Four wheel drive advice

[loosey]

It's come time for me to get rid of my current car in favour of something more practical, i want a wagon but there is nothing on offer in my price range (sub 10k) that really tickles my fancy. I was thinking about getting a Nissan stagea for a while but I've gone off that idea because it's too similar to what I already have (R33).
I'm thinking about getting a four wheel drive so I can have something practical and fun too. My problem is that I have next to no idea about them. I need something that isn't too big (so no cruisers/ patrols), something that will be on a par with the skyline for fuel consumption, be able to be driven daily, be able to be taken off-road/ 4wding and it must be able to have roof racks fitted for the kayaks.
I'm after opinions/ suggestions on what options I have that will suit my above criteria and be under 10k.
So far I've got these in mind:
Mitsubishi Pajero
Mitsubishi Challenger
Holden Frontera (i prefer the 2 door ones)
Holden Jackaroo

[JC]

Pajero or challenger would be my choice out of your list, but it's a 4WD so I doubt you'll get anywhere near the fuel consumption of a sedan.

[SilentDave]

Should be able to get a decent TJ Wrangler for that either unmodded or with slight mods done and they come in hardtop or softtop(both are removable) . They are about the best for money 4wd of the showroom floor as they will go almost anywhere stock.

What is the Skyline getting regarding fuel usage?

[loosey]

Depends how I drive it really, I think I can get it down around 11 but I've never really sat down to work it out.
A few of them on carsales are already on gas, would that be a viable option or more trouble than it's worth?

[FrogInASock]

NP Pajero 3.2 DiD manual. Around 9l/100km going to work and back (30km each way, half at 60km/h, normal traffic, lights, usual crap, and the other half at 80km/h, same traffic deal), and 11l/100km average towing my Cub Supamatic Off Road. Other folks on other forums report 8l/100km on the open road with no trailer.

Previous 4WD was an NK 3.5 DOHC. I had it converted to LPG to find that the DOHC engine is REALLY thirsty on gas. My other car is a 3.5 litre SOHC Verada which is very good on lpg (compared to similar cars), so I thought the Pajero should be similar. WRONG!

Go diesel for later models (common rail).

[Kryton]

Jeep Cherokee will do every thing you need it to do.
A very capable 4WD straight up out of the box, very good around town thanks to the coil front and rear and you can get a very clean example with less than 200k starting from $4000.
Check out the Grand Cherokee as well - later model ones come with a tasty V8 and full luxury leather interior.

If you have no need for the extra room and the extra 2 doors, you can look at the Wranglers as mentioned.
A decent one of them will start at around $9000 though.
Make sure you get the hard top (not the rag top) if you go down this route.
The roof still comes off but it doesnt leak water and wont send you deaf at 100kmh.

[svo supporter]

Avoid the Jeep range at all costs. The biggest thirstiest pieces of crap roaming round.

If you're after a bit of fuel consumption and aren't doing serious off roading, why not look at the Tojo Rav 4 or Kluger. Should pick one of those up under 10K. No serious faults and very reliable.

[loosey]

I was going to ask about part costs and reliability on the jeeps, I was under the impression that they are good if you only want to go four wheel driving in them.
A mate has a pajero so I'd want to do most of the stuff he can when we go camping. I don't really have that much use for four doors at the moment so I'm open to SWB's, 4 doors might come in handy later on though.

[Kryton]

A jeep will take you anywhere, further than a Pajero will go even in stock form.
Jeeps, like Falcons are only crap if they have been treated like crap.
Theres plenty of good ones out there and parts arent expensive at all - New genuine might be a different story but again, the falcon is no better.

Avoid the pre CRD Diesel in the Jeeps, they are a boat engine and arent very reliable - that is big bucks to get repaired.


as for the Toyotas, you wont find any Kluger for 10k or under and a RAV4 wont get you past the first pot hole off road.

[janddbone]

Having the low price and 4wd ability the two top priorities I would vote in this order.
Cherokee
Jackaroo
Explorer

Jackaroo, especially if a diesel is a thought...

But these are all undervalued

I would still buy an Explorer even though I vote it on the bottom of that particular list. I love my Fords. Indeed, this decision is exactly what I am making at the moment too.

[302 XC]

with your limited budget youll either be looking at an oldish model,high k model or the less common models
costs for services and parts would certainly have to come into play
especially with the less common models
why no patrol or landcruiser ????
yes they are large (well they are a 4x4)but theres really nothin else that comes close to these 2
great off road,great for towing , large enuf for the family
only down side is they like the drink a bit
but the gas rebate is still avaliable at the moment
which ever way u go,
ensure you get it thoroughly inspected
rwc threw most yards arent worth nuthin
independant inspection is best

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

you should think about a toyota hilux,jeeps are very thirsty

[janddbone]

But you will go broke buying a Hilux... Although you may go broke owning a Jeep!

Jackaroo is the one for value and reliability...

[G6LTD09]

I would vote for the old Pajero, I've owned two diesels and done lots of km's in both. The NL (1999 model) I had was used extensively off-road in central australia for 2years and was bulletproof. It was great on diesel avg 10lt/100km even though it had high miles.

[XR Martin]

Id be looking at an early Forester. Heaps have been sold, and alot of parts are interchangable with the Impreza and Libertys, so it shouldnt cost too much to fix.

Nice one here
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=124D7B55A8FD

Fronteras are rubbish. The 4cyl was way underpowered and would overheat from new. Cost a fortune to fix because few were ever sold here.

Jeep and Explorers are ok if you are willing to wait for parts to come from the US. Getting the parts locally are hideously expensive.

[stupa]

go a wrangler or diesil hilux. with the wrangler try and get one thats had the suspension stiffened up because there pretty soft standard from that era

[janddbone]

That is why they are so good off road...

[svo supporter]

If you are seriously considering a Jeep, I'd suggest asking on hemi 6 pack.com and find out all the goss about them. Even the hardened Chrysler nuts hate them with a passion. There is a Chrysler mechanic on that site, that can give you a really good insite into them.

RAV4's and Klugers are find with soft off road stuff. Serious off road, forget it. RAV 4's are available with 2, 4 or 5 doors.

[smoo]

I will also recommend a Cherokee, I've had two already and they can take a beating, never let me down at all. One of the most capable 4wds in standard form, they don't have any common issues, electrics can be a bit dodgy, mechanicals are pretty much bullet proof. Would be easier to get a nun in the sack than kill the inline 6. The axles and front UJs can be a bit fragile with bigger tyres and a heavy foot.
I found that their weakest point is they aren't too good for towing heavy loads, they have all the power you'll need but they only weigh 1.6 t and have quite a short wheel base so the load behind you can take charge.
As for being thirsty, what petrol 4wd isn't? The Chrysler 6 leaves the gutless jappa petrol V6s for dead in every respect, including fuel consumption.

[Yellow_Festiva]

How bout a Nissan Terrano II?

Not too big, not too small, diesel / petrol variants available, and around 10 grand.

http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/NI...394823626&pt=1

http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/NI...394823626&pt=1

Cheers.

[mik]

suzuki?

[FPV70]

Well you say nothing big like a crusier or a patrol but you have in mind a pajero?

If you are reffering to the older pajero, then the older patrol (GQ) is about the same size and you can get it in a 2.8 turbo diesel.

a well maintained 2.8 can return good fuel figures and even better when you do the few upgrades to them.

they are also for around the $10k mark.

Other than that, I like the Challenger you suggested.

[chevypower]

Consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes CRD engine. Older ones had the 2.7L V6, newer ones have the 3.0. They have loads of power and torque, and great fuel economy. Also great for towing. They are not the most serious off-roader, but they go most places where you wouldn't want to trash it. Great on-road, as far as I know, they are pretty reliable. My father just bought the 3.0 CRD Laredo for towing, and he loves it. He was using a 5.7 Caprice for towing before that, and says the Jeep does a much better job.

[buggerlugs]

Rodeo twin cab 2.8lt turbo diesel 4wd ????? Seen one on the side of the road the other day for $11,000.00. Was about a 97-98 model me thinks. Very reliable motor and cheap to run............

[lubby1]

My vote is with a diesel hilux, might be worth a few extra dollars to buy but are very reliable and fuel economy is great.

[escort1976]

suzuki vitara? or suzuki jimny? if you wanna go anyway, get a seirra

[CADSKY]

ford maverick 2 door?

[tankclare]

A hilux with decent motor and light mods can be had easy for under 10k. My cousin bought a very tidy hilux with 35 inch tyres, 6 inch lift and v6 commodore conversion for 7k. Maybe a shorty patrol/ford maverick (2 door) would be good as well. Anywhere from 2k-10k and good on fuel and will get you most places. Throw an aftermarket turbo kit on and 3 inch exhaust and you will have plenty of power with decent economy. Also maybe a suzuki sierra. Cheap as chips and awesome fun off road.

Personally I'd steer clear of the mitsubishi's. Expensive little things when they break. The other cars I suggested parts are easy to find and reasonably cheap.

[wheelzie1989]

patrol all the way

[loosey]

Thanks for all your advice so far guys. I'll definitely check the jeeps and hilux's out to see how they drive. Having said that at the moment I like the challengers the best. Either way I have to sell my car before I make up my mind.