Is the x 90 any good offroad?

[Rusty-C]

Okay, so a pal and I are thinking of doing some off-roading/maybe trials, the obvious choice would be a Vitara, but we need something road legal at as close to £750 as poss; Vitaras at this price are pretty shagged or not T&Ted. But x90s come in on budget, and are relatively clean; their stupid looks don't matter, but are they any use off-road? I've heard some people use them for trials?

Edited by Rusty-C on Thursday 2nd February 13:59

Edited by Rusty-C on Thursday 2nd February 13:59

[thinfourth2]

As long as you get a 4x4 one it will be excellent

[JWH]

Might be wrong but I think you'll find they're two wheel drive. Which might be a problem.....

[JWH]

JWH said:

Might be wrong but I think you'll find they're two wheel drive. Which might be a problem.....

Further research shows I'm wrong - rear drive or four wheel drive as an option. I suspect you'd be better off with a Vitara or SJ of some variant, if onluy because you'll inevitably develop an appetite for modding and much more kit will be available for the latter two.

[300bhp/ton]

Rusty-C said:

Okay, so a pal and I are thinking of doing some off-roading/maybe trials, the obvious choice would be a Vitara, but we need something road-legal at as close to £750 as poss; Vitaras at this price are pretty shagged or not T&Ted. But x90s come in on budget, and are relatively clean; their stupid looks don't matter, but are the any use off-road? I've heard some people use them for trials?

What sort of off roading, how much prep will you be doing?

The x90 is a Vitara with a different body pretty much. But they did 2wd only versions, so watch what you buy.

Might be worth looking at Jeep Cherokee's too, £500-700 will buy you a decent 4.0 litre one.

[McSam]

For some bizarre reason, this title made me think of the Fiat X1/9..



Probably isn't, no. As you were.

[Rusty-C]

300bhp/ton said:

What sort of off roading, how much prep will you be doing?

The x90 is a Vitara with a different body pretty much. But they did 2wd only versions, so watch what you buy.

Might be worth looking at Jeep Cherokee's too, £500-700 will buy you a decent 4.0 litre one.

Yeah, the Jeep might be worth a shout. Fuel economy wouldn't be a concern, because we've both got daily drivers. Not sure about the modding TBH, initially we'd be looking at fairly softcore green laning so would only change the tyres. As always with these things, this was a passing idea that has spiralled out of control into something I now "need". Off to look at Jeeps; like the idea of a big engine and durable springs.

[jamiebae]

As others have already said, it's a Vitara, with a body designed by Barbie's stylist so is fine as a base for an offroad project, I've seen a few of them done before and they seem to work well.

[Pat H]

Rusty-C said:

Off to look at Jeeps; like the idea of a big engine and durable springs.

Old XJ Cherokees are pretty good, if you stick to the 4.0 petrol.

They all have automatic boxes, which may put you off, but shouldn't.

The diffs are made of chocolate, the ABS fails, the front UJs are weak and the rear springs sag.

Central locking and immobiliser is a real pain in the arse, as the plippers are fragile, expensive and have to be programmed at a Jeep dealer.

The engine and box are bombproof and the bodywork doesn't seem to suffer much from rot.

Fast for a 4x4, useful load carrier, as comfortable as a Ford Granada, brilliant in the rough and very cheap for what you get.

I loved mine, but sold it for £750 with 70,000 miles and an ABS fault.

[300bhp/ton]

Pat H said:

Central locking and immobiliser is a real pain in the arse

Do you have any experience on this, as in removing the alarm?