At the beginning, it was just a dream — and in that dream, the first car was the iconic Land Rover Defender.
But I had to dive deeper to find my beast. A full-blooded off-roader that could handle deserts, mountains, potholes that swallow goats, fuel of questionable origin, and the occasional river. I needed something with a soul — but not the kind that leaks it through every gasket.
The Longlist (The Great Eight)
Here’s what made the first cut — and why most didn’t survive.
🚙 Toyota Land Cruiser 80
A legendary beast. Unstoppable off-road. But it eats like a bear after hibernation – and my budget didn’t survive the feeding.
🚙 Toyota Land Cruiser 100
Allegedly the most reliable car in the world. And the thirstiest – it drinks diesel, soup, and anything that smells remotely flammable. A 4.2-liter engine with the heart of a tank — but fuel bills that break yours.
🚙 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120
Comfortable enough, reliable too. But a bit of a diva — picky about fuel, and if it’s not premium enough, it pouts.
🚙 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 95
Simple. Tough. Fixable with a hammer. No DPF, no nonsense, no drama. Old school in the best way.
🚜 Nissan Patrol Y61
The ultimate machine. But with a ZD30 engine, it’s like going on a blind date with a grenade. And worst of all — it’s not a Toyota. Enough said.
🚜 Land Rover Defender
An icon. A solder with the ride comfort of an unpadded tank. And no, I don’t have a tow truck subscription for every country I plan to visit.
🚗 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D
Maybe a decent and affordable car. But not a full-blooded expedition horse. Feels more like a… mule.
💸 Mercedes G-Class
Built for terrain, sure. But taking that car into mud and dust? Feels like a crime against luxury.
Even a 25-year-old one costs like a small yacht. Maybe in another life.
Hey Goran, I know you’ve got your hand on real quality — respect.
The Shortlist (The Realistic Five)
After heartbreak and rational thinking (read: mechanic friend yelling at me), we narrowed it down to these:
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 95
- Nissan Patrol Y61 (but only if with TD42 or TB48DE)
- Land Cruiser 100 (only in perfect condition and after selling a kidney)
Why the 120 won
In the end, the Prado 120 ticked the most boxes:
- Strong yet not overcomplicated
- Enough comfort for long roads
- No DPF, no AdBlue, but still civilized
- Plenty of parts available
- Can still be found at a reasonable price
- Plenty of off-road add-ons available
This is the story of how I went from a Land Rover soldier to a Toyota warrior queen.
Hey, don’t hate me. I still like the Defender. The rest is already rolling.