Used Car Face-Off: Japanese 4x4s from 2002 That Aren't Toyotas Edition 

Kinja'd!!! "Amoore100" (amoore100)
11/13/2015 at 20:57 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 14

When you think of a 4x4 from Japan that’s renowned for longevity, capability, and reliability, you probably think of a Toyota. However, today on Used Car Face-Off, we have three five door 4x4s ranging from midsized to gigantic which may or may not dispel that belief. Of the three, which would be your personal choice? Let’s begin.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

This Pathfinder is the smallest of today’s bunch and has the most miles of the three (177K); however, since Nissan carries a greater brand cachet, it also happens to be the second most expensive. Its anonymous styling does help you blend in, however, and with the V6 underhood it’s probably a rather good daily driver.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The second contestant: 2002 Isuzu Trooper - $3995

Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

This ‘02 Trooper has the lowest pricetag here and sports an interesting but not unattractive (IMO) green on tan two-tone paint job...it has a manual transfer box for more off-roadyness as well as a V6 similar to the Nissan...does all this at only 120K miles make it an appealing package?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!! Kinja'd!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Like the Isuzu, this Mitsubishi comes from a brand which is rapidly dying out in the U.S. However, that hasn’t seem to have deterred the price on this Pajero, which lies at the highest in our group at $4.8K. Still, it sports a gargantuan interior, leather seats, a third row, and only 104K miles on its V6...does its ugly pug dog looks make you want to adopt it into your fleet?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!


DISCUSSION (14)


Kinja'd!!! CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Amoore100
11/13/2015 at 21:05

Kinja'd!!!1

The Pathfinder also has a multi link rear suspension. Rides like a dream


Kinja'd!!! Birddog > Amoore100
11/13/2015 at 21:21

Kinja'd!!!1

I forgot that they still had the Trooper in 02!


Kinja'd!!! boredalways > Amoore100
11/13/2015 at 21:43

Kinja'd!!!1

I remember that the Monteros had tip over issues

http://www.autotrader.com/car-news/consu…


Kinja'd!!! Under_Score > boredalways
11/13/2015 at 21:56

Kinja'd!!!1

The GX460 did as well when Consumer Reports first tested it in 2010.


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > Amoore100
11/13/2015 at 23:31

Kinja'd!!!1

I had a coworker who owned one of these Troopers. It looked clean as could be up top, but underneath it was rusted so badly the body was going to break off of the frame at any moment. So obviously I wouldn’t take that one.

Those Nissans have been getting bought back because of rust problems as well. There was an Oppo recently who had that happen. So I’ll pass.

So, I guess that leaves me with the Mitsubishi.


Kinja'd!!! QCGoose > Amoore100
11/14/2015 at 11:02

Kinja'd!!!1

I’d have to go with the Isuzu, if only for that utterly fatastic, classy-as-hell color combo.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > QCGoose
11/14/2015 at 12:56

Kinja'd!!!0

It really is, isn’t it.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > shop-teacher
11/14/2015 at 13:01

Kinja'd!!!1

Well I guess rust also depends on where you are...this one’s from Sacramento so I think we can assume it’ll be relatively rust free (unless you plan on taking it to a snowy region...) The Nissan, well, it’s in Boston so no promises against rust there...and I’m sure that given the chance you could do far worse than the Mitsu...


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > Under_Score
11/14/2015 at 13:02

Kinja'd!!!0

IIRC Motor Trend tested a GX and said that it would only tip over if you drove it like an idiot, but unfortunately there are too many of those on the roads...


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > boredalways
11/14/2015 at 13:05

Kinja'd!!!0

So did Suzuki Samurais; and Lexus GXs; and Ford Explorers; and pretty much every other body-on-frame SUV that Consumer Reports has tested...


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
11/14/2015 at 13:06

Kinja'd!!!0

Definitely something I overlooked...should make it a far better daily than the other two, as long as your commute consists of expressway routes and not Rubicon-type trails...


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > Birddog
11/14/2015 at 13:07

Kinja'd!!!1

Well I forgot they were still making this 4Runner in ‘02 as well...it seems the Japanese SUV market was kind of in a lull prior to ‘03-’04...

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! boredalways > Amoore100
11/14/2015 at 13:15

Kinja'd!!!1

Pardon me, but what was the fucking point of your 3 vehicle Used Car Face-Off then if your talking about every other tip over candidate under the sun?

I was only referring to the 3 choices given.

:/


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > boredalways
11/14/2015 at 13:18

Kinja'd!!!1

Oh, I was mostly just referring to how paranoid Consumer Reports is about this nonsense although if you just drive like a normal human being and don’t treat your SUV like a Ferrari then you should be fine...also, I feel like they had something to say about the Trooper as well but my memory might be failing me...