Which 4x4?

Nazbit

Nazbit

Nazbit

Soldato
Joined
11 Dec 2004
Posts
3,871
Hi all,

At the moment I drive a W reg 1.25 Fiesta Zetec, it has been good as a student car but now its time for a change.

Originally I had intended to buy something bigger, faster and a bit sporty, in fact I was quite looking forward to it!

However life has changed! Me and my fiancée now have a house in North Wales, its pretty remote and inaccessible. Plus her family live nearby and access to their house is via steep unsurfaced deeply rutted track that is about a mile long.

So really it looks like I'm now going to be forced to look for a four wheel drive. I have considered the usual awd saloons but I think ground clearance will be an issue, and so I'm now looking at more traditional off roaders.

I have about 7-8k to spend and there don't seem to be a lot of options.

The only thing I can find at the moment that I half like the look of is the face lifted 2005 Freelander, it would have to be the diesel engine because the petrol version uses the rover k series engine, but I'm not really getting very excited at the idea.

I like the Volvo Xc90 but I would need another 4k to pick up a 100,000 mile example. Obviously the Disco 3, freelander 2 and any range rovers are way over budget.

I don't like the discovery 2, so what else does this leave? Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, Shogun?

I cant find anything that I can afford, that I actually want to buy! The few 4x4s that I can actually get excited about are just too expensive.

Any thoughts and ideas gratefully received!

Thanks
 
Buy an older Cherokee and spend 6k on fuel :D

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For The WIN! Such fun and tough bits of kit :)

Plus you get ridiculously cheap servicing costs, and excellent reliability - which keeps running costs (barring fuel and tires) down nicely, compared to others. You still get cruise, air con, PAS, ABS, central locking, electric seats, electric mirrors, electric windows, a proper transfer case, most have an LSD, and more - so hardly 'low spec' :p

Mind you, this isn't really a serious suggestion...
 
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Would something like a Subaru Forester be good enough, or do you want a 'proper' 4x4?
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1478767.htm

In a similar vein, check out the Legacy Outback.
Not particularly economical, mind.

An Audi A6 Allroad could be worth a look, but you'll be at the lower end of the range and running costs won't be particularly low, but then they won't be on a Subaru either..
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1488118.htm
 
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Its a shame you dont like Disco 2 because in that price range you won't find better off roader (well actuall off road ablity). You can pick up a decent one with all the kit, leather seat etc etc for that money.

As stated, the before the Jeep Cherokee is another good 4x4 with shed load of kit, plus a newer one with a diseal engines can be picked up for your budget.

You could look at defender (there are plenty in that range but will be older defenders) but they're properly a bit too hardcore for your need.

What about a Shogun/Pajeros? Pretty cheap for older ones and plenty of kit. Wouldn't bother looking at CRV and RAV 4 as there more city cars then off roaders.

Suzuki Vitara is another option. Plenty around in that price options and surprisly good 4x4.

What about pick ups like the L200 and the Hilux? I know you have 8 grand but there plenty of options for cheaper 4x4 and you can save money.
 
iaind said:
So good you suggested it twice?

Not for 7k! They're just a jacked up mid sized hatch for pootling around town, they arent even 4wd on the base models!
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Sorry, posting on phone is quite hard. Suzuki Grand Vitara then?
 
Thanks for the replies!

AWD estates like the audi and the subaru are definitely options if they are reasonable over mud and ruts but I assume they wont be as good as "proper" 4x4s?

The defender is a bit too hardcore as you say and pickups are not really what I'm looking for.

I don't think that the Qashqai can be had within my price range.

So I'm adding, shogun, cherokee, vitara and forester to the list so far. I suppose I should also take a fresh look at the discovery 2 and see if I warm to it at all.

Just to throw in a couple more requirements, I will need 5 doors, occasionally tow a box trailer and would prefer a manual.
 
Nissan Pathfinder.

Used to own one, and its a great bit of kit, and cheap too. Great on the a-roads/motorways, and it has selectable 2WD / AWD / 4WD. In 2WD mode I averaged about 33mpg out of it which I thought was economical given its size. A lot of the models have inbuilt nav/bluetooth/mp3 and it has either 7 seats, or comically large boot space just like a Disco3. In fact its basically a poor mans Disco3 imho. The engine is pretty good 2.5ltr TD 4pot but is a bit agricultral, and really needs the extra 2 pots of the disco, but you pays your money etc etc.

Wouldnt hesitate to recommend it. Had one for 3 yrs from new, and it was a great family car. Sometimes miss it, and thats saying a lot tbh given my current car is technically far more able.
 
You actually tried a defender? It is a bit hardcore but I love mine and I live in London, it's just a great hassle free vehicle for me. That said it's not exactly refined and I wouldn't want to do a lot of miles in it.

Out of a few friends who live in seriously rural scotland, where a 4x4 is genuinely required, their favourite is the A4 estate (a quattro obviously). Not an obvious choice but I know enough people who swear by it for it not to be coincidence, basically it seems good enough for the rough stuff and decently refined on road.

For your budget and a real 4x4 I'd go for a '02 Range Rover if I could find one (I reckon enough looking you'll get a newer shape 02 model for about £7500 - expensive to run though).
 
iaind said:
Depends how muddy and rutty your mud and ruts are[/url]
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This. But by the sounds of it a 'proper' 4x4 may be better.

Nazbit said:
Just to throw in a couple more requirements, I will need 5 doors, occasionally tow a box trailer and would prefer a manual.
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All the models that you are looking at will be able to tow a box trailer no problem and most come are manual versions. Look at auto though. If you are going for a large 4x4 (disco and shoguns sort of size) an auto make driving a lot easier. They are slighty heavier on the fuel.

If you do look at Disco, look, look and look again. They are popular and there are plenty around, some well be melons some will be good, but that goes with any car. They are great cars but can go wrong. But there a huge part system in place and you can pretty much pick up anything you need for reasonable price.

Also mention the pathfinder but also have a look at the Land Crusier. Got a huge reputation world wide. But not sure on the prices though.
 
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I've just been looking at the path finder and land cruiser these both seem to be a few thousand above my budget though, the range rover looks excellent but running costs would rule it out I suppose.
 
Nazbit said:
I've just been looking at the path finder and land cruiser these both seem to be a few thousand above my budget though, the range rover looks excellent but running costs would rule it out I suppose.
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Don't imagine you can run one on the cheap, it's just not possible (added to which the the Td6 isn't really good enough and you need the v8). I've heard second hand of people buying older models and converting to LPG very successfully but that's not as much of a money saver as it once was.

So basically no, not cheap at all. An old shape freelander is a reasonable bet, it's an alright car and £7k should get you a good example as there are plenty out there. Do have a real good look though, there are loads out there - later years are better reliability wise, Td4 is thought off as the best choice (the v6 petrol is better but drinks fuel in a big way) and watch for diff and gearbox issues, some also had a tendency to leak...

The new one is a much nicer looking car I'll give you, I'm slightly tempted myself but it's quite expensive for a car which isn't that big.
 
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