Im looking for a 4x4 vehicle. I would love to find an old CJ (civilian jeep) or possibly a MJ if in good shape and priced right. A scrambler variant would be welcomed too. Not interested in jeeps that sit like a car, 4x4 or not. I have read some posts about these "multicabs" and could be interested in one of those as well. Must be a 4x4 truck version, prefer turbo charged. Any other vehicle will be considered if the price is right. I am looking for something around P200,000 or less. I could easily find what Im looking for for about P30,000 in the US, just to give you an idea what Im looking for. Not looking for a pretty paint job or a thumping stereo system. Good tires, good engine and wiring that wont cause me to call the fire department (Ive seen the Duma firetruck, might as well let it burn). I wont buy something that needs to be towed or needs "minor repairs" before it will start. (Correction: i will buy it for P4,000.) Dont contact me if you wont let me test drive it. This will be a vehicle i only drive in the rain and to get around the more provincial areas where the road conditions arent good.
Other than a multicab, you probably won't find much of a 4X4 for under P200,000. Most of the "Jeeps" here are not jeeps. There are still a few of the old military Jeeps around, but they have become collectors items if they are still anywhere near savable. Most "Jeeps" are Toyota, Mitsubishi, or Isuzu chassis/engine, and are not 4WD. The local "Wrangler" style you see are Philippine replicas made from galvanized steel, usually on a Toyota Cressida chassis. Most of the smaller "jeepys" are Philippine made replicas on a Toyota Corolla chassis. None are much good for off road purposes. Under P200,000 will get you a pretty nice 4X4 multicab. It will also build you one very nice Baja bug, or a sandrail type buggy. Larry
a multicab would work for me. I've seen those little dune buggies run around but they don't much interest me or fit my need. just need something to drive around in the rain and get to the more provencial areas. I've noticed that the Jeeps here tend to not be 4x4, which I didn't think Jeep ever did.
Jeep did make numerous 2WD vehicles (think US Mail Jeep), however, most of those here as I stated are not Jeeps at all. The bodies are fabricated here and mounted on surplus Toyota etc. chassis. The ones that do have original Jeep bodies no longer have the Jeep engine/transfer case, they have surplus Toyota/Isuzu etc engines, so are no longer 4WD. The few that are still original are collector's items. A Multicab may suit you well, provided you are not much over about 5'9" tall. I would highly recommend looking for one with the dual range transfer case. The 4 speed with dual range will greatly outperform the 5 speed without low range in mountain/trail/hauling conditions, because then you get 8 speeds forward and 2 reverse. Low range is a must in a 30 horsepower vehicle when you want to go places. In Daro near the Ukay Ukay yesterday there was a Toyota Landcruiser (can't get much better then that for an overall off road vehicle) and a good looking multicab. Might check it out. Oh, and never underestimate where a modified VW bug can go, and how much fun they are to put there! Larry
I'm amazed that Jeep hasn't really focused on expanding their network and model range in the Philippines. With the exchange rate improvements they are very competitive with the Japanese models. Down here in Oz...Jeep sales have doubled in the last year - dealers get them out the door as soon as they get off the boat. I can't think of a better vehicle than a Patriot in the Philippines...nimble enough in the traffic, comfortable, roomy, economical, and enough 4WD capability to tackle almost anything short of the Rubicon...
Why has someone not started fixing up old CJs in the US and shipping them over if they are so valuable here? Seems there would be tons of money in that business. Southern Indiana/Northern Kentucky had plenty of Jeep graveyard's. I bought several mechanically sound CJs there for right around $500 USD a pop (with the old AMC 304 engine). Of course the body was 75% bondo, but hey, they were throw aways. They all ended up in the graveyard several months later or left at the scene. (after being rolled, submerged in creeks, ramping snow banks and so on). The scrambler was always my personal favorite. Seems you really don't get your money's worth on vehicles here. (actually I'm well aware you don't unless you buy new)
Larry. where is Daro? I also don't underestimate the buggy mods. I just don't like the look (but for whatever reason I do like the multicab). I have seen too many clowns climb out of the VWs at circuses.
Well it could be viable if you imported them as parts. You cannot legally import whole vehicles over 5 years old. You would need to obtain an assemblers license in order to license them, pay customs duties, etc... I liked the Scramblers too. Daro and the Ukay Ukay is about .5 km north of capitol on the national highway. Larry
