What 4x4 to buy for work purposes / greenlaning?
Discussion
Hi All.
I have been looking for a new runabout as I am changing jobs which will require use of a car at work, I recently went along for a few off road trips with a few mates and i'm hooked so i've decided to ditch the estate route and go for something that can go off-road.
My biggest issue is insurance, being under 25 and with only a years no claims its a pain, i'm hoping for something reasonable cheap to insure (< £1500) Ideally.
My budget for the vehicle is going to be around the same amount of around £1500.
So far I have found that a 2.5 Discovery. Suzuki Jimny and a pre 2000 5-door RAV4 meet these requirements, however I am wondering how suitable each of these would be, considering parts / reliability / ease of repair and also quality of driving in towns and off-road
I wont be carrying much, however the Jimny is quite small from what I can see although it does come with a roof rack in most cases.
Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I have been looking for a new runabout as I am changing jobs which will require use of a car at work, I recently went along for a few off road trips with a few mates and i'm hooked so i've decided to ditch the estate route and go for something that can go off-road.
My biggest issue is insurance, being under 25 and with only a years no claims its a pain, i'm hoping for something reasonable cheap to insure (< £1500) Ideally.
My budget for the vehicle is going to be around the same amount of around £1500.
So far I have found that a 2.5 Discovery. Suzuki Jimny and a pre 2000 5-door RAV4 meet these requirements, however I am wondering how suitable each of these would be, considering parts / reliability / ease of repair and also quality of driving in towns and off-road
I wont be carrying much, however the Jimny is quite small from what I can see although it does come with a roof rack in most cases.
Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks.
£1500 isn’t a lot of budget. But tbh you’ll probably struggle to go wrong.
Anything Land Rover in the U.K. comes with a wealth of choice, parts suppliers, pattern parts, specialist and advice. As well as one of the largest single male owners clubs.
They are all suitable for working on yourself too at home if you want. And are generally reasonably robust. But they do tend to like regular maintenance and often suffer from silly niggles.
The D2 is a nice ride. But pretty big and a proper 4x4. This means it’s not sports car and on road ride is not the best. But they go pretty well and the Td5 is cheap and easy to tune.
Get one with working ACE. It is frankly superb on road and well worth having.
There are loads of Land Rover clubs across the country. Many do green laning trips and many run trials events too. Lots of choice.
The D2 works out of the box too. Although bumpers are vulnerable and you may want to find a way to fit some bigger tyres. Lots of bodywork to get damaged.
D1’s and p38’s are probably in budget too and also worth considering.
Jimmy’s are ace. Hugely capable out of the box too. They are a bit like coil sprung Land Rover Series 1. Rear seats fold down for more hauling space. Their nimble size is good off and on road. The peppy petrol engine will give them similar on road performance to a diesel Disco.
For some lanes you might need a little more ground clearance though.
Lots of other candidates. I like Jeep XJ Cherokees. Great value for money and the slightly bigger Grand Cherokee. They will want a lift kit to match a D2. But are just as capable. Don’t know how insurance friendly they are.
Early Shoguns might be in budget too. Don’t know much about these. But they should be capable. And things like early Vitaras. Similar to a Jimny just a little more road focused. But people make them go off road well.
Even. Freelander might be a candidate. Capable for lanes although might benefit from a lift kit. But better on road.
Heads up. Most proper 4x4’s will be middish 20’s mpg wise for a diesel and more like high teens of petrol. The Jimny and then a diesel Freelander will be by far the most frugal if it matters.
Anything Land Rover in the U.K. comes with a wealth of choice, parts suppliers, pattern parts, specialist and advice. As well as one of the largest single male owners clubs.
They are all suitable for working on yourself too at home if you want. And are generally reasonably robust. But they do tend to like regular maintenance and often suffer from silly niggles.
The D2 is a nice ride. But pretty big and a proper 4x4. This means it’s not sports car and on road ride is not the best. But they go pretty well and the Td5 is cheap and easy to tune.
Get one with working ACE. It is frankly superb on road and well worth having.
There are loads of Land Rover clubs across the country. Many do green laning trips and many run trials events too. Lots of choice.
The D2 works out of the box too. Although bumpers are vulnerable and you may want to find a way to fit some bigger tyres. Lots of bodywork to get damaged.
D1’s and p38’s are probably in budget too and also worth considering.
Jimmy’s are ace. Hugely capable out of the box too. They are a bit like coil sprung Land Rover Series 1. Rear seats fold down for more hauling space. Their nimble size is good off and on road. The peppy petrol engine will give them similar on road performance to a diesel Disco.
For some lanes you might need a little more ground clearance though.
Lots of other candidates. I like Jeep XJ Cherokees. Great value for money and the slightly bigger Grand Cherokee. They will want a lift kit to match a D2. But are just as capable. Don’t know how insurance friendly they are.
Early Shoguns might be in budget too. Don’t know much about these. But they should be capable. And things like early Vitaras. Similar to a Jimny just a little more road focused. But people make them go off road well.
Even. Freelander might be a candidate. Capable for lanes although might benefit from a lift kit. But better on road.
Heads up. Most proper 4x4’s will be middish 20’s mpg wise for a diesel and more like high teens of petrol. The Jimny and then a diesel Freelander will be by far the most frugal if it matters.
Btw - I really like the Gen 1 Rav4’s. But they are bit out of their depth for lanes and proper off roading. Not enough ground clearance or wheel travel. Fully independent suspension but no traction aids or tcs. And highly vulnerable underneither. For gravel tracks, snow, sand type of thing they are good. For deep rutted lanes probably not. You’ll just get beached and bend and break stuff under the car.
They do go well on the road though.
Btw - Land Rover ownership would open up to clubs like this:
https://www.cvlrc.co.uk
There are probably 50+ active clubs across the U.K. and events run in most counties at least once per month. You just don’t get this in the U.K. with any other 4x4 make.
They do go well on the road though.
Btw - Land Rover ownership would open up to clubs like this:
https://www.cvlrc.co.uk
There are probably 50+ active clubs across the U.K. and events run in most counties at least once per month. You just don’t get this in the U.K. with any other 4x4 make.
I've had D1s and D2s, for £1500 I think you would be better off finding the nicest Discovery 1 you can find.
Miles aren't an issue with either, 200/300 TDis will run to 300k+ without many issues, Td5 much the same but IME the TDi engine is much more reliable and easier to work on. Petrols can suffer with slipped liners, overheating and other issues. Great engines, but fuel economy not the best. Depends on how many miles you're doing I suppose.
Out of the box, D1 and D2 are remarkably capable off road, the D2 is easier to drive off road, especially when equipped with mud terrains. The traction control takes a lot of the thinking out of cross axle situations, though you probably won't come across many really demanding situations whilst greenlaning.
On the road the D2 is miles ahead, plus the interior quality + general fit and finish are light years ahead of the D1.
I'm afraid I can't really speak for the others, my friend bought a new Jimny earlier this year, but I haven't spent much time in it. If space is a priority, I'd look elsewhere. A very capable car, mind.
Miles aren't an issue with either, 200/300 TDis will run to 300k+ without many issues, Td5 much the same but IME the TDi engine is much more reliable and easier to work on. Petrols can suffer with slipped liners, overheating and other issues. Great engines, but fuel economy not the best. Depends on how many miles you're doing I suppose.
Out of the box, D1 and D2 are remarkably capable off road, the D2 is easier to drive off road, especially when equipped with mud terrains. The traction control takes a lot of the thinking out of cross axle situations, though you probably won't come across many really demanding situations whilst greenlaning.
On the road the D2 is miles ahead, plus the interior quality + general fit and finish are light years ahead of the D1.
I'm afraid I can't really speak for the others, my friend bought a new Jimny earlier this year, but I haven't spent much time in it. If space is a priority, I'd look elsewhere. A very capable car, mind.
It depends what you need. If you just want occasional local use and recreational off roading buy a Discovery. The boxy old 4 pot petrol Cherokee isn't too expensive to run either and very cheap to buy, bit cramped if you're tall though.
If you need a 4x4 that can do a few miles reasonably cheaply I'd recommend a Suzuki or a soft roader. Most off road driving is about skill, knowledge and not least decent tyres. I've got through quite severe mud and slippery conditions in my Golf or Caddy at work.
If you need a 4x4 that can do a few miles reasonably cheaply I'd recommend a Suzuki or a soft roader. Most off road driving is about skill, knowledge and not least decent tyres. I've got through quite severe mud and slippery conditions in my Golf or Caddy at work.
Spookily, my 'old girl' is coming up for its MOT shortly; we have done c. 500 miles in it since last year so it really should go to a new home....
D1, 50th Anniversary so leather etc. 'R/97'' and 173K miles form memory - we have had it since 18m old and 16K miles. It is that weird (but really nice) metallic Blue/Green with cream leather. IN sunlight, it is definitely a metallic green... no blue... no green etc.
Last year it went through with some minor welding for rear seat belt fixings and somewhere under the boot.
Of any interest?
D1, 50th Anniversary so leather etc. 'R/97'' and 173K miles form memory - we have had it since 18m old and 16K miles. It is that weird (but really nice) metallic Blue/Green with cream leather. IN sunlight, it is definitely a metallic green... no blue... no green etc.
Last year it went through with some minor welding for rear seat belt fixings and somewhere under the boot.
Of any interest?
I've recently bought an early swb Shogun as a building site/ farm runabout. Its 2002 and done 120000. miles , bought for £2000. I'm very impressed, its probably the best built 4x4. I've had, absolutely solid, rust free and everything works like new. Its better than my series landrover off road, can legally añd easily tow 2.9t, gets 30+ mpg on a daily basis and close to 40mpg on a careful run. I was passing a line of slow moving cars the other day and found I had crept up over 100 without noticing (obviously on a private road).
Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
brrapp said:
I've recently bought an early swb Shogun as a building site/ farm runabout. Its 2002 and done 120000. miles , bought for £2000. I'm very impressed, its probably the best built 4x4. I've had, absolutely solid, rust free and everything works like new. Its better than my series landrover off road, can legally añd easily tow 2.9t, gets 30+ mpg on a daily basis and close to 40mpg on a careful run. I was passing a line of slow moving cars the other day and found I had crept up over 100 without noticing (obviously on a private road).
Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
I think the Swb of that year is rated at 2800kg tow rating. The lwb is something like 3300kg. Just a heads up if you are towing 2.9 or more tonnes about. Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
brrapp said:
I've recently bought an early swb Shogun as a building site/ farm runabout. Its 2002 and done 120000. miles , bought for £2000. I'm very impressed, its probably the best built 4x4. I've had, absolutely solid, rust free and everything works like new. Its better than my series landrover off road, can legally añd easily tow 2.9t, gets 30+ mpg on a daily basis and close to 40mpg on a careful run. I was passing a line of slow moving cars the other day and found I had crept up over 100 without noticing (obviously on a private road).
Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
There are lots of these in Australia, a country that knows its 4x4s. I tried to find a SWB one a few years ago but struggled.Don't know what insurance would be like for a young guy, mine is less than£200, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.
Slaav said:
Spookily, my 'old girl' is coming up for its MOT shortly; we have done c. 500 miles in it since last year so it really should go to a new home....
D1, 50th Anniversary so leather etc. 'R/97'' and 173K miles form memory - we have had it since 18m old and 16K miles. It is that weird (but really nice) metallic Blue/Green with cream leather. IN sunlight, it is definitely a metallic green... no blue... no green etc.
Last year it went through with some minor welding for rear seat belt fixings and somewhere under the boot.
Of any interest?
Yeah, depends on your location if you are in the north west PM me and we can sort something out. D1, 50th Anniversary so leather etc. 'R/97'' and 173K miles form memory - we have had it since 18m old and 16K miles. It is that weird (but really nice) metallic Blue/Green with cream leather. IN sunlight, it is definitely a metallic green... no blue... no green etc.
Last year it went through with some minor welding for rear seat belt fixings and somewhere under the boot.
Of any interest?
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