Most modifiable/customisable Compact SUV's/SUV's
Discussion
Quite tempted to get a smaller scale SUV. Which I'd want to modify to make it more of an offroader.
I read the Suzuki Jimny is meant to be fantastic, but I wouldn't want to strip the seats out to fit the dog in the back.
Any suggestions? (Anything up to Defender 90 size) budget 6K. But would rather stay a bit on the cheaper side.
Ta in advance.
I read the Suzuki Jimny is meant to be fantastic, but I wouldn't want to strip the seats out to fit the dog in the back.
Any suggestions? (Anything up to Defender 90 size) budget 6K. But would rather stay a bit on the cheaper side.
Ta in advance.
My vote would be trying a Jimny, they are reliable and cheap to modify, with your budget it puts you right on the edge of buying a stock but grubby defender, or building a very complete Jimny (clean example, lift, tyres and other odds and ends). Personally I went with the Jimny and haven't looked back, with the seats split folded there was plenty of room for my lab to curl up on the back seat. The space in the rear is also very usable due to the cars 'square' dimensions.
Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
caelite said:
My vote would be trying a Jimny, they are reliable and cheap to modify, with your budget it puts you right on the edge of buying a stock but grubby defender, or building a very complete Jimny (clean example, lift, tyres and other odds and ends). Personally I went with the Jimny and haven't looked back, with the seats split folded there was plenty of room for my lab to curl up on the back seat. The space in the rear is also very usable due to the cars 'square' dimensions.
Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
Do all Jimnys have split folding rear seats? Can't tell from the one's I've seen on AT haha. Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
Tempted by an L200, but I have an E320 currently and I'm only getting rid because it's too big. So an L200 feels like it'll just be a taller E class.
Defender or Jimny so far!
cailean said:
Shogun SWB?
Curious to know why you think a Defender is much better than a Wrnagler, may be at 6k but not modern ones.
Patriotism hah. Defender is a dream car of mine, but I didn't say the Defender was much better. Just that I'd sooner have a Defender over a Wrangler.Curious to know why you think a Defender is much better than a Wrnagler, may be at 6k but not modern ones.
How easy to mod are Shogun's? For things like lifts and skid plates etc?
warcalf said:
caelite said:
My vote would be trying a Jimny, they are reliable and cheap to modify, with your budget it puts you right on the edge of buying a stock but grubby defender, or building a very complete Jimny (clean example, lift, tyres and other odds and ends). Personally I went with the Jimny and haven't looked back, with the seats split folded there was plenty of room for my lab to curl up on the back seat. The space in the rear is also very usable due to the cars 'square' dimensions.
Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
Do all Jimnys have split folding rear seats? Can't tell from the one's I've seen on AT haha. Depending on how heavily you want to modify there are options available for the Hilux, L200 and Ranger crew cabs.
Tempted by an L200, but I have an E320 currently and I'm only getting rid because it's too big. So an L200 feels like it'll just be a taller E class.
Defender or Jimny so far!
cailean said:
Shogun SWB?
Curious to know why you think a Defender is much better than a Wrnagler, may be at 6k but not modern ones.
It's a hell of a lot easier/cheaper buying spares and modification bits in the UK for a Landie than a Jeep, so there's that. Reverse of the situation in the USA, really. I'd probably buy the Defender too for the OP's stated aims, doesn't mean the Jeep doesn't have its appeal.Curious to know why you think a Defender is much better than a Wrnagler, may be at 6k but not modern ones.
What about a short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado?
InitialDave said:
It's a hell of a lot easier/cheaper buying spares and modification bits in the UK for a Landie than a Jeep, so there's that. Reverse of the situation in the USA, really. I'd probably buy the Defender too for the OP's stated aims, doesn't mean the Jeep doesn't have its appeal.
What about a short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado?
Have considered the Toyota! But it's also one of them, prefer the Landie. My local garage made me worried about Land Cruisers. Apparently a lot of expensive things to go wrong... Whether it's true or not...What about a short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado?
caelite said:
I believe all Jimnys have split folding rear seats, the VVT ones have 'normal' hatchback seats, the pre-VVT ('99 - '05) have the type that the seat base and back all fold forward into the footwell giving a flatter loadbay. Mine is a 56 plate VVT, back is big enough, although the seats lack footspace somewhat. From a driving standpoint they are exceptionally interesting, they don't understeer like most body on frame 4x4s, however there is a 'nervousness' that you get when you first drive one as it does feel rather unstable, however once you push through that they actually handle exceptionally well. They do spin before they tip over on the road contrary to popular belief.
That is mint! Given the whole purpose of me changing car is to save money, you're selling it to me! I love the scope for modifying, I'll have to sit in one though. I'm 6'5, so room is a concern!
Check out this forum for info on Jimnys https://www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/index
Very informative and active, also mods and parts for the Jimny are soooo much cheaper than others and more DIY installing. I'm seriously tempted myself, almost as a project and for fun off roading/green laneing/pay and play/Salisbury Plain etc.
Very informative and active, also mods and parts for the Jimny are soooo much cheaper than others and more DIY installing. I'm seriously tempted myself, almost as a project and for fun off roading/green laneing/pay and play/Salisbury Plain etc.
Aye, I'm 5'9, plenty of headroom, I'd say about 20cm spare. Although leg room you might need to check, you will most definitely not have room for more than a small child behind the driver if that's a problem.
Would definitely check out bigjimny though, I've got a project thread on there (my jimny) under the same name as this forum. Not done much yet but mines got a set of Ignis Sport Recaros, is soon to have a set of poverty spec steel modulars and slightly upsized GG At3s. Been meaning to do my window tints too, I'm going for blacked out panel van/drug dealer look on mine as I more often than not have my own tools and equipment in the back. Lots of guys on there used their Jimnys for various dogs, so can get an idea of their usability on there.
Reliability and running cost wise they are very reasonable, simple Japanese mechanics, the little petrol gets a solid 36mpg for me on a mixed commute, far less to go wrong than the larger diesels. Although like all commercial-ish vehicles they perform best sat at 60-65 rather than 70-80.
If you want any pictures or details in particular give me a shout, I have a 56 plate VVT. Jimny & MX5 is the perfect 'budget' combo in my mind.
Would definitely check out bigjimny though, I've got a project thread on there (my jimny) under the same name as this forum. Not done much yet but mines got a set of Ignis Sport Recaros, is soon to have a set of poverty spec steel modulars and slightly upsized GG At3s. Been meaning to do my window tints too, I'm going for blacked out panel van/drug dealer look on mine as I more often than not have my own tools and equipment in the back. Lots of guys on there used their Jimnys for various dogs, so can get an idea of their usability on there.
Reliability and running cost wise they are very reasonable, simple Japanese mechanics, the little petrol gets a solid 36mpg for me on a mixed commute, far less to go wrong than the larger diesels. Although like all commercial-ish vehicles they perform best sat at 60-65 rather than 70-80.
If you want any pictures or details in particular give me a shout, I have a 56 plate VVT. Jimny & MX5 is the perfect 'budget' combo in my mind.
You will fit in a jimny no problem. However you do have to sit with your legs slightly apart and the door card shape gets in the way of your knee a bit. No problems on shortish journeys but when i did more than an hour or 2 it got a bit uncomfortbale (same height as you)
Huge fun to drive though. Very slow but it doesnt seem to matter somehow. Hugely capable off road with just some mud tyres.
Huge fun to drive though. Very slow but it doesnt seem to matter somehow. Hugely capable off road with just some mud tyres.
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