TJ91 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 hi all i am looking to buy my first 4x4 just want something cheapish to get me around the shooting grounds, its quite muddy as we have outdoor pig units allover and my fiesta isnt upto the job!! i cant afford a decent landy, disco, navara etc... i arent a 4x4 enthusiast and wont be pushing any limits just need to be able to carry all my pigeon gear through some very muddy grounds so.... i have been looking at suzuki vitara 1.6 (with some good offroad tyres) can anyone tell me what to look out for when buying one, is there any known faults with them, would it be agood first 4x4? ... or a frontera. these are the two that seem to be within my price range, a grand tops plus has to be cheapish insurance (which vitara and frontera seem to be ok) any advice please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 9R Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Don't know about the Frontera but my LWB Vitara has up till this year been brill, it now needs new sills as they have rotted out behind the plastic capping, I can not find any in the UK so I am going to have to cut them out and put 2x2 box section in and replace the head gasket. I have mud tyres on it and have got every where I need to, nothing extreme normal field stuff and a couple of boggy areas mud up to the diff's on some of the tracks that the farmer keep cut up to stop kids dumping and burning nicked cars at the end of the tracks. Ave 29mpg but I don't push it, it's only used round town to go to work and around the farm when shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rad334 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 I had a frontera a few years ago it wasn't that good offroad and I had trouble with diffs and the gearbox. I use a vitara for shooting and playing offroad and its brilliant. I've got a set of bronco diamond tires and a trutrack locking rear diff and it goes where a quad will go. I paid £250 quid for it and it cost me a couple off hundred to get it back on the road (not including tires and diff). There good cheap offroaders, check out ebay theres always a few for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 I would go for the Vitara, cheaper to insure and run. Excellent off road. The only downside is the towing capability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 I would go for the Vitara, cheaper to insure and run. Excellent off road. The only downside is the towing capability. sorry i didnt mention about towing...i may use it to tow a motorbike on a small trailer but not much weight in it, also may have kayak on the roof now and then for fishing.. thanks for all your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 I seriously considered a suzuki sj/vitara because they are so cheap and have been proven in their off road ability,the reason i dint get one was i could easily have bought £1000 worth of welding problems on the older ones and the newer vitaras just a bit to low and most were pink/lowered etc at the time i was looking,so looked at fronteras,just as cheap better ground clearance,more room,good ride,towing ability,plenty spares,not a spot of rust.A very capable 4x4. Ended up with 2.0 sport swb,needed to have steering colum £35 to purchase from scrappy,sump leak fixed in garage £200 has never been stuck in 5 months on any muddy track where i go shooting,been side on alot of times and could do with something different to road tyres.Caverliar/vectra 2.0 engine could do with bit more power but will sit comfortably at 70 mph allday with 20/30 mpg.Would have got a landrover if i had the money as have always wanted one of these iconic vechicles,but can honestly say i would now after five months of ownership want anything else and would buy another in an instant,my mates 90 does not compare,cost/comfort/practicallity,more comparable to disco which is just as capable as 90 but not so agricultural,ie it has comfort and refinements. I have tried to be honest in giving my opinion,but you should research before buying,have a look on E-bay muddyfronteras.com reviewcenter Then,buy a frontera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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