View Full Version : 4X4 Advice
My girlfriend has decided she would like a 4x4,which she is hoping to buy in july,she has it down to three .What i would like to know is,does anyone have any experience of the models in the short list. I know nothing about cars i don't even have a licence,so all your help is much appreciated.The models in the short list are
Freelander 2
Toyota Rav 4
Honda CRV ,i think that's what it's called.
Thanks in advance Andrew
lewist1993
07-01-2010, 22:38
Is she actually going to use it off road? If she is then rav 4 is the best of the 3 but if it is going to be another chelsea tractor then I would say dont bother (not that I have anything against 4x4s, in-fact I own several) , it works out cheeper and more practical to go for a large car instead.
Freelander= unreliable
Rav 4= best choice of 3
honda crv= useless 4x4 system
Has she considered a nissan x-trail, reliable and remarkably good off road
Lewis
windward
07-01-2010, 22:43
Rav 4...think a new one came out recently too. I've got the hilux...great toy in this weather!! Very reliable vehicles.
V.
Hi Andrew. I have a Nissan X-trail which has performed very well for me so far, on and off road. The only downside to it, is it could do with a bit more ground clearance (but that would then affect its road handling). also it doesn't have a low range gear box, but you would only need this if you are crawling over big rocks or extremley rough ground. As an all round, reasonably economical car though it does the job.
Hope this is of some help,
Michael.
Omegarod
08-01-2010, 02:58
When in Africa I often hire a RAV4
Its solid, reliable and will do most things.
(But it ain't a Land Rover Defender) :)
Rod
scottishwolf
08-01-2010, 04:13
Disregard all three and buy a proper 4x4 if you want a 4x4. Defender all the way for tough stuff but not too comfy as a daily commuter vehicle. Trooper, the older one with the 2.8td it's a proper workhorse, I fitted the engine and the running gear to my old frontera with 240k on the clock and it was weet as a nut, disco 300tdi but not without it's problems and repair bills, older rangerover........depends on yer budget and expectations of the vehicle though. Remember the costs of running a 4x4 will be far greater than a car. Although, proper servicing and care of any motor will or should ensure a reliable vehicle.
I'm glad that the x-trail gets a few good votes; I'm thinking of buying one. I've had two discos in the past and I've ruled out defenders due to lack of creature comforts. As it'll be a family bus most of the time and an off road vehicle about 5% of the time the x-trail seems to be the best one to go for.
Thanks :)
British Red
08-01-2010, 08:15
Rav 4 from that list of 3 although the Freelander 2 is a very capable car in the "mini 4x4" stakes. The Toyota will be far more reliable however. The CRV is a soft roader at best.
I recall a Borda instructor showing what small 4x4s (often with fixed distribution of power to fornt and rear wheels could do). His advice was "drive it like you stole it" :)
What about the new Subaru Forester. Good ground clearance and surprisingly good offroad.
I recall a Borda instructor showing what small 4x4s (often with fixed distribution of power to fornt and rear wheels could do). His advice was "drive it like you stole it" :)
Oh yes :lmao:
It always used to amaze me just how many Suzuki's would swarm around all over the place on off road sites. Pedal to the metal and they just seem to skip across the mud. They do reach a point where they do sink in, but you have to be playing pretty hard to get there.
Nearly had one land on the roof of the defender once, it drove up a bench in a quarry and got airbourne at the top.
Red? Freelander 2? Small? lol they are nice but they are as wide as a bus :D
Toyota Hi lux all the way !!!!!!!!!!!:)
TallMikeM
08-01-2010, 09:29
Disregard all three and buy a proper 4x4 if you want a 4x4. Defender all the way for tough stuff but not too comfy as a daily commuter vehicle. Trooper, the older one with the 2.8td it's a proper workhorse, I fitted the engine and the running gear to my old frontera with 240k on the clock and it was weet as a nut, disco 300tdi but not without it's problems and repair bills, older rangerover........depends on yer budget and expectations of the vehicle though. Remember the costs of running a 4x4 will be far greater than a car. Although, proper servicing and care of any motor will or should ensure a reliable vehicle.
Proper 4x4's are good if you're going off road a lot, or towing heavy loads. But they don't offer the same comfort levels, at a budget, of some of the off roaders. They also have poor economy. If someone feels they want 4WD for on road driving, then a soft roader is the way to go.
I personally would add a hyundai santa fe to the list. Not the best off road (but if that's what the vehicle is for then she should get a proper off roader) but cavernous boot (why I bought ours) and it's been flawless in the snow and ice.
Muddy Boots
08-01-2010, 09:40
Toyota Hi lux all the way !!!!!!!!!!!:)
+1 for the Hilux
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m187/muddyboots_2006/bushraft001.jpg
This one is mine and here is a forum to have a play with and get advice.
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/
Leonidas
08-01-2010, 09:43
Proper 4x4's are good if you're going off road a lot, or towing heavy loads. But they don't offer the same comfort levels.............
They also have poor economy.........
Proper 4x4 with comfort and reasonable mpg?
Range Rover P38 is my motorway armchair and offroad beastie..
Get up to 22mpg on a long run 18 > 20mpg average.....not bad for a stage 1 chipped V8 :)
Put into perspective my 5 series BMW only gave me 25mpg.....
Anyone thinking 40+mpg is not really looking for a proper 4x4 vehicle....a dedicated 4x4 drive train will not provide such mpg...
In this weather, mpg is academic if your vehicle fails to do it's job....to get you to the shops / Doctors / Hospital etc.....it reverts to being a metal box effectively frozen to the drive.... :eek:
Tom
Andy2112
08-01-2010, 09:43
Have you considered the Suzuki Grand Vitara ?
Definately Toyota, hilux, rav4, or landcruiser. After having owned, rebuilt, repaired and agonised of several different Land Rovers quite simply I wouldn't bother unless you like messing with vehicles and want greasy hands forever.
Even my last, Disco 300TDi, bulletproof engine! (basically the same as the 200 tdi) When I realised what they use for pushrod seals and nearly a blown engine, I simply gave up.
Hi Andrew. I have a Nissan X-trail which has performed very well for me so far, on and off road. The only downside to it, is it could do with a bit more ground clearance (but that would then affect its road handling). also it doesn't have a low range gear box, but you would only need this if you are crawling over big rocks or extremley rough ground. As an all round, reasonably economical car though it does the job.
Hope this is of some help,
Michael.
Another vote for the X-Trail, I've had two. Very reliable, great family car, not bad off road.
TallMikeM
08-01-2010, 10:18
Proper 4x4 with comfort and reasonable mpg?
Range Rover P38 is my motorway armchair and offroad beastie..
Get up to 22mpg on a long run 18 > 20mpg average.....not bad for a stage 1 chipped V8 :)
Put into perspective my 5 series BMW only gave me 25mpg.....
Anyone thinking 40+mpg is not really looking for a proper 4x4 vehicle....a dedicated 4x4 drive train will not provide such mpg...
In this weather, mpg is academic if your vehicle fails to do it's job....to get you to the shops / Doctors / Hospital etc.....it reverts to being a metal box effectively frozen to the drive.... :eek:
Tom
you've kinda proved my point.
My santa fe does return 40+ MPG, is comfortable and has performed in this weather. Most (diesel, for the economy) soft roaders will do that.
I did say that if the OP wants to go proper off roading then he is gonna need a proper offroad vehicle, as no soft roader will come close.
If, however, and I think we can assume this from his shortlist, he wants something that will handle poor road condidtions and still want a car like drive, within a reasonable (i.e. non range rover) budget, then a soft roader should be his choice.
I have a Honda CRV, but its not really a 4x4. Only a small increase in ground clearance compared to a normal car, no low ratio gears and the 4wd only kicks in when Honda thinks its needed: no manual option.
I wouldn't take it anywhere that I wouldn't take a car, but it does make muddy camping grounds and snowy roads that bit less tricky. Having said that, last year when we had more snow here than this year, I was impressed at how it effortlessly ploughed through bumper height snow.
As its really a road car, it has road tyres on it so that makes a difference in its off-road capability.
The slightly higher driving position is good for looking over hedges when on the look out for wildlife in fields (geese, deer etc) but its noisier and bumpier to drive than a "normal" car, and in spite of appearances it probably has no more carrying space than the Honda accord it replaced. The boxy shape possibly makes it a more useful space than the accord however. Fuel on a long run is pretty good and we get over 50mpg on a long run, but local running is around 42-44 mpg (Diesel)
This is our 4th Honda (with breaks for a Toyota and a Citroen) and the selling point is the reliability. It seems that once you own a Honda its difficult not to buy another one. And to be fair it meets my requirements, of being reliable, of giving a little bit of extra confidence in mud and snow, a higher driving position for wildlife watching and reasonable fuel consumption.
Graham
Go Jeep Dude and she will love it! the new diesel model gives around 30 to 38 mpg, And they have four door models,
fiat panda - if she wants a car with All Wheel Drive. If she want a 4x4 ie "off roader" none from the list. That said Freeelander 1 can be easily modded to make a half decent dirt track vehicle - better than the others by a long chalk. So advice here:
http://www.freelanderclub.org/
Excellent in this weather. but like with any car 2WD or 4WD the correct tyres make all the difference.
Interesting that the best options so far all come from Japan, and mostly have the Toyota badge on the front. Lets also not forget that in Oz the Toyota is the desert barge of choice, so it must to pretty well in the hot/sand as well.
To the Hi Lux owners out there; what sort of MPG do you get and how big is the boot?
Chris
Bootstrap Bob
08-01-2010, 12:03
Is she actually going to use it off road? If she is then rav 4 is the best of the 3 but if it is going to be another chelsea tractor then I would say dont bother (not that I have anything against 4x4s, in-fact I own servile) , it works out cheeper and more practical to go for a large car instead.
Freelander= unreliable
Rav 4= best choice of 3
honda crv= useless 4x4 system
I think your unreliabilty of the Freelander is based on Freelander 1 not 2. As far as off road performance is concerned yes the Rav 4 is pretty good (as are most Suzukis) but Freelander is definitely best in class. This is not just my opinion, it is based on actually trials - it's part of my job.
I personally drive a 2005 Subaru Forester, not a full blown SUV but has loads of ground clearance, levelling rear suspension, locking diffs, plenty of power and handles very well in the dry. It also came out well in trials off road when tested some years ago.
Like has already been mentioned though, Defender is the only way for severe off road. If you never go off the tarmac don't bother with a 4WD. If you just want a higher driving position consider a people carrier or soft roader or one of the pretend ones (front wheel drive).
Nissan X-trail was pretty good too in the comparison trials but I have no personnal experience of it.
One vehicle that seems to be making waves at the moment is the Skoda Yeti 4x4. I have not had the opportunity to try it yet but on paper it should be pretty good.
TallMikeM
08-01-2010, 12:21
I think your unreliabilty of the Freelander is based on Freelander 1 not 2. As far as off road performance is concerned yes the Rav 4 is pretty good (as are most Suzukis) but Freelander is definitely best in class. This is not just my opinion, it is based on actually trials - it's part of my job.
I personally drive a 2005 Subaru Forester, not a full blown SUV but has loads of ground clearance, levelling rear suspension, locking diffs, plenty of power and handles very well in the dry. It also came out well in trials off road when tested some years ago.
Like has already been mentioned though, Defender is the only way for severe off road. If you never go off the tarmac don't bother with a 4WD. If you just want a higher driving position consider a people carrier or soft roader or one of the pretend ones (front wheel drive).
Nissan X-trail was pretty good too in the comparison trials but I have no personnal experience of it.
One vehicle that seems to be making waves at the moment is the Skoda Yeti 4x4. I have not had the opportunity to try it yet but on paper it should be pretty good.
do you have a link to those off road trials you mention? I reckon they'd make some interesting reading.
Leonidas
08-01-2010, 12:39
you've kinda proved my point.
My santa fe does return 40+ MPG, is comfortable and has performed in this weather. Most (diesel, for the economy) soft roaders will do that.
I did say that if the OP wants to go proper off roading then he is gonna need a proper offroad vehicle, as no soft roader will come close.
If, however, and I think we can assume this from his shortlist, he wants something that will handle poor road condidtions and still want a car like drive, within a reasonable (i.e. non range rover) budget, then a soft roader should be his choice.
The mpg is an obvious one...
Was mainly in response to 'Proper 4x4's are good if you're going off road a lot, or towing heavy loads. But they don't offer the same comfort levels'
Just clarifying that a proper 4x4 can be comfy, that's all really :rolleyes:
Tom
Renault Kango 4x4 are pretty good to - if you can find one, especially with the old XUD 1.9Td
TallMikeM
08-01-2010, 12:46
The mpg is an obvious one...
Was mainly in response to 'Proper 4x4's are good if you're going off road a lot, or towing heavy loads. But they don't offer the same comfort levels'
Just clarifying that a proper 4x4 can be comfy, that's all really :rolleyes:
Tom
yes they can, but they also tend to be above the budget of most soft roaders. From the shortlist presented by the OP, which are all of a similar price, we can deduce his budget. So I'll see your :rolleyes: and raise you a :wink
From that list, the Freelander is the most capable offroad vehicle, but if dependability is an issue for your lady and she is not going to take it off road seriously, then I would go for the Toyota. Like Ed says, for offroad, tyres make all the difference no matter what you are driving.
Matt Weir
08-01-2010, 12:53
Toyota Hi lux all the way !!!!!!!!!!!:)
Indeed, I miss mine but have a L200 Warrior now so it's all good :)
make a differnce on road as well.
Bootstrap Bob
08-01-2010, 13:06
do you have a link to those off road trials you mention? I reckon they'd make some interesting reading.
Sorry Mike,
As much as I would like to share I am not allowed, more than my job is worth.
That's the joys of working for a car company where I am bound by confidentiality.:rolleyes:
There must be some automotive publications that have done off -road comparisons although I generally take them with a pinch of salt, they do make me laugh at their comments. :lmao:
TallMikeM
08-01-2010, 13:22
no worries Bob, I shall do a bit of googling instead.
Any Mitsubishi Delica owners here?
Quite tempted, as 7 seats (or 4 and lots of boot space).
Thanks for all your advice, I will bear it in mind. Starting to doubt my first choices now, need to look into it a bit more I think. Thanks again all.
Delbachs other half.
British Red
08-01-2010, 22:34
Red? Freelander 2? Small? lol they are nice but they are as wide as a bus :D
For a given value of small. Where a given value of "large" is an Amazon ;)
Indeed, I miss mine but have a L200 Warrior now so it's all good :)
got to agree with matt..the hilux range are very very good , felt like id lost my man bits when i sold mine ,but had to have a kiddie friendly motor so i baught a 3.2 frontera:banghead:
lee
Not on your list, but my 11 year old Suzuki Jimny has never let me down - utterly reliable and goes anywhere.
It's pretty small though.
Any Mitsubishi Delica owners here?
Quite tempted, as 7 seats (or 4 and lots of boot space).
Wayne certainly used to have a Deli, he may well still have. You could send him a PM if he doesn't spot this. Pajero chassis and 4WD with a 7 seat body iirc. My Mazda Bongo is 2WD, but there are plenty of 4WD versions too.
The Cumbrian
09-01-2010, 07:21
Any Mitsubishi Delica owners here?
Quite tempted, as 7 seats (or 4 and lots of boot space).
I've been looking at these too, but it's quite hard to find models with a manual gearbox.
Lordyosch
09-01-2010, 07:33
I'm really surprised that cars like rav4's are rated they look... well, "hair dressery" (i know, I know - books and covers!) A colleague of mine has a Renault koleos really not sure of the point of that style of car.
Jay.
timf2009
09-01-2010, 12:47
I've driven the Freelander 1 for the last 3 1/2 years and had no trouble with it. Here in Hungary many of the roads are dirt once you're outside the cities and it snows every winter.
When the main roads jam up I often take to the hills with it saving 1-2 hours of traffic jams. When the snow comes it's great to still be able to head uphill when most everything else can't! When this last lot of snow came I was away from home and drove back through it. It didn't once occur to me that I wouldn't be able to get home. :drive:
At the same time it's comfortable enough to handle long journeys - in 2009 I did two: 12 hour drive Budapest to Dubrovnik and 11 hours Budapest to Stresa in Italy.
Now I'm changing it and I looked at 2 possible replacements - the Freelander 2 and the Volvo XC60. The XC 60 has more toys but the Freelander 2 feels far more capable off the road and incidently addresses most of the niggles I had with the original one - namely basic inside and old fashioned styling.
The Freelander 2 gets delivered in 2 weeks or so.
Unless your girlfriend wants to go rockclimbing in it the F2 will do it. If not she needs a Defender!
Hope this helps :)
Tim
Big Geordie
09-01-2010, 20:29
Like DOC, I went for a Suzuki. A Grand Vitara. Fantastic. Does everything I ask it to do. When I lived on Jura & Islay it was superb on dirt tracks that used to peter out for a while.:drive:
In this snow its both light & strong with only a 1600 engine. Don't buy big buses unless you really need them! By the way I love Landys too.
G:)
backwoodsman
09-01-2010, 21:15
i have a rav4 and here in the scottish borders the past 3 weeks with all the snow, england the worse is still to come!!! it has performed exceptionally well, yes it has no low box but the gearing is different so 1st is a really low 1st ect.
and it gets 44mpg doing 55mph!!!!
rancid badger
09-01-2010, 21:24
got to agree with matt..the hilux range are very very good , felt like id lost my man bits when i sold mine ,but had to have a kiddie friendly motor so i baught a 3.2 frontera:banghead:
lee
,Oh dear, have you seen this Lee?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCAWsVmrPqQ
sorry:pokenest:
I'll get my anorak now:o
The bloke driving it claimed 'it just went'. Well, its a totally flat piece of road, so he's either been going too fast or got very poor tyres fitted. They were certainly looking a bit cooked, by the time he got out of there anyway.
R.B.
Interesting that the best options so far all come from Japan, and mostly have the Toyota badge on the front. Lets also not forget that in Oz the Toyota is the desert barge of choice, so it must to pretty well in the hot/sand as well.
To the Hi Lux owners out there; what sort of MPG do you get and how big is the boot?
Chris
You are very right Chris . I have just come back to Tassie from a 3 month trip on the mainland and the vehicle of choise is nissan patrol or toyota land cruiser. Ask the locals why not land rover they will tell you because your life depends on your vehicle and sadly how ever good they are when there going right they are very unreliable.
But saying that out of the 4x4s mentiond and for the uk i would go with the suzuki vitara.
Rob.
,Oh dear, have you seen this Lee?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCAWsVmrPqQ
sorry:pokenest:
I'll get my anorak now:o
The bloke driving it claimed 'it just went'. Well, its a totally flat piece of road, so he's either been going too fast or got very poor tyres fitted. They were certainly looking a bit cooked, by the time he got out of there anyway.
R.B.
what a doghnut id agree he was probebly going way to fast and it looks like he has a trailer hitched up which wont have helped matters
heres a couple of pics of mine
before major mods
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/9355/34cs3.jpg (http://img509.imageshack.us/i/34cs3.jpg/)
after major mods
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/231/tested005iv8.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/i/tested005iv8.jpg/)
god i miss that truck
lee
rancid badger
09-01-2010, 23:23
Dear Me!
a lot less to bend after the mod's anyway:D
I rather like the look of that:cool:
Don't know about doughnuts but there was certainly some toasting!:)
atb
Steve;)
edited due to a dead link
Dear Me!
a lot less to bend after the mod's anyway:D
I rather like the look of that:cool:
btw; did you check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFIKa5WYaD4?
Don't know about doughnuts but there was certainly some toasting!:)
atb
Steve;)
definately less to bend lol. unfortunately i cant get the link to work mate:confused:
lee
rancid badger
10-01-2010, 09:39
Not sure whats off there but I can't get it to work either:confused:
Oh well, if you try the first link, then click on: 'more from: mrstalch' you'll be able to view it that way;)
atb
steve
Not sure whats off there but I can't get it to work either:confused:
Oh well, if you try the first link, then click on: 'more from: mrstalch' you'll be able to view it that way;)
atb
steve
:eek:what a t**t lol i reckon there definately road tyres he running
lee
Alexlebrit
12-01-2010, 19:26
It's a bit hard to give any real advice when we don't know what she'll be using it for. If 95% of the time it's for on road then obviously that'd be a very different vehicle from something that's going to be seriously green-laned every weekend. You don't mention what she's driving now either. Is this for instance a response to the snow we've had recently?
But I'm going to put a +1 in for the Fiat Panda. If most of the time it's for nipping to the shops then the small size won't matter; Get the 1.3 MJ Diesel and get 45+mpg. Get the Panda Cross for something a bit chunkier, with Electonic Locking Diffs and you've got a very capable little off-road machine, epecially with the right tyres.
I'm hugely happy with mine, and it's been used off-road, both mud, and sand plenty of times. The winch isn't standard mind, and it's also had a lift and larger tyres.
http://galeria.panda4x4.net/d/3835-2/09283-20080302-NIKON+D80-24_0-70_0+mm+f-2_8.jpg
And if you're not convinced, here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAg4DdXAp7Y) some curly-haired beardy bloke from Fifth Gear playing with a Range Rover and Panda in a quarry.
_scorpio_
12-01-2010, 21:36
my dad owns a land rover company so im obviously biased towards them, but some of these more road styled cars, like the one above, are the best if its only for the occasional muddy boot fair car park, so something like that one above, or a freelander 2 which is actually slightly worse off road than the rubbish freelander 1. and all though clarkson and folk call people who drive range rovers only to never use them off road all kinds of scum and the vast amount they are moaned about for their polar bear killing skills they are a great car for the school run and stuff because they are comfortable and spacious, and ours has helped countless passers by on our steep icy road (though everyone will start having a go at them again when their G-whiz isnt stuck and cold). they are good off-road to an extent but if you want the paintwork and style to still be there at the other end of the off-road track then your out of luck. and you may be put off by the price for a new high spec one at around £60,000 - £80,000 but you would have to be pretty careless with your money to buy a new one, when they de-value by 30%+ as soon as they have left the showroom. our 5 year old 2nd hand range rover was £11,000 and has very few scratches and it could look new after a good scrub if you didnt look at the number plate. for hard off road you want a defender 90 that has had a 2" lift kit fitted, decent tires, snorkel, etc. or a lightweight defender which you can pick up for about £3,000 or a suzuki of some kind, those things really fly over bumps but their lightweight-ness can have some drawbacks.
blah blah blah blah landrover blah blah blah off road blah blah blah.
dont panic buy for snow conditions, if its just for that get a good gripping pair of boots.
Ironside
12-01-2010, 22:43
The Rav is a good one. Myself I have a Kia Sorento. Brilliant car for the money and it has done evrything I want for the last 4 years, towing, offroad and has been great in the recent snow.
Alexlebrit
12-01-2010, 23:06
Don't want to get into a slanging match, but do want to leap to the defense of the "more road styled car" and its abilities to get far beyond a muddy boot fair car park. It's not for nothing that the Italian police use Pandas to get far into the Alps.
Yes, I know it's not a Landie, but with the right boots on for the job mine's been a godsend this last week getting me through all sorts of snow and ice and managing to yank some other soft-roaders far bigger than itself out of ditches and snow banks. (Although attempting to winch the EdF's Unimog out did defeat it I'll admit).
That said in the deepest snow we had (2 foot plus) the one car that went anywhere was my Barbour converted 2CV 4x4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3391275485_674aeac2d6.jpg
But then that may be because she's currently shod with tractor tyres.
http://www.studioru.co.uk/morvan2009videoa.html
Being fair to my girlfriend she was talking about a 4x4 before the bad weather.I'm sure there is a lot of people who are considering getting one after this bad weather.The reason she fancies one is more room,plus we are on the verge of starting work on a small holding with her sister and her family so it will have to work for it's keep.If it was up to me we'd get a Defender with a crew cab,but i don't drive and she earns the good money so to be fair it is her desicion
Andrew
Don't want to get into a slanging match, but do want to leap to the defense of the "more road styled car" and its abilities to get far beyond a muddy boot fair car park. It's not for nothing that the Italian police use Pandas to get far into the Alps.
Yes, I know it's not a Landie, but with the right boots on for the job mine's been a godsend this last week getting me through all sorts of snow and ice and managing to yank some other soft-roaders far bigger than itself out of ditches and snow banks. (Although attempting to winch the EdF's Unimog out did defeat it I'll admit).
That said in the deepest snow we had (2 foot plus) the one car that went anywhere was my Barbour converted 2CV 4x4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3391275485_674aeac2d6.jpg
But then that may be because she's currently shod with tractor tyres.
http://www.studioru.co.uk/morvan2009videoa.html
That is brilliant a 2 CV 4x4
Andrew
Ahhh, to hell with it, get her a defender, they are just so much fun....
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/bombcrater002.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/bombcrater001.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/DSCN0211.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/landy/IMG_4545.jpg
and those flat wing tops are just made for one job....
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i273/Martyn_s30v/P1020609.jpg
:D
I'd have a vague vote for the Hyundai Tucson. We have one and it's great for long road drives, has loads of room inside and does me nicely down the odd forest track or getting the canoe to the water side.
Was blummin brilliant in the snow too. We had it across Scotland at Xmas and with some of my dodgy navigating we ended up down some untreated country roads and it was great.
Alexlebrit reminded me of the Fiat Panda. For folks that are not in the loop of information on the Panda.
Steyr Puch are the engineering and manufacturing company.
This little vehicle has a BIG BROTHER.....sold as the Mercedes Unimog a virtually unstoppable lorry.(like the Bedford MK but better) Its cousin is the Pinzgauer and in early guise was the fantastic and fun Haflinger (c 1959!) which are sometimes seen at off road trails and if competing, always take the top trophy. Watch the passengers face to see the expressions when going over a difficult obstacle!:eek:
I'm not up on the new model but would consider the older model if I was looking for a small reasonably inexpensive 4X4. I think that there is a wealth of spares in second hand world too as they did suffer from that Italian disease....Rust! Worse than any LR!
the Steyr Puch vehicles really are the muts nuts!:D
i work with a guy who has a pinzgauer with a tipper truck convertion. it really is unstopable and reliability is seccond to none.
i will have to get a picture somtime...
imo unless you need the towing capasity of a big 4x4 stick with the small suzukis or similar. if you are just worried about snowy roads but need a big car how about a 4wd estate car? much more practicle
pete
fast but dim
13-01-2010, 16:50
with all these 4wds we need to organise a camping / laning trip for the spring:)
I've had many 4x4s over the years, so for what it's worth here's my opinion. Land Rovers, Disco's, Rangeys etc are all good motors if you are handy with a set of spanners and can fix them yourself, otherwise they can get expensive. Toyota Hilux = very good work tool but a bit agricultural to drive.
Personally I wouldn't buy a soft roader, I want a low range gearbox.
I'm currently driving a Suzuki Jimny...........did I hear a snigger.......it may be small, it may not be the best motor for extended motorway journeys ( but no worse than many other 4x4s) but it will go anywhere, it's not expensive to run and being Japanese it's reliable. I'm getting 35 to 40mpg depending on how hard I drive it and how much gear is in it. I know people look at them and think "teeny tiny hairdressers car" but once you've left them way behind in the mud and snow their opinions tend to change :lmao:
Just my twopenn'orth
Dave
fast but dim
13-01-2010, 17:27
jimny's always impress me at pay and play sites, and tbh their size can only be an advatage green laning.
Lardrover
13-01-2010, 18:48
We have a 1996 RAV4, the first style that came out. Had it for about 7 years now and it's never missed a beat. Just put first new pair of tyres on the front. Performs well on road, not something I'd like to go panel bashing with though as it has no low box, only centre diff lock and a low first gear and some suspension linkage that looks useful for shaving rocks with. Then again, I wouldn't want to wreck a family car Range Rover or Discovery either playing in a quarry, I'd use an off road toy. Series and utility 90/110 Land Rovers carry that used and abused patina well though. The Toyota 2.0 efi flies along nicely, never spins wheels when taking off sharpish, good visibility, easy to park and I get blown kisses from all the hairdressing boys, pity I don't have any hair on my head any more.
I'd get a Discovery or Range Rover tomorrow but it's made difficult because we like the RAV so much. I'm going to be in the bad books if I persuade Our Lass to get rid and buy something that I am fairly sure will become a money pit sooner or later. I don't want to be sorting galvanic corrosion on door skins, rotten rear floors, wheel arches etc on what is the family car.
Having said that, when the RAV finally goes to meet the great rice burner in the sky, unless I can get another nice similar style model, I'll end up selling my soul and praying to the Lord Lucas, Prince of Darkness. The RAV was bought back then as we both had a crush on it, saw one for sale locally at a price we could cope with (Range Rovers and Discoveries were too much at the time) and we were running a shed that we had no attachment to, easy choice when put like that. Things have changed now, there isn't anything that catches our eye like this little RAV did, and good spec Range Rover and Discovery's are within our means now, it's only their potential for running costs that will keep reminding me of the folly of desire.
In the meantime, I get perverse delight out of several other Land Rovers, but I''m not so smitten that I would force this deviancy on the rest of the family, so the RAV stays for now and I'm not even sticking pins in effigies of it.
Poor thing, it's sat out there now, cold, wet, like a little Westie locked out of the shed. The V8 90 sat beside it though, that's just deserves every spanking it gets and raw meat thrown at it.
Indeed, I miss mine but have a L200 Warrior now so it's all good :)
Show off...........:rolleyes:
Mark