Sub £2k 4x4s, big enough to sleep in...

Sub £2k 4x4s, big enough to sleep in...

Author
Discussion

TheOrangePeril

Original Poster:

778 posts

180 months

Saturday 27th June 2020
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Hey all. I'm after some suggestions of cheap 4x4s that have a flat load area big enough for an average height couple to sleep in the back occasionally. Ideally nothing too thirsty (at least 30-40mpg on the motorway would be great, as it will probably trek across continents, which rules out some of the big V6/8s). Must be competent enough to handle rough tracks and fields but nothing too extreme, so soft-roaders can be considered as long as they have enough clearance/wheel travel for a few deepish ruts and largeish rocks. Basically the kind of off-road use that would stump a family estate, but nothing that would require a Jimny/Wrangler/Defender.

Very open to options here, have considered Xtrails, Terranos, 4x4 HR-Vs, Outbacks. Reliability is crucial so Japanese marques have been the main focus so far, but I'm open minded...


Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

224 months

Sunday 28th June 2020
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Keep an eye out on EBay they sometimes go for about the £2k mark, sometimes they go for a good bit more, but I’d say a Landcruiser Colorado with the 3.0 TD engine would be a good choice of your main concern is reliability.

bristolracer

5,540 posts

149 months

Sunday 28th June 2020
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Toyota Rav4

SAS Tom

3,403 posts

174 months

Sunday 28th June 2020
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Sort of on the edge of your requirements but a 1st or 2nd gen Lexus RX300 fits. It will do low 30’s mpg and drops between 22 and 25 around town. They have a great reputation for reliability being based on a Camry.

I’ve got a 2nd gen one with similar requirements as I’ll be sleeping in it at race meetings. You can fit an air bed in the back easily or the front seats fold flat to make a bed across the front and rear too.

I’ve taken it down some green lanes which it dealt with well. It’s more of a tall car than off roader but as long as you’re not doing anything too extreme it’ll be fine.

KevinCamaroSS

11,631 posts

280 months

Sunday 28th June 2020
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If you want a flat bed, then you probably need to look at a pickup, rather than an SUV. Most SUVs do not have a 6 foot flat area at all.

anomaly

459 posts

173 months

Monday 29th June 2020
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Have you considered a first generation BMW X3? They're really cheap now, great to drive on road, huge boot and the diesel is economical. We had a 3.0d for years - totally reliable.

BoggoStump

315 posts

49 months

TheOrangePeril

Original Poster:

778 posts

180 months

Wednesday 1st July 2020
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Thanks for your replies guys.

The Lexus is definitely tempting. Seen a few of the later hybrids going dirt cheap too...
XC70 and Outback are also on the list, but I'm not really sure where their practical limits are re: ground clearance.

Haven't really considered BMW but that could be a good shout. Are parts generally expensive?

BoggoStump

315 posts

49 months

Wednesday 1st July 2020
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Did you see the Xtrail video?, i think any 4x4 sub 2K is a breakdown waiting to happen. Got to be sure you dont pick a turd.

808 Estate

2,113 posts

91 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Most of those mentioned wont be long enough unless you are only 5' tall. I have a Hilux Surf and that is long enough, but also pretty big.
For long motorway drives and decent space, I would look for a good XC70.

Edited by 808 Estate on Monday 6th July 21:52

Evanivitch

20,075 posts

122 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Renault Kangoo 4x4 sized van is probably most likely in terms of size, budget and off road capability.

Test driver

348 posts

124 months

Saturday 18th July 2020
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Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Overland V8. Fuel economy not great but the whole package is awesome and cheap to buy.

autocrazy

39 posts

60 months

Monday 7th September 2020
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Chevrolet Captiva 4x4. Huge, cheap and plenty available around £2k mark. It will cope with the type off roading you suggest and also has enough room for 7 passengers or 2 people to lie down with seats folded

camel_landy

4,898 posts

183 months

Monday 14th September 2020
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How about some of these:

Forrester
Legacy
Jeep XJ
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Audi Allroad
Volvo Cross Country

M

jesta1865

3,448 posts

209 months

Wednesday 16th September 2020
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you could look at the Mitsubishi Delica, not sure of price back in the UK, but they have the same 4wd system on as outlanders and tritons(/) and they should be easy to sleep in and get to beaches etc.

Stiggolas

324 posts

147 months

Friday 30th October 2020
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I'd suggest a first gen Kia Sorento. Go for the base XE model and they're bombproof

tr7v8

7,192 posts

228 months

Friday 30th October 2020
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Test driver said:
Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ Overland V8. Fuel economy not great but the whole package is awesome and cheap to buy.
This or the 4Litre 6 pot

Price is beginning to harden as people realise how good they are compared to a LR. Fundamentally no rust!

warninglight

19 posts

135 months

Tuesday 3rd November 2020
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I've slept comfortably on an airbed in the back of a Volvo XC70, and on a foam mattress on a frame I built into the back of a Discovery TD5 (needed to push front seats forward to lower a flap, to make a 6 foot bed in that one).

Currently looking at options for my Disco 4. Tinted windows and wind deflectors (so you can sleep with windows slightly open) are a must IMO.


Edited by warninglight on Tuesday 3rd November 15:01

ddpunter

109 posts

255 months

Wednesday 4th November 2020
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Wasn't the mitsubishi Shogun sport designed to fold flat into sleeping space at the back?

iguana

7,041 posts

260 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
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Regular shoguns are great for this, seats fold into a double bed & still have boot space, you just take headrests off the front seats & slide em forward. Bit over yr budget but I've got a shogun in the classifieds now