£5k full size petrol 4x4. Odds that it'll be a money pit?

[LeftmostAardvark]

It looks like my choices are a 54 plate 100k auto discovery or similar age xc90 (other suggestions welcome). I've always previously had end of life bangers or new leased / pcp cars until now, so I'm going into this a bit blind. I can get good prices on LR parts and know my way around the v8 LR of Tha era (used to own a classic RR). What do I need to worry about / budget for (generally, not so much model specific)? I realise the consumables will be expensive but how bad? Thanks.

[McSam]

This might not be what you want, but what's led you to the criteria of big petrol 4x4?

I'm just interested.

[tvrolet]

I'd have thought the obvious choice was a Jeep Grand Cherokee? Pretty bulletproof, and the hemi 5.7 is a nice engine, and even the older 4.7s were pretty nippy.

[LeftmostAardvark]

McSam said:

This might not be what you want, but what's led you to the criteria of big petrol 4x4?

I'm just interested.

I don't need to do many miles and I like the sound of petrol engines, plus the purchase price between big petrol and comparative diesel buys quite a lot of petrol.

[Bill]

I don't know if the gearboxes etc of that era XC90 differ from the diesels but pre-06 they're notoriously unreliable.

V8 D2s were that sort of price three years ago when I was looking, so either prices are firming up or the ones you've seen are overpriced. Also I found the V8 pretty underwhelming, and a £200 remap gets nigh on V8 power from the Td5 while getting 25mpg...

[IanCress]

But do you have any specific need for a huge 4x4? By your criteria, you would be happy with a Hyundai i10.

[Prawnboy]

save 1500 of your budget for bills and get a newer, lower mileage, value for money grand cherokee.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

or spend it all on a 5.7 V8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[ShaunTheSheep]

I'd be leaning towards the disco, just because the parts supply is so much simpler in the UK and there's more repair knowledge easily available.

That said I've never driven the xc90 v8 but i think it's a yamaha engine? Could be worth a punt just because it's different?

[0llie]

You'd get a very nice D2 petrol for £5k, or save some cash and get a late D1.

I'd be wary of a £5k Range Rover, unless it was a Classic. £5k would get a very nice P38 though, just be sure to go in with your eyes open.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

This looks very nice, apart from the darkened rear glass.

[LeftmostAardvark]

I put the xc90 in the list as I had one on pcp a few years back and it felt like it would go forever. Thanks for tips about avoiding the t6 though. Jeep now on list (I do like the sound of a hemi ).

Both the hemi and the rover v8 feel like they should be less trouble than the respective diesels. My thinking was:
1. Get newer, better, lower mileage than diesel
2. If it does go wrong, it is cheaper and easier to fix
3. Much nicer noise

[LeftmostAardvark]

IanCress said:

But do you have any specific need for a huge 4x4? By your criteria, you would be happy with a Hyundai i10.

I need to be able to tow up to 2 tonnes, need a competent 4 wheel drive (not offroad, but snow on road in peak district-type of competence. I commute in all other weathers on a motorcycle. i10 is decidedly OFF the list.

[Bill]

LeftmostAardvark said:

Both the hemi and the rover v8 feel like they should be less trouble than the respective diesels. My thinking was:
1. Get newer, better, lower mileage than diesel
2. If it does go wrong, it is cheaper and easier to fix
3. Much nicer noise

All good reasons

[anonymous-user]

That Rover V8 in the D1/D2 is pathetic I'm afraid. It makes a lovely noise but it is hopelessly underpowered and thirsty. It also doesn't seem to be able to manage big mileage, but that's hardly surprising considering the age of the design. Bear in mind you're talking about an engine from the 60s combined with a car cobbled together out of a parts bin of 70s parts and built with all the care and attention you'd expect from three blind mice. At the risk of upsetting the LR fan boys I think you'd be better off taking your £5k and dropping it down a shredder, they were outdated st when they were new and time has not improved them.

I'd be looking at a Jeep of some sort I think, the 4 litre straight six is a nice thing too and brisker than you'd expect.

[richs2891]

Jeep 4.0 litre (wrangler) probably not what I would class as full size 4x4, but I could be wrong.

A few petrol 5 door shogun floating around, probably get the same mpg as a diesel one !

Jeep |cherokee as already mentioned

Kia Sorento 5 door - few petrol around

[northwest monkey]

Neighbour of mine has the 4.7 V8 Grand Cherokee & it's on moon miles now (54 Reg). They are renovating a place in rural Italy so use it for towing a trailer full of building materials over there pretty regularly. Other than servicing it seems extremely reliable & still looks good.

[JamesD1]

not had any personal experience of JEEP's but my mums friend has had one for ages and loves it, never hear of it breaking down etc. she has a 2.7 auto? grand cherokee

parts also appear quite cheap for jeep

[SilverSixer]

Shogun Sport 3.0 V6 any good to you?

[The Moose]

IanCress said:

But do you have any specific need for a huge 4x4? By your criteria, you would be happy with a Hyundai i10.

So predictable!

What is wrong with just wanting one?!

I don't need a porsche - I could make do with some stbox i10...but I currently have 2. I don't plan on riding my current motorbike to the remotest corner of the earth but I have an adventure style bike.

All because I want to.

I just don't comprehend why people struggle with this idea!!!

[margerison]

How about a nice 4.4 V8?!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

and £1.5k in the bank if/when it breaks

[Marlin45]

For that level of cash either a late Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0 or the Hemi equipped Grand Cherokee. Both are solid and reliable. But don't ruin the simplicity by tainting either with LPG

..and I say that as a dyed in the wool LR owner