Some 4 x 4 advice
Discussion
As I have now moved from a town location into the middle of a field 
, I feel the need for a cheap 4x4 for winter. As some of you have such a vehicle, I am looking for any advice please.
I have looked at Freelander TD4, Nissan X-Trail, etc but do not really want to spend over £2.5K, I seriously only want to use it in times of dire weather (we seem to get lots of flooded roads on my route and big hills that would be interesting in the snow)
So diesel is my preference, I have a small budget, but any thoughts? I will perhaps take the post onto another forum, but I guess some of you may have or have at least owned such a thing.
, I feel the need for a cheap 4x4 for winter. As some of you have such a vehicle, I am looking for any advice please.I have looked at Freelander TD4, Nissan X-Trail, etc but do not really want to spend over £2.5K, I seriously only want to use it in times of dire weather (we seem to get lots of flooded roads on my route and big hills that would be interesting in the snow)
So diesel is my preference, I have a small budget, but any thoughts? I will perhaps take the post onto another forum, but I guess some of you may have or have at least owned such a thing.
Cockernee said:
As I have now moved from a town location into the middle of a field , I feel the need for a cheap 4x4 for winter. As some of you have such a vehicle, I am looking for any advice please.
I have looked at Freelander TD4, Nissan X-Trail, etc but do not really want to spend over £2.5K, I seriously only want to use it in times of dire weather (we seem to get lots of flooded roads on my route and big hills that would be interesting in the snow)
So diesel is my preference, I have a small budget, but any thoughts? I will perhaps take the post onto another forum, but I guess some of you may have or have at least owned such a thing.
Avoid range rovers,too unreliable. Probably something Japanese so you know it will start after 6 months sat idle., I feel the need for a cheap 4x4 for winter. As some of you have such a vehicle, I am looking for any advice please.I have looked at Freelander TD4, Nissan X-Trail, etc but do not really want to spend over £2.5K, I seriously only want to use it in times of dire weather (we seem to get lots of flooded roads on my route and big hills that would be interesting in the snow)
So diesel is my preference, I have a small budget, but any thoughts? I will perhaps take the post onto another forum, but I guess some of you may have or have at least owned such a thing.
Best value 4x4 shed is the Jeep Cherokee. Big, comfy and fairly reliable for what it is. Rangie would need some TLC at that money, Japanese... Well, they are what they are.
We've just gone the Discovery II route, 2.5k budget, spent 5k
However, we could probably make a bag of sand profit straight away, certainly won't lose money in our ownership.
We've just gone the Discovery II route, 2.5k budget, spent 5k
However, we could probably make a bag of sand profit straight away, certainly won't lose money in our ownership.
An old Defender although not sure what you'll get for £2.5k. Defenders are a bit like Astons. It'll get under your skin and it'll worm it's way in to become one of the family. I use mine for bad weather and general mucking about.
Played Ten Pin Bowling on Ice with it last year. Arranged 6 giant snowballs (get the kids to help) into a skittle formation and then handbrake slide into them. (The snowballs, not the kids) Great fun if you've got some space!
Played Ten Pin Bowling on Ice with it last year. Arranged 6 giant snowballs (get the kids to help) into a skittle formation and then handbrake slide into them. (The snowballs, not the kids) Great fun if you've got some space!
Little Donkey said:
An old Defender although not sure what you'll get for £2.5k. Defenders are a bit like Astons. It'll get under your skin and it'll worm it's way in to become one of the family. I use mine for bad weather and general mucking about.
You'll get nothing for 2.5k that's any use. Defenders start with a 4...We dumped ours, too crude, too cold through winter!
My dad used to have one of these years ago. Won't be the comfiest but you will be able to go absolutely anywhere!
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=1...
Right on budget too
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=1...
Right on budget too
One of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Stops me racing about, just chill out and cruise around.
Being in a similar situation I can highly recommend Mrs K's Shogun Pinin decent low mileage ones are in your budget and they are tough as old boots!
Forget the diesel if you are doing low miles you will pay a premium on the car and it is more expensive than petrol.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/mitsu...
Forget the diesel if you are doing low miles you will pay a premium on the car and it is more expensive than petrol.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/mitsu...
Our recently acquired winter hack was only a tiny bit over that money and I have high hopes of it. 03 plate Suzuki Grand Vitara, local, low mileage car with all the right history - what's not to like? I felt quite smug last week going through flood water that would have made me turn back in my Golf! Plus I feel confident that it's from the right era of Japanese cars that means no hassle reliability. Only meant to be keeping it 'til March but we are already thinking it may be worth hanging on to.
Hopefully Rob will be along later to give his opinion as he has lots of experience of the type of vehicle you are looking for but I can say now that his advice will be don't buy a Freelander (expensive repair issues) nor a Jeep (uncomfortable and not much of an off-roader). They are getting a bit rare now but the Daihatsu Fourtrak was a great country vehicle!
Hopefully Rob will be along later to give his opinion as he has lots of experience of the type of vehicle you are looking for but I can say now that his advice will be don't buy a Freelander (expensive repair issues) nor a Jeep (uncomfortable and not much of an off-roader). They are getting a bit rare now but the Daihatsu Fourtrak was a great country vehicle!
Mr Aston Martin said:
Considering the OP raised a point of snowy hills my suggestion is a bit left of field
A Fiat Panda 4 x 4.
Seriously light with narrow tyres and four wheel drive. Put some winter tyres and happy days.
Nice idea but they are rare and hold their value like you wouldn't believe (especially for a Fiat!)A Fiat Panda 4 x 4.
Seriously light with narrow tyres and four wheel drive. Put some winter tyres and happy days.
I'll get slated here probably, but have you thought of a Frontera? I've had 2 in the past (SWB) although to be honest I did use the last one as a skip on wheels. Problematic yes, but easy and cheap to fix. Changed the rad in an afternoon myself and a mechanic mate replaced the head in a day. It was always fun going from Frontera to Esprit, one extreme to the other in ride height!
First off I have had 23 years motor trade experience. My first piece of advice would be buy Japanese! I would not even contemplate a Range Rover at that price range. I used to sell Cherokee Jeeps, they are crap off road and eat their diffs.
Log onto Brightwells 4 x 4 website. It is the biggest auction of its kind. Also you will be able to scan their results to give you a feel for prices. As an example Molly has sited her Vitara. I paid £2650. 03 plate 51000 genuine miles , full service history, taxed and M.O.T,d till next July. The vehicle is bomb proof, will just about go anywhere plus 3 foot plus of water would not be a problem.
Look at Toyota Rav 4s, Suzukis,Daihatsu Terios. Avoid the big vehicles chances are they will have been worked hard.
I have surgeon friend who owns a Freelander , he reckons that he has spent in excess of £12,000 in repairs. My own Toyota Hilux is 9 years old has been to Hell and back, simply nothing at all has failed or gone wrong. I am not boasting just making the Japanese point.
Look at Brightwells 4x4 catalogue tomorrow at lunch time. If there is anything of interest to you let me know and I will get the complete lowdown on it. That would include what maximum you should be paying. Remember you are circum navigating a dealer. Also I would be quite happy to go and inspect a possible purchase for you prior to the auction.
Log onto Brightwells 4 x 4 website. It is the biggest auction of its kind. Also you will be able to scan their results to give you a feel for prices. As an example Molly has sited her Vitara. I paid £2650. 03 plate 51000 genuine miles , full service history, taxed and M.O.T,d till next July. The vehicle is bomb proof, will just about go anywhere plus 3 foot plus of water would not be a problem.
Look at Toyota Rav 4s, Suzukis,Daihatsu Terios. Avoid the big vehicles chances are they will have been worked hard.
I have surgeon friend who owns a Freelander , he reckons that he has spent in excess of £12,000 in repairs. My own Toyota Hilux is 9 years old has been to Hell and back, simply nothing at all has failed or gone wrong. I am not boasting just making the Japanese point.
Look at Brightwells 4x4 catalogue tomorrow at lunch time. If there is anything of interest to you let me know and I will get the complete lowdown on it. That would include what maximum you should be paying. Remember you are circum navigating a dealer. Also I would be quite happy to go and inspect a possible purchase for you prior to the auction.
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