1k budget for a 4x4

[V_cirellio]

Hi chaps,

Is it possible to purchase a 4x4 for under or as close too 1k and for it not to be a "dog"? I am very new to 4x4 ownership, infact this will be my first one. The reason for me wanting one is, I have been doing track days for a long time and also I am a motorsport engineer at Castle Combe which is all very well but I have a desire to drive through mud and various types of terrain that my track car would not be able to do.

I live very close to Salisbury plane which is also tempting me towards a 4x4 of my own. The 4x4 wouldn't be used as a daily driver so mpg isn't a massive issue.

Some friends have Land Rovers all of which are not modified, but they still are fantastic machines for off roading. I am guessing though that they will be out of my budget? Well for a good one anyway. As for being reliable this is a must. Also are 4x4's galvanized? Again I don't want to be welding in new sills etc due to rust (far too lazy for that).

Well it will be great to hear your responses,

Vince

[Rum Runner]

Suzuki Vitara

[Jem0911]

Fourtrak.
Watch out for the rust.

[fiveoclockhero1]

One of these, dont laugh, seriously good off road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gq2M62c0vw

[fiveoclockhero1]

fiveoclockhero1 said:

One of these, dont laugh, seriously good off road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gq2M62c0vw

And if you think that video was doctored in some way this one isnt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBVRIwPG1BM&NR=...

[V_cirellio]

Never thought of a Lada. As for getting hold of parts how easy is it?

Will I be able to get a good 4x4 for 1k? I don't want to have to spend hours changing parts, been there done that and I hate it. As for the diffs, 4 wheel drive system etc how good are the Suzuki Vitara's and Sj's as for being reliable?

[jas xjr]

How about a shogun / pajero ? Quite a few about and have a reputation for longevity . 3 ltr v6 or diesel

[V_cirellio]

jas xjr said:

How about a shogun / pajero ? Quite a few about and have a reputation for longevity . 3 ltr v6 or diesel

I hadn't thought about this car. Infact my parents had one when I was younger, we had a 3.0 V6. It was great. For off road use, what is better auto's or manuals? Or does it not really matter too much?

Sorry for all of these questions, I just want to get the best 4x4 I can and have no idea about what is good or not for off roading

[joaner]

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

[Jem0911]

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Didn't see any police on the Plain on Sunday?
Why would they confiscate your vehicle if you were on a legal by-way?

[Road Pest]

Suzuki Samuari?

Should give you some change for mods/repairs too.

Edited by Road Pest on Thursday 31st December 20:40

[V_cirellio]

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Don't Landys suffer badly from rot? I would love one though.

I heard about some of the plain being out of bounds. What will happen if you get caught up there?

[Jem0911]

V_cirellio said:

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Don't Landys suffer badly from rot? I would love one though.

I heard about some of the plain being out of bounds. What will happen if you get caught up there?

Sure some bits are OOB military areas but if you stick to the Byways marked on the OS maps you will be fine.
Can't comment on Discos never had one.

[jesta1865]

V_cirellio said:

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Don't Landys suffer badly from rot? I would love one though.

I heard about some of the plain being out of bounds. What will happen if you get caught up there?

well i had on for 12 years, 18 months old when i bought it, and i never had a problem with rot. then i did make sure i jet washed it after going off road. a mate has had issues with rot in the boot floor of his, which i hear is not unheard of, but it took him less than 2 hours to replace, and he carries all sorts of weird stuff in his one.

mind you he has just written it off as well, a tad gutted as he had just done the rear floor

[300bhp/ton]

V_cirellio said:

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Don't Landys suffer badly from rot? I would love one though.

I heard about some of the plain being out of bounds. What will happen if you get caught up there?

The biggest thing with Landys is you can fix any part of them. All parts are available and you can take them apart. This makes a difference in long term ownership and use.

A Series Landy is easily in budget and you might even find one with a new galv chassis. It's a bit more rustic than newer stuff but very capable, even 100% stock.

I'd also have a look for a Jimny.

[joshc]

300bhp/ton said:

A Series Landy is easily in budget and you might even find one with a new galv chassis. It's a bit more rustic than newer stuff but very capable, even 100% stock.

Where though? The Series III Land Rovers I have looked at in the £1000 price range usually require welding of some sort on the bulkhead and footwells.

[V_cirellio]

300bhp/ton said:

V_cirellio said:

joaner said:

get a 300tdi disco easey a cheap to fix get 1 for £750 put a set of insa turbo mud pluggers on it wont get stuck ps dont go on the plains stick to the ox droves coz the old bill will take your truk of u

Don't Landys suffer badly from rot? I would love one though.

I heard about some of the plain being out of bounds. What will happen if you get caught up there?

The biggest thing with Landys is you can fix any part of them. All parts are available and you can take them apart. This makes a difference in long term ownership and use.

A Series Landy is easily in budget and you might even find one with a new galv chassis. It's a bit more rustic than newer stuff but very capable, even 100% stock.

I'd also have a look for a Jimny.

Suzuki Jimny? They are hairdresser 4x4's aren't they?

[Rum Runner]

No Very good offroad, cheap run, tough.
Best bet as said is a very late Vitara 2000 / 2001 you will get a low mileage good condition vehicle probably only pottered around town for 1K.
Have a good look on the net and you will see.
I lived in the Caribbean for many years and on the roads out there it one of the few cars that last and can be fixed easy. Landies don't survive out there not on those roads.
I also had a early shape Terios for 4 months which also was much better than expected considering the house was not do able in a normal vehicle.
I work on a beach a lot in the summer towing boats as well and we used to use a SJ which was very good and now have a old Landie 110 crewcab which is ok but had its fair share of issues (Gearbox etc).
I have still a MK1 Vitara just sold a Grand Vitara and have new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 . The Vitara is excellent and I have owned this one since 2004

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 4th January 23:35

[HereBeMonsters]

V_cirellio said:

Suzuki Jimny? They are hairdresser 4x4's aren't they?

No, that's the Vitara. I honestly have no idea how people can mix these up.

[V_cirellio]

Rum Runner said:

No Very good offroad, cheap run, tough.
Best bet as said is a very late Vitara 2000 / 2001 you will get a low mileage good condition vehicle probably only pottered around town for 1K.
Have a good look on the net and you will see.
I lived in the Caribbean for many years and on the roads out there it one of the few cars that last and can be fixed easy. Landies don't survive out there not on those roads.
I also had a early shape Terios for 4 months which also was much better than expected considering the house was not do able in a normal vehicle.
I work on a beach a lot in the summer towing boats as well and we used to use a SJ which was very good and now have a old Landie 110 crewcab which is ok but had its fair share of issues (Gearbox etc).
I have still a MK1 Vitara just sold a Grand Vitara and have new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8 . The Vitara is excellent and I have owned this one since 2004

Edited by Rum Runner on Monday 4th January 23:13

That must have been absalutely fantastic to live in the Caribbean, very jealous.

I have been looking at Vitara's today and the model which seems to come up a lot is the 'fat boy'. Is this just cosmetic changes and wider wheels? Or does it has suspension modifications as well? The one thing that is holding me back from going out and just buying a 4x4 is I really do not want the hasstle of buying one and then the diff breaks or there is a problem with the 4 wheel drive system. So what is a good test to make sure that everything is working perfectly?

Thanks again chaps, I don't mean to ask a lot of questions but I truely am a novice with 4x4's