affordable 4x4`s

[Ja1983]

right, with the upcoming move to stanley, and the missus passing her test, were under the opinion the trading in the matiz might be a sensible option (its cack!) so given  that the house is on the bottom of a hill, in stanley (alt = 200m approx) which from my last visit up there, is a snow trap, i think the way forward may be to get a 4x4.

however, we have just bought a house, and need something thats gunna be insurable for becci, as well as competant enough to get us out, but also up to the odd motorway journey (although the rover will get most of them)!
initial thoughts are:

Jimny
vitara
subaru justy
Rav4
*awaits comments regarding careers in hairdressing!*

The budget will be whatever we can get for a 51 plate matiz!  :lol:

[TimM]

The budget will be whatever we can get for a 51 plate matiz!  :lol:

Give us a clue?

[tenpolequint]

) so given  that the house is on the bottom of a hill, in stanley (alt = 200m approx) which from my last visit up there, is a snow trap, i think the way forward may be to get a 4x4.

Lame excuse, but any is good enough to justify a 4x4

[bezzabsa]

early disco 200 tdi??
series 3 ;)
daihatsu 4track
tata gurkha
vitara
all withing ya budget

[Ja1983]

good thinking, had a fourtrak, and would consider another!

wary of a series/early disco as i dont want to spend every weekend fixing it (well i wouldnt mind, but she`d go nuts!)  :lol:  plus the cost of owt that is likely to go

...whats the biggest mud tyres you can get on a justy??  :lol:  :twisted:

budget.. well, i`ll have to run the idea past her mum, as the car is hers at the moment (til she goes to greece) but shes wanting to swap it for something else!

tho i`m guessing round the £2.5k mark

[The Ant Hill Mob]

My Range Rover only cost 3k.  Can't you sell your body or something else to get the extra for the mighty green oval?

[Rich_P]

£2,500 would get you a mint Series.  :shock:

Very reliable too if looked after!  (and that means not buying certain poor quality aftermarket parts)

Also fairly cheap to insure, well, actually, one of the cheapest vehicles to insure!

[Ja1983]

My Range Rover only cost 3k.  Can't you sell your body or something else to get the extra for the mighty green oval?

kidneys arent fetching much on fleabay at mo...

 :lol:

looking for something small, cheap and reliable.  8)

[WishIhadaLandy]

Also fairly cheap to insure, well, actually, one of the cheapest vehicles to insure!

Thats true enough, when i was looking at getting my first car i wanted a 4x4 and looked at series, same insurance group as my 1.1l fiesta :shock:
couldn't afford the running costs tho. :(

[Rich_P]

looking for something small, cheap and reliable.  8)

80-inch Series 1.  :lol:

On the serious side, an 88-inch truckcab/canvas top.  Mega fun, mega adaptable, and very reliable (shouldn't require much maintenance in the way of complicated stuff/expensive stuff) for the budget you have!

[bezzabsa]

have a laugh go to www.autotrader.co.uk and search for series 3's.. but dont put a top price...frightening what some people want for a s3 !!!
one guy wants £3k for a bog standard 2.25 diesel.......not even tax exempt!!

[Henry Webster]

I would vouch for the Discovery option - mine has been utterly reliable and bits are cheap.  Proper 4x4 for soft roader money.

Justy's and most of the other Japanese 4x4s are very reliable, but will sting you when they do go wrong.  Personally I would avoid the Justy as the Mk1/2s are too old now and the later Hungarian built Suzuki Swift based ones weren't as good.

Rav4 is a good option and they do a diesel - so efficient too.
Subaru Forester (don't know what they fetch - but good cars)
What do Freelanders start at?

Just a few thoughts.

H

[Rich_P]

Wait, need to ask, how old is this driver?  Discos arn't the cheapest to insure at young age.  :? (I wish I could afford one :( )

[Sooty]

I can recommend this one.
http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=21062

[LandRoger]

Go for a Jimny great little motors -provided you dont do motorways often,
its a real 4x4 ladder chassis , low box , and will go most places,AND really
reliable -so instead of fixing it every week go out and use it, and a huge
Grin to boot,

[strapping young lad]

fiat panda 4x4

still a car

but also a 4x4 ;)

[Jim-Willy]

Well if it was me i'd get a Vit....  You will struggle to get a Jimny for £2.5k, my Mate has one as does my Mum and they are nice Motors but they both payed more than that......

[the loon]

Ja if your coming up this way my friend can only be green oval I'm afraid looking at the budget I would say look at a good RR classic (go for diesel) or a nice disco 200tdi
Theres a place a couple of places in the area - I'll PM you info as some are to be avoided at all costs
 

[Bishops Finger]

If you look around you can pick up a perfectly servicable Jeep Cherokee for £1000 - £1500

[Ja1983]

bex is only 17, and no no-claims, insurance is an issue.

we both like the square jeep cherokees, a gas coverted V8 would moisten my loins! (many round the £1500 band)

but its the cost of parts/running and insurance..

we`ll be covering some milage between us too, so something half comfy is required (memories of taking a pickup to newcastle!!  :lol: )


panda 4x4 would be mint, but they are rare as rocking horse bobbins, and utterly shab in the reliability/anti-corrosion department!

forrester would be good too, but would want a diesel lump really. (group 12 insurance too! :shock: )

[Rich_P]

bex is only 17, and no no-claims, insurance is an issue.

we both like the square jeep cherokees, a gas coverted V8 would moisten my loins! (many round the £1500 band)

but its the cost of parts/running and insurance..

we`ll be covering some milage between us too, so something half comfy is required (memories of taking a pickup to newcastle!!  :lol: )


panda 4x4 would be mint, but they are rare as rocking horse bobbins, and utterly shab in the reliability/anti-corrosion department!

forrester would be good too, but would want a diesel lump really. (group 12 insurance too! :shock: )

Land Rover.  You can't get any cheaper than a Series, really...

[MtnBronco]

Old Subarus would be my choice for cheap 4x4s is the choice was between old Soobies and old Fiats.  I had an old Fiat that was supposed to have been garaged most of its life, but it was the rustiest car that I have ever had.  Had to get rid of the Fiat when it had holes rusted through the suspension pieces.

Are their old 2.2 liter Subaru legacy outbacks kicking around in GB?  Was there Legacy Impreza Outbacks there as well?

[Henry Webster]

Old Subarus would be my choice for cheap 4x4s is the choice was between old Soobies and old Fiats.  I had an old Fiat that was supposed to have been garaged most of its life, but it was the rustiest car that I have ever had.  Had to get rid of the Fiat when it had holes rusted through the suspension pieces.

Are their old 2.2 liter Subaru legacy outbacks kicking around in GB?  Was there Legacy Impreza Outbacks there as well?

There are some 2.2 Legacy Outbacks around, but given fuel consumption and insurance groups seem to be important I am not so sure it is what he is after.

Would agree with your point re: Fiat vs. Subaru.

The Impreza equivalent was never imported into the Uk until the Forester.

H

[marjan]

Jimny would be my choice but if your short of cash (or just tight like me!) go for a Samurai. I picked mine up for £450 on E-bay and spent about £300 getting it sorted for off roading, not comfortable but very capable.

[Mutz]

Definatley Suzuki, cheaper to insure plenty of parts available, at reasonable price, capable off roader, economical compared to most fair allrounder.And available for all pockets. from £200 upwards.
Thats what i would go for!!

[MtnBronco]

What the heck is a Jimny?  We have Jimmys in the States, but no Jimny.

Suzukis would be good for less car, more jeep type of vehicle.  After Samurais, we had Suzuki Sidekicks in the States.  Lots of low end torque due to gearing.  I was just learning to drive when I got behind the wheel of one and it was the first vehicle that I couldn't stall.

[Jim-Willy]

What the heck is a Jimny?  We have Jimmys in the States, but no Jimny.

Suzukis would be good for less car, more jeep type of vehicle.  After Samurais, we had Suzuki Sidekicks in the States.  Lots of low end torque due to gearing.  I was just learning to drive when I got behind the wheel of one and it was the first vehicle that I couldn't stall.

It is a coil sprung 4x4 that replaced the SJ in this country.