Cornishfowler Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Hi guys, First post in the motoring section, too avoid sparking conflict between people who like certain brands i'm only asking for suggestions not an definitive answer. Il be 20 and am looking to get my foot on the 4x4 ladder, just wanted to see if anyone could point me in the right direction to something which might suit my needs: Shooting truck- light mudding and green lanes but can still perform for a daily commute. Safe and covered (ie guns and stuff inside would be hard to steal) Diesel Preferably 1.6ltr-2+ltr (been on 1.3 for a while would like some power). Upto £4000 (reasonably prized would help with my insurance) There are a few trucks i've been looking at like a grand vitara, Rav 4, Crv or even a free lander although I probably don't have the mechanical abilities needed for Landrover ownership. Just wandered if anyone had some opinions or horror stories which may help me on my mission? Cheers Cornish Fowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norjon Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Tin top Vitara, cheaper than all the alternatives & better off-road (at least the older ones). I wouldn't bother with the diesel either in a Vit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromwell7 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I had an old vitara like norjon has mentioned was great off-road but on the motorway it was noisy and quite slow. I used it to commute a 60 mile round trip everyday for just over a year but that was a 1.6 petrol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Any of the 3 you have listed. Some compromise may be needed but .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I would go for the Grand Vitara, you will get a newer one than the rav 4 or crv. They changed the shape in 2006 and there's a few of those around 70k odd miles for £4k. It will perform better off road than the others suggested too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren 67 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I accompany a friend who has a grand vitara. Never been stuck on the fields yet and quite good on road too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everycal Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Xtrail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowdie2013 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 what about an older audi allroad? would handle light off roading no bother and a beast on the open road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Won't find one of them for £4k, unfortunately. Also with the OP only being 20 got the insurance to think about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornishfowler Posted December 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Thanks for getting back to me guys, would a vitara not be quite thirsty especially petrol? or would you all think if I could find one around 2004- present the engines would be semi economical? Also would I be able to make small mods too them? (bull bar, lights and suspension etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 About 30 mpg, pretty typical of any 4x4 that isn't brand new. You'll find a 2006 one if you do some hunting around. More modern shape. I would definitely check the driving your going to be doing 'off road' warrants a lift kit if that is what your planning. Makes the day to day handling worse and a kit will set you back £300 plus fitting if you not going to be doing it yourself. You can get bull bars about £300 again plus your spot lights to go on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 (edited) Mod it and insurance becomes harder to obtain, some highstreet insurers won't touch it,so your looking at specialist insurance brokers.Im 53 clean licence with full no claims.Had a full modded 2002 Jimny & got insurance for £280 if I remember.Bought a 58 plate standard one and insurance dropped to £105. If your going to go lifting it get it done properly,correction bushes etc and it will be fine on the road but awesome off-road Edited December 9, 2015 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Hi guys, First post in the motoring section, too avoid sparking conflict between people who like certain brands i'm only asking for suggestions not an definitive answer. Il be 20 and am looking to get my foot on the 4x4 ladder, just wanted to see if anyone could point me in the right direction to something which might suit my needs: Shooting truck- light mudding and green lanes but can still perform for a daily commute. Safe and covered (ie guns and stuff inside would be hard to steal) Diesel Preferably 1.6ltr-2+ltr (been on 1.3 for a while would like some power). Upto £4000 (reasonably prized would help with my insurance) There are a few trucks i've been looking at like a grand vitara, Rav 4, Crv or even a free lander although I probably don't have the mechanical abilities needed for Landrover ownership. Just wandered if anyone had some opinions or horror stories which may help me on my mission? Cheers Cornish Fowler I've got a cracking RAV4 with full leather full service history d4d xt4 05 erg mate if you are interested I'm wanting £3000 ovno.cheapest one for that year on the net mate I'm only selling it as I've bought a van and the jeep is to nice to use like a van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornishfowler Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 I've got a cracking RAV4 with full leather full service history d4d xt4 05 erg mate if you are interested I'm wanting £3000 ovno.cheapest one for that year on the net mate I'm only selling it as I've bought a van and the jeep is to nice to use like a van. Appreciate the offer but am travelling round New Zealand till July, so a no go Im afraid. A question about Insurance would a bull bar and lights count as modification? Or could I claim it as un modified? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Any change from standard spec is a modification. People don't declare these, but will rue the day if they are ever involved in a serious accident. Insurance company will be all over the vehicle rather rapidly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Appreciate the offer but am travelling round New Zealand till July, so a no go Im afraid. A question about Insurance would a bull bar and lights count as modification? Or could I claim it as un modified? It's classed as modified mate so you are best off telling them if you want to,but remember if you have to put a claim in they will probably not pay out as you didn't tell them.thats why I've kept mine all standard this time mate only because I spend the money on them looking very nice to sell and get no extra but save the buyer a fortune as you can add it on the price of the motor what you have put on it.atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1nut Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Subaru Forester non turbo!! Fantastic awd system, hi and lo box too!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Remember that modding (lift kits ect type of modding) will leave you with limited type of buyer if you want to sell in on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) Look at imported Mitsubishi Pajero's (Japanese equivalent of the Shogun). I bought one a few years ago for about 2.5K went down to a place in Southampton to collect it, it was in good nick but had nearly 200,000KM's on the clock (around 120,000 miles). Proper 4x4 with a mechanical transfer box and difflock no complex electronics to go wrong I had it over the winter when it snowed really badly and I became very popular in the village as I could pull most other cars out of trouble. I used it and abused it for about 2 years and it never let me down, they're easy to work on and the diesels go on for ages. In the end I sold it for a grand which included the 2 inch layer of mud and crud it had accumulated while I owned it! Same would apply to any other Mitsubishi truck with the same engine (Shogun Sports are worth a look as are the older L200's) Only draw back is that there pretty damn ugly! Edited December 10, 2015 by Wingman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornishfowler Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Thanks guys, I struggle with the idea that a light bar is modification, however I guess there looking for any reason not to pay!!! Is there a good insurance company most people with 4x4 use? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddywack Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 look for an old pajero with some service history. if looked after these will go over 200k miles & have an ace sunroof for shooting out of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 I know they aren't very powerful, but for insurance and sheer get you anywhere, a Jimny will take some beating. The Grand Vit which I have moved up purely for more knee room is very capable and has diff lock and low ratio. I don't think for most use you need a raised version unless you really compete off road or are a serious wannabee. Ditto for all the lights, if you want to go lamping go with a pal who can shine the lamp or get a suction mounted one. You might want to get the best price for it later so don't fill it with holes which need filling and make it rust. Also can someone really tell me the use of bull bars in this country? If you have the misfortune to hit a pedestrian you will regret the results and if you hit a bull the bars will do little to help you. My dad hi an ox in the dark in Botswana, when he was driving a big american pickup, the ox pushed the radiator back into the fan, bounced over the roof and landed in the back, my dad went round the back, lowered the tail board and the ox rolled out and walked off, considerably less damaged than the truck! Learning to drive properly off road will do you more good than a lot of kit. David (In full grumpy old *** mode) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Callahan Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Jimny is a good shout - unless you want alittle more space. The old 1.6petrol Shogun pinins are good... but abit thirsty (probs works out the sane cost as a diesel though!). Iv a 55plate Rav4... its my car so i dont do too much off road with it (have a Defender for heavy going) - but its actually very good when i do go over fields with it. Great on the road/long distance too. If you could find one of them and get a set of off road tyres on it id bet youd be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromwell7 Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Subaru Forester non turbo!! Fantastic awd system, hi and lo box too!!!If going down the forester route it's got be the 2.5 turbo great fun on the road too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 You're twenty .... define your idea of "light mudding" I trialed for donkeys years and there's some basic rules to follow if you want a good off roader. As low as possible but as high as necessary (don't go up if you don't need to). Keep centre of gravity as low as possible, low ground clearance stops you, too high kills you on side slopes (without cage). Don't fit junk high up (see previous), in fact don't fit junk at all (Light bars?) Don't fit harnesses unless you fit a cage first. (you need to be able to lie flat in a roll over)' Don't get carried away by looking at mates off roaders or ones you see in pictures covered in junk and lifted sky high, keep it sensible and you'll leave them for dead. Go to a few trials and find the full modified sections, look a those motors and see how they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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