Which cheap, rugged 4x4?
Discussion
Kentish said:
I'm not looking for anything too new on my budget £2k max. I'd also prefer something old anyway.
Must be rugged and easy/cheap to fix and not need fixing too often.
I'm thinking a series Landy perhaps but can you open my eyes to anything else?
Loads and loads of stuff.Must be rugged and easy/cheap to fix and not need fixing too often.
I'm thinking a series Landy perhaps but can you open my eyes to anything else?
I really should cut and paste my reply, as it seems a similar question every month or so lol
It all depends what you want to do with it and your expectations.
Series Landy's are great, a real riot to drive and while rugged a lot more capable than many might think.
They should be reliable too, but they do like TLC. And often have a few niggles. But every part of them is replaceable and fixable. So there is no reason with maintenance that one should last an easy 20-40 years.
But as said, it does depends what you want from it.
The Series Landy is not fast, it's nosy too and will like a drink. Much of this is what makes them appeal. But if you plan to wear a suit in one and use it all winter and drive long distance, then it may not be so great.
Off road they are capable too. But the leaf suspension is not the most compliant. They also have a design flaw with the front suspension and axles, diffs and gearboxes can all break if abused.
4x4's I personally like in this price bracket.
Series Landy
Discovery (or classic RR) - very much like a Series in many ways. But better suspension, engines, brakes and more comfy.
Suzuki Jimny - very much a modern Series 1 Land Rover. Live axles, ladder chassis and coil suspension make it awesome off road. And being small makes it more nimble too.
Jeep Cherokee - A bit Disco like, but does use leaf suspension. Feels more compact but still spacious. Nice 4.0 litre engine and more luxury items. Fairly good nut and bolt build, but might be a bit more pricey and a Landy for parts.
Lots of other contenders though, Ford Explorer is an often forgotten one. Suzuki Vitara, various Toyota's, Nissans, Mitsubishi's and Izuzu's.
EDIT: forgot to say. In terms of use, is it off road you want, if so, to what extreme (laning, grass field, farm use, competition, pay and play??). And do you want the vehicle for hauling or towing too? As this will rule in/out certain vehicles.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 20th September 11:51
Another one for the Explorer....I don't usually like Fords, but bought one last winter for less than a grand....great car. Sold it for the same money in March.
They have a bit of a noisy cam issue, but £2k would buy you a very good one with all the mods done....and if you shop around poss an LPG one too...
They have a bit of a noisy cam issue, but £2k would buy you a very good one with all the mods done....and if you shop around poss an LPG one too...
Shame you cant double your budget:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are cheaper ones out there:
http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-/9801/i.html?_n...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are cheaper ones out there:
http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-/9801/i.html?_n...
Kentish said:
DrTre said:
Lada Niva. You'd get a great one for £2k
Great cars, quite rare now though and also difficult to find a rust free example.Good idea though, I'll include that in my search
Cheers!
rswift said:
Another one for the Explorer....I don't usually like Fords, but bought one last winter for less than a grand....great car. Sold it for the same money in March.
They have a bit of a noisy cam issue, but £2k would buy you a very good one with all the mods done....and if you shop around poss an LPG one too...
Does the Explorer have a separate chassis or is it a monocoque - they do look good value but there must be a reason.....They have a bit of a noisy cam issue, but £2k would buy you a very good one with all the mods done....and if you shop around poss an LPG one too...
Kentish said:
What was that big old Vauxhall, bigger than a Frontera?
Monteray rings a bell?
Explorer is not a bad call, reliable though?
Nissan Patrol or a Terrano maybe.
The lady who does work for us has a LWB old Terrano, pretty good piece of kit really.
The Monteray is an Isuzu Trooper in drag.Monteray rings a bell?
Explorer is not a bad call, reliable though?
Nissan Patrol or a Terrano maybe.
The lady who does work for us has a LWB old Terrano, pretty good piece of kit really.
Anyone said Suzuki Jimny? Might be a bit small/slow for you.
Don't get a series land rover unless you want a series land rover. They are slow, unreliable and have poor ride/handling (even by rugged 4x4 standards).
They are classic cars, and should be viewed as such. I personally wouldn't have anything else (if series land rovers didn't exists I wouldn't have a 4x4 at all), but am under no illusions that there are many many cars which are, in every objective way, much better.
ETA: just read 300bhp's reply...what he said.
Don't get a series land rover unless you want a series land rover. They are slow, unreliable and have poor ride/handling (even by rugged 4x4 standards).
They are classic cars, and should be viewed as such. I personally wouldn't have anything else (if series land rovers didn't exists I wouldn't have a 4x4 at all), but am under no illusions that there are many many cars which are, in every objective way, much better.
ETA: just read 300bhp's reply...what he said.
Edited by varsas on Monday 20th September 12:36
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