I have had a Datsun (former Nissan) and abused the crap out of it, and it never failed me, and hauled all manner of stuff, but it would get stuck in the dust on the road. Too light. I had about 300k on it before I sold it, and got a Datsun car, and sold that and got a very badly used Toyota corolla, and after getting a pumpkin from a u pull it, and then other repairs, and finally a transmission band adjustment, I sold it, and got an 86 Toyota 4runner. I sold it in 2005. Well over 500k on it. I absolutely loved that truck. If you were behind Farmer John, and there was intermittent traffic in the on coming lane, you were going to be a while, unless there was a looooong space between oncoming cars. It was not a speedy truck, but it was ABSOLUTELY dependable! It had the R22E engine, four cylinder . Not great milage, about 22 mpg. But it would go places I have seen big four by fours get stuck. The R22e was by far one of the best engines out there in the four banger class. Just not speedy. I now have a 03 Tundra, 4 X 4. I love it! The milage was terrible, about 18 hwy, and around 13 or so in town. Then I put the K & N filter and ram on it, and I have ten more horsepower, and I haven't figured out the milage on hwy yet, but before I put it in, I would use a 1/4 tank to get to my Girlfriend's house, and now, I use an 1/8 !! That's hwy driving. My Brother has a Jeep, and has done a lot of repairs on it. He takes very good care of it. He also has an F250 diesel, and he put the Air Raid system on his. It is almost the same thing as the K & N unit. I have a Friend of mine who builds custom cars in Jacksonville, and he absolutely hates Nissans. I would buy a Ford, if I could not have a Toyota. I don't like Chevy trucks, because I know too many people, including an older cousin, who have had the Transmissions go out, almost on the exp. date of the warranty. I also don't like their 4 X 4's because of the IDIOTIC Brake loop on the left side of the rear axle that hangs down begging to be snagged! In fact a friend had rented one to haul trash from his fathers yard, and took it out to the woods, and yep, a root snagged the braked loop, and ripped it off! I have friends who own dodges, in various models, and all have had transmission trouble, but love the engines. I have a Friend I worked with who drove an Isuzu, and loved it. Like Sailordad said, it all comes to eventually it will be junk, and you just have to find the junk that is the most suitable to your finances, and uses for it, and the current condition, and maintenance it had, and the maintenance that you give it. I had a friend in college who's Sister worked for GM, and her job was to drive a car around a track with her foot on the brake to test brake pad material, and such, if it lasted too long, then it was reformulated, till it got just the right amount of wear, so as not last too long, but not wear out too soon.
This was back in the early 70's. I am sure they don't do things like that now....
She had a mustang fastback or something like, and she called it a Monday morning, or Friday afternoon car. The trunk lid had varying gaps, on the sides, wide at the bottom on the right, wide at the top on the left. The rear seat moulding didn't fit, right, and the screws were cockeyed, and not in straight. We drove it on average of 90 mph on the way to Detroit, where she sold it. I got off in VA. It constantly ran hot, even after she had it in repeatedly for repairs at the dealer. So she said to hell with it, and we pushed it. But it got to Detroit. It was a fast car and handled well. Just don't get in a hurry to buy something, and don't be afraid to haggle. The more you save the more you can use for gas, and maintenance. Do like they said check the magazines, and want ads. 4 X 4's usually don't get as good of millage as 2 wheel drive. Decide which is more important, driving to School, or mudbogging! Gas will eat up your budget real quick! Mud boggin will wear, and tear BIG time. If you want both, be prepared to be without transportation at times. Wait for spring break for muddin, that way you will have time to fix things, or get another truck.
Personally, I would go with dependability! And go for the Mud bogging with an extra truck just for that hobby. After you get out of College, hopefully you will be able to find work in your chosen field, and then you can get the toys for mud boggin etc.
good luck .
Wayne
