Which 4x4?

[JRDS]

Discovery gets my vote and for that money you can buy a nice one, don't rule out Fleabay there are some bargains on there if you have a good look about.

[al4x]

you've a good budget and a good defender will have plus points like good re-sale value, image is good but odds are it won't be the most reliable motor. As you don't plan hardcore off roading then you do have more options I'd probably go for a Trooper for the reliability but my Dad had a terrano for years and that was no trouble at all.

[Baldrick]

Despite LB's statement that I'd need a perm to drive a Terrano, I've heard more positive anecdotes about the Terrano's reliability/useability than I have ever heard about Defenders. I've never driven a Slowgum, so I can't comment, but the Terrano's better behaviour on the road compared to a Defender makes it worth me looking at.

 

The insurance on a Discovery is higher, and the TD5 engine doesn't have as much oomph as the Terrano.

 

In an ideal world I'd find a V8 Defender.

[al4x]

The terrano is far lighter and far better on fuel if thats an issue, it also is pretty competent on the motorway so as a car that has 4x4 its a good choice.

If the off road use is minimal a subaru forester is a pretty good car and is fine off road as long as its not too rutted

[Baldrick]

Have considered a Forester and the equivalent Volvo/Audi 4x4 offerings, but they seem like a bad compromise, certainly for my needs.

[Oly]

Although my family have had all sorts of landy's in different forms and guises...they still break far too often and are just not up to the same build or comfort levels of the Japs .

 

I agree with the comments re te Terrano - it's poor!

 

Have you also thought about:

 

Merc G Wagon - excellent off road machine, solid, but not too comfy

 

Nissan Patrol - Godly, soild & comfy

 

Toyota Landcruisers - There is a reason all the top arabs have them in the Gulf - comfort and aircon that'll never break!

 

Toyota Hi-Lux - Excellent machine that you'll find hard to break...and comfier than the Landy!

 

Out of your original list I would go with the Trooper - if you do go down this route go with the 3.1TD rather than the newer 3.0TD - apparently there have been issues! Both are thirstier than you may originally think though...so beware!

 

Regarding some of the others that have been banded around here - the L200's...just watch out for them...not only have some been heavily abused but not many have had their rear axles greased as often as they should (and there's no real way of knowing as not many take it into a garage that often to have it done & documented!). The rear axle requires grease very frequently...I can't quite remember...but I think it was every 1000 miles !!! Many will say that they have never done this greasing and not had a problem...but apparently problems in used L200's are starting to appear quite frequently...and it's an expensive one!

 

If you'r thinking crew cab, go with either the Nissan Navara (check head height though if your tall on the older models!), or the Toyota Hilux...might not be as quick as many but you'll keep going when they've all stopped to make repairs!

[Baldrick]

I hadn't really thought about Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers. They just seem far too big for what I need, bearing in mind that I don't have kids, nor am I part of a UN peacekeeping mission.

 

I'd love a G-Wagen, but they are expensive to buy and maintain.

 

A good mate of mine runs two Defender 110s, and says the reliability is actually very good.

 

A Trooper may be just the ticket though. The reliability benefits would outweigh the sacrifices in terms of dependable offroad ability

[Oly]

I hadn't really thought about Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers. They just seem far too big for what I need, bearing in mind that I don't have kids, nor am I part of a UN peacekeeping mission.

 

I'd love a G-Wagen, but they are expensive to buy and maintain.

 

A good mate of mine runs two Defender 110s, and says the reliability is actually very good.

 

A Trooper may be just the ticket though. The reliability benefits would outweigh the sacrifices in terms of dependable offroad ability

 

If you go for the trooper...well done!

 

If you go for a 90 or 110...make sure it's the 300Tdi...these do seem to have the fewest problems. Even compared to the TD5...which has rubbish engine management which can not only lock you in the car until it decides otherwise, but also has problems offroading with throttle response delays.

[Baldrick]

Thanks for the tip re the 300TDi, Oly, as I would have automatically assumed the TD5 was a better unit.

[lurcherboy]

TD5's are sorted now.

 

 

 

 

 

LB

[OldBill]

Just my tuppence worth. I passed my test in a V8 FC101 landrover, drove S111s, 90s and 110s in the mob and thought they were all the biz. When I came out I got a SWB S111- serious fun.

 

I recently went looking for a shooting bus looking to spend a max of 2k. I couldn't find anything decent for the money as all of the LRs for that money were heaps (and I looked at a lot).

 

I came across a Mitsubushi Pajero which I bought...what a revelation- comfort, relative speed and off road ability. £1700 (I know you've got a better budget) and £188 fully comp to insure. It's got loads of gadgets all of which work. I was a bit dubious of the gadgetry but it's 15 years old and everything working and from the owners forum there doesn't appear to be inherent probs with them. The engines are simple affairs and easy to look after. Parts are cheap and available.

 

Don't discount a Pajero / Shogun- they're very good.

[benelli 1]

Hi there

You cant go far wrong with a old shape Toyota Landcruiser ..Very comfy to drive, good off road, powerful and very reliable. Me father have got a P reg Colorado (automatic) and it's a real workhorse. He's had it now for about 7 years and still going strong at 190,000 mile. Apparently as long as you look after the engine they have been known to go on to do 300,000 mile plus. You can pick em up now for not alot of dosh...Failing that get a defender

 

Cheers Jay

[Dunkield]

Just my tuppence worth. I passed my test in a V8 FC101 landrover, drove S111s, 90s and 110s in the mob and thought they were all the biz. When I came out I got a SWB S111- serious fun.

 

I recently went looking for a shooting bus looking to spend a max of 2k. I couldn't find anything decent for the money as all of the LRs for that money were heaps (and I looked at a lot).

 

I came across a Mitsubushi Pajero which I bought...what a revelation- comfort, relative speed and off road ability. £1700 (I know you've got a better budget) and £188 fully comp to insure. It's got loads of gadgets all of which work. I was a bit dubious of the gadgetry but it's 15 years old and everything working and from the owners forum there doesn't appear to be inherent probs with them. The engines are simple affairs and easy to look after. Parts are cheap and available.

 

Don't discount a Pajero / Shogun- they're very good.

 

 

I have always liked the look of the short wheelbase Pajero (without all the chrome bits though) can you tell me honestly what you get to the gallon and from what engine yours has?

[ziplex]

I had two 'bosses castoffs' years ago and used them primarily to fire up and down motorways with the occasional foray off road. The first was an L plate Vauxhall Monteray 3.1td, (same as trooper) and was faultless until we got shot of it with 174,000 miles on the clock. The second was a 2800 Shogun, and again was faultless but I decided to let it go as the tax deduction was going to be 'ineresting'. Can't really comment what they would be like if used as a serious off road tool, but bear in mind whilst they were being used by me they were quite often at the ceiling of their performance, ie: 85/90mph most of the time so they must have strong engines......they were serviced on the dot though, so if a history is available that has to worth something. I used the Monteray in snow and across very soft sand once on a very muddy/sloppy beach and to me it was impressive, plenty of torque, and never got stuck! Neither were economical, both averaged about 25mpg.

[Dunkield]

both averaged about 25mpg.

 

This is what is stopping me from taking the plunge into the world of 4x4's

I could have realy done with one last week, but I also drove over 1,000 miles in 5 days, so compare the cost of that to my car which does 50 ish mpg on a run - and it is prohibitively expensive

[JJaxeman]

Landy all the way. That's unless you want it to be comfortable

 

 

I agree with that

[OldBill]

I think from the owners forum that an average would appear to be 25mpg. Some people register with C&E and use 50/50 veggie oil to diesel without any treatment, which makes your litre of that fuel about 70p per litre and on that basis 35 mpg is comparable. Some unscrupulous people register with them but only pay the tax on a small amount and don't tell C&E about the rest! (Brings the price down further and the comparable mpg up).

 

Hmm, I may just register

[Oly]

TD5's are sorted now.

 

 

 

 

 

LB

 

Not the 56 plated one I drove the other day!

[lurcherboy]

TD5's are sorted now.

 

 

 

 

 

LB

 

Not the 56 plated one I drove the other day!

 

 

I take it it hasn't had the Land Rover re-mapping then Oly. I have bought a 2001 TD5 that drives lovely despite being a 'fly by wire' system.

 

Now going to get it chipped to the back teeth for a 40% increase in naughtiness

 

 

 

LB

[njc110381]

Both my defenders were 300tdi, and I never had an engine problem with either of them. The second was sold with 150k on the clock. I've been out in td5 versions when mine was in for servicing (credit to Fews in charfield, very trusting!) and they go better on the road. No torque to speak of though, and stall constantly if you're used to the Tdi. I've seen a video of a 300tdi towing a broken down train, you don't get much more torque than that in a small vehicle!

[magman]

get the trooper 3.1 loads of power to drift round corners no joke put your foot down around the corners and it will spin .

picked one up with 50.000 on the clock 1 owner from new all the way from japan .

air con the lot ,love the toys the jap,s . only 25 to the gallon though

post a pic if needed

[snyper]

Get a Landy. Ive got a 110 and a Disco, brothers got a Series 3 109 and the outlaws have a Series 2 !

 

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[Yorkshire Pudding]

I have lwb paj . I love it to bits , even though it's cost me dearly . The fella that did the cam belt did not change the cam belt *tensioner*??spellin , and yes the belt jumped and i got a hefty bill . It's a 2.5 td , i drive it like a sports car all the time , and it does 18 to the gallon ! If you need mileage do not get a paj as they like a drink .

Before the paj i had a 300tdi disco , it rattled it banged , cold in winter did 28 to the gallon and made me smile every mile .

 

Out of the pair of em the disco made me smile more , but i like me air con leather clad comfort ! paj every time !!! For me that is !

 

all the best yis yp :yp:

[shaun4860]

ok...time for my 2Ps worth...lol

thought of a nissan x-trail?...... selectable 2/4 wheel drive...dead comfy...reliable....economical (35-40 mpg)...6-speed gearbox...AND 2 drinks coolers...lol

older ones are 112 bhp newer ones are 135 bhp

mines a 112 and to be honest goes and does what i need from it....4 wheel drive works well......(touch wood not got stuck yet) but will one day like every other 4x4 no matter what people say...huge sunroof which mates use for standing in the back and lamp out of... :yp: ..but it just does the job....paid £9750 for mine last year.....nissan x-trail 2.2sport turbo diesel...

def worth a look

[darren_mc]

I need a 4x4 (not a pick-up though), and I need to ask the services of the PW knowledge bank.

With a likely budget of up to £6-10k, what do you all recommend? Needs to be a diesel, and acceptable both on and off the road.

• Defender
  
• Discovery
  
• Nissan Terrano
  
• Isuzu Trooper
  

 

 

its got to be a defender