4x4 itch

[TheJimi]

I’ve always fancied a “proper”  4x4, but I’ve never gotten around to scratching the itch.

I’ve recently sold my weekend toy, and won’t be picking up another until the spring, unless something that I can’t refuse pops up in the meantime. So, I’m thinking now would be a perfect time to scratch the 4x4 itch.

Trouble is, I’m not sure that what I want exists.  I’d like something Shogun / Discovery sized, but equally something that isn’t going to rinse me with running costs.  Use would be mainly weekends, mostly on-road, but I may seek out some green lane stuff while I have the opportunity.

Budget, for this, is £2k.

Any ideas?  This is a sector that I’m fairly clueless in but I suspect I'm asking the impossible

[pb8g09]

Jimny!!!

[Mammasaid]

L200?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Won't be more than 30 mpg, and not the last word in refinement, but unless you're doing the serious off-roading will get you places most won't and the bonus is that you can sling muddy dogs/bikes/children (only joking) in the back.

[Zetec-S]

Another vote for the Jimny.

Plus it'll go well with your username

[Pica-Pica]

Jimny, I am keen on getting the new one.

[Aeschylus]

2006/7 Rav 4 is about your budget, have a 4 wheel mode to

[TheJimi]

The only thing that puts me off a Jimny (apart from the size - I want a big one!) is that general consensus seems to be that they are a bit rubbish at motorway speeds, and underpowered somewhat.

[ZX10R NIN]

Are they the same size as a 5 door Shogun?

I'd say the best car for your budget would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee you'll just get a third gen or a well looked after gen
two for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[pb8g09]

Pica-Pica said:

Jimny, I am keen on getting the new one.

+1

Trying to convince the missus to replace her car when the new one comes out so I can use it without giving up my S1..!

[nitrodave]

I had the same itch a few years back, but with half your budget and I went for a £800 mk2 v6 manaul SWB shogun.

Got it on ebay with about 100k on the clock and used it almost every weekend for 9 months to go off roading. I abused the hell out of it on green lanes and pay n play off road centres and it never ever went wrong.

All i did was fit a set of 31" mud terrain tyres and it handled everything I threw at it.

Sold it a year later for exactly what I paid and other than the second hand tyres, i didn't spend a penny on it.

Was actually pretty decent on the road too and the v6 had plenty of grunt.

I still miss it and would have another for sure

[TheJimi]

ZX10R NIN said:

Are they the same size as a 5 door Shogun?

I'd say the best car for your budget would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee you'll just get a third gen or a well looked after gen
two for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cheers dude, only snag is, the budget for this itch is £2k!

[TheJimi]

nitrodave said:

I had the same itch a few years back, but with half your budget and I went for a £800 mk2 v6 manaul SWB shogun.

Got it on ebay with about 100k on the clock and used it almost every weekend for 9 months to go off roading. I abused the hell out of it on green lanes and pay n play off road centres and it never ever went wrong.

All i did was fit a set of 31" mud terrain tyres and it handled everything I threw at it.

Sold it a year later for exactly what I paid and other than the second hand tyres, i didn't spend a penny on it.

Was actually pretty decent on the road too and the v6 had plenty of grunt.

I still miss it and would have another for sure

That does sound good, and oddly enough, I really like the look of Shoguns.

Is your experience unique? I'd have thought an 800 quid shogun would be a money pit!

[Timbuktu]

TheJimi said:

The only thing that puts me off a Jimny (apart from the size - I want a big one!) is that general consensus seems to be that they are a bit rubbish at motorway speeds, and underpowered somewhat.

They are. People seem to love them though. See the other thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Alex]

TheJimi said:

Cheers dude, only snag is, the budget for this itch is £2k!

We've just bought a new Sorento, so need to sell our Grand Cherokee. 11 months MOT, yours for £800.

[TheJimi]

It would probably cost me that in fuel to get from Surrey to Scotland

[ZX10R NIN]

TheJimi said:

Cheers dude, only snag is, the budget for this itch is £2k!

Lol I misread your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sorento

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Maverick

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[RizzoTheRat]

TheJimi said:

The only thing that puts me off a Jimny (apart from the size - I want a big one!) is that general consensus seems to be that they are a bit rubbish at motorway speeds, and underpowered somewhat.

I rented a Jimni is Iceland a few years back. Excellent on slushy gravel tracks, and ok-ish cruising at about 60. Wouldn't fancy one on a UK motorway.

[Alex]

TheJimi said:

It would probably cost me that in fuel to get from Surrey to Scotland

It will do 20mpg on a run!

[nitrodave]

TheJimi said:

nitrodave said:

I had the same itch a few years back, but with half your budget and I went for a £800 mk2 v6 manaul SWB shogun.

Got it on ebay with about 100k on the clock and used it almost every weekend for 9 months to go off roading. I abused the hell out of it on green lanes and pay n play off road centres and it never ever went wrong.

All i did was fit a set of 31" mud terrain tyres and it handled everything I threw at it.

Sold it a year later for exactly what I paid and other than the second hand tyres, i didn't spend a penny on it.

Was actually pretty decent on the road too and the v6 had plenty of grunt.

I still miss it and would have another for sure

That does sound good, and oddly enough, I really like the look of Shoguns.

Is your experience unique? I'd have thought an 800 quid shogun would be a money pit!

I wouldn't say it was unique. Whenever I was at the devils pit pay n play site for a day of fun there were always several other mk2 shoguns with meaty tyres and some had a body lift. Never any breakdowns. I have no experience of the diesel engines, but the v6 petrol was a tough lump and the transmission was solid. Low ratios worked and occasionally the solenoid for switching between high and low would stick, but rocking it forward and back released it again.

I had it submerged above the window line several times and not a drop of water came in the car either. It was a truly solid and well built car.

The UK models all had a rear locking diff which was extremely effective. Think the jap pajeros had LSD on the rear, but i much preffered the uk specc'd lockers.

Only think to look out for is chassis rust. Some are too far gone but there are loads which are still very good. Check them out before buying as there are lemons. For the money I think they are very hard to beat