Colc08 Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 I am thinking of getting a small 4x4 to replace my astra estate. Just makes sense as dont do many miles and what my car is geting used/abused for i'd be better off with a small 4x4 to knock around it. Ideally a commercial 2 seater type so i can use the load space for my dog box and sacks of wheat without folding the back seats down. Was very close to purchasing a swb 3.2 shogun today but pulled out at the last minute due to my gut feeling and some nasty write ups on them. I'm not saying they are all bad and any motor can have its problems and all though horroe stories on the internet can make anything look bad it just didn't fill me with confidence at all. In your experiences what is the most reliable small 4x4 on the road? Its just for doing my 20 mile road trip to work and back, taking the dogs out in and going around doing my birds at the shoot. Opinions will be very much appreciated. Cheers Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Rav4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Shogun if you don't buy an old munter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colc08 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Shogun if you don't buy an old munter I know I really want a Shogun but it sounds like its hit and miss. I suppose by getting an auto it at least rules out the duel fly whell going and the by replacing the top chain guide as soon as bought might lessen the chances of that taking the engine out.....then just pray. I have found a nice high end model 06 plate thats an auto not far from me so might take a look a the weekend. Also lower miles than the one i seen today....and 2k cheaper! How easy are the back seats to take out completely? Was thinking of doing that and blacking the rear windows out so its pretty much like the comercial version. col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) Nissan Terrano 2 commercial. Edited January 21, 2014 by carpentermark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Nissan terrano, not the best looking but good, reliable and cheap. You can even get a short wheelbase van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colc08 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Nissan Terrano 2 commercial. Yes I was looking at these too. Seem practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I hate to say it, but if you're buying something 8 to 10 years old or more, then it might be an absolute dog of a money pit, or it might be perfect for 5 years. Or anywhere in between. That applies if it's a Freelander with 20k on the clock, or a Shogun with 160k, or ... You get the idea. Personally, I've got a 2.7d 3 door Terrano. Had it for 2 years, only had to service and MOT it. Before that, I had a Trooper commercial for 3 years. Never had a problem with that either Edited January 21, 2014 by robbiep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlewis Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 I agree with robbiep I bought a ford ranger when it was 6 years old its now 14 years old apart from normal wear and tear-set of tyres, new set ball joints last year plus 2 front drive shaft boots the only big job was new rear spring but it had hauled hell of a lot of ballast 1 ton min plus 72 concrete blocks from time to time not to mention 240 concrete roofing tiles so spring took a hammering but engine still sweet as a nut and only fitted 1 new battery as well. I was lucky hope you are with what ever you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 I luv my 20yr old 2.8 shogun, timing chain not belt i'd luv it even more if i could afford to fill it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colc08 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 What MPG do people get out of there Terrano? Just looking at a 56 plate 2.9 diesel 2 seater comercial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITCHF Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Short mileage and reliable, I use a Ford Maverick XLT '02, 3.0 V6. 25MPG. no worse than a big diesel and it's never missed a beat, and you can pick a good one up for around £2k. Oh, and fuel is only 1.29 :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 How seriously do you want to go off road? I`ve got a Honda CRV mk2 which has a modest off road ability coupled with legendary reliablity and longevity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colc08 Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 How seriously do you want to go off road? I`ve got a Honda CRV mk2 which has a modest off road ability coupled with legendary reliablity and longevity. To be honest it won't be a lot but when i do need to go off road it will be important. I have just taken on keepering half our shoot on a part time basis so when the weather comes wet i'll still need to get food to my partridges. Other than that not a great deal other than dropping decoying gear off over stubbles (which currently i can't do as the farmer doesn't want my low exhaust starting a stubble fire!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Grand vitara 1.6 3dr,loads of room with the rear seats down,brilliant off road.I paid £1200 for mine and immediately repaced the sills at £300 so the car is now solid.Had if a year now and its been brilliant.Hope to get 3/4 yrs out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 +1 grand vitara............DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpentermark Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I get about 24mpg out of my swb terrano, had a lwb maverick before and got the same. Had a disco 1......... Terrible, like driving a barge, hated it. Before that i had a daihatsu fourtrak fieldman 2.8 turbo diesel swb van..... Awesome little shooting bus, plenty of ground clearance absolutely loved it, would go anywhere and more importantly would get you out of trouble easily. Would have another but parts are hard to come by and bloody expensive when you do. Edited January 21, 2014 by carpentermark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 The question was most reliable 4x4, the thread was correctly answered and concluded by the first reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devonhunter Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 The question was most reliable 4x4, the thread was correctly answered and concluded by the first reply. I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Toyota RAV4, had ours 6 years now and other than the disks and pads has not missed a heartbeat,, reliable as hell atb Evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 We've got one but it's not much of a shooting bus, everyone has their opinions, I find my l200 perfect for a mix of lamping feeding and day to day transport and very reliable but lots will disagree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonicdmb Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 For what you want it to do I'd look at single/king cab pickups add a canopy and its good for dogs feed dead foxes pigeon etc and they tend to be cheaper than a double cab Hilux have a good reputation I know of a few 20 year old ones used daily. they tend to hold their value well. Ford or Mazda would be less money. I have a Ranger double cab in 40000 miles and 7 years its had a rear spring and cv boot on the front. plus usual servicing. A set of B F Goodrich AT's make it good off road without to much noise on the road. I used to have a Trooper lovely motor but not much fun with a fox or two in the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Hilux all day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I would also say Pick-up, You will get allot more in the back than a Rav 4 or simalar, as quoted above- chuck all you want in the back without any worrys about the smell, mess or spills and you can shoot from the back as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I am thinking of getting a small 4x4 to replace my astra estate. Just makes sense as dont do many miles and what my car is geting used/abused for i'd be better off with a small 4x4 to knock around it. Ideally a commercial 2 seater type so i can use the load space for my dog box and sacks of wheat without folding the back seats down. Was very close to purchasing a swb 3.2 shogun today but pulled out at the last minute due to my gut feeling and some nasty write ups on them. I'm not saying they are all bad and any motor can have its problems and all though horroe stories on the internet can make anything look bad it just didn't fill me with confidence at all. In your experiences what is the most reliable small 4x4 on the road? Its just for doing my 20 mile road trip to work and back, taking the dogs out in and going around doing my birds at the shoot. Opinions will be very much appreciated. Cheers Col Anything Japanese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.