salahb

Edited January 24, 2025 by Mike M.

[Mike M.]

14 hours ago, Luke K P said:

@Mike M.

You’re gonna get me in trouble but you know I always speak my mind  

[salahb]

Thanks everyone for your valuable insights, looks like my choices are narrowed down to a rubicon / ranger raptor. I have just tested the ranger raptor today and it felt amazing and very comfortable. 

Question : I am worried a little bit about the front bumper and the skid plate as they don't look solid enough for the desert stock, can I modify them without voiding Al Tayer warranty? Thanks