Looking to purchase an off road vehicle criteria
Any suggestions?
no kids, we travel light most of the time, hence why jimny was the original first choice.
seems like more of a AWD than a 4x4.
Also that ground clearance :(
I like Levorgs, but I wouldn't take them offroading.
At the very least a Forester looks like it might be more what he's after.
looking to take up off road driving as a hobby
Forester doesn’t really fit with that.
I meant purely in the context of HighandDry suggesting a levorg, that a forester would be an objectively better choice - not that the forester is the car to go for :)
For some weird reason, I like the 2020 Mitsubishi Tritons.
prefer the ranger look. Triton is one to consider though.
Triton is great bang for buck. A second hand near new Pajero is excellent bang for buck.
Pajero sports..
Honestly the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuners are both excellent buys at the moment because of the relatively low brand recognition of those nameplates. Each has their own pros and cons, Fortuners like the Hiluxes had the DPF issues and red-dust bypassing the air intake issue, the Everest on the other hand has the rear main seal leak at higher mileage and glow plug issues at higher mileage (which require the plugs to be replaced). Both are excellent vehicles in their own right and these faults aren't significant relative to other makes and models. In your budget they are definitely both worth a look.
In order of preference:
Hilux, Amarok, BT50, Ranger.
I wouldn't buy a navara, colorado or triton, mainly due to reliability issues.
I wouldn't buy a navara, colorado or triton, mainly due to reliability issues.
Which issues?
The new 2.4L triton are great.
I wouldn't buy a Hilux, Amarok, BT50, Ranger, Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuners or a Navara..
Wouldn't ?!
what would you suggest ?
I'm guessing Mahindra or Great Wall… :D
Dude, go Ssangyong or Lada Nida…
Sorry mate. Unlike most here I don't make suggestions what to buy be it an electric kettle or a half million dollar mobile home.
Do your own research. Don't let your heart overtake your brain.
Consider how long you will own it.
Service costs. Even tyre size as some "4X4s" come with 18inch wheels and most all when new come with shitty passenger tyres that you wouldn't want to take off road.
Some of the new land rovers come with 19 and 20 inch wheels. You are talking BIG money for tyres.
I'm gonna go left field here, based off what you've mentioned:
No DPF to worry about for a daily
Go for the late 2015 models onwards for a 150L fuel tank
Very, very capable off-road
Lay-back, plastic lined back area for throwing your camping stuff in
Proven engine/gearbox and proven 4x4, with crawl control, low range and diff-locks
new / near new 3 yr old max
Blah. I'd rather a 4yo Toyota than a 1yo Mitsubishi when it comes to going off the beaten path and seeing this wonderful country of ours :)
Blah. I'd rather a 4yo Toyota than a 1yo Mitsubishi when it comes to going off the beaten path and seeing this wonderful country of ours :)
Why's that?
I've been off road in a 18 year old Mitsubishi Triton and a 9 year old Pajero and both have performed well. The Pajero has far exceeded my expectations both on and off road. Both vehicles have been fairly cheap for me to maintain, though admittedly I service them myself.
Once you go outside the major cities, it's Toyota country. That's just fact. It's LC100/200s, Prados, 70-Series aplenty. This means parts are easier to come by, and local knowledge
Get stuck in a rural town and it's going to be far easier to get parts and workmanship for a Toyota than any other brand
I'm rural. I just order all my parts on ebay. They turn up in a few days to a week. I've never had issues sourcing parts. There are Triton's and Pajero's everywhere out here in the country along with Toyota's. :P
to a week
What would you do if you were an out-of-towner and needed to get on the road asap?
@spackbace: Probably start a thread on ozbargain asking for the cheapest and quickest way to get a car part to the middle of woop woop.
100% this! Absolutely love mine. Sure it's outdated with literally no luxuries but it's comfortable, reliable and super capable offroad. Shares many parts with Prados (also good option) but also extremely moddable any way you like to make it truly yours.
Plus you can get a lot of 3rd party kit for it from ARB, TJM, etc.
3rd party kit that you don’t need to buy BEFORE you head into a gravel road. Buy it as you find you need it. Most proper 4wd are very capable in stock trim with AT tyres.
Toyota FJ Cruiser, if you okay with 5 years old as the last one is in 2014.
Stopped in 2016 actually, and we both had the same thought lol
+1. Very capable 4wd from the factory. Just need to find one which hasnt been treated too roughly.
I have a Pajero. I'm happy. DPF hasn't blown up yet.
I haven't heard of much trouble with the Pajero DPF's in the later models. I know the NS (pre-2009) had issues.
I have a 2018, so with the new DPF.
Currently at 25000km or so.
It's used around town and on the highway.
So far so good
Ex fleet 150 Prado fitted with a bull bar for those pesky Roos.
1st thing to decide is ute or wagon. For me there are some points for and against. One is load security and being water/dust proof in a wagon other is versatility of carting stuff in a ute (with a soft lid). If you cart bikes, petrol mowers or chainsaws a ute is great. Wet smelly dogs also go well in a ute. Wagon will have better space in the back seats if you use them, or if you don’t provide a secure dry space for your gear.
Otherwise, a wagon will probably be more comfortable around town. Utes tends to be cheaper - more bang for your buck.
Once you’ve decided ute or wagon then look at specific models.
For what is worth we have a Navara and Pathfinder in the family. The ute is used for off road work because it is older and rougher. The pathfinder is the family holiday truck.
a wagon will probably be more comfortable around town.
Certainly will be more comfortable - Coil springs not leaf in the back
Should clarify that a bit, I drive my ute as daily transport. It is fine for a short drive around town. When you get out on the highway with no load in the tray they get a bit bouncy.
One plus for a dual cab over a wagon is that the cabin cools down a lot quicker because there is less space to cool than a wagon.
Id go for one with 4 wheels for sure
I would check out Isuzu's offerings, they have great reliability as they use the same drive-train, just de-tuned. The trucks can easily tick over to half a million kilometers without any major issues.
Recommendations not in order