4wd - options

[Banditbandit]

Awesome, have you had any mechanical issues I need to look out for?



Yeah I drove a 2.7 diesel manual, pretty gutless aye but I go thru the gorge and back every day following campervans/nanas so not too much of an issue.

Again that sounds all good - so I'm assuming from what you've said that you've had no major mechanicals?

No major mechanicals ... regular maintenance and oil changes arer necesasary in small diesels ... occassionally I drop injector cleaner in the fuel tank ...

No hassles at all.

Hmmm, interesting the Surf was cheaper to run, I would have put it the other way round (dunno much about it tho was just an assumption). Pretty much let the availability make the choice for me then, if a good example of either comes up will grab it.

It depends a lot opn the price of Diesel. When we got ours diesel was around 40c cents a litre cheaper than petrol - and even with road user charges that made it cheaper to run ... then diesel actually went up more than petrol and the difference was around 20cents a litre - then it was more expensive to run. The price difference is currently around 60cents a litlre .. so we are way better off.

Short term it depends on the fuel price at the time - long term, it's swings and roundabouts ..

[BEAMER89]

lve had a 2.7 Terrano and agree with the guttlis comments but now lve got the 3.2d terrano and its like a rocket ship comperad with the 2.7. Both have a bullet proof motor, l got from Chch to Taupo just over 800kms and still had a fuel in the tank but filled up anyway altough l was driing like a nana, sat on 100km/h most of the way as it was at very early morning with hardly any other traffic on the road. Highly reccomend them and personaly think they are as good if not better than Toymota without the huge price tag.

[Brett]

Thanks man - for some reason I hadn't considered the Prado, I always thought them a bit expensive. Will take a look though.

When you say more recent autos are better, how late are we talking? For my money I'll probably be looking early to mid nineties so don't know if that will apply.



Good tip thanks will look out for that.



Cool, good info thanks. I've heard people mention the rust under the back seats on a few 4wds, will look out for it.

I went from a V8 Audi S4 to a 1996 Prado because I wanted something more practical that I can (try) and take anywhere I want to. To date, it has not under delivered. Prado is a seriously cool truck, Missus and I have decided that no matter what we end up driving in the future, Prado is staying.

Diesel is the way to go IMO...

[JimO]

if your looking at a prado make sure its intercooled some NZ new ones arnt, it makes a difference i had one for 5 years and a new turbo deisel hilux, the prado would blow the hilux away any day of the week, i now have a D4d hilux which leaves the prado in the dust

[cbfb]

All good thanks everyone, some valuable information there.

Had a look at some other vehicles this afternoon, does anyone have an opinion on the following?

- Suzuki Escudo
- Isuzu Bighorn
- Jeep Cherokee
- Mazda Proceed Marvie
- Mitsubishi Pajero
- Any others I should be looking at

Again, many thanks I appreciate the advice.

[Flip]

All good thanks everyone, some valuable information there.

Had a look at some other vehicles this afternoon, does anyone have an opinion on the following?

- Suzuki Escudo
- Isuzu Bighorn
- Jeep Cherokee
- Mazda Proceed Marvie
- Mitsubishi Pajero
- Any others I should be looking at

Again, many thanks I appreciate the advice.

I have a new work D4d hilux, its ok but its not a landrover, its also noisy when cold and its been back a few times for warranty work.

My wife has a Suzuki Vitara 1.6. had it for 12 years since new and its been 100%.

Don't look at old Cherokee's parts are very expensive. A mate broke a half shaft and the replacement was $1600 ex USA, I broke one in my V8 landy and it was $98.

Isuzu are good but very heavy (kg and fuel). Mazda and Mitzy are jap so I can't help.

[Brett]

Bighorn = prone to overheating issues from what i have heard
Suzuki = pretty reliable little machine
Cherokee = piece of crap, heavy on fuel, break easily and expensive to fix
Pajero = another pretty reasonable option.

Also look at older Nissan Patrols for something in your budget.

[DEATH_INC.]

first up,
Suzuki Escudo, as above sweet as but a bit small for towing much

- Isuzu Bighorn, unreliable fuel system, crack chassis and fairly shit off road

- Jeep Cherokee, comfy and good power, but easy to break and F*cken expensive to repair

- Mazda Proceed Marvie, ok, but drive a bit like a truck on the road

- Mitsubishi Pajero, again ok, but it's a mitsubishi....

- 96 on Terrano are sweet for a road car, they'll break if you do much off road tho.

Prado's are good, I'd have thought too dear too.

Dunno about Surfs, all I know is the early one's do heads, and they bend front end stuff off raod if you're rough...

I've got an early 9pre 96) D21 Terrano turbo diesel that I've owned for 12-13 years. Absolutely bulletproof despite trying to break it many times.....and creamed my mates surf off road easy.....

[cbfb]

I have a new work D4d hilux, its ok but its not a landrover, its also noisy when cold and its been back a few times for warranty work.

My wife has a Suzuki Vitara 1.6. had it for 12 years since new and its been 100%.

Don't look at old Cherokee's parts are very expensive. A mate broke a half shaft and the replacement was $1600 ex USA, I broke one in my V8 landy and it was $98.

Isuzu are good but very heavy (kg and fuel). Mazda and Mitzy are jap so I can't help.

Yeah I've heard good things about the Vitaras, might be a wee bit small but cheaper to run I guess.

OK crossed the Cherokee off!

Yep I dunno about Isuzus, not the first time someone has mentioned them being thirsty.

Bighorn = prone to overheating issues from what i have heard
Suzuki = pretty reliable little machine
Cherokee = piece of crap, heavy on fuel, break easily and expensive to fix
Pajero = another pretty reasonable option.

Also look at older Nissan Patrols for something in your budget.

Sweet thanks, as above will keep the Vitara in mind and scrap the Cherokee.

Yep the Patrol is a good idea thanks, will add that to the list. Don't know anyone with one but am sure I can arrange a test drive or two.

Thanks again all.

[DEATH_INC.]

Yep the Patrol is a good idea thanks, will add that to the list. Don't know anyone with one but am sure I can arrange a test drive or two.

Thanks again all.

Patrols are definatly sweet, but they're a big heavy bugger of a machine, but will tow the titanic if need be. Pretty comfy and don't go too bad (get a 4.2, they're better than the smaller engine turbo ones) but don't expect a million mpg.

[cbfb]

first up,
Suzuki Escudo, as above sweet as but a bit small for towing much

- Isuzu Bighorn, unreliable fuel system, crack chassis and fairly shit off road

- Jeep Cherokee, comfy and good power, but easy to break and F*cken expensive to repair

- Mazda Proceed Marvie, ok, but drive a bit like a truck on the road

- Mitsubishi Pajero, again ok, but it's a mitsubishi....

- 96 on Terrano are sweet for a road car, they'll break if you do much off road tho.

Prado's are good, I'd have thought too dear too.

Dunno about Surfs, all I know is the early one's do heads, and they bend front end stuff off raod if you're rough...

I've got an early 9pre 96) D21 Terrano turbo diesel that I've owned for 12-13 years. Absolutely bulletproof despite trying to break it many times.....and creamed my mates surf off road easy.....

Patrols are definatly sweet, but they're a big heavy bugger of a machine, but will tow the titanic if need be. Pretty comfy and don't go too bad (get a 4.2, they're better than the smaller engine turbo ones) but don't expect a million mpg.

Yeah I wasn't planning on doing anything too mental off road, mainly just access to huts/campsites, beaches and riverbeds. Don't have the knowledge/wallet to do anything too hardcore.

4.2L sounds a bit of a thirsty beast, maybe not the best idea, I only need to tow a tinny and a single-axle trailer.

These Cherokees aren't popular!

Thanks, getting a good list together now.

[BMWST?]

Nissan patrol is in the same league as a landcruiser,with a bit of a lift they are a serious offroader....someone has mentioned it before prado are full time4wd with resultant increase in fuel consumption and tyre wear.I dont think a prado will be in your price range though.Once you get into those big trucks though you must get a diesel the petrol ones will be in the high teens l per 100 k i would think.If getting a deisel dont forget to figure in the ruc it will be at least 5 c per k for most vehicles you are looking at You will pay 44.31 per thousand ks plus a fee of 9.78.if you are over 2 tonnes its 46.51 over 3 tonnes its 49.29.The weight is important because you can get fined if you have a ruc sticker for less than the weight of your rig,and of course the weight of you rig will be the fully laden weight .I dont know how towing a trailer figures into that.

[Flip]

I was thinking about this last night. I can't recommend the Vitara high enough. OK they are small but they are also the best road vehicle out of this bunch. OK they are small but they are also as good a 4WD as any of your bunch (with 30-32" tires they go most places the tough trucks can only go). I would not tow a caravan with one but mine has pulled a heavy single axle trailer just fine. OK they are small but they are very fuel efficient. The one I brought new in 99 and it is still going strong, I have not spent a dime on the thing apart from oil and tires.

It's just not a landrover thats its only problem.

[Dadpole]

I would look twice at a Vitara. The one we had (1600 5 door) was cheap to run, handled well and could easily tow a trailer with bike on board. The Subaru outback is another option, but limited by ground clearance.

[The Stranger:Me]

All good thanks everyone, some valuable information there.

Had a look at some other vehicles this afternoon, does anyone have an opinion on the following?

- Suzuki Escudo
- Isuzu Bighorn
- Jeep Cherokee
- Mazda Proceed Marvie
- Mitsubishi Pajero
- Any others I should be looking at

Again, many thanks I appreciate the advice.

If towing is a goal, I wouldn't go for a short wheel base.
It's hard to beat cubes for towing also. Sure 2.0 litre may do it, but 3.0 will do it easier, for longer and probably cheaper too (whilst towing).

Toyota and Nissan in general have a good name when it comes to reliablity.