Looking to buy my first RV/SUV (first 4 wheeled vehicle)

[Matariki]

I know these aren't motorcycles (nothing is as good or as fun as riding on 2 wheels) but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the following cars (this will be my first car - I can't believe I'm asking a motorcycle forum for advice for a 4 wheeled vehicle that isn't a quadbike... )

I'm ideally looking for something that is economical, comfortable for the novice to drive, easy to maintain and can handle off road conditions (under 3000cc). Here are the ones I'm currently looking at;

Toyota Rav4
Toyota Hilux

Suzuki Escudo
Suzuki Vitara

Nissan Terrano
Nissan Mistral
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Navara

Honda CRV

[Berries]

Another troll thread I see.

[FJRider]

Whatever you decide on ... get a manual one. Auto's suck the fuel/power something wicked.

Something like this maybe .. ??

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-589314206.htm

Worth a phone call to test drive. If only JUST to test drive. Gives you an idea ... that it is what you are looking for ... or not.

[McFatty1000]

Much of your choice will depend on how much off road and how you define off road - crv, rav4 and the suzuki are more cars on stilts, a lot of them are 2wd even.

And +1 to a manual if you can, autos aren't bad but do tend to drive more petrol

[FJRider]

Another troll thread I see.

I don't think she has a troll bone in her body.

[Edbear]

Budget dictates a lot, the more money the better the choices.

Suzuki Vitara is a proper 4WD and will go anywhere. Nissan Navaro/Terrano is solid and dependable if looked after but you need the diesel as petrol ones are hungry.

Earlier RAV4's have rear suspension issues that cause bad tyre wear and don't like heavy loads. CRV is nice to drive but auto-4WD doesn't work downhill so consider it a 2WD with added traction driving forwards in slippery conditions. Most car-like of all.

[hayd3n]

jeep wrangler
6cyl hemi

[Matariki]

Budget dictates a lot, the more money the better the choices.

Suzuki Vitara is a proper 4WD and will go anywhere. Nissan Navaro/Terrano is solid and dependable if looked after but you need the diesel as petrol ones are hungry.

Earlier RAV4's have rear suspension issues that cause bad tyre wear and don't like heavy loads. CRV is nice to drive but auto-4WD doesn't work downhill so consider it a 2WD with added traction driving forwards in slippery conditions. Most car-like of all.

My budget is up to $5000 (starting from $2000). The Suzuki vitara sounds like good value for money. Should I consider looking at a diesel or a petrol vitara?
Any opinions on the Suzuki Samurai?

[Edbear]

My budget is up to $5000 (starting from $2000). The Suzuki vitara sounds like good value for money. Should I consider looking at a diesel or a petrol vitara?

Vitara would be my first choice. Try to get a NZ new one as most will have a service history and they have been in NZ since Adam was a cowboy. Virtually bullet-proof. I am always wary of import diesels as most are brought in by, shall we say, less reputable dealers. $5k is fairly cheap for a Vitara so try to find one that the seller has owned for years and wouldn't really recommend a diesel in that price range.

[mashman]

My budget is up to $5000 (starting from $2000). The Suzuki vitara sounds like good value for money. Should I consider looking at a diesel or a petrol vitara?
Any opinions on the Suzuki Samurai?

Potentially looking at something in the same price range should life change the way it looks to be. Hadn't considered rv's or suv's as a runaround. Was looking at this.

[Edbear]

jeep wrangler
6cyl hemi

A mate has one, just needs to tow a fuel trailer around with him.

My budget is up to $5000 (starting from $2000). The Suzuki vitara sounds like good value for money. Should I consider looking at a diesel or a petrol vitara?
Any opinions on the Suzuki Samurai?

The short wheelbase Suzuki's are very good off road but not very comfortable on road. They will embarrass most other 4 x 4's in the bush though.

[Laava]

For 5k you can buy a great car. You will at best get an ordinary 4x4.IMO

[Winston001]

Yes Laava makes a good point. SUVs are popular so any around the $5k range are likely to be older and possibly worn out. Having said that my brother in law got a really nice Nissan for $2k but I think he was just lucky - bought from a mate going overseas.

I agree that the Suzuki Vitara has a strong reputation. Apart from that, Toyota is the winner for reputation and reliability. A Hilux is a good choice. A RAV is softer and more carlike but that is what most people actually want.

[BMWST?]

dont think you will get a diesel suzuki of that age..you overpay for suv or 4x4 i reckon.the suzuki would be the best 4x4 of that group unless you find a daihatsu rugger or whatever they are called.Unless you really need a ute , dont get one,they are expensive for what you get and drive like shit.Terrano and pathfinders are bigger.

[neels]

If you want to go proper off road, buy a diesel Nissan with less than 300k on the clock, they're the only thing in your $5k price range that aren't likely to shit something expensive.