Which Cheap 4x4

[adf27]

So I’m looking for a cheap 4x4 for the winter, as well as towing boats in the summer (nothing over 1000kg) with a budget of around £5000. It’ll be used mostly for my short commute, as well as 4 hour motorway trips to see family.

Needs to be automatic because I’m lazy, preferably low range for launching the boat, other than that not too fussed on spec.

Currently considering a Kia Sorento, loads available for well under £5k, seem to have a reasonable rep for reliability and towing. Only issue is the mpg but for a big old SUV I doubt there’s much better.

What else is out there worth considering? Disco 2 is potentially an option, although the Land Rover reliability and on road manners don’t appeal.

Cheers all!

Edit: just seen the Sorento tax is £585 per year

Edited by adf27 on Saturday 25th September 20:14

[crispian22]

Mercedes ML320?

Or the 280 which is essentially the same engine detuned,but with no dpf to worry about.

I ran one for 18 months, great car.

[tr7v8]

Jeep Grand Cherokee

[georgeyboy12345]

None of my alternative suggestions will better the fuel economy of the Kia Sorento (only slightly worse though), but these are all better on tax due to them being pre-2006


Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7 CRD Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...


Jeep Cherokee 2.8 TD Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...


Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-D Warrior
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109147...


Volkswagen Touareg 2.5 TDI - edit - get the dealer to remove the stupid rear window decal, or find a better one!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...


And as a bonus, if you are feeling brave - Touareg V10 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 25th September 21:19

[Terzo123]

tr7v8 said:

Jeep Grand Cherokee

This

Although you will need to buy one registered before March 2006 to escape the top tax bill.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109137...

3.0 V6 turbo diesel is a good big unit that fair pushed the jeep along.

I had one for a couple of years and loved it.

Edited by Terzo123 on Saturday 25th September 21:14

[shtu]

adf27 said:

Currently considering a Kia Sorento

If that appeals, how about this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274930026372

[gti_dreamer]

Unless you specifically want a full size jeep/SUV I think that a Suzuki Vitara might be just what you are looking for.

[adf27]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Not sure I’ve got the balls for a V10 Touareg, not sure on the ML reliability either? Definitely look into the Shogun and the Cherokee though.

[ninjag]

I had an older Kia Sorento, and it's not the best, at least a generation behind its time. Leather was nasty, stereo was horrific and they had a lot of reliability problems with the AWD system. The replacement part that went on mine was dealer only and £4k+. The parts guy said the diff, transfer box etc all commonly went and they were constantly ordering them in. My local indy had just finished fixing the same problem as me a well earlier!

Mine left my family and I stranded in remote country during that bad snow in April many years ago. No drive to rear wheels. Took the car back to dealer as only had it a month and thankfully they refunded me.

[poppopbangbang]

Cayenne V6 on sprung suspension, not air! Your choice of auto or manual but the manuals are rare and the autos are plenty strong.

The V6 is actually a VR6 (same as in an R32 Golf etc.) and is pretty much bomb proof, especially compared to other Cayenne engine options. Usual issues are coils, HP fuel pumps and vacuum leaks. Not are big issues to sort. The US lot seem to have issues with the PCV diaphram in the rocker cover but this doesn't seem to be such an issue in Europe.

Ideally a 957 with the DI motor is preferred as it's not far off the V8s in terms of performance but with better economy and reliability. It's also a big step up over the older 3.2. However the 955 with the 3.2 can be had for less than £5K.

They're easy to work on, generally better looked after than most other 4X4s available at £5K and the first gen Cayenne had a two speed transfer box and locking centre diff. Best way to look at them is a far more reliable, better built, nicer to drive and cheaper to run L322 Range Rover!

[alfabeat]

How about a Skoda Octavia Scout. 4x4. Stick some winter tyres on it in winter. Will tow a small boat with no issues.

Little bit over budget mind: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

I bought one a couple of years ago (2012 / 60k miles for £6k).

[loggo]

I tan a Sorento for 4 years. Manual diesel. 34 mpg overall and 38 on a trip. Really enjoyable ownership with little going wrong.
Mind the rust on pre 2007 examples

[stevemcs]

Dad always used a. Freelancer 1 and Freelander 2 for towing and launching his boat, neither gave any trouble. Vitara would be my next choice.

[biggbn]

Hyundai Terracan. Cheap, old school, spacious, bombproof.

[Sonosp]

Dacia duster. 1.5 DCI.

Pulls like a train, reliable cars.

Cheap to run, cheap tax, 60+ mpg.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...

Not auto but you'll find the 6 speed gearbox is smooth

Edited by Sonosp on Sunday 26th September 11:01

Edited by Sonosp on Sunday 26th September 11:04

[adf27]

biggbn said:

Hyundai Terracan. Cheap, old school, spacious, bombproof.

I do sort of love the look to the Terracan but they're pretty sparse equipment wise I think, don't even seem to have cruise control which is a big one for me.

[adf27]

alfabeat said:

How about a Skoda Octavia Scout. 4x4. Stick some winter tyres on it in winter. Will tow a small boat with no issues.

Little bit over budget mind: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

I bought one a couple of years ago (2012 / 60k miles for £6k).

Not a bad shout actually thanks I'll consider that, full fat 4x4 is probably a bit overkill but I've always fancied a big old bus.

[adf27]

poppopbangbang said:

Cayenne V6 on sprung suspension, not air! Your choice of auto or manual but the manuals are rare and the autos are plenty strong.

This seems like a brave pill sort of buy, but if I could find one with decent history I'd probably consider it, the running costs concern me compared to the likes of a Sorento or Cherokee though

[poppopbangbang]

adf27 said:

This seems like a brave pill sort of buy, but if I could find one with decent history I'd probably consider it, the running costs concern me compared to the likes of a Sorento or Cherokee though

It should be a brave pill sort of buy but if it's a V6 one it's really not. The V8 one and especially the turbo are befriending a bear levels of brave but the V6 is amazingly unlikely to chuck any big bills up. There's a reason there's a big overlanding community using (mostly V6) Cayennes in the US and Canada.

Running costs wise I have a 957 V6 for tow car duties and general lugging about. It does 25mpg unloaded and 19mpg towing a race car and all the associated kit. Servicing is cheap as any VW specialist will do it for you (given it's just a VR6 motor), discs, pads and associated all round are sub £400 for named brand bits (as they're 330mm fronts not the larger, more expensive stuff on the V8s). Doing diff, transfer box and gearbox oil at 100K miles is sensible but many don't and they don't seem to break (Porsche interval is 160K miles). The only show stopper is the centre prop bearing (which is common on all Cayennes) which used to be a £1K fix for a whole new shaft but there are not various aftermarket fixes ranging from a £10 home bodge to a £250 billet bolt on bearing carrier now.

Just don't, whatever you do, buy a V8 one

[stevemcs]

alfabeat said:

How about a Skoda Octavia Scout. 4x4. Stick some winter tyres on it in winter. Will tow a small boat with no issues.

Little bit over budget mind: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

I bought one a couple of years ago (2012 / 60k miles for £6k).

Its not going to launch one though, needs to be high up and decent 4wd