4x4 Daily Commute and Weekend Camper for 15k

Hansi on 16/06/2019 - 22:04
Last edited 16/06/2019 - 22:04

Looking for a cheap runaround 4x4 around the $15k mark as we need a second car.
Main use will be daily commute 30km round trip and the occasional weekend camping trip.

Currently we own a 10 yr old hatchback which will become wife's car.
Location is NQ and we're keen to use it for camping trips with our little one.

I'm tossing up between older utes and 4x4 vehicles. I assume that given the age and running costs it should be a diesel for better liability.

Any input and alternative suggestions appreciated.

Alternative would be to get a modern second hand hatchback for the price and rent a 4wd for a weekend when needed, but the ones that let you go off road are VERY expensive, so that idea fell through.

TL;DR: Looking for older 4x4 as daily commute and weekend camper. Budget arouns $15k.

Poll Options

  • 13
    Toyota Prado
  • 6
    Mitsubishi Pajero
  • 3
    Subaru Outback
  • 2
    Mitsubishi Triton
  • 1
    Other
  • 0
    Nissan Navara
Automotive Car

Comments

  • gk0r on 16/06/2019 - 22:47
    -2

    Do you really need a four wheel drive for daily commute?

    • BrokeB-tch on 16/06/2019 - 22:58

      I think he needs it for the weekends away…

    • GangGang on 17/06/2019 - 07:54

      daily commute and weekend camper.

    • Hansi on 17/06/2019 - 09:06
      +1

      Main reason is that I want it for weekends and it's more cost effective than getting a third car as a cheap run around. Might as well use it for the daily drive if I have the 4x4 already.

      Shopping etc will be done with our second car, the hatchback, of course. So much easier to park / cheaper to run.

  • spackbace on 17/06/2019 - 00:02
    +5

    $15k would be a 15yo petrol Prado, give or take.
    Depends on what has been done to the car as you may have to factor in a set off A/T tyres

    Another alternative, albeit not as big is a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Proper 4wd with low range. Given the size/cost factor you'd likely find newer for your money. Might even find a newish one under the 5yr warranty for under $20k. Look for the "Grand Vitara Sport" when searching newer models for 4x4, as the "Urban" is 4x2

    Good solid reliable cars (I used to sell Suzuki, now Toyota). Only drawbacks are the 4 speed auto (which increases fuel consumption) and basic features. And the size of the car as its not a huge 4x4.

    Here - 2014, 56,000kms, already has some off-road bits for $18k. Only 5yrs old, can't really go wrong.

    • Hansi on 17/06/2019 - 09:04

      Thanks for that! Haven't hat a look at any Suzuki's yet so I'll make sure to read about them / consider them too.

      For the Prados I'm trying to find some that have mainly been used as soccer mum's cars as 4wd would show its toll for the high km ones in my price range as you stated.

    • Hansi on 17/06/2019 - 09:12

      They take hits like nothing else I've heard, but parts and resale in Australia would be questionable.

  • apsilon on 17/06/2019 - 07:33

    You'll find a newer and/or higher spec Pajero for the same money as a Prado. Every bit as good but you're not paying the Toyota reputation premium.

  • pao2x on 17/06/2019 - 08:28

    Triton or Challenger or Paj would get much better value than a 15 year old prado

    • Hansi on 17/06/2019 - 11:38
      +1

      Thanks, I haven't considered a Challenger so far but will browse and see what they offer. Price wise they definitely look acceptable!

  • 4WDBargainer on 17/06/2019 - 13:58
    +2

    Pajero will get you more car for the money than the Prado I reckon. I was in a similar situation and went for the Paj.

    The NP Pajero (02-06) is the go for your price range. You'll find decent ones 200k+ for about 10k plus or minus a grand or two for accessories. I bought one. Make sure when you test drive it you flog it, I drove 4 that seemed fine around town and then when I took them up the freeway engine and traction control lights going off like mad. I bought the first one I found that didn't have problems.

    If you want something slightly newer look at the 2010 NT. 07-09 NS models had bad DPFs on them (avoid at all costs) so for the 2010 NT they omitted the DPF completely while they fixed it. Anything newer than a 2010 will have a reliable DPF but you can avoid the DPF altogether by getting a 2010 NT. Note, this is all relevant to autos only, the manuals were different in some cases regarding DPF status. If I were doing it all again I'd get the 2010 NT honestly. It'll run you closer to 20k but it's got the newest engine on it. 20-30% better power and more fuel efficient, chips really well too if you want to go that route.

    Expect to pay extra if you want a manual paj, they're less common.

    • apsilon on 17/06/2019 - 14:06

      NT autos still had a DPF, just a different one than the earlier NS. Manuals had no DPF. NS was supposedly fixed through software by the end of the model but I'd be very wary of buying one and at the very least ensure that it's had the latest software update.

      • 4WDBargainer on 17/06/2019 - 14:44

        Cheers for confirming the manual status, thought it was something like that. Auto NT MY09 had the DPF you're referring to MY10 did not, my bad I should have clarified this. I agree on the NS though, regardless of Mitsi claims about fixing that shoddy DPF you either by 06 and earlier or 2010 and later.

  • Euphemistic on 17/06/2019 - 16:54

    What do you want to cart around? Your poll lists a couple of utes, a couple of capable off road wagons and a soft roader wagon.

    We have a Navara Ute and a wagon 4x4, pathfinder. The Ute is great for carting bikes etc around, but the tray isn’t waterproof like the wagon so it has some drawbacks, I only have a soft cover on the tray so it isn’t secure either and putting on a canopy would make it more difficult to carry the bikes. Normally our holiday car is the wagon, and local off road adventures are in the Ute because it is older. Both have been reliable enough but both are also known to have common issues.

    • Euphemistic on 17/06/2019 - 18:39

      Adding: when buying both, we could get a lot more Nissan than Toyota for the same money as the Toyota seems to have the ‘badge premium’ . We actually preferred the pathfinder interior space over the prado as well. The Navara is much the same as a similar age hilux IMO, just cheaper.

    • Hansi on 18/06/2019 - 09:43

      My reply ended up below, sorry

  • Hansi on 18/06/2019 - 05:27

    During the week likely not much other than myself and everyday stuff for gym / work etc.

    On the weekend I'd like to use it for camping with swag, esky, gas cooker and all the bits and pieces. I found some camp ground you had trouble getting to or couldn't get to it with a 2wd hatchback, simply because it disnt master even simple trails especially in wet weather.

    The mix of cars is because I'm not yet sure what platform I want, as all of them would meet my daily needs. Just looking for the best balance, reliability and bang for buck; see what experiences people had.

    I'll have a look at the pathfinder as well,as another alternative like the challenger which was suggested above, thanks!

    • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2019 - 11:42

      Mate! Hey.

      If you just want to use tracks to campsites/beaches etc that you're hesitant to take a hatchback down, Outback is your car x 100. You can get a nice low kms high trim level 10yr old Outback for 5-8k - I have one. Very reliable except for a couple of things that you can look out for (head gasket near 150k, chewing through clutches with bad drivers).

      Gonna be more comfortable, better on fuel, just as reliable as any big 4x4 you can afford in this price range. Plus the older models (as late as 09 I think?) have a low range transfer case so you're pretyy unstoppable, apart from ground clearance.

      I know a guy who is fabricating lift kits for Subarus and shipping them round the world. You could get yourself a really nice touring/trailbashing car for well under 10k that will be far less spartan than a shit old Pajero.

    • Euphemistic on 18/06/2019 - 17:50
      +1

      By the sounds of that I’d be aiming for a wagon. A Ute is best if you’ve got dirty, smelly, wet stuff you don’t want in the car with you. A wagon offers good storage in a nice dry secure space.

      If you want to get a bit serious about 4x4 driving one of the Ute based wagons is a good option. Challenger, pathfinder (not the current shape) are mostly likely to be in your budget. Isuzu MUX and it’s twin Colorado 7 might just squeeze in too. The Isuzu is highly regarded as a solid performer if a little agricultural, the later model Colorado’s got a different engine which doesn’t have the same reputation, but there are plenty of cooorado utes on the roads so take that as you will.

  • johndoe89 on 19/06/2019 - 13:34
    +1

    suzuki jimmy

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