pwhittle

Following a few hairy moments at the weekend I've decided to try and get a cheap 4x4, and though now should be a good time to get a bargain.

I've never really looked into them before.
I want something big enough for towing (probably 1700kg +), and as I do go places where 2wd struggles, decided to go 4x4 rather than say a big BMW / Volvo etc.

Ideally about £1k, as we'd like to keep the main car for a while, then swap it for something smaller.

I'd appreciate any comments on my short list
Ford Maverick (early)
Vauxhall (I can hardly bring myself to type it..) Frontera
Isuzu Trooper.
Anything similar (5 doors, no need for 7 seats)

Saw a 4l Grand Cherokee for 2.5k, whioch seemed a lot of car for the money, but at 16-20 mpg it's too much of a drop (from 48). There are a few with LPG conversion, which I may consider if they're a decent car.

Andy M3

A 200 series discovery can be bought for £1k, but it isn't going to be pretty. But mud is compulsory

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_x5435ew8ASo/RU...4/P1010017.JPG

Auto Trader UK - LAND ROVER Discovery 200 Tdi

pwhittle

that looks ok
don't they have problems with collapsing suspension turrets?

TopBanana

What's the gross weight of your trailer?

pwhittle

1300kg
the Mondeo's 1500kg ish, so it's on the limit, and does snake alarmingly on the motorways sometimes.
Wondered about a Legacy, but I doubt they're heavier than the Mondeo.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The Maverick is a horrendous thing, I drove one and it alaramed me without a trailer at about 10 mph on a roundabout.

pwhittle

yes, quick look at reviews suggests they're not the best dynamically!
Not sure how good an old Disco would be in corners, I'll have to track one down

TopBanana

I used to tow my boat with a Jag X-type 3.0. It wasn't a great drive, but better than a 4x4 and the 4wd was great on the slipway. 1300kg might be pushing it though.

pwhittle

I wondered about those, but probably too expensive.
I may tow my boat with it, or I may just let the air out and stick it in the boot

lozgti

A friends Frontera was soon sold after an embarrassing incident trying to get his boat out and up the slipway

(I understand all was sorted with help from the harbourmasters little tractor )

pwhittle

are Fronteras any good? Apart from the badge, and naff interior, naff looks...

what would scooby do

nope

paulwrxboro

for a grand id look at freelanders or vitaras or pajero at the car auctions or ebay and yes i have one on ebay

SimonD

Land Rover : Land Rover Discovery 200 TDiS 1994 L Bargain

lozgti

He ditched it after that incident and bought a Disco.

I'd cross the Frontera off the list

Jamescsti

I owned a Maverick for a while and I actually thought it was ok to drive, and i did ttake it offroading, remember one memorable day when i snapped off the bull bars. you have to accept it's bound to wallow more than a saloon car though, especially an early one.
I imagine an Isuzu trooper would be better though

skinters

I'm actually selling our Disco 1997 P (300Tdi) and trying to work out the selling prices - Done 120k miles. We havent had it long at all but another kid means it's got to go. Red, twin sunroof, 7 seats, roof bars etc. Just been to south of France and back in it and it was great. Buckets of space and seems to just plough on and on regardless of the weight. We even got over 30mpg in it!!
Listed braked tow weight is 4000kg which is plenty for you.

I've got a figure of £1500 in mind which is above the target here but there seems to be a chasm between garages wanting £3k and the 'real' values. Once you get over the initial huge difference between it and a car, it's actually fun to drive. You just coast along and take your time whilst looking down on everyone else.

austinwrx

a vw T25 syncro AKA transporter.

or rarer- vw T4 syncro AKA transporter.

get vw build quality and none of the rubbish that is frontera, discovery etc etc.

whatabout old jap shoguns /pajero imports.

pwhittle

a Pajero may be worth a look, and there's 7.5 million of them in Bradford, which isn't far. Apart from the probably a Disco would be best if I can get one cheap enough, and insure it.

Luan Pra bang

Best you will get for the cash would be a Vauxhall Monterey. It is a re badged Izuzu trooper and is half the price of a similar trooper. the ltd has all the kit you ever need and you will get a nice one for 1k if you look hard enough.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

What you going to being towing, obviously a trailer of some sort, but what on/in the trailer?

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Parents had a Maverick (LWB) for towing a double wheel caravan. I drove it all through the Pyranees one year with the caravan on the back up some mental hills and it never had an issue. Remember under it all it is just a Nissan Terrano with a different badge.

frontera rust and leaks like a sieve apparently. Shogun/Pajero might be ok if you can get a good one at the money. Decent looking at least.

5t.

sbk1972

Pajero all the way. Go for a 2.8, LWB one and you will be perfectly ok. Ive had plenty of them now and they are tuff, comfortable, run on veg oil, easy to service and last for ever.

Lots around at the moment too.

SBK

pwhittle

veg oil? that's interesting
the insurance is higher than a Disco, but the fuel would offset that (they sell it locally for about 60p / L I think

Devildog

Seconded - or a Paj/Shogun.

Or an old Defender

MMT WRX

Yep I 2nd the Pajero 2.8 LWB Auto
Super select 4 wheel drive with centre diff lock, climate control front and back, seats are as comfortable as your armchair at home, would cruise at a ton all day on the motorway, can climb mountains. Oh......you wouldn't even know you were towing 1700kg.

Luan Pra bang

Pajeros are great but can you really get a decent one for a grand ?

MMT WRX

A bit of haggling
Auto Trader UK - MITSUBISHI PAJERO 2.8 TD EXCEED

Sonic'

Ive got a 3.0 Shogun V6 Auto for sale

it is the 7 seater version, and has the diff lock which the Pajero's dont have

MMT WRX

Some Pajeros have front and back axle diff lock and I'm almost sure they all have centre diff lock as part of the 'super select 4wd' system.

I would only consider a 2.8 deisels. 2.5's suffer with balance shaft timing issues that can result in catastrophic engine failure.