The 14 Best Off-Roaders You Can Buy for Less Than $20,000

Some people don't think trucks make for good off-roading vehicles, but the Tacoma proves them wrong. Tough enough to take on the most challenging trails, and small enough to manuever through tight spaces, it's plenty capable. has just under 44,000 miles on it, and you can own it.

Old Samurais like this one are getting harder and harder to find in clean, unmodified condition. But if you can find one, they make a great beginner off-roader. They don't cost much to own, and won't leave you stranded. on eBay you can own right now.

Because reliability isn't the best, you can get a great deal on an old Porsche Cayenne. Even the top-spec Turbo models have , meaning you can get a competent off-roader with a Porsche badge for very little money. Just be prepared to drop some serious stacks to keep it running.

Though it might not have four-wheel drive or solid axles, a Baja bug can certainly hang with some of the vehicles on this list. Prepped correctly, old Beetles can be surprisingly capable off-road. This one has a swapped Ecotec engine, and looks great.

Finding a US-market G-Wagen is next to impossible, but imported models like can be found for sale if you look hard enough. Sure, you won't get a big V8, but you'll still get those signature boxy looks and all the off-roading capability you'll need.

The Wrangler from the late '90s has depreciated enough where you can reliably find good examples for under $20,000. It has a massive amount of aftermarket support and timeless looks. has some choice modifications, and it's currently up for bidding.

Of course, if you're looking for something with a bit more livability, the XJ Cherokee is the car for you. It's nearly as capable as the Wrangler, and a lot better-suited for daily driving. you can own now.

If you're willing to look past reliability issues, the Discovery remains a great choice for off-roaders looking to stand out from the crowd of Jeeps and Land Cruisers. already been modified to go off-road, and you can own it.

The Blazer has developed a sort of cult following among its owners as a sporty 4x4 you can take anywhere. They remain great buys under 20 grand, especially if you can find a two-door ZR2 like the one pictured above. has low miles, and it's up for bidding on eBay right now.

There are a handful of generations of Land Cruiser you can currently pick up for under $20,000. 80-Series cars from the '90s fall under this category, as do early V8-powered examples from the early 2000s. has 122,000 miles on it, and it's just barely broken in.

If you don't want to drop a ton of money on a Land Cruiser, the Toyota 4Runner is a lighter, more simplistic option that's just as capable. Just maybe don't expect it to be as durable. that's already been prepped for off-roader duty.

The looks might not be for everybody, but Toyota's quirky old-school Land Cruiser tribute is surprisingly competent off-road. Plus, it has round headlights. How many modern cars can you think of have those? has a manual transmission, and it's for sale right now.

The Xterra is nearly as quirky as the FJ Cruiser, and just as good at driving off-road. Even relatively new examples can be had for under $20,000 if you know where to look. painted in blue that's on sale now.

The first-gen Pathfinder may not be as popular as some of the other cars on this list, but with a few choice modifications, it could hang with most anything on the trails. up for bidding right now on eBay, and looks great.