Right help me out experts!

[Wilderbeast]

Hi all,

I've decided I'm going to buy myself a car and I'd like a 4X4 because the type of trips I'll be doing will require it! What's the cheapest 4X4 to insure (Given I'm an 18 soon to be 19) year old male?

Cheers lads,

Will

[nitrambur]

Fiat Panda

[southey]

what about one of those yugo's I will find the info, but having seen one in action it blew me away how capable it was and supposedly pretty frugal on the gas, looks a bit like a Renault 5 on steroids,

[Andy2112]

Suzuki Jimny.

[Wilderbeast]

Suzuki Jimny.

Thought about those they look like what I'm after.....but apparently they have a rep. as a hair dresser's off roader, anyone know how capable they are off road?

[lou1661]

Hi Will,
I would have thought it would be a Fiat Panda 4x4, i think they are between group 1 and 5 depending on which model you get.
Clicky linky


Louis

[nitrambur]

Panda is cheapest on insurance by a long way

http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/fiat...-4x4-cross.asp
http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/suzu...ny-1.3-sz4.asp

[Andy2112]

Thought about those they look like what I'm after.....but apparently they have a rep. as a hair dresser's off roader, anyone know how capable they are off road?

They used to have a bad rep for turning over but with full lock and full power they were prone too because of the high centre of gravity, i had an earlier version called SJ410 which served me well for 3 or 4 years. They are quite capable off road with selectable 4wd high and low ratio which you can select on the move upto 60mph iirc. Get some decent all terrain tyres on it and you're good to go. I now have the Grand Vitara 2.0lt turbo diesel. Ok, some call it a hairdressers car but i got around fine in the snow a while back while the 2 wheeled drive naysayers who mock them just looked out of their houses at their cars stuck on the drive.
Most of all they are fun to drive.

[silvergirl]

Don't laugh.
But the Fiat panda 4x4 is very popular round here where we have high level routes, single track roads, farm and forestry tracks, and plenty of snow in a year.

It doesn't feel like a small car to drive as you have an elevated seat position. I regularly pass Range Rovers and don't feel much smaller. I know its not a Landrover (I used to have a defender 110), but I reckon if your not doing seriously steep muddy off road stuff, its a better alround bet. And MUCH cheaper to insure.

[Andy2112]

Don't laugh.
But the Fiat panda 4x4 is very popular round here where we have high level routes, single track roads, farm and forestry tracks, and plenty of snow in a year.

It doesn't feel like a small car to drive as you have an elevated seat position. I regularly pass Range Rovers and don't feel much smaller. I know its not a Landrover (I used to have a defender 110), but I reckon if your not doing seriously steep muddy off road stuff, its a better alround bet. And MUCH cheaper to insure.

I'd buy one!!!!!!

[EdS]

no 4x4 is going to be cheap at your age I'm affraid. Seriously ask yourself do you need 4x4?

So go on then why do you need 4x4? If you need it because you will be driving off road normal insurance will not cover you and you are going to have to get specialist cover.

Or is it just due to snowy slippy roads? If so you'd be better off, at least to start with, learing to drive in snow (with chains if need be) in a normal cheap car - front wheel drive chuggy diesel just the job ie old Corsa. If you can not drive a normal car on slippy roads a 4x4 is going to be dangerous. Remember if you skid with 4 wheeels driving you can not steer in to a skid.

Sorry for the downer but a 4x4 is gonig to cost a fair amount to insure and run - remember even a small 4x4 like a Jimny only get about 35mpg.

Oh and with correct tyres for terrain Jimny's are very good, but not much room. SJ410 - are going to require a load of welding due to age. If you really NEED a 4x4 a Lada Niva might fit the bill.

http://forum.difflock.com/adverts.php

[southey]

Ha! thats what i ment, Not a yugo a Lada Niva like this beast!

[mayobushcraft]

Southey
I thought you would say a Jeep Wrangler. Thats my pick Wranglers are very dependable easy to repair and modify. Insurance is not to bad. Though the cost to run is a bit high. 15 to 20 MPG. And they are so comfortable compared to a Land Rover.

[southey]

Southey
I thought you would say a Jeep Wrangler. Thats my pick Wranglers are very dependable easy to repair and modify. Insurance is not to bad. Though the cost to run is a bit high. 15 to 20 MPG. And they are so comfortable compared to a Land Rover.

You know, you never see what's in front of your eyes( should have read my sig line).

Yes I would defiantly reckon mend a Jeep either a wrangler with a little trailer or a pre face lift Cherokee, go 4.0l no point messing around, and defiantly look for one with a multi point lpg conversion to if your going to be blasting the miles, bit of fuel saving and double your range too. have a look on ebay and you'll be amazed at the price for what is a brilliant 4x4 (the original 4x4). had mine from new since 2003, and the only thing to need replacing is the rear drive shaft after a bit of over exuberant driving by myself on leconsfield driver training area, driven it all over the UK for postings and trips, never misses a beat, like i said the wrangler(if you have the back seats in is short on boot space and rather than guff about with roofracks, a little erde(sp) trailer in perfect, you won't even know its there. I love my Jeep, great little truck! and with the right tyres brilliant in the inclement weather(driver skill permitting)


oh yeah 4.0litre+rear wheel drive when 2wd selected+snow=BIG FUN!!!

Tax is the only down side, £200ish for a year.

[Spikey DaPikey]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Doc]

Suzuki Jimny is group 7 insurance - low for a 4x4, but high compared to a small car.

I love mine - I had a 99 plate one for 9 years and no repairs needed, only consumables. They are extremely capable off road - far more so than most 4x4 offerings. I replaced my old Jimny with another Jimny.


I'm a rural GP and my practice area is 400 square miles, with the northern half being highland. The Jimny is excellent: a foot of snow is no problem, wading depth is 50cm plus, traction is excellent. Used Jimnys are pretty cheap.

I generally get 40mpg.

I have driven a Suzuki SJ (predecessor to the Jimny) and found it wandered over the road a lot. The Jimny is a far better on-road vehicle. Also they do not rust like the SJs do.

Not sure what your particular requirements are, but you could consider a 4x4 panda or even a subaru justy if you can find one. Or you could get a small car plus a quad bike or a trail bike?

[tobes01]

I'd check rates for an elderly Land Rover (Series 2a or similar). You might be pleasantly surprised.

It will of course eat every penny you save in breakdown charges, garage bills, fuel etc etc. But the insurance might be cheaper than you think.

[Ronnie]

The Lada Niva is very long in the tooth these days, they rot, and parts are getting hard to get hold of. Even though they're a good car, and great off-road, I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole.

Suzuki Jimny is a great car. I wouldn't worry about all that hairdresser stuff. Just don't get a red one.

Don't know what your budget is, but if you're looking for a budget 4x4, the L300 Delica is hard to beat:



You'll need to be handy with the spanners though if you want to run an old 4x4 cheaply

[tups93]

I have to agree with alot of the stuff thats been said here,

Ive had a Land Rover defender 110 Hi Cap Pick up, They cost a fair bit to run plus you have the maintance and the toys you decide to get for it, had a Jimny as well, it was a pig on the road with a set of muds on it and a 2.5" suspension lift, cant fault it off road in anyway other than getting stuck in the deep ruts left from bigger trucks plus i had fueling issues which i couldnt afford to sort out so had to sell, Ive also had an SJ for off roading only, it was a good laugh manual choke was a pain but you kinda get used to them, Never driven 1 on the road so cant comment on that but the leaf springs were sore off road,

Dont get me wrong i love 4x4s and im planning on doing something really stupid like saving for a Discovery, but if it was me at your age i would buy a diesel motor and get some years behind you,

But on the other hand if you have the cash the time and willing to learn buy a 4x4, join some of the off road forums and see what they say. But i think insurance will be a killer for the next few years, im 23 had my licence for 4 years and im stilling paying stupid money.

[Miyagi]

Fiat Panda

Beat me to it - the ex wife used to have one.