I'm looking to buy my first 4x4 sometime this spring, and I was wondering what would be the best vehicle to buy. I'm not gonna be doing hardcore offroading just yet, but I may once I get some experience and more cash. I've heard various things about various manufacturers, but I wanted a few more opinions.  

do you have it narrowed down to a truck, or suv?  

Check out '70s Ford pickups/Broncos or '70-87 Chevy pickups/Blazers.  They are good beginner vehicles.  Lots of parts available, strong drivetrain, and easy to work on.   Plus you can modify them as you get the money to improve it. 

Good luck with your choice, let us know what you choose, and have fun 'wheeling!

higum is definatly setting you on the right track. The aftermarket following and the junkyard part replaceability makes these an excellent choice, not to mention the offroad capability of these vehicles with only mild modifications.

Assuming you are like most of us and don't have a trust fund to draw from, you want to go back a few years to save some dough.  If you are looking at light wheeling, some aftermarket parts to beef your ride up may be all you need.  Go with axles (no IFS), I had an '88 Chevy and it was really not worth the softer ride.  I drive a YJ now and love it.  If you have $5 or $500, there is an upgrade or bolt on available.  If you want full size, I'd highly recommend mid-70's to mid-80's Chevy.  Parts are everywhere, and it is simple to wrench on yourself.  

73-87 Chevy truck (or Blazer if you want an SUV) They already come with all the parts that Jeep guys swap. small/big block V8, good trannys, xfer cases (NP205 strong, cast iron lowrange is 1.96, or NP 208 aluminum case, not as strong but better low range 2.76) and if you get 3/4 ton or above super strong axles. Although it's easy to swap into a 1/2 ton.  They are easy to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful. Cheap and easy to lift also!

If you want a convertible, find an old CJ-7, or early Wranglers are getting pretty cheap, as are the XJ (Cherokee) if you want a smaller SUV. Throw a roof rack on for your board (or in the bed if you get a truck) and enjoy.

All will make a good starter 4X4 and get you up to the slopes and out 4 wheeling.

Good luck.

looks like you're gettin all the right advice....my first ever vehicle (at 13) was an early model CJ and I knew absolutely nothing about vehicles but I find it to be very forgiving and tough as I made many mistakes and bad choices.  It also proved to be a good teacher.  minimal electronics (lights and a coil) made it a great way to learn and when I did "f" things up mechanicaly again it proved to be tough enough to get me to the nearest shop for advice.

I drive a TJ now but only because I use it as a daily driver and the suspension is a little friendlier on the road.

These guys all have the right idea.  I recommend a Dodge Ram W150 or Chevy fullsize from the 80s if you're looking for something to build into a bad-ass rig over time.  The Dodges have stout and reliable 318c.i. or 360c.i. engines, and the TF727 auto trans and NV435 manual are great trannies.  Aftermarket parts and bolt-ons are available from all kinds of places and the bodies are tough.  The Chevys are a little easier to find AM parts for, and the venerable 350 is the most popular engine out there.

But if you want to keep a little fuel mileage and don't want a monster, look for a mid- to late-80s Toyota truck or 4Runner (the ones with the removable top).  Try to get one with the 22RE motor and 5spd.  They're a little more reliable for light to medium-duty wheeling, and the aftermarket is ripe with parts and getting more all the time.  Though the front axles on those trucks have Birfield joints that are known to fail, overall as long as the whole thing is in good condition (body, drivetrain, engine) you'll be set, and still have a far sight better fuel mileage than a fullsize domestic. 

Don't get me wrong, guys.  I'm a Dodge and Jeep guy through-and-through.  But I've seen a lot of different rigs and know where snowbrdr83 is coming from.

One other thing you may want to look for if you're going to use it for a daily-driver with light 'wheeling is the older body S-10 with a 4.3L engine.  I had an '89 Blazer with the 4.3 and 5 spd., beat the crap out of it on weekends, and all it ever needed was a little TLC and general maintenance.  Just a thought....

I forgot to mention to be careful if you decide to go with an early wrangler....there is a reason they are going cheap!