10 Fun 4x4s You Can Get For Less Than $5,000

Smell that? No, not the office AC. It's spring! Which means the grass is growing, the flowers are blooming, and it's high time to tear them up with a low-budget 4x4. Not a quad or something like that either, but a full-on roadgoing car or truck—with doors, even—that can double as a commuter or something to drive to soccer practice or the mall or wherever it is that people go in springtime. Baseball games?

The goal here was to focus on fun rides that are good to go straight off Craigslist, so while early Land Rover Discoveries technically fit the bill, maintenance and the like would cause that initial investment to skyrocket. And earlier models from the likes of Lexus and Infiniti are a bit too plush. There are also plenty of full-size American trucks out there, but we decided to tick to the SUVs for this one. The best part is that with a $5k budget, you can probably get two of these. So check out 10 Fun 4x4s You Can Get For Less Than $5,000 and go run over some stuff.

RELATED: The 20 Most Insane 4x4 Conversions
RELATED: 10 Fun Cars That Cost Less Than $4,000

Years: 1980-90

It might be possible to get the classic Land Cruiser model (FJ40) for less than $5,000, but it wouldn't be pretty and it sure wouldn't be comfortable. Later models, however, are more attainable-and driveable. For the more classic, utilitarian look there's the FJ60, produced from 1980 to 1990, and then there's the more luxurious FJ80, produced from 1989 to 1987. While the FJ80 was the basis for Biggie's "Lexus LX, four and a half" (which you should be able to find for less than $5,000 itself) we prefer the boxier FJ60 for its true off-road feel.

Years: 2000-04

Even as most SUVs have become the equivalent of four-wheel-drive luxury cars—more likely to be seen at the airport than in the woods—there are still a few real four-wheelers out there. One is the Nissan Xterra, which is still in production today. As usual, however, it's the earlier models—2000 to 2004—that are more stripped down and desirable. An XE set up with the 170-horse V6 and five-speed manual is the way to go for basics, although the supercharged variety from 2002 is nice, too.

Years: 1984-2000

Tall and boxy, the Mitsubishi Montero is a very poor man's G-Wagen (or Land Rover). It distinguished itself from the start by its turbocharged diesel engine as well as its roadworthy amenities. The second generation, which arrived in 1991, was more bulbous (much like the Toyota FJ80), but was also available with a 24-valve V6. Nas namechecked the Montero in 1994's "The World Is Yours," so maybe that's the one to track down. A two-door.

Years: 1984-90

No, not the one O.J. had. That was a fifth-generation full-sized Bronco, which is about as fun to drive as a full-sized pickup. The Bronco II, which was sold from 1984 to 1990, was closer in spirit to the much-loved original Bronco, which ceased production after an 11-year run in 1977. Unlike the original Bronco, the Bronco II never came stock with a V8, but swaps are relatively simple. If American is what you're looking for, also consider the Chevy S10 Blazer, which was quite similar and even more commonplace, as they were produced for more than 20 years.

Years: 1989-98

If they were good enough for the Wu-Tang Clan (MPVs, PHAT!), they're good enough for us. This is about the first version, which was produced from 1989 to 1998. More specifically, this is about the MPVs produced between 1989 and 1991, which was the only timeframe in which it was offered with a five-speed manual transmission. Combine that with a 3.0 liter, 18-valve V6, and the part-time 4WD van could even keep up on the highway.

Years: 1985-95

The Nissan Pathfinder was introduced two years after the Toyota 4Runner, both intending to compete with small American 4x4s like the Bronco II, the S10 Blazer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. And while the first 4Runner was essentially a pickup with a fiberglass cap, the Pathfinder was more of a unified design. As with most cars, later generations got bigger and plusher, but the first generation Pathfinder—based on the Hardbody pickup—was perfect as-is.

Years: 1984-2001

Forget the Grand Cherokee, the original Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was perfect. Its unibody construction made it the forefather of the modern SUV, and its clean, angular lines means it's never gone out of style. Extra points for the '87-91 model equipped with the towing package, which came with a Dana 44 rear axle. The four-door and two-door models shared the exact same dimensions, so unless aesthetics are an issue, just seek out the cleanest example. And once you get one, oh the things you can do.

Years: 1991-96

The Jeep Wrangler is essentially THE classic four-wheel drive, having evolved directly from the military Willys Jeep that was first produced in 1941. The Wrangler was first introduced in 1986, and didn't get a major makeover until 1996. Post-1991 is probably the move, as that year marked the introduction of a 180-horsepower, fuel-injected 4.0L straight-6. And in 1995 they switched over to heavier duty Dana 30 u-joints. For the redesign in 1996, the Jeep got more civilized—and what fun is that?

Years: 1986-88

Hey, if Jadakiss likes the Samurai, who are we to argue? And who knew you could use rapper preferences to justify so many 4x4s? The Samurai's lightweight, no-frills build mirrored that of heralded '60s 4x4s like the original Ford Bronco, as well as early Japanese models—like Suzuki's own, which date back to 1968. The original U.S. market Samurai incarnation, which lasted from 1986 to 1988, is still sought after for its simplicity and off-road prowess.