love those yanky SUV's

I doubt it. These are made in the US for Americans.
They dont have a great reputation offroad.
Toyota have their own versiion called the Sequoia
No diesel models,tiny fuel tanks and 14mpg.

They are kind of larger versions of a Ford Explorer

try 18mpg, but I was getting along at a hefty pace!

The Armadas are very nice to drive, a little wallowy, but smooth and powerful. The Ford Expedition is a lot nicer though, in my opinion. There is just as much legroom in the 3rd row as there is in the 2nd row. And the seats fold flat. You also get fully independent suspension in the Expedition (hard to find in a car that size). What Ross said about off-road ability. It's true... BUT, the Japanese 4x4s suck when they're stock also. The Patrol is good, but the Landcruisers are not really that good. I think they have enough ability though. You can always get upgrades if you need more.
The Toyota Sequoia has the same running gear as the LC200, but doesn't feature the name "Land Cruiser" so you actually get a bigger car, but for nearly half the price. It has the same 5.7L iForce V8, same AISIN 6 speed auto.
My wife really wants an Expedition, but I want the F150. Kinda waiting on the new Boss 6.2L V8 from Ford.

Well spotted Toadkeeper,

By the look of the hinges on the rear door you have to open the front one first and then they both open from the centre, possibly no centre pillar. Suicide doors ?

KK

The handle flips out just above the lower line of the windows between the middle and rear window if that makes sense.

Cheers
Dave

Yeah it's on the C pillar, like some Pathfinder models.

It's weird how Nissan likes to do that - the rear doors are generally used by the shortest people in the family, and yet those door handles are mounted so high up!
Are they trying to make it look like a 2-door (as if that makes it better)?!

hey Jo,

I work in the oil and gas industry. I'm a subsea engineer!
Usually work on offshore rigs, but at the moment working for myself performing equipment inspections/testing for a company in thier storage yard. Needless to say, I have seen enough of Libya to last me a life time, really makes you appreciate home!!!

wow! that must be interesting though!!!.

Hi Jo thinking of a new career maybe????????

Hey Peter,

I'm about 300ks east of Tripoli, right on the Med as it is supply base for oil rig working off the coast! At least I can go for a swim!
Noticed a lot of tourist the last few days, think they are here for the eclips today!!!! but been told you had to head out to the desert to see better, but I thought it was only visible in Asia??
They had one here in 2006, checked it out on u tube and there was heaps of cool footage of crew 4x4ing in these massive dunes! check it out it was worth a watch!