Against better judgment, against my will, and somehow against the will of the higher-ups (DT knows where I live and that concerns me), I’m back. And we’re here to talk shitboxes again. So let’s get into it! I’m really excited for today’s because, believe it or not, I’ve actually found a really nice C6 Corvette for y’all to peruse and – what’s that? I’ve been advised that I still can’t talk Corvettes around here or risk my head and livelihood? (See previous comments about DT knowing where I live).
Alright, that’s fine I guess. We can just settle for some other options for y’all today, but first, we need to talk about yesterday’s results.
As a reminder, we had a 2007 Honda Element with a price approaching 11 large and a clapped-out CR-V less than a quarter of the price at 2.5K — both stickshift and AWD. Let’s see what y’all voted for:
I don’t know how else to say this but part of me is supremely disappointed in y’all. I’m fully aware that a difference of nearly eight grand is nothing to scoff at, but the Element’s un-alive doors and general strength of not being that piece of junk CR-V meant nothing to you? You all make me sick. (In truth, I respect the budget-ballin’. I’m just a little surprised the handsome Element didn’t win you over).
Screw it, nothing matters. Let’s talk about today I guess.
1991 Isuzu Trooper LS Sport Utility – $4,800
Engine/drivetrain: 2.8-liter V6 OHV, 5-speed manual, 4wd
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
Odometer reading: 272,000
Operational status: “Runs, but has No working A/C, Heater bypassed.”
Oh my. Oh my oh my oh my. I think I’m in love with this thing. I haven’t even really read the specs yet, but I’m absolutely fawning over this thing and I don’t think I’m gonna apologize for it either. It’s like if Japan decided they were bored and wanted to make a Range Rover (shut up Land Cruiser, this isn’t your time to shine) and I’m really obsessed with it.
This Trooper LS seems like it’s been loved, and I’m not mad at it at all. It’s clocking in at 272k on the odo, but looks clean by every conceivable metric that my eyes can suss out. If you couldn’t tell via ocular pat-down, this is definitely an off-road build, and that’s further reinforced by the fact that it’s got “front lockers” and some chunky 33s on its axles. [Ed Note: I have no idea what “front lockers” are. Does it have a front locker? If so, why front and not rear? Is it a lunchbox-style locker or an electronic/pneumatic unit? I have questions. -DT].
The description is also kind enough to let us know that the car has a roof rack, CB radio, and fog lights, all valuable when it comes to packing in/out of a location, communicating with authorities or friends while on the trail, and seeing ahead while you’re carving up trails at night.
Obviously, we’re loving the fact that it’s stick, but I’m more impressed that the interior isn’t total crap. Yes, the seats have been covered, but I’m not seeing much in terms of cracked plastics on the dash either. Also, the driver’s door is clearly showing signs of powered everything — we’re talking locks, we’re talking windows, we’re talking other things that need power (mirrors?). These power functions are a win or lose, depending on your perspective. I think this owner really treated this thing well, and it’s showing. Actually, I know they’ve babied it because they listed some recent repairs. “Recently Replaced: Starter, Fuel Filter, Battery, Hoses and Stereo.” Rad!
So why the hell the owner is getting rid of it? According to the listing, it’s actually quite simple. It was a project vehicle, but they recently got their hands on their dad’s 1970s GMC pick-up and the owner’s attention shifted away. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a pretty safe bet to me in terms of buyer’s confidence.
For boring but important stats: Edmunds says it has 120 hp with 150 lb-ft of torque and gets 15 MPG moving a curb weight of 3,755 lbs. More importantly:
LOOK AT THIS THING!
The seats can lay down and turn into a full-on bed and those lights? This is gonna be hard to beat. Let’s see what we can do.
1987 Nissan Pathfinder – $5,999
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0-liter single overhead cam V6, 5-speed manual, 4WD
Location: Yucca Valley, CA
Odometer reading: 282,209
Operational status: “in good running / driving condition”
I think it’s hard for me to remove my bias while doing this, and for that, I truly apologize. That being said, this Nissan is still a pretty good get I think. What draws me to this listing is that the owner is very forward about the car’s shortcomings, so let’s lead with those before we talk about some of the good!
There’s some rust on it, and it’s got less than pretty window seals. Additionally, it comes with a salvage title, but the current owner isn’t sure what all the damage was because it was “long before [they] owned.”
That being said, they appear to be keeping it real with us! “No major damage interior or exterior. Needs some minor TLC,” adding that they have all the receipts of recent work done by the dealership. So while there’s a bit of a deficit up front with the car due to that title and minor rust, it’s at least been maintained under the current owner’s watch. What work has been done?
“New clutch, transmission, drive shaft, gaskets, 4 new BFG Ko2s on Lego wheels.” Okay, I’m liking this owner. They’re working on getting it to pass smog, too, but it “runs like a champ, just a little rich at the moment.” I’m listening…
Let’s look at some more pictures.
Its interior looks pretty clean; maybe not as cute as the Trooper’s, but those seats! It also looks like we’re dealing with power locks and windows so the creature comforts still exist here! Is its center stack inspiring? Not exactly, it looks like it’s perfectly preserved in its 1987 form, but we can see it’s got a manual transmission and low-range transfer case ready to go off-roading.
On the rear, there’s nothing much worth looking at, but I just wanna say that I’m a sucker for alternative trunks. While there’s nothing too fancy about a trunk that opens up to the sky, the tire carrier swinging to the side makes me smile like a ‘lil dummy.
The stats: 138 ponies with 167 lb-ft torque for a body that weighs 3,860 lbs., all getting you 16 miles per gallon.
Now here’s how it’s looking for me: I love me some color. That Pathfinder was doing a good job at winning me over, mainly on account of the transparency about its shortcomings and the care it’s received from the current owner, but everything about that Trooper speaks to me. A cool interior (though it does have seat covers, so it’s not clear what shape those seats are in), clean paint job, and no damage reported by the owner? I dunno, that sounds like a done deal to me. Then again, that Nissan’s blue cabin is awesome, too…
Look, I’m also the guy who picked the Element over the CRV yesterday and clearly lost that fight, so you tell me: Which are we picking here? The Trooper, a Pathfinder, or a Corvet – *transmission ended*
You’re not the only one who. am be facetious, David. Obviously the front lockers refer to a pair of bespoke Army footlocker-style trunks that were ordered from the Genuine Isuzu Accessories Catalog(ue) to attach securely to the hood for a little extra enclosed cargo space.
“un-alive”
There you go again…they’re called suicide doors and have been for a long time
That Element was not a “Shitbox” so it was automatically disqualified
These are both great, but I’ll take the Pathfinder…I’ve always liked those better and especially in blue! I’d fix the rust, seals, etc and due to high miles eventually keep an eye out for a rebuilt engine or just do it myself if needed
Again, I don’t appreciate the cutesy name for suicide doors (That’s what they are called) and it’s not ok to change the name of something so serious, in general. It’s avoiding the issue and contributes to causing more mental health issues which are getting worse and will get worse if everyone changes names of things in general just so people’s feelings aren’t hurt and so not to offend them (which so many people get offended at everything now) I’m trying my hardest not to be like them but this is the 1 thing I take issue with. In general, the people who do this are changing history, avoiding the problem and will keep facing the same issues.
Separately, it’s a serious thing which you obviously don’t take serious…but whatever
Your username is being cutesy about heroin addiction. Pot, meet kettle.
Ha ha good one! I just thought it was a clever name…thanks for nothing
Really, they should be called “homicide doors”. The people who designed them are not the ones flying out of them when they pop open. I get that they are mass produced, but “genocide doors” seems like a bridge too far.
Ha ha…they’re called suicide doors and have been called that since they were invented…
another one trying to change things that don’t need changing
Both overpriced! Both over 250k miles! Heater core in the Trooper probably a dash out job! Probably got an estimate and decided to sell it. AC repair…could be $1000…or more. And looks like it’s got the 2.8 GM V6. Loser. Pathfinder better…but still gotta be a better deal out there than this hi miler. IMHO
Nissan was my choice until the salvage title came up. I am not super pleased about having to replace a heater core in the trooper though.
Oh man, I can understand why the Trooper might be the better catch in better condition, but I’m hopelessly biased. A Pathfinder very similar to this one (mine was in pristine condition though) was my first car in high school and this one has all of my nostalgia glands oozing nostalgia all over stuff in my office. I miss that car so much.
I would not own a car in AZ without AC. Even in the mountains where it’s cooler.
I love them both, but these two both have their issues. I always thought the 2 door Pathfinders were great looking vehicles, and 31’s in the 80’s were BIG tires! It’s so sad Nissan abandoned this type of vehicle.
The looks of the Trooper are also timeless, this particular one is accessorized very nicely. With those miles, the 2.8, and no HVAC, I just can’t. If it were an easy fix, you’d think the guy in AZ would want AC.
Incidentally, I always thought these were Range Rover knockoffs, but now that I’m more familiar with Land Cruisers, this definitely looks more 76-Series. They even have a 2-door wagon version referred to as a “Troopy”.
I want both, but also neither.
Inop A/C I can get but the bypassed heater core kills the Trooper for me. Drove one for work a few decades ago and it was perfectly adequate, but I’ll take a gamble on the Nissan V6.