That’s what I keep hearing. Apparently the 2.0 petrol if OK since it used the de tuned cavalier engine.
Cheapest 4x4 on a budget?
- Thread starter Grendel
- Start date
-
Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.
That’s what I keep hearing. Apparently the 2.0 petrol if OK since it used the de tuned cavalier engine.
TurboGirl
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
The Pajero is the Shogun import, the Pinin is the wee babby of the family
We have a freind with a Pinin who thinks the world of his but not much experience of working on them/ trading them tho- which is probably a good sign if they don't come up/ in so often Search the web ref the 1.8 freelander engine... its the notorious K series engine
The 2.5 varient are all auto and co-incidentally, the three we've traded have all needed new inlet manifolds at a cool £500 ea... though changing the cam belts is the real killer IF you can find someone to undertake the job- last quote obtained by a freind in the midlands area was £750 for the three belts (front & 2 rear cambelts):SI quite liked the frontera we had in but not traded enough of 'em to know much beyond the percieved wisdom of 'stick to the later models'... it didn't need work so can't comment on reliablilty etc. The grand vitara (suzuki) has been a champion little vehicle, let down by plasticy fitmments that are delicate... but hey, if the price is right! The ravs have quite bouyant prices as you'll see a fair few that have stood the test of time, a good recomendation
Ok had a drive of my brothers frontera Sport 2.0. And to be fair never driven a 4x4 on the road before and they seem a tad slow when I’m used to instant throttle response and eceleration from the MR2.
As for budget thinking of parting with the car and keeping the bike now so will have up to £2.5K to spend.
Have narrowed it down to:
Rav 4
Shogun Pinin
frontera Sport
But i guess it's best to wait for summer to sell the sports car and buy a 4x4.
As for budget thinking of parting with the car and keeping the bike now so will have up to £2.5K to spend.
Have narrowed it down to:
Rav 4
Shogun Pinin
frontera Sport
But i guess it's best to wait for summer to sell the sports car and buy a 4x4.
Last edited:
I have done some off roading with some of the frontera owners group, worth a look for tech advise etc
http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Just advertised my own Suzuki Vitara road legal but awesome in the snow etc, had loads of calls as snow fever is taking overand poushing the prices up.
http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Just advertised my own Suzuki Vitara road legal but awesome in the snow etc, had loads of calls as snow fever is taking overand poushing the prices up.
TurboGirl
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
That's why I'm an advocate of Scoobies and Quattros. If you like cars, driving a traditional 4x4 on roads is really disappointing. Found some solid Forresters (non-turbo'd) on AutoTrader for £1,500 the other week. FSH with recent cam-jobs, too.
I did wonder about awd cars such as Subaru, Audi, Volvo Ect.. but most reviews say there expensive to run and repair.
Non-turbo'd Scoobies are built tough, and reliable - and they handle, unlike most 4x4s, which are slow and corner like drunk pigs. They're not especially expensive to maintain, unlike the Audis.
Audi Allroads can get pricey, as they have self-levelling suspension, and I'd stay clear of older twin-turbos. Stick to Quattros.
There are always a few good AWD estates for under £2k on AutoTrader, so at those prices, I wouldn't worry too much, as long as there's FSH, and cams are done on high-milers. Unless you have a real need for big ground-clearance.
So i take it the Bugeye GX are cheaper than normal saloons and the estates are even cheaper since there not WRI look alikes?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...d/quicksearch/true/radius/60/page/1?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...d/quicksearch/true/radius/60/page/1?logcode=p
So, so right about the allroads. Every one I've known has cost it's owner serious money just to keep on the road. Even the FSH low miler ones. They look the part, but are ruinous when they go wrong. It was a £30k+ car when new, and even now in the twilight of their years, carry apportional maintenance costs.
I got a 2002 cherokke jeep for 3000 fsh low range selectable 4x4 diesel easy drive but it is a 4x4 so not perfect. Jeeps often go pretty cheep secondhand the old square cherokee is more capable with front and rear live axles, new bug eye one has inde front sus and it's ugly but will still cope with most green lanes and any weather the uk can throw at it on a road. What about a vw syncro if you want space inside. I'm a big believer in low range, if you've got the downsides of 4x4 you might as well have the benefit of low range. Vitara xl7 has loads of room and low.... Rare tho.
I had a look on there before I posted (thanks Google) and it seems more about keeping them running. Finding somehwere you can pitch up, look at a selection of them for sale etc seems nigh on impossible, hence my questioning how realistic a suggestion it is.
Happy to be proved wrong though, and waiting on the reams upon reams of autotrader/gumtree/ebay links etc you're about to post showing a fine selection of them for sale
I had a look on there before I posted (thanks Google) and it seems more about keeping them running. Finding somehwere you can pitch up, look at a selection of them for sale etc seems nigh on impossible, hence my questioning how realistic a suggestion it is.
Happy to be proved wrong though, and waiting on the reams upon reams of autotrader/gumtree/ebay links etc you're about to post showing a fine selection of them for sale
I wish there were a dealer in the U.K.
Here's one for salehttp://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C240914
or several here http://www.mortarinvestments.eu/products/jeeps-9/uaz-469-96
They are still being made new though and you can order them to whatever spec you require with EU approvals etc. Take a look at the Patriot for example.
I remember seeing one of those on Long Way Round, and was very impressed by it even if Euan and Charlie didn't make any comment on it. I've always wondered what the hell it was!
Last edited:
Now i'm evenmore lost than i was before since just been offerd an old R33 GTS Skyline which is RWD but 2.5L so will be just a thirty as any 4x4. What i want has to have good road maners since thats where it will spend most of its time and i love rwd cars but only ones i have come across are the BMW 318, Subaru ImprezaGX, Mazda RX-8, Audi quatro and now the Nissan R33 GTS Skyline all of which N/A and expensive to run and repair when they go wrong.
I don’t want anything too big ether since currently drive a Mk1 MR2 but need a 4 seater now.
I don’t want anything too big ether since currently drive a Mk1 MR2 but need a 4 seater now.
RWD is fun if you are after something to drive fast, but they are rubbish on slippery roads, snow and mud. Skinny tyres, FWD and you'll be fine.
Most of the cars I saw drifted off the road last year were RWD. Mercs, BMW and the light.
If you want small and practical, get a diesel corsa. Heavy lump of engine right over the tyres. Stick winter tyres on it and you'll have no problems in winter.
Most of the cars I saw drifted off the road last year were RWD. Mercs, BMW and the light.
If you want small and practical, get a diesel corsa. Heavy lump of engine right over the tyres. Stick winter tyres on it and you'll have no problems in winter.
