Good value 4x4s
Discussion
Marko10010 said:
Dodge nitro anyone?
Ran a petrol V6 nitro in canada - was great. Tested a diesel nitro when back in the UK not so good - no power compared to the petrol motor, and not really any cheaper to run (trip showed 25mpg on the testdrive). We ended up buying a KJ cherokee, with the V6 petrol, its been fine for 5 years, but only betters 20mpg on a steady run. In almost every respect the subaru forester and outback that we have also run during this time are better all rounders, but the jeep has charm
If you live in a bad area a kj jeep cherokee is a proper 4x4 and there are some bargains out there. Engines are supposedly reliable don't know about the rest or mpg.
I've had a wj for a few months and live it. Too soon to talk about reliability but I do know it's driven over everything I've tried so far. Was actually looking for a kj but won this on ebay first.
I've had a wj for a few months and live it. Too soon to talk about reliability but I do know it's driven over everything I've tried so far. Was actually looking for a kj but won this on ebay first.
I bought the other half a ford kuga and she loves, it, with a 2 yr old and a newborn there is an unbelievable amount of shyte to lug about and it does it admirably, comfy and well specced in titanium spec with good stereo and will do 40mpg real world driving round town. hasn't missed a beat in 3 years.
We have a 2009 CRV. It is deathly boring - I call it a black dish washer with wheels - but my wife is perfectly happy with it. They are pretty big inside with lots of cubby holes and a flat floor in both the front and back so you can get a holiday's worth of kit in them. If you're having two kids I would really recomend one.
Have a look at a Subaru Tribeca. Very robust mechanically, and really well screwed together inside with a really nice interior. Look for an SE7 model which should be well within your budget and it will come with all the kit you will ever need.
There were a number of Subaru converted LPG cars made, see if you can track one down.
There were a number of Subaru converted LPG cars made, see if you can track one down.
Audi Allroad
Subaru Forester
I've owned both (along with numerous other 4x4's)
My Allroad was a 2.7 Bi-Turbo. Up to 2k cheaper than the equivalent diesel. I was getting late 20's for mpg. Like a magic carpet on-road, absolutely brilliant off it. I took it for our annual shooting weekend in Scotland, where there is lots of tricky off-road terrain, water crossings. It went everywhere the LR's and RR's went. I sold it to a friend who is a Senior Audi technician. They love the pre 2005 all-roads.
Subaru Forester
I've owned both (along with numerous other 4x4's)
My Allroad was a 2.7 Bi-Turbo. Up to 2k cheaper than the equivalent diesel. I was getting late 20's for mpg. Like a magic carpet on-road, absolutely brilliant off it. I took it for our annual shooting weekend in Scotland, where there is lots of tricky off-road terrain, water crossings. It went everywhere the LR's and RR's went. I sold it to a friend who is a Senior Audi technician. They love the pre 2005 all-roads.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
B.J.W said:
Audi Allroad
Subaru Forester
I've owned both (along with numerous other 4x4's)
My Allroad was a 2.7 Bi-Turbo. Up to 2k cheaper than the equivalent diesel. I was getting late 20's for mpg. Like a magic carpet on-road, absolutely brilliant off it. I took it for our annual shooting weekend in Scotland, where there is lots of tricky off-road terrain, water crossings. It went everywhere the LR's and RR's went. I sold it to a friend who is a Senior Audi technician. They love the pre 2005 all-roads.
We will just ignore the (I presume) deserved reputation for All-roads being one of the most generically unreliable cars out there then.... Subaru Forester
I've owned both (along with numerous other 4x4's)
My Allroad was a 2.7 Bi-Turbo. Up to 2k cheaper than the equivalent diesel. I was getting late 20's for mpg. Like a magic carpet on-road, absolutely brilliant off it. I took it for our annual shooting weekend in Scotland, where there is lots of tricky off-road terrain, water crossings. It went everywhere the LR's and RR's went. I sold it to a friend who is a Senior Audi technician. They love the pre 2005 all-roads.
The OP is after a good value 4x4; from experience you will always buying an element of risk with 4x4's that are 'good value'
Granted, the suspension bags on the A6 are not cheap to fix, but I ran my All-Road for a good few years and 25,000 miles and it didn't put a foot wrong (other than one bag which was fixed under warranty).
My car was a 1 owner example with full Audi SH. It cost me £4200. There was an ongoing leak from the engine which never manifested into anything serious (and still hasn't ), and it took a lot of abuse as my shooting hack. The same applied to my Forester - both cars being good suggestions based on the OP's original brief. Each to their own though!
Marko10010 said:
I do like the Idea of the traditional 4wd/SUV type vehicle rather than a 4wd car as it's going nowhere in bad weather up here and isn't just as good for towing. But to be honest I think that's just stigma I have in my head.
With your requirements I would wholeheartedly recommend the cherokee in any of its incarnations. As I said earlier we have run a 2003 KJ 3.7 petrol for 5 years and 45k miles, with no drama, its just had tyres and brakes in that time apart from routine fluids changing. previously I ran a '98 XJ in Canada, this had the 4.0l straight six - it was great too, never missed a beat in the time we had it. It was probably more capable offroad but slightly less confident on the road.I havent driven the square cut KK, but I think it shares quite a bit of stuff with the nitro (the door handles and dash for starters!), but has more 4x4 hardware than the nitro.
Generally, with these cars I have noticed that the petrol (particularly the large capacity ones) are often lower mileage, and better priced, and has already been mentioned the mpg is often not that much different.
caiss4 said:
Re. X Trail, I've got one. 2.5 petrol automatic. I reckon on about 26mpg overall. It's one of the few cars that I'd go out and buy the current incarnation of again.
Cheap on servicing, very reliable and SWMBO loves it. With 160bhp on tap it performs reasonably well and is no slouch.
.Cheap on servicing, very reliable and SWMBO loves it. With 160bhp on tap it performs reasonably well and is no slouch.
Would you really buy again, after 26 mpg ?
Good luck
The Cherokee uses a VM Motori diesel engine, which is far from the smoothest and most refined out there (also found in an LDV Maxus van and a London Taxi). It is strong and torquey, so ideal for hauling big loads, but is not a refined companion on the road.
Personally, I think the Cherokee in general feels cheap and nasty but that's just my opinion and others may like it!
Personally, I think the Cherokee in general feels cheap and nasty but that's just my opinion and others may like it!
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