My familly and I love camping, actually wild camping. We are lucky in Scotland as we have the right to roam and there are some awsome places to camp miles from anywhere.
Some of these places are a little remote but can be accessed by 4x4 vehicles, saves ■■■■■■■ tents cooking equipment and food for a mile or 2 because my people carrier can’t handle some of the tracks
I am looking to buy a 4x4, my problem is I have no idea what is a good one and what could be a lemon.
Can any of you give me some pointers as to what to watch out for
Land Rovers/Range Rovers = Good off road although not the most reliable. Parts are cheap enough though. Watch out for leaky sunroofs and tailgate door corrosion on Discoveries.
Japanese = Good off road. Fairly bomb proof but when things do go wrong repair bills can be startling. Shoguns like to have a new clutch every 60k miles or so.
Jeeps = Not the best off road, unreliable and expensive parts. Avoid.
Just my opinion. Type (insert name of model) reviews into google. You get lots of feedback from owners.
I had a Discovery for 10 years, never had a single problem with, it all it cost was normal running costs. I think it was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned, and it had 52,000 on the clock when I got it.
I’ve got a ten year old Shogun Sport. Copes fine with our caravan and has been up to the axles in mud and never got stuck with my MX bike trailer.
Very basic tool with fix it yourself technology (like old school land rovers I suppose). I love mine but I would buy a new shape Discovery if I could afford one.
Good luck, Al
AlexWignall:
I’ve got a ten year old Shogun Sport. Copes fine with our caravan and has been up to the axles in mud and never got stuck with my MX bike trailer.
Very basic tool with fix it yourself technology (like old school land rovers I suppose). I love mine but I would buy a new shape Discovery if I could afford one.
Good luck, Al
Yeah your right there Al so would I, that new shape Disco is the business, a Range Rover Sport would do the job for me as well.
I know a dealer that sells 05/06 Discoveries for 15k I nearly bought one but had a common sense attack.
My Shogun cost me less than 2k when I bought it outright. It’s a pleasure to drive to work, especially when it snows…
Al
AlexWignall:
I know a dealer that sells 05/06 Discoveries for 15k I nearly bought one but had a common sense attack.
My Shogun cost me less than 2k when I bought it outright. It’s a pleasure to drive to work, especially when it snows…
Al
I’ve never got stuck in the snow and I’ve never had a 4WD…
HaHa, If I use a 4x4 leg drive I’ll be able to go to Appleby Fair with my caravan and fit in with everyone else. I guess if I set off a month in advance I might make it to the odd Enduro too.
My friends keep horses, nice to look at but they cost miles more to run than my car. Going back to the OP though horses would be a cool way to go camping.
Al
Hi Vauxhall /Isuzu are pretty reliable - B series Frontera are Around 1500 -2000 for a 2.2 dti - and the Troopers are the same i swear by the Frontera - got two myself and an Isuzu - never had a fault with any yet
cheers
Steve
Mitsubishi L200. Make sure the cam belt has been changed. They are prone to going slack and knocking the fuel-pump timing out, and the the bottom/crank pulley can work itself loose. On the plus side the 4x4 system is very good and there is a diff-lock on the rear axle.
Nissan Navarra. Prone to problems with the bottom end, also the 4x4 system is electronic and some can cause problems (get stuck in 4wd/not select at all).
Toyota Hilux. From what I know (couple of mates have them) pretty bullet proof, but they are alot more to buy on the second hand market.
Ford Ranger. Dont touch with some one elses barge-pole. Slow, thirsty and forever going wrong.
Mitsubishi L200. Make sure the cam belt has been changed. They are prone to going slack and knocking the fuel-pump timing out, and the the bottom/crank pulley can work itself loose. On the plus side the 4x4 system is very good and there is a diff-lock on the rear axle.
Nissan Navarra. Prone to problems with the bottom end, also the 4x4 system is electronic and some can cause problems (get stuck in 4wd/not select at all).
Toyota Hilux. From what I know (couple of mates have them) pretty bullet proof, but they are alot more to buy on the second hand market.
Ford Ranger. Dont touch with some one elses barge-pole. Slow, thirsty and forever going wrong.
Not looking at pickups, not enough leg room for rear passengers.
Going more for Shogun, Range rover type
Avoid at all costs, Isuzu Trooper 3.0 td’s. I found out to my cost how expensive it is when they go wrong. They have an issue with the injectors, engine revs it’s ■■■■ off until the engine blows! No warnings, nothing! Apparently it’s a common fault and should be taken to a garage ( before it goes bang ) for inspection and warranty work, even if the car is mega old, they will carry out the work ( free, although you will not be given this information without a fight ). After 9 months I ended up with a brand new engine, courtesy of Isuzu, had it back 3 weeks and received an engine recall notice, I got shot of it at the earliest opportunity.
gm:
Hi Vauxhall /Isuzu are pretty reliable - B series Frontera are Around 1500 -2000 for a 2.2 dti - and the Troopers are the same i swear by the Frontera - got two myself and an Isuzu - never had a fault with any yet
cheers
Steve
Another vote for the Frontera B 2.2 dti here. Very comfortable car to drive, and I definately prefer it to our old Pajero / Shogun, although the Mitsu was quite a bit older so it probably isn’t a fair comparison.
205:
Mitsubishi Delica could be what your looking for, its a 4x4 pepole carrier
quiet alot of them are iports from japan and are hi-spec
The interior spec on these Jap imports is amazing. I used to have a Toyota Townace 4x4 which had twin air con, hot/cool box and endless other toys. Off road was good too, even on road tyres.
just be aware of couple of thing with imports,
insureance companys, may not want to insure it, as it’s classed as a “grey imports”
main dealers, won’t want to touch it with out a major exchange of £££££ (repair and servicing)
getting hold of engine parts, filters, belts (everyday stuff) will be easy, but exhaust’s radiators, hoses etc (vehicle spicafic parts), will be a PITA to get hold of.
exhaust- best bet is to go to some where like power flow who would custom make one for your vehicle(would also come with a long guarantee)
also be aware that imports do not have as much (underseal) body protection as a uk spec car would have
and should be taken to a garage ( before it goes bang ) for inspection and warranty work, even if the car is mega old, they will carry out the work ( free, although you will not be given this information without a fight ). After 9 months I ended up with a brand new engine, courtesy of Isuzu, had it back 3 weeks and received an engine recall notice, I got shot of it at the earliest opportunity.