Best 4x4 for general country use.
Discussion
Looking at getting a 4x4 for general use but also for a spot of off roading/green laning. Ideally want something that the dogs can get in the back of. Which is also reliable and not too costly too tax and insure.
Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
[quote=300bhp/ton]
It really depends on a few things.
Such as how much off roading and what type. And what general use actually means. Will you want to use it for long journeys, hauling, towing, people moving?
Are you wanting to modify the vehicle at all? And are you prepared to do some spannering and maintenance.
A Defender won't be the most comfortable, but it is highly capable out of the box. They also hold their money well. But there are lots of options for £7k.[/qu
As for the off roading it will be used for going into fields when out with the dogs beating. But also for a slight bit of green laning, nothing too major just a bit of fun. I don't want something too big like a disco on a 4" lift with massive tyres, which is useless for anything but off roading. I still want to be able to use it for basic road use, possibly driving some miles to go away in.
As for moving people that's not an issue, 2 front seats would be ample, but at the same time for example with the Defender 90's you've almost got a van with seats in the back. The toss up im having is whether or not to go for a bit more luxury and go for a Shogun SWB 4work, and put some decent tyres and possibly a 2" lift kit. Or go for a 90 and have it hold its money well and be easier to work on when something goes wrong. You also see a lot more defenders already done up with lift kits tyres etc.. but also with winches which also might come in handy lol.
It really depends on a few things.
Such as how much off roading and what type. And what general use actually means. Will you want to use it for long journeys, hauling, towing, people moving?
Are you wanting to modify the vehicle at all? And are you prepared to do some spannering and maintenance.
A Defender won't be the most comfortable, but it is highly capable out of the box. They also hold their money well. But there are lots of options for £7k.[/qu
As for the off roading it will be used for going into fields when out with the dogs beating. But also for a slight bit of green laning, nothing too major just a bit of fun. I don't want something too big like a disco on a 4" lift with massive tyres, which is useless for anything but off roading. I still want to be able to use it for basic road use, possibly driving some miles to go away in.
As for moving people that's not an issue, 2 front seats would be ample, but at the same time for example with the Defender 90's you've almost got a van with seats in the back. The toss up im having is whether or not to go for a bit more luxury and go for a Shogun SWB 4work, and put some decent tyres and possibly a 2" lift kit. Or go for a 90 and have it hold its money well and be easier to work on when something goes wrong. You also see a lot more defenders already done up with lift kits tyres etc.. but also with winches which also might come in handy lol.
300bhp/ton said:
TBH you don't need to do anything to a Defender to take it off road, there is almost no point in lifting one. And you can fit pretty big tyres to one with stock suspension.
I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
That is what is making me sway more towards a Land rover. Speaking to a few people about them they say stay clear of the td5's due to them having more electrics than the later models. Looking on ebay and other websites all the Land rovers seem to be high mileage 120 thousands plus. I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
Ive seen a Daihatsu Fourtrak 1998 2.8 diesel Field master. Reading some other forums from a few years ago, people seem to rate them highly. I believe they are based on the same sort of running gear as a shogun.? Their a lot cheaper to buy than a Land rover look a lot more comfortable but not too sure how easily the parts are too source for them.
I know they are ment too be bad for rust, so that's one thing too look for. Has anybody on here had any experience with one or know somebody who has?
warch said:
sparkythecat said:
Warch is right.
Defenders are best driven wearing an open faced helmet. It makes the noise nearly bearable.
Defenders are best driven wearing an open faced helmet. It makes the noise nearly bearable.
Indeed, I drove to Gloucester and back last year in my old Land Rover (120 mile round trip), it was like going on a bombing raid over Germany.I think pretty much any off roader would suit the OPs needs. Jeep Cherokees are good and unbelievably cheap to buy, Shoguns are popular, Fourtraks are rare now due to rust, but were very popular 20 years ago.
If you are only driving it locally, consider a petrol model, very thirsty, but usually cheaper to buy, often much lower mileage and typically in better nick, commercially owned off roaders are always diesel and usually run into the ground.
The Daihatsu are starting to stand out to me now. very tempted.
[quote=Matt]Having owned a Terano, couple of Land Rovers a Shogun Sport and a 4Trak over the years, for all round ability the 4Trak was the best.
The current Shogun Sport is fine on road, off road it is adequate, but very tyre dependant. Have towed heavy trailers across muddy fields etc and it struggled. Loads of interior space so load lugging is great.
The 4Trak, whilst slow would tow anything, on or off road,, best described as a Japanese Land Rover, very reliable, but rust got to it. Only draw back was the tiny boot. Pity they stopped making them.
Land Rovers need TLC, but I still have a soft spot for them. Boot area in the 110 twin cab and 90 Station wagons is short. Had loads of problems with the 110 TD5, but it hadn't been well looked after. If you are after comfort in a Land Rover then avoid the early leaf sprung series models - great fun, but not ideal for long journeys.
good luck in your search
You'd recommend a Fourtrak then mate? They look ideal for chucking the dogs in, but also look fairly comfortable and capable off road. Watching a few videos on youtube of them. They seem pretty unstoppable. How was yours on longer journeys fuel consumption etc..?
Cheers
The current Shogun Sport is fine on road, off road it is adequate, but very tyre dependant. Have towed heavy trailers across muddy fields etc and it struggled. Loads of interior space so load lugging is great.
The 4Trak, whilst slow would tow anything, on or off road,, best described as a Japanese Land Rover, very reliable, but rust got to it. Only draw back was the tiny boot. Pity they stopped making them.
Land Rovers need TLC, but I still have a soft spot for them. Boot area in the 110 twin cab and 90 Station wagons is short. Had loads of problems with the 110 TD5, but it hadn't been well looked after. If you are after comfort in a Land Rover then avoid the early leaf sprung series models - great fun, but not ideal for long journeys.
good luck in your search
You'd recommend a Fourtrak then mate? They look ideal for chucking the dogs in, but also look fairly comfortable and capable off road. Watching a few videos on youtube of them. They seem pretty unstoppable. How was yours on longer journeys fuel consumption etc..?
Cheers
Matt...
I think your right about finding a good one. I've seen a field master one which has done 130k for £2500, the bloke says its in reasonable condition for its age, with no signs of rust. By reading up on them I think i'd be very lucky too find one with no signs of rust for 2.5k lol.
I'd probably take the seats out of the back and use it more of a van than people carrier, so im hoping boot space shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for you information greatly appreciated.
I think your right about finding a good one. I've seen a field master one which has done 130k for £2500, the bloke says its in reasonable condition for its age, with no signs of rust. By reading up on them I think i'd be very lucky too find one with no signs of rust for 2.5k lol.
I'd probably take the seats out of the back and use it more of a van than people carrier, so im hoping boot space shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for you information greatly appreciated.
Hdj80 01 said:
If you must have a land rover the 200tdi/300tdi are much more reliable than the td5 and parts are much cheaper (you will be needing a lot of these if you buy anything wearing the green oval). But, spending £7k on a landrover is madness IMO. My 4.2td toyota gets better mpg than a 300tdi or a td5, and even the new td4. never compared to a 200tdi but cant imagine it being any different. This is where id put my money for £7k: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
141k is nothing for one of these (mines on 440k, have driven one with 650k), whereas 141k on a landrover is near the end of it's life, if indeed its still on its original engine/chassis/gearbox.
Hi, I have been looking at the SWB Land Crusiser, look at comfy motor. Theres a few on Ebay around the 2k mark. With 200k on the clock which doesnt seem to bad concidering what you’ve said. Look in to them a bit more now thankyou. 141k is nothing for one of these (mines on 440k, have driven one with 650k), whereas 141k on a landrover is near the end of it's life, if indeed its still on its original engine/chassis/gearbox.
Brads67 said:
God yes, based on 30 yrs driving all sorts.
Defenders are truly awful cars. They are a commercial truck. Jeep are so badly made and horrendous on fuel as well as rubbish in really tough offroad. Oh and Jeep parts ! ffs.
Vitara, is the comfy option, Jimny is the offroad tool option. Both make a half decent car as well.
L200 is the proper job.
Ive owned a L200 series 5 and loved it. Did everything I asked of it. Just fancy something different. Plus for some reason to insure a l200 now is going to cost me a extra £500 compared to everything else. Defenders are truly awful cars. They are a commercial truck. Jeep are so badly made and horrendous on fuel as well as rubbish in really tough offroad. Oh and Jeep parts ! ffs.
Vitara, is the comfy option, Jimny is the offroad tool option. Both make a half decent car as well.
L200 is the proper job.
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