This meme is hitting a little close to home......

If you spend any amount in time in South America you'll notice at least 85% of the crap we have is unnecessary. I'll take a stock patrol or short wheel base 70 series with 31s and they could run circles around most of our rigs. Diesels and turbos for the win.

 

Years ago i was several miles up an old rocky trail in the Jemez National Forrest in NM in 4low taking my time, enjoying the trip looking for an old ghost town when around the corner comes a yellow convertible Bug with two guys in it having the best time laughing and bouncing from rock to rock as we passed each other. Right then i wanted to be in that bug.

 

The pioneers made it with 1 HP covered wagons. What's your excuse?

 

Didn't get that vibe! I do remember Rutledge Wood off-roading a Yaris in the American Top Gear though. This one was much rougher and put through its paces harder.

Must be! Those guys were having a blast seems like. Scooby Doo/Mystery Machine paint jobs, plus a couple Pizza Hut magnetic roof toppers of... questionable origin. The most purpose-built rig in the bunch was a Volvo 240, somehow mated to a GM truck frame. They named it the Vol-hoe. Classy ride..

 

LOL, I learned to off-road in Colorado with a Honda Civic wagon (4x4 with a granny gear even) and it was always entertaining to see the deflated looks of the guys with lifted decked out 4x4s when I'd come putting along the top of a pass in my Civic.
That car taught me a LOT about proper tire placement and picking the right line on an obstacle. By the time I picked up my first "real" 4x4 ('85 Toyota x-tra cab) it felt almost unstoppable.