as a first time 40 owner, mechanical n00b and 4wder (the rav4 definately didn't cut it) the 40 is a great place to get started.. I can 2nd most of what has been said before but a few pointers of my own:
pros (swb)
- 5spd, air con AND p/s on late model bj40's
- bj's are diesels!
- decent off road performance
- less than perfect on road performance
- n/a deiselgreat off road performance
- heaps of accessories
- not many issues when getting bigger rubber
- plenty of spares /parts
- versatile (you can have BOTH a hardtop AND a softtop!!)
- its so old crooks wouldn't wanna steal it
- paint damage is less of a concern on the trail
- they are tough
- it looks seckzi
- its a big lego set (easy to fix/mod)
- goot approach angles and ground clearance
cons
- after a yr+ the choppy ride is starting to get to me if i could choose agains id seriously consider coils (ride/handling/flex)
- rust (the one thing you really need to look for)
- its no burnout monster and long hills suck hard
- choppy roads SUCK!! (40kms south of woodenbong.northnsw for example
)
- maybe short wheelbase (easily modded with 60 springs,etc), it gets a bit awkward at times
- km range (only get about 400kms on a 55-60lt tank of diesel, additional tanks available tho)
- dust ingress / rattles, etc
thats about it for the cons, after the first few it was a bit of a struggle to think of stuff.. unfortunately i have no basis of opinion to comment on the neeesan..
GO THE 40!