During my time in the Army, I learned a lot about military vehicles and always wanted to own a heavy-duty vehicle! Most people don’t know that you can buy military vehicles online to own and they’re surprisingly fairly priced. The available vehicles vary considering that there are many options on the online and auction market right now.
When buying a military vehicle, you want to consider a few things. First, you need to know that most of these vehicles are collectible but cannot legally go on the road – especially if you’re buying something like a tracked vehicle. You should also make sure you’re aware of the maintenance of the vehicle you wish to purchase. Some of these vehicles can be very expensive to maintain and repair.
Using my experience as a former servicemember and knowledge as military vehicle enthusiast, I put together a list of 6 military vehicles that you can own. Most of these you can find on eBay or other military vehicle purchasing websites like www.exarmyvehicles.com.
Humvee
The Humvee or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is well-known here in the United States. This car was used primarily in the Middle East, especially during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. The US military is phasing out this vehicle, so there are many available to be purchased for a great price online.
These Humvees usually price at about $10,000 and usually have decently low mileage. Humvees come in several variations, but all are made from a hardened steel exterior and bullet-resistant glass. You can even buy versions that have weaponry mounting – though those will cost extra!
Polaris MV850 TerrainArmor Edition
The Polaris is an off-road ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), often used by the US military in the Middle East. This vehicle can tow up to 1,500 pounds, has AWD and is very customizable. If off-roading is something you enjoy, this would be a great addition to your collection. It’s a tough, but agile vehicle that has that desert military look.
The Polaris ATV typically costs about $15,000, but it’s a vehicle you’ll get a long life out of, especially if you buy new. That’s right – you can buy the Polaris ATV directly from the company website! This is a great option if you’re looking for a newer military vehicle.
Supacat LRV 400
The Supacat LRV (Light Reconnaissance Vehicle) 400 is a high speed and high mobility military vehicle. The Supacat is a newer British off-road military vehicle launched in 2013, that was made to go on rescue missions and initiate light strikes.
This is a pricier vehicle, starting at $250,000. The Supacat is a great option if you’re looking for a newer vehicle, as you can buy through the Supacat website. The Supacat has turbo charged V8 engine that produces up to 640 horsepower. It offers speed and an aesthetically pleasing design that military vehicle enthusiasts will love.
Jeep Staff Car Concept
The Jeep Staff Car Concept is the only vehicle on the list that’s actually legal to drive around town. It’s a car that has been modified to look similarly to military Jeep vehicles but are street legal. It has a manual transmission and a 3.6-L V6 engine that produces up to 285 horsepower.
The Jeep Staff Car Concept starts with a standard Jeep Wrangler frame that has been altered to look like the Jeep’s military service vehicle. It’s such a great tribute to Jeep’s history of military vehicles.
This car costs about $40,000, which is a great price considering the time spent modifying the vehicle. The Jeep Staff Car Concept is a car you’ll love to drive! Not only is it a gorgeous military-style vehicle, but it’s also affordable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg to maintain!
DUKW “Duck” Amphibious Truck
The DUKW (pronounced “Duck”) amphibious truck is an eye-catching vehicle, that’s for sure! It’s the oldest vehicle on this list, created during World War 2! This vehicle was meant to be used on water and on land and had a presence on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day! It’s had a resurgence in popularity, so you will likely find a few on eBay that are able to be driven.
The DUKW is available for around 80,000 for refurbished units. You can certainly find them cheaper, but they will likely not be in great condition. That said, if you like to restore vehicles, this might be the perfect option! This vehicle has a speed of 50 mph on land and 6 mph on water. It’s a great option for World War or Korean War enthusiasts who might enjoy a bit of a project!
Oshkosh L-ATV
The Oshkosh L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle) is the vehicle the US military is phasing in to replace the Humvee, which has proven to be inadequate for combat. Civilians are also able to own the Oshkosh L-ATV, which is great for military vehicle enthusiasts! It’s the most expensive vehicle on the list, with a base price at $250,000 and can go as high as $450,000.
This vehicle has a 6.6-L engine that offers up to 340 horsepower. It can be used off-road, which is perfect because this is not a street-legal vehicle. Serious military vehicle enthusiasts with a high and flexible budget will be the perfect owners of this vehicle. It’s one that you and your military enthusiast buddies will rave over!