wildfowler.250 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 I could use a cheap 4x4 for running around in. Probably something like a jimny, vitara ect. I'm 22 so insurance may be an issue although i haven't claimed so far or any points ect. What would you recommend? My main offroading is pretty basic. Driving in bad snow, muddy 'tracks' to get down to wildfowling spots and the occasional lamping round fields. So what would you recommend? Are the toyota RAVs any good? I suppose something half decent on the road would be useful as my offroad driving is pretty basic. Appreciate any opinions, comments on what to look for or insurance suggestions. Cheers! PS probably around 2K but suggestions welcome for other vehicles above that anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Rav 4 will go for ever, bu hold their value as a result. Should e able to get a SWB one well in budget though - buy one off an old couple an it will have been well looked after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 The Jimny is very capable - Just search this site, there are loads of threads, and a couple of very recent ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Rav 4 will go for ever, bu hold their value as a result. Should e able to get a SWB one well in budget though - buy one off an old couple an it will have been well looked after. Cheers! I hadn't thought of a Rav 4 until recently but will definitely have a look for one. I like your thinking about buying one off an old person. How are they offroad? I'm assuming they are fairly comfortable on a motorway ect? The Jimny is very capable - Just search this site, there are loads of threads, and a couple of very recent ones Thanks, I will have a good look. How do they drive on a motorway? I hear they are quite slow and I can imagine they go round corners very well? I realise they aren't intended for charging around. ps is there something about the 2000/01 models that get a cheaper tax disc or something? Appreciate the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Cheers! I hadn't thought of a Rav 4 until recently but will definitely have a look for one. I like your thinking about buying one off an old person. How are they offroad? I'm assuming they are fairly comfortable on a motorway ect? Thanks, I will have a good look. How do they drive on a motorway? I hear they are quite slow and I can imagine they go round corners very well? I realise they aren't intended for charging around. ps is there something about the 2000/01 models that get a cheaper tax disc or something? Appreciate the help guys! I suppose it depends what you're used to driving... If you've previously driven large saloon type vehicles, the Jimny will feel like driving a mini bus! 60-70mph on motorways is fine, but noisy beyond that... If you can reach beyond it! I believe the pre 2001 is a cheaper tax band. Mine is 2003, and is £220... Eek! Try to get a later model with timing chain as opposed to belt, or at least ensure the belt has been changed when it's supposed to have been. On the plus side, it's never cost me much to get through MOT - Put it through one last month and it cost £70 in total, and that included a a bit of fixing around the exhaust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 (edited) My vote would be a 96-99 SWB rav4 petrol GX trim (double sun roof, fold rear seats up and a perfect lamping hatch) decent tyres and check its a 4x4 some imports were 2wd the petrol is a gutsy 2.0 8 valve but has loads of torque if your not doing many miles I would go petrol, insurance may be an issue being 2.0l rather than 1.3 like jimny Other option is a terios small nippy and should be cheap to insure, agree looking for and old couples car with history There is a 52 plate terios 1.3 on auto trader in budget another in budget option is a daihatsu sportrak 1.6 but watch out for tin worm! Edited November 11, 2012 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 What's the mpg differenc between the petrol and diesel Ravs? Is it worth buying the diesel option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Not sure tvh the petrols will be cheaper my dad had a N plate rav it got rear ended and written off he replaced it with 03 diesel which is much nicer not sure on the mpg but the older one was more fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 would a swb frontera fit the bill? heard many good reports. a relative had the old shape 2.2 petrol, was a nice motor, his was abit tatty and had done alot miles but it sat on the road well and was very good off road with some budget A/T tyres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Cheers for the suggestion guys. I'll keep a look out for the cars suggested. Tbh if a jimny is going to struggle reaching 70 then I don't know if I fancy it the Rav seems like a good should and I'm sure someone has suggested a terrios before. Couldn't tell you a thing about a frontera though. Cheers again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 My jimmy will do 90mph on a flat motorway, you will need balls of Steel though !!! They are quite juicy on the motorways too, because of the revvy little engines. Mine is a "98" and the road tax is £125 per year. Only ever replaced a few worn out parts, rad, exhaust, break pads and recently the king pins and bearings. Thats not bad going considering the parts were the originals, and the car has done 110,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 My jimmy will do 90mph on a flat motorway, you will need balls of Steel though !!! They are quite juicy on the motorways too, because of the revvy little engines. Mine is a "98" and the road tax is £125 per year. Only ever replaced a few worn out parts, rad, exhaust, break pads and recently the king pins and bearings. Thats not bad going considering the parts were the originals, and the car has done 110,000 miles. Cheers! The king pins often go on the Jimmy's don't they,(I have like zero knowledge of cars btw) but you can tell because the inside of the wheel is has oil in it or something? This is what someone told me so correct if it's wrong If it'll do 70-80 mph them that's not too bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Cheers! The king pins often go on the Jimmy's don't they,(I have like zero knowledge of cars btw) but you can tell because the inside of the wheel is has oil in it or something? This is what someone told me so correct if it's wrong If it'll do 70-80 mph them that's not too bad! If there's oil on the inside of the wheels, then the seals have gone, play in the wheel will be bearings and or pins. Depends how much abuse the car gets, Iv only changed the pins, bearings and seals once in the 4 odd years Iv had it. Yes 70 - 80mph is achievable, but the car will drink fuel Have a look on you tube for jimnys off road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Thanks very much for the help! will have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 I've got a rav, albeit a 12 plate, but it's an awesome vehicle. If the previous versions were as good I'd have no hesitation mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 I've got a rav, albeit a 12 plate, but it's an awesome vehicle. If the previous versions were as good I'd have no hesitation mate Cheers! I've seen one around 3K thats for sale in town so I'm guessing its had a pretty easy life. Might be worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Cheers! I've seen one around 3K thats for sale in town so I'm guessing its had a pretty easy life. Might be worth a look You'll tend to find the prices of 4x4s being hiked on the approach to winter... Just keep an eye on the book prices to make sure you're not paying over the odds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 You'll tend to find the prices of 4x4s being hiked on the approach to winter... Just keep an eye on the book prices to make sure you're not paying over the odds. Thanks, thats a fair point! I can get insured on the old man's 4x4 but that's a 2.7L,(I think) which is pretty expenisve but at least I dont have to rush into anything. Out of interest, is there a reason why no one suggested a shogun pinnin? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penfolio Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 (edited) A lot of folks seem to dismiss the Pinin's but, I have to assume that a lot of thoese folks that haven't had one. I have a Pinin as a shooting bus and it's done fine by me. It trundles around the fields OK with AT tyres, has low range and locking diffs which get you out of most problems. Drives fine on the motorways and at speed but, around town it feels a bit agricultural when compared to RAV4. It has quite a few home comforts, air con, etc and has never cost me much to keep on the road. On the downside, new parts are expensive when stuff does need replacing and, parts from breakers are usually marked up vs road cars. There's not a lot of space for all your gear unless you fold down the back seats but, that's common to all small 4x4s. I have the LWB 2.0 ltr and it only does about 25 to the gallon though so, trips to the pump are somewhat more frequent than I'd prefer. The upshot and maybe the reason that they're overlooked is that they were clearly designed by comittee. It seems to want to be comfy and easy to drive around town and have all the home comforts but, in the same instant it wants to be a serious offroader. TBH it's neither - it's sort of stuck in the middle. A bit too rough to be a family SUV yet a bit too soft and low slung to be a proper off roader. Edited November 14, 2012 by Penfolio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Pinin is a small motor with 1.8 petrol engine (GDI?) a lot are imports so more expensive to insure my dad looked at one a SWB shogun before buying his first RAV4 SWB, Saw a LWB 07 plate Rav4 on motorway between a Disco 3 and Disco 4 made it look tiny! Frontera are very good bit old now 2.0l petrol or diesel, short or long (Basically an Isuzu MU with vauxhall badge) one went up snowdon some time ago (twice!) http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-wales-15108712&ei=-BWkULXbLqiZ0QXs0oHQAg&usg=AFQjCNH-RzmMy6ZtIyxwEbDDuBHlck3QGw&sig2=m31YoBjrc9hPXgM_nHaSEQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBF Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 £1500 dihatsu fourtrak. Better than a defender, half the cost and 3 times more reliable, 30mpg powerful, amazing off road and an easy 80mph so reliable, so strong, a favorite on the 4x4 scene for good reason. Ive had most and the fourtak stands out by a mile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypaint Posted November 15, 2012 Report Share Posted November 15, 2012 £1500 dihatsu fourtrak. Better than a defender, half the cost and 3 times more reliable, 30mpg powerful, amazing off road and an easy 80mph so reliable, so strong, a favorite on the 4x4 scene for good reason. Ive had most and the fourtak stands out by a mile I must agree with above, I've got two. But 80 mph! Mine happier at 70. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2012 Cheers for all the help! Now I'm just going to keep my eyes peeled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted November 18, 2012 Report Share Posted November 18, 2012 I'm selling my freelander if your interested. Looking for about £3.5k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm selling my freelander if your interested. Looking for about £3.5k Thanks for the offer but Im north of scotland and thats more than I'd be looking to spend tbh. Cheers anyway! PS dont know if I asked but what are the suzuki vitara's like? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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