Hello,
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 4x4 for the winters as my RB5 is getting a bit old to be a year round daily driver. Today my gearbox went bang so I'm officially in the market for something.
£4k is the limit, the only things I really want are 4wd or awd and reliability.

What should I go for?

 

X Trail

But I'm biased!

 

Depends what you want from a 4x4, really. Are you going to be mostly on road and just use on the odd slippery road or field? If thats the case then a soft-roader would be ok, such as a Rav 4 , x-trail and such like. If you want a full fat 4x4 with better ground clearence, low range and superior off road ability then i would recommend something like a Nissan Patrol ( popular with UN!) an early landcruiser ( bulletproof and great abilty) . Never been a fan of any of the Land Rover models myself- i think there overpriced for what you get and generally not the most reliable of vehicles.

Edit to add that the 4x4 pickups are capable and have the bonus of load lugging as well ( particularly single cabs) Ive a Ford Ranger which during the recent snow, was put to use towing a police unmarked X5 out of the snow on the local hills and with my mates L200 (DOUBLE TOW!) pulling a fully loaded fuel tanker off some ice in town.

 

i had an old diesel hilux surf, very good (apart from appaling fuel economy, 22mpg)

 

Good buyers guide in this month Land Rover Monthly - the budget is £4500.

But they may be a bit crude - Legacy or older Forester or are you off Subarus?

 

a uk 340bhp scooby? mines for sale

 

landy is the way forward in general they drive better in 2 foot of snow that a car on dry tarmac lol.

 

Land Rover discovery V8 or TDi either that or a Freelander both will do the job and good fun off road too.

Jay

 

Lots to think about so far!
I would say I'm leaning towards diesel.
I live on a farm, over a mile from a tarred road but the RB5 has always managed it so ground clearance is only really an issue in winter.
Would love a landy defender but I don't think £4k is enough for a decent one.
We have a mazda B2500 crewcab pickup on the farm that I can borrow when the road is blocked so I would prefer something different I think.
x-trail is looking good, 5 dr rav4 -maybe. shogun panin - maybe, anything else?

 

I looked at a similar budget and found the best combo of projected reliability, safety, condition, mileage from a Legacy. My mileage is low so the thirsty 3.0 suits, did 31mpg on a long run, 25 mixed used. Outback for ground clearance also good.

Genuinely impressive car, good fun, very refined and comfortable, no cam belt, no clutch, no major reliability issues with this model, and also classless.

A fraction of the price of more badge conscious models which are less reliable.

 

I was after a cheap winter 4 x 4 a few years ago, considered a diesel disco, ended up getting a Legacy GTB. Fantastic car, huge inside, very quick for an estate and no-one knows what it is. I stuck a set of snow tyres on a spare set of rims and it would go anywhere in the snow - quickly

Ended up preferring the comfort/space of the GTB to my STI.

 

You could get a Land Cruiser 3.0 litre turbo diesel short chassis.The body is the 70 series.More tough compared with the Land Rover, in my opinion.Correct me if that is wrong.Great fun in the dirt too or the Nissan Patrol 4.2 litre turbo diesel short chassis.

 

I found an R reg Toyota Landcruiser 3.0 Td fully loaded with good service history except a big one was due - once the service was done it cost me £4k. I am so impressed with this thing it does everything and takes 8 people along too. Tows 2.8 ton which is the main reason for getting it. Only downside is 28mpg on a run and 20mpg around town.

 

you can pick up an Isuzu trooper for that sort of cash
Landrovers are notoriously unreliable the older they get.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2349496.htm

Tony

 

Another consideration could be the old style suzuki grand vitara, the wife had one a while back (now onto the newer style) 2.0td peugot engine was very reliable with over 30mpg and it has a proper transfer box unlike the other jeeps of that size which i recon makes it much more capable off road.

Kev

 

Looks like I'm going to have to change my plan, may have to put the 4x4 on hold and just replace the RB5 gearbox for the moment.

 

My parents bought one of these, it's old cost about £1500 quid and needed a new fan belt, it isn't pretty but it's solid and just used for lugging loads and winter use.
They have had it 2 years now, straight through MOT's every year, well worth the money.

 

You could buy one of these & maybe with TD 4.0ltr straight six ( 12-HT ).This is the HJ61.

http://www.thebj73.com/Photos/Serie5_6/Serie5_6.php

Here is a better video of one.I think you can fit multi link & coils.I guess you can upgrade the brakes too ( seriously I would ).

 

i would push for the LC80 with the TD 4.0ltr straight six ( 12-HT ).

diff locks on all three axles, and better brakes (post 92)

 

Jeep Cherokee would/is my choice

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2280010.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_c44ArGoRk

This is the older version and some say, the best. Personally I prefer the face lifted ones like in the link above.

This and save the rest. Much more refined than a Disco. I've had 2 and currently have a 4.0L Orvis. Funnily enough I'm thinking of getting another classic like an RB5 and use that during the summer months and the Jeep during the winter months.

 

Mitsi Outlander? The early ones might fall into the price range with a good haggle...

 

There's a bargain of a 3.0 Outback on Autotrader, 04 plate, 110k miles, one owner, nav, black with leather.......£4.3k. If it wasn't 150 miles from me it'd be mine.

D

 

This is a YT video of a L/C HJ61, I originally was going to post a link to.Would you be interested in a Mitsi Pajero 2.8td R reg, my brother is selling one.Actually there is two for sale, identicle too.Except for different factory paint.The other is P reg.They haven't done gallactic milaeges.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsPL8BjlWZk