Beginner to off roading - which should I buy?

[oilnchain]

Hi guys - i've looked round the forum for a few days and it seems a really friendly place, so I thought i'd say hi and ask my first question.

I do have one question - I'm looking to start off roading and need an idea of a good starting 4x4.  I have some knowledge of cars, engine swaps, servicing etc and would be confident to try most things including welding.

I have around £1k to spend buying the 4x4 but must have tax/test.  It will be used as everyday transport travelling 150 miles a week so must be reliable.  I'm not really bothered about fuel costs, comfort on road and looks.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

[Rich_P]

Suzuki SJ or Land Rover Series 2/2A/3.  

[Jas278]

I ve got  nissan terrrano going cheap..if thats anygood.

[oilnchain]

Suzuki SJ or Land Rover Series 2/2A/3.  

Thanks for the fast reply.  

Would a mid 80's Range Rover be a good buy for £1k or are they all dogs for that price.

[Jim-Willy]

If i was spending that money i'd get a Rangey

[drum]

I'd also have a look at a TDI discovery. You can just get them for that, but give them a really good going over as there are plenty of dogs around. But if you don't mind shopping around and looking at a few before you find a decent one you might just find one.

[driftwood]

i would look at the disco, rangie or something similar just because they are more comfortable to do your 150 mile a week trip, but the series are alot more fum off road :)

[Colin 009]

Range Rover  8)   top off-roader  8)  and great motor to modify. :D

Fit LPG and get the running cost of a Deadseal  :lol:

[LandRoger]

For 1k its got to be a Vitara , small lift Mtyres makes for a compedent off roader, cheap to run cheap insurance cheap to buy comfy and very very reliable lots available -had 2 both exellent ,  my 2ps worth, good luck with whatever you buy,

[MuddyMachine]

Id go for a Range rover, there great off road and nice to drive on.

[colintandy]

foers ibex and rape the bank he he he :D  :D  :D

[Jake]

You'll find a rough disco for that money.
Range Rovers galore
I'd say a series 3 personally.
Cheap to buy, easy to fix and parts a plenty.
Also running a 2.25 petrol is'nt going to break the bank.
 :D

[muddysteve]

get yourself a Rangie

picked mine up for £1200 on a H plate and its a 200tdi  :D  and it already had a OME lift kit fitted

Steve

[oakeedokee]

Rangie. An awful lot of car for very little money. :D

[Bishops Finger]

No contest.......route around n find an K/L reg 4.0 Cherry (in an auction?)

Know a lot of you go for the green oval but the money needed for an elderly Jeep Cherokee is silly for what you get...

[Andy the Landy]

Personally I'd go for a Series  - but as Bishops Finger said go for the cherry - mint 1996 just sold on forecourt near me for less than 2k

[yer auld aunt nelly]

any of the above are good bud but at the end off the day find a good'un shop around,dont jump at the first one,theres loads out there.But for your road miles a rangy or disco make sense.But like i said have a good look around and see whats out there you'll be shocked what a "K" can get.

[PUX]

i would go for a rangie nice motors :D

[PUX]

ere is one on ebay for a grand http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RANGIE-OFF-ROADERT-T4-INCH-LIFT_W0QQitemZ4590873321QQcategoryZ29748QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem looks ok as well

[EvilEd]

Come on Guys.... he said reliable.... So that's a Lardy out the window... 'specially the series! :)

If you want Reliable, and reasonably comfy for 150miles, then it's gotta be a Jap motor. I'd agree with a Zuk Vitara, or an old Paj / Shogun, even the Nissan. but you ain't gonner get a great offroader and a good on road car.

Now, if you're not so fussed about comfort and reliability and want to modify it , then you've got the Series, or an older Wrangler etc where they don't have loads of sensors for everything that can go wrong.

If you want comfort and okay reliability, then your Rangie, Disco, Cherry.

Remember that this place is very Landy Centric, post this on a Jeep board and you'll get jeepy answers, go to the Pajero board, and get Pajero answer :) Best advice is to test drive as many as you can and see what you like.

[oilnchain]

Come on Guys.... he said reliable.... So that's a Lardy out the window... 'specially the series! :)

If you want Reliable, and reasonably comfy for 150miles, then it's gotta be a Jap motor. I'd agree with a Zuk Vitara, or an old Paj / Shogun, even the Nissan. but you ain't gonner get a great offroader and a good on road car.

Now, if you're not so fussed about comfort and reliability and want to modify it , then you've got the Series, or an older Wrangler etc where they don't have loads of sensors for everything that can go wrong.

If you want comfort and okay reliability, then your Rangie, Disco, Cherry.

Remember that this place is very Landy Centric, post this on a Jeep board and you'll get jeepy answers, go to the Pajero board, and get Pajero answer :) Best advice is to test drive as many as you can and see what you like.

Just want to say thanks everyone for their advice.  I'll be looking out for local-ish motors to take a look at shortly.  

The 150miles a week is only to get me the 20 miles a day to and from university - then a little weekend fun, so comfort isn't an issue.  I really don't mind having to modify a bit, its more fun like that anyway.  

I'm liking the idea of a rangie or landy at the moment though.  

Thanks for the help

[gords]

Whatever you do - check out insurance costs before you decide/buy!!

[bigtel]

Just been through same prob as yourself and for all the discos and cherrys i looked and drove the best option for me turned out to be a pajero from the auction at the docks in southampton.not got stuck yet but not for the want of trying and the 2.5td swb i got is cheap on insurance.
best of luck deciding its a big choice out there

[bigblue]

Rangie would be my choice.

Comfortable on road, just as good off road as vehicles that will require you to have back surgery!

BB...

[Bulli]

So BB you made it across. First post ive spotted. I agree with BB rangies are cheap and very capable . Im not knocking 90's or 110's but they fetch far more money. If you pay less for the base vehicle it leaves more pennies for mods. Tyres are a priority and i believe in buying tyres that are just a little bit bigger than you think you can fit! More clearance. You could spend a grand on portal axles to get better clearance or 500 on tyres that you need anyway.