What cheap winter/building/doggy 4x4 hack?

[shoestring7]

Go easy; its my first 'What car' thread, but I've no idea what's around in this sector.

I'm about to buy an old cottage at the end of a quiet, hilly lane. They'll be some building work involved, lots of garden clearing, and before long they'll be a dog/dogs around. I'm chopping in the old (more or less never used) 911, and want a cheap hack to live outside on a muddy surface under trees (there's a garage but it will be filled with bikes).

Here's my wish list:

- short local journeys
- wet dog friendly
- can take a load of garden rubbish to the tip
- capable of dealing with a steep snowy lane
- 4 seats
- reliable & cheap to run/insure/service etc
- Not too agricultural to drive
- Budget £5k

Like the idea of a Defender, but haven't really ever got on with them in the past - cramped and drives like a 1950s Bedford 3 tonner.

Currently no idea, but looking at old Freelanders, Shoguns etc.

SS7

[mcbook]

How about a pickup?

Toyota Hilux
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Hilux-D4D-Double...

Mitsubishi L200
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MITSIBUSHI-L200-ANIMAL-...

[hutchst]

Hilux double cab or similar?

[MC Bodge]

Duster

[djone101]

Nissan Pathfinder

[smn159]

Yeti 4x4

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Yeti-2-0TDI-CR-14...

[goldstar500]

I had a old Honda crv a few years ago that did a good job of most if not all of what you require from a 4x4,rav4 similar and both reasonably cheap...

[CO2000]

Subaru Forester?

[Roger Irrelevant]

I use my Subaru Outback for pretty much the same stuff and it's great - I'm forever filling it with building stuff but it's also really smooth to drive generally (3.0 6 cyl petrol helps here). With winter tyres on it proved to be superb in the recent snow we had (and I mean driving on untreated lanes in the Lakes, Dales and North York Moors, not popping to the local retail park along slightly slushy roads). I'd guess that a £5k example of one of these will be a lot better ownership proposition than a £5k Freelander.

[shoestring7]

Thanks for the suggestions; I'll start trawling ebay, Gumtree and Autotrader.

SS7

[Alex]

My usual answer to threads like this:

Jeep Grand Cherokee. £5k will get you mint WJ or tidy WK.

They are thirsty, but simple and reliable, and have proper off-road ability.

[Dog Star]

V70 AWD

[Toaster Pilot]

MC Bodge said:

Duster

This - an early 4x4 must be available for £5k by now surely

[Willy Nilly]

The crew cab pickups don't have much load load bed room and those and Defenders to tend to go missing in areas such as you describe.

[Bumblebee7]

As others have said at that price point Japanese is a good way to go as it'll be reliable. Land Rovers are great but not exactly renowned for reliability or for being cheap.

Subaru forester/outback used by many farmers, most legacy's sit quite low though. Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Shogun, Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV all options for a mid size 4x4 type car (albeit most now have part time 4x4). If dealing with gardening etc. a double cab Hilux is a great shout albeit agricultural, but it's unlikely to ever let you down and they do hold their price.

[MC Bodge]

Toaster Pilot said:

MC Bodge said:

Duster

This - an early 4x4 must be available for £5k by now surely

If I was doing what the OP describes or living in the wilds/hills, I would definitely have one.