Off roading north of Sydney
Discussion
Just had confirmation that our visa is cleared so we'll be heading over at the end of March.
I've done a fair bit of off road driving here in the ME, but not enough. I've enjoyed getting out and exploring and I'd like to do a bit more in Aus.
The general negative approach to all things with four wheels has me worried; is off roading frowned upon as much as hoooooning?
If not, and I hope it's the case, where is good to go north of Sydney?
I've done a fair bit of off road driving here in the ME, but not enough. I've enjoyed getting out and exploring and I'd like to do a bit more in Aus.
The general negative approach to all things with four wheels has me worried; is off roading frowned upon as much as hoooooning?
If not, and I hope it's the case, where is good to go north of Sydney?
can bring his 4x4 too? 
I can't comment on Sydney but Off Roading in general is huge over here. There are some. Epic trails and roads, and in WA if it doesn't join two major towns then the road isn't tamac'd! Once you're 50km out of Perth most of the side roads are un made. The 'proper' routes are something else of course.
There are hour long TV shows dedicated to off roading, and everyone has a 4x4 with a lift kit, massive tyres, recovery points and full off roading equipment. It's a national hobby.
I hope to be joining in once we've scraped together enough cash for a decent Pajero. My wife did a 4x4 course for work and loved it.
There are hour long TV shows dedicated to off roading, and everyone has a 4x4 with a lift kit, massive tyres, recovery points and full off roading equipment. It's a national hobby.
I hope to be joining in once we've scraped together enough cash for a decent Pajero. My wife did a 4x4 course for work and loved it.
WeirdNeville said:
decent Pajero.
Does such a thing exist?Don't get me wrong, not a fanboy of any brand as I'm looking myself and a bit overwhelmed by choice, but generally Mitsubishis have lost their way and the Pajero is pretty old I believe.
FWIW my shortlist is the following :
Toyota Landcruiser 200 series
Toyota Landcruiser Prado
Nissan Patrol
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Landrover DIscovery
No offence taken. It is the most modestly priced "proper" 4x4 that we can reasonably afford.
Landcruisers, Prados, Etc are very well respected here but they're also an extra $10,000 that we don't have, or else they're ancient(Pre 1996) and very very leggy - like 300,000km plus.
We need a car which will be 90% road use, 10% getting out into the bush and the odd bit of "proper" off roading providing we get it lifted and proper tyres on it. A "Full" 4x4 is perhaps a bit compromised for that.
We've asked around and plenty of people like 4x4 instructors and dyed in the wool off roaders (my wifes boss is a life long 4x4er) have said that a Pajero is absolutely fine for all but the most extreme off roading in Australia, they have friends in their clubs who run them alongide landcruisers etc and they're not found wanting.
So it's what we've plumped for as it's what we can afford and it meets our other needs.
All unbiased opinion states that they're perfectly good for the kind of use we anticipate. Post 2001 they're monocoque construciton and fully independant suspension - Real 4x4's may cock a snoop, but it helps with general road manners.
Landcruisers, Prados, Etc are very well respected here but they're also an extra $10,000 that we don't have, or else they're ancient(Pre 1996) and very very leggy - like 300,000km plus.
We need a car which will be 90% road use, 10% getting out into the bush and the odd bit of "proper" off roading providing we get it lifted and proper tyres on it. A "Full" 4x4 is perhaps a bit compromised for that.
We've asked around and plenty of people like 4x4 instructors and dyed in the wool off roaders (my wifes boss is a life long 4x4er) have said that a Pajero is absolutely fine for all but the most extreme off roading in Australia, they have friends in their clubs who run them alongide landcruisers etc and they're not found wanting.
So it's what we've plumped for as it's what we can afford and it meets our other needs.
All unbiased opinion states that they're perfectly good for the kind of use we anticipate. Post 2001 they're monocoque construciton and fully independant suspension - Real 4x4's may cock a snoop, but it helps with general road manners.
WeirdNeville said:
Landcruisers, Prados, Etc are very well respected here but they're also an extra $10,000 that we don't have, or else they're ancient(Pre 1996) and very very leggy - like 300,000km plus.
I have heard of Landcruisers/Patrols with up to a 1,000,000km on them on their original engines, they are built pretty indestructible.
thehawk said:
WeirdNeville said:
Landcruisers, Prados, Etc are very well respected here but they're also an extra $10,000 that we don't have, or else they're ancient(Pre 1996) and very very leggy - like 300,000km plus.
I have heard of Landcruisers/Patrols with up to a 1,000,000km on them on their original engines, they are built pretty indestructible.I've re checked and it looks like we could afford a Prado, though they are a few years older. Reviews put them very much level pegging with a PAjero in terms of off road ability, and don't actually rate them as well on road. They have a live rear axle and only certain models got limited slip rear diffs.
I dunno. We'll be looking to buy in a month or so and perhaps the "right" prado will come along at the right price.
But back on topic: Plenty of 4x4ing available in Australia. In fact, it's unaustralian NOT to!
This is great news and time to change my car plan accordingly!
On the Mitsubish knocking I'd say a Pajero gets you 75% of the ability and reliability of a Land Cruiser which is more than enough for most people. The strange thing is that Mitsu is seen as a competitor for Toyota in the UK but everywhere else they're seen as a budget brand - I think the Brit outlook is based on the success of the original Shogun.
On the Mitsubish knocking I'd say a Pajero gets you 75% of the ability and reliability of a Land Cruiser which is more than enough for most people. The strange thing is that Mitsu is seen as a competitor for Toyota in the UK but everywhere else they're seen as a budget brand - I think the Brit outlook is based on the success of the original Shogun.
In reality, the Land Cruisers aren't exactly bomb-proof either. They can & do rack up some sizable maintenance bills - they just seem to have achieved legendary status here where people won't hear a bad word said against them.
In comparison, the Aussies I've met seem to think the LR Disco is a city soft roader, and are completely unaware of its' abilities.
In comparison, the Aussies I've met seem to think the LR Disco is a city soft roader, and are completely unaware of its' abilities.
Mattt said:
In comparison, the Aussies I've met seem to think the LR Disco is a city soft roader, and are completely unaware of its' abilities.
I'm pretty sure they are aware of it's abilities, but are wary of the reliability and both the cost and availability of spare parts in remote locations.thehawk said:
Mattt said:
In comparison, the Aussies I've met seem to think the LR Disco is a city soft roader, and are completely unaware of its' abilities.
I'm pretty sure they are aware of it's abilities, but are wary of the reliability and both the cost and availability of spare parts in remote locationsFor me the Pajero suits my requirements better than others because the Indi suspension and monocoque chassis mean its a much nicer drive around town which is where it spends most of its life.
It's extremely capable off road, much more than me. I've towed cruisers patrols out of mud and sand because the Pajero is Relatively light and goes well on those. it acrually has really good articulati too but is let down over currugatoons where it becomes very noisy and suffers bad vibration. But if you want hardcore get a separate chassis vehicle and Toyota has the most upgradable options. Everything is really a compromise and no one vehicle is perfect.
thehawk said:
Mattt said:
In comparison, the Aussies I've met seem to think the LR Disco is a city soft roader, and are completely unaware of its' abilities.
I'm pretty sure they are aware of it's abilities, but are wary of the reliability and both the cost and availability of spare parts in remote locations.
That does look a bit soft, I was amazed that on my trip to Fraser I didn't get stuck once - had all the recovery gear with me but never needed it.
Kept the tyres at road pressures, off-road height, sand mode, DSC off - and it just cruised through the soft stuff. Couple of times I thought we would get stuck, but managed to keep enough momentum to get through it.
Kept the tyres at road pressures, off-road height, sand mode, DSC off - and it just cruised through the soft stuff. Couple of times I thought we would get stuck, but managed to keep enough momentum to get through it.
LRs are amazing off road. I've taken an LR2 Freelander over Big Red dunes here in Dubai (worth a google) many times.
Only the ride height lets that car down as you spend a lot of time dragging the belly in the softer stuff and leaving a bizarre perfectly flat road behind you!
Pity there are no mod options to fix it because of the lack of a frame chassis.
Only the ride height lets that car down as you spend a lot of time dragging the belly in the softer stuff and leaving a bizarre perfectly flat road behind you!
Pity there are no mod options to fix it because of the lack of a frame chassis.
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