What are your top 5 4x4s?

[white_goodman]

So, it's that time of year again when people forget that it doesn't snow for 51 weeks of the year and decide they need a 4x4. In general, I'm not a fan of 4x4s, as I feel that for the benefits I would get for one week per year (if that), would mean that for the rest of the time I have to put up with something that is slow, heavy, doesn't handle very well and is very thirsty. My Impreza WRX seemed like an ideal compromise and was awesomely effective and fun the last time we had heavy snow a couple of years ago. However, I must concede that this year I haven't taken it out onto the snow, as the snow is about a foot deep in my road and ground clearance may cause me to get stuck, whereas my neigbour in her Suzuki Grand Vitara was able to drive straight out. I guess that means that I'll be out there with a shovel tomorrow afternoon to dig out a path for the car if I want to get to work on Monday!

So what are PH's favourite 4x4s? Here are my top 5:

1. Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen: Expensive yes but that also means exclusive. It has the same utilitarian appeal as a Defender but with more power, luxury and refinement. A black AMG with tinted windows would make you look like someone very dangerous, who is not to be messed with but I would be perfectly happy with a silver diesel!

2. Land Rover Discovery 4: I was disappointed when my best man said that he couldn't borrow a Range Rover from work to drive me to my wedding but he got one of these instead, which seemed just as nice. I have always liked the Discovery but there has been a question mark over reliability and they have never been exactly fast. This one was quite quick (3.0 diesel) and a nice place to be. The 7 seats make it more justifiable owning one as well.

3. Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Limited - I've always had a soft spot for these. If I was after some cheap 4x4 fun and something that I don't mind driving on the road as well, this is what I would buy. In their day, they were faster and better handling than other 4x4s as well.

4. Range Rover - I love the RR Classic (although it's a bit long in the tooth now) and prefer the early 3rd generation Range Rovers before they got too blingy. Not too sure about the new one (it's become a bit of a caricature of itself) and the image is a bit Chelsea tractor/Cheshire footballer but I accept that the Range Rover still does most things very well. Not sure about something that conspicuously big only having the same number of seats as a Ford Focus though!

5. Land Rover Defender - It's an automotive icon and timelessly cool. I hate them to drive on the road but am able to respect what they can do when the going gets tough.

The VW Touareg and Toyota Landcruiser just miss out on the top 5 for me. Both really nice cars and good 4x4s but a little bit bland and lacking in character compared to my top 5.

What are yout top 5 4x4s?

[ShayneJ]

err you DO know your scooby is a 4x4 right?

eta

for me

1 FFRR
2 Grand Cherry
3 Landsnoozer
4 unimog
5 scooby loses out on load lugging ability.

Edited by ShayneJ on Saturday 19th January 15:20

[Mastodon2]

In no particular order:

Impreza 22B
Lancer Evolution VI TM edition
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R

Hard to pick the last 2, but these 3 are golden cars to me.

[markmullen]

1. Unimog
2. Hagglunds BV206 (not technically a 4x4 but still)
3. Hummer H1
4. G Wagen
5. Pinzgauer

[TheHeretic]

1) Unimog
2) Toyota FJ40
3) Mercedes G-wagon
4) Suzuki SJ
5) Toyota Land Cruiser

[Baron Greenback]

Bowler
Bronco ATTC
Lotus 7 inspired Baja racer

edited to take out cars!

Edited by Baron Greenback on Saturday 19th January 15:54

[white_goodman]

ShayneJ said:

err you DO know your scooby is a 4x4 right?

eta

for me

1 FFRR
2 Grand Cherry
3 Landsnoozer
4 unimog
5 scooby loses out on load lugging ability.

Edited by ShayneJ on Saturday 19th January 15:20

Of course but I was referring to proper 4x4s (SUVs if you like, although I dislike that term) rather than 4WD cars, as I'm assuming that most 4WD cars would still struggle in deep snow due to lack of ground clearance. I've always wondered on these threads what people mean when they say FFRR (Full Fat Range Rover?)

[rumple]

1)landrover 90.

2)landrover 110.

3)landrover 3/4 tonne lightweight.

4)landrover series 1.

5)landrover series 2/3, can't choose between them,


Bling modern 4x4' do absolutely nothing for me, I also do.t regard cars as 4x4's even if they have 4 wheel drive.

[Hereward]

I'm a big fan of the Mercedes GL. It's a proper 4x4 with lockable centre and rear diffs yet it's very rarely mentioned. One of these in V8 form would make me a happy man.

Toyota Landcruiser is definitely The Daddy, too. No nonsense bruiser.

Land Rover Discovery 4 nearly ticks all the boxes, such a tragedy you can't get one with a decent (V8) engine in this country.

Land Rover Defender has a wonderful pedigree. I hope to own a battered old one of these one day.

I am biased but I do love my Touareg V8. Just such an accomplished all-rounder yet nicely understated.

I agree with the OP that the Full Fat Range Rover has become a parody of itself. For something that size to not have 7 seats is a disgrace. It's sadly gone the way of Bentley and Aston Martin for me - the wrong sort of people drive them. I am sure it's an incredible vehicle, just far too bling for boring little me (not that I could afford one!)

[TheHeretic]

rumple said:

1)landrover 90.

2)landrover 110.

3)landrover 3/4 tonne lightweight.

4)landrover series 1.

5)landrover series 2/3, can't choose between them,


Bling modern 4x4' do absolutely nothing for me, I also do.t regard cars as 4x4's even if they have 4 wheel drive.

Variety is the spice of life.

[cailean]

rumple said:

1)landrover 90.

2)landrover 110.

3)landrover 3/4 tonne lightweight.

4)landrover series 1.

5)landrover series 2/3, can't choose between them,


Bling modern 4x4' do absolutely nothing for me, I also do.t regard cars as 4x4's even if they have 4 wheel drive.

Is that 1 or 5?

[DrTre]

LM002 in all 5 spots.

[blugnu]

In no particular order as they have different qualities, natch

1) Pinzgauer

2) Panda 4x4

3) Ur Quattro

4) Landrover 90

5) Twini moke

[Caulkhead]

1. Defender.

2. Unimog.

3. Austin Champ.

4. Volvo Sugga.

5. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

[Trommel]

Hereward said:

For something that size to not have 7 seats is a disgrace

If you want a minibus, buy a minibus.

[Willy Nilly]

Case STX 600

[skyrover]

1. Defender: Timeless and ultimately immortal, as long as you keep replacing the bits that break or fall off. Endless possibilities.

2. Jeep Wrangler: Ultimately without the original jeep, we would not have the land rover and for that I am eternally grateful. The Wrangler, being the American defender embodies everything I want in a 4x4

3. Gaz-66: Leftfield choice, but something so cool about them, if I needed transport at the end of the world this would be it.

4. Unimog: A tonka toy come to life and similar to the gaz-66 but not as simple or basic and loses points as a result

5. Ford Bronco: Ford's take on the jeep, effortlessly cool with the roof off and on your way to the beach

[Alex@POD]

white_goodman said:

However, I must concede that this year I haven't taken it out onto the snow, as the snow is about a foot deep in my road and ground clearance may cause me to get stuck

You'd be surprised! My dad drives an Impreza, got back from work a couple of weeks ago and decided to drive up the path to his house, despite the large amount of snow they had during the day (he lives in the Alps). It was a bit of a struggle, but he got there. He couldn't get out though, as the snow was too high and blocking the doors!

[Hereward]

Trommel said:

Hereward said:

For something that size to not have 7 seats is a disgrace

If you want a minibus, buy a minibus.

I'd rather have a Merc GL 500, thanks

[jhonn]

1. Current hot favourite for my next project - a Haflinger LWB - lets me get my portal axle fix in a simple lightweight package. (Damn difficult to find though)
2. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sport - for me, the Wrangler is the best combination of off-road capability, adaptibility and fun to own/modify and drive vehicle - hoping to have one this year.
3. Toyota Landcruiser LC3 - owned five years and now at 180000 miles - still drives great; this is one vehicle that I can, and do rely on.
4. Range Rover L322 - a vehicle I admire immensely and would love to own - I just can't bring myself to purchase one though - maybe one day..
5. Pinzgauer - I admire them for their engineering and would have one in my lottery win garage - great spec and ticks all the boxes - unfortunately the reality is a bit different.