Vehicle suggestions

[Ricko]

Hi, 

I've always kept a 4x4 as a 2nd vehicle; crossing fields, towing a small boat, logging etc. I got rid of my old LWB Frontera diesel as it needed too much welding for its next MOT.

Any suggestions for its replacement, I was looking at double cabs but cant justify one really. Was thinking of a Freelander 1?

[Walker570]

Lada

[stu64]

3rd generation suzuki grand vitara. I like them so much I've got 2!!

[CountryBoyTweed]

Freelander 1's avoid the petrol K-Series engines, they were absolute chocolate. Head gaskets were regular service items.. 

I've currently got a facelift Discovery 2 TD5, I love it to pieces but only because I've put the graft in and got it well sorted. It's essentially a well maintained triggers broom now.... and it required a new half chassis as the rear half's on D2's are notorious for rot sadly. If you're willing to put the time in or spend more money on a tidy one, they're fantastic off roaders and towing vehicles, if you were to find one that's had a new Galvanised chassis you probably won't find a better vehicle.. 

Failing that go for something Japanese, Hilux, Daihatsu four track etc.. 

[Centrepin]

Something Japanese or maybe a sorted Disco 1 if your budget can run to it.

[Dave at kelton]

If you don’t need lots of room and luxury try and find a good Suzuki Jimny. Will go anywhere but watch for rot. Wife has an automatic and we will keep it going until it falls apart which doesn’t look any time soon despite being 03 plate.

[Rob85]

If you aren't towing heavy loads and most of your off road is quite tame have a look at the Dacia Duster 4x4. Becoming a very popular car these days.

[udderlyoffroad]

11 hours ago, CountryBoyTweed said:

Freelander 1's avoid the petrol K-Series engines, they were absolute chocolate. Head gaskets were regular service items.. 

Technically, the head bolts were chocolate, causing regular head gasket issues.  Anyway, even the youngest FL1 is now 15 years old, so look carefully.  It's not a proper 4x4 either with a VCU (Viscous Coupling Unit).  Not a good basis to start with IMHO.  But a lot of folks liked them so what do I know.

Anyway, if you don't like welding, I'd avoid vehicles with a green oval logo....

11 hours ago, CountryBoyTweed said:

(Disco 2...) if you were to find one that's had a new Galvanised chassis you probably won't find a better vehicle.. 

I'd agree, but they are now firmly in enthusiast vehicle territory.  Someone who re-chassis' a disco  (properly) isn't going to be likely to want to part with it.

1 hour ago, Centrepin said:

Disco 1 if your budget can run to it.

Again, the last Disco 1 was made in '98, making even the most recent examples 23 years old.  I was running a tidy one for quite a while as a second vehicle.  Ran well, and had essentially the same mechanicals as a contemporaneous Defender, just on a 100ish" chassis with a comfortable-er body.  Took actual effort to get it stuck, and was a brilliant vehicle whilst doing up a house for tip runs etc - capacious without falling foul of ridiculous council 'no pickups or vans' rules.  But is was also over 20 years old, even things like the seats were worn and offered no support, making longer runs uncomfortable.  The Tdi engines, though good for their time and mostly 'clcockwork' just can't keep up with more modern engines. 

Also you might find that because of the vehicle's age, most mainstream insurance doesn't want to touch them. This is good because you can get classic/specialist/4x4 insurance, but be prepared for lots of 'ringing round' 

 

To go back to the OP's question briefly.

13 hours ago, Ricko said:

I've always kept a 4x4 as a 2nd vehicle

12 hours ago, Ricko said:

I was looking at double cabs but cant justify one really

I used to think this, until I actually looked at the cost of running 2 vehicles.  2 lots of insurance is quite expensive (most multicar policies don't want to touch older vehicles), tax is invariably the expensive bracket, etc.

In the end, I sold both and bought a nearly new double cab pickup.  What a difference.  Can do all the logs and dogs things, whilst keeping the interior free of detritus.   It's difficult to emphasise how much of a benefit having a properly separate load area is until you get one.

Of course it does depend on the mileage you do in the main vehicle, and who else in your household uses the other car.

But I'm done with running 2 cars/Sunday best nonsense.  If you're having complaints from the significant other about going out in a dirty vehicle, spend another £50 or so on a dedicated workshop vacuum, keep in the garage, and just run that round the interior for 10 mins every week or so.  Again, all the muddy stuff should remain in the loadbed so the interior tends to take less punishment.

[London Best]

But the pick ups (Toyota particularly) are too big and clumsy in the woods.

[Smokersmith]

One of these will see you right …

Edited August 2, 2021 by Smokersmith
Typo

[udderlyoffroad]

14 minutes ago, London Best said:

But the pick ups (Toyota particularly) are too big and clumsy in the woods.

I've not had any issues and  take my L200 everywhere my Discoveries went.  But I do pick my battles, don't 'Clarkson'* it, and on our DIY syndicate we have access to a UTV (side-by-side) in case the ground is really sodden.

If you want something small to ride over the rough stuff rather than through, that's fine but they are very compromised on the road.

YMMV as our American friends say.

*Poweeeer

[oowee]

2 hours ago, udderlyoffroad said:

But I'm done with running 2 cars/Sunday best nonsense.  If you're having complaints from the significant other about going out in a dirty vehicle, spend another £50 or so on a dedicated workshop vacuum, keep in the garage, and just run that round the interior for 10 mins every week or so.  Again, all the muddy stuff should remain in the loadbed so the interior tends to take less punishment.

10 mins 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 take me longer than that to jet wash a wheel arch. The dogs, logs, and dead things maybe in the pick up but in and out with wellies makes sure the interior needs treatment too.  

[Walker570]

1989 Landie 90 mit galavanised chassis and 3.9 V8, uprated suspension (shock absorbers mainly)  suits me.   Built in air condditioning as well.

I would also look at the Lada, Dacia Duster(have a friend with one who seems to follow me almost everywhere no problem. I mean how much high tech comfort do you need to go shooting.

[Ricko]

I had a look at a Freelander 1 today, solid underneath, good Td4 engine, but some noise from the rear prop at low speed whilst turning. Shame as the price was good.

I might take a look at the Suzuki Grand Vitara as older models have the Hdi engine which is pretty bomb proof.

I'm avoiding stuff that needs welding, I've got a MIG and am competent but want my life back. 

I'll keep looking 👀

[udderlyoffroad]

6 hours ago, oowee said:

The dogs, logs, and dead things maybe in the pick up but in and out with wellies makes sure the interior needs treatment too.  

Seems you do yours to a high standard - just the worst of the sand from the beach makes all the difference....😂

 

59 minutes ago, Ricko said:

I'm avoiding stuff that needs welding, I've got a MIG and am competent but want my life back. 

And...yet you're looking at Landies 😁

Edited August 2, 2021 by udderlyoffroad

[Wilts#Dave]

8 hours ago, udderlyoffroad said:

I've not had any issues and  take my L200 everywhere my Discoveries went.  But I do pick my battles, don't 'Clarkson'* it, and on our DIY syndicate we have access to a UTV (side-by-side) in case the ground is really sodden.

If you want something small to ride over the rough stuff rather than through, that's fine but they are very compromised on the road.

YMMV as our American friends say.

*Poweeeer

Agree. I’ve got a series 5 l200 68 plate, low mileage and all the creature comforts for a decent car bit can lug all my pigeon gear across fields/muddy tracks then take the Mrs and kids on holiday! Such a good vehicle/compromise I love it. 
Obviously not the off road ability of something smaller with big tyres but does plenty well enough off road for what most will need! 

[team tractor]

Terios mk2 

im on my second terios and for £2k it’s amazing off road .

[Harnser]

On 02/08/2021 at 11:22, London Best said:

But the pick ups (Toyota particularly) are too big and clumsy in the woods.

Depends on how far apart the trees are 

harnser