NOOB,
In the hands of someone who has some experience, understands the vehicles limitations and its strengths ( and knows how to use those) they are quite a capable vehicle that can keep with other standard or mildly modified vehicles.
They will not keep with anything that is 3inch lifted , double locked and on 35's etc, but apples for apples mine will keep with the patrols, cruisers hiluxs navaras and jeeps of any of the groups and clubs that I have been out with.
In fact , mine will regularly get the comment "The Bravo did well"
( Disclaimer here - Mine is well kitted and includes a full Old Man Emu Ultimate suspension kit - I purchased it as a complete unit. - It doesn't have greatly increased flexibility over the standard units, just a better ride really )
They are a small motor that doesn't rely on torque, but rather revs, they will happily rev to 4,000+ ( last trip mine spent a lot of time around the 3500-4000 rpm
)
They don't have much under 1700 rpm but between that and 3500rpm they will happily spin away while you swap cogs to match the work required.
They have a good LSD ( if fitted) that responds well to left foot braking "locker" trick.
They do have a problem with 5th gear - simply don't tow in 5th unless level or downhill - 9 out of 10 will at some stage crack their original head BUT if its replaced with a good quality unit they don't tend to do it again.
They can break CV's but usually only if you push them too hard or get them airborne - they don't like touchdown under power, the CV's shafts do snap if you abuse them...........as do lots of other things on other vehicles in the same circumstances.
They are reasonable on fuel, easy to service and maintain - as more of them age parts have become a little easier to obtain from wreckers and ebay /facebook is a good source as well.
Mazda and Ford can be crazy expensive on some parts ...........and other parts on par with ebay, go figure , so it pays to check around.
Pound for Pound i'm happy to go many a kilometre or two with the average 4WD's and know that its usually not me that needs to be recovered -they are an often underated vehicle.
Cheers
In fact, just like the Toorak Tractors of the early days of 4WD popularity, fully kitted out vehicles that have never been or rarely get used 'for real' these days generally just make their owners look like lame limp..... 
