4wd - options

[DEATH_INC.]

It's just not a landrover thats its best feature.

There ya go, fixed it for ya.

[Madness]

Older Pajero diesels have an uncanny habit of shearing a keyway on the crank timing pulley, resulting in a lunched valvetrain. I had a mate that thus happened to twice.

[Motu]

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

A different story with diesels - Toyota are by far the most unreliable,heads crack at the merest wisp of overheating,and with bucket followers a broken cambelt means a destroyed top end.Nissan are by far the most reliable of the Japanese diesels (apart from the ZD30),the TD27/QD32 are the benchmark,sure they can crack a head,but I've seen them seize a piston and not even blow a headgasket.

Rego costs on a diesel 4x4 are now crippling,it's cheaper to run a petrol these days.The V6 Vitara is not trouble free,but if I wanted another 4x4 I look at one of those.The diesel Suzuki is a Peugeot I think...I haven't had the couple I work on have major trouble yet,it's all cooling system stuff,but they are dirty messy things.

[Warr]

I have had 2 Isuzu Bighorns and currently own a Isuzu Wizard.
The Bighorns towed the 17' caravan sweet. I had an additional oil-cooler fitted for piece of mind. Performance wise the Lotus optioned ones are the choice by far and power low to moderate!

The Wizard is great. Suspension is budget, tho a new set of shocks improves the ride.
Economy .. the tank holds 80l and I can count on getting 800km, slightly less if there's too much round town.
Performance. The 3.0 litre 4JX1 motor is power to spare. First diesel I have been in that does 160k's with some reserve.
The engines can give trouble but I have been lucky so far

[Flip]

There ya go, fixed it for ya.

Thanks a bunch

[Smifffy]

I've seen a couple of posts now lamenting that different wagons aren't landrovers, yet nobody has suggested a discovery.

Is there an issue with them?

[nallac]

I've seen a couple of posts now lamenting that different wagons aren't landrovers, yet nobody has suggested a discovery.

Is there an issue with them?

Are you rich?....do you like walking?lots?,......want to be on a first name basis with every gas station owner?,........do you have AA breakdown recovery on your speed dial?.

[Flip]

I didnt think the diesel ones were too bad. They were just a defender with a flash body. I do know the petrol ones were hard on fuel.

For folk who wanted a defender without the noise, dirt, leaks or weather proof-ness.

I love my landy, things are right when I drive it.

[Winston001]

I was a member of a 4WD club for 10 years. Have owned an Izuzu Trooper and 2 Toyota Prados. I'd buy another Prado tomorrow. This is nearly identical to mine http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-362679473.htm

The general advice was never to buy a 4wd beginning with M. No idea about Mazda but Mitsubishi Pajeros had their problems, and Mitsubishi itself nearly went under. My Isuzu was tough but rough compared to any Toyota.

Nissan Patrol is very good.

Suzuki have a good reputation too.

If I was you I'd look for a 3 litre turbo-diesel Toyota Surf. Same engine as the Prado and sold in the USA as the 4 Runner. Slightly lower roof line but a nice vehicle and more of them than Prados at $6k.

Incidentally my Prado has 260,000km on it and feels like it is new.

Recently I tried an experiment driving a trip at 90kph. The fuel saving was amazing and surprisingly not much traffic passed me. Normally get 730k to a tank but over 830 this time.

[Ocean1]

Recently I tried an experiment driving a trip at 90kph.

Deviant bastard.

Next thing you’ll be indicating and keeping left.

[JimO]

I was a member of a 4WD club for 10 years. Have owned an Izuzu Trooper and 2 Toyota Prados. I'd buy another Prado tomorrow. This is nearly identical to mine http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-362679473.htm

The general advice was never to buy a 4wd beginning with M. No idea about Mazda but Mitsubishi Pajeros had their problems, and Mitsubishi itself nearly went under. My Isuzu was tough but rough compared to any Toyota.

Nissan Patrol is very good.

Suzuki have a good reputation too.

If I was you I'd look for a 3 litre turbo-diesel Toyota Surf. Same engine as the Prado and sold in the USA as the 4 Runner. Slightly lower roof line but a nice vehicle and more of them than Prados at $6k.

Incidentally my Prado has 260,000km on it and feels like it is new.

Recently I tried an experiment driving a trip at 90kph. The fuel saving was amazing and surprisingly not much traffic passed me. Normally get 730k to a tank but over 830 this time.

that red one wont be intercooled it makes a huge difference

[Banditbandit]

When we were looking for a 4x4 a mechanic friend said "Mitsubishis keep me in business" - meaning he was always fixing them. Dunno how true that is, but it put me off Mitzis - even tho' they are nice to drive.

[sil3nt]

Does anyone know if there are 4WDs that have large enough boot space so snowboards can be packed in without interfering with rear seat passengers?

After something for the snow (as i was last year) and wagons don't cut it and would like to avoid roof racks if possible.

Hilux surf looks massive in the back so could be the go...

[Laava]

To be honest, I don't think 6k would buy you the vehicle you are looking for in a turbo diesel. Reason I say that is that you are looking for a primary vehicle to use for everything [Have I got that right?] and TD4x4s are expensive until they get old and start needing money spent on them. If you can't afford a low mileage one, look at petrol or a V6 Vitara as someone else suggested. Not to say that you can't find a goodun, but IMO you will struggle. 5 yrs ago I was looking at a work ute in a TD4x4 for 12k or less and I had to give up as the best I could find had done about 180k km and was looking like needing a birthday to the tune of several more thou.

[DEATH_INC.]

When we were looking for a 4x4 a mechanic friend said "Mitsubishis keep me in business" - meaning he was always fixing them. Dunno how true that is, but it put me off Mitzis - even tho' they are nice to drive.

Where I work they're known as 'the three diamonds of disaster'