Discussion
OK, I recently sold my RR Classic V8 due to its horrendous fuel consumption, so am back to just the one car - my BMW 330Ci M-Sport.
I have been looking for another 'cheap' (sub-£2k) but the additional running costs of a second car are putting me off, as are reliability concerns of a 'cheaper' older car.
So, I'm considering selling the BMW and getting a slightly better 4x4, maybe somewhere between £5-£7.5k and pocketing the difference. I don't really have an upper budget if I'm honest, but I don't like tying up loads of money in a car and don't see the need to spend a shed load on getting from A to B.
Sooo... what should I get?
I have a soft spot for Range Rovers and have been looking at diesel P38's but given that they're a good 10-15 years old now, perhaps I'm just buying into a lot of trouble? For similar money, I could buy a Discovery 2 with a TD5 engine which is a bit more modern design but, for me, not quite as 'charismatic.' I've never driven a Disco 2, are they a 'better' drive that the P38?
Other than these, what non-Land Rover 4x4's should I consider?
The other element to consider is my intended use - part of the reason for changing is to fulfil a desire to see a bit more of the world. So, there'd be greenlaning and camping in the UK, but I'm also planning on driving down to and through Morocco next year, and who knows where else!
I don't want anything too basic (Defender, etc) as its my daily driver too, so it needs to be comfortable, well equipped, handle well on the road but also be capaable and reliable offroad too.
Any suggestions?
I have been looking for another 'cheap' (sub-£2k) but the additional running costs of a second car are putting me off, as are reliability concerns of a 'cheaper' older car.
So, I'm considering selling the BMW and getting a slightly better 4x4, maybe somewhere between £5-£7.5k and pocketing the difference. I don't really have an upper budget if I'm honest, but I don't like tying up loads of money in a car and don't see the need to spend a shed load on getting from A to B.
Sooo... what should I get?
I have a soft spot for Range Rovers and have been looking at diesel P38's but given that they're a good 10-15 years old now, perhaps I'm just buying into a lot of trouble? For similar money, I could buy a Discovery 2 with a TD5 engine which is a bit more modern design but, for me, not quite as 'charismatic.' I've never driven a Disco 2, are they a 'better' drive that the P38?
Other than these, what non-Land Rover 4x4's should I consider?
The other element to consider is my intended use - part of the reason for changing is to fulfil a desire to see a bit more of the world. So, there'd be greenlaning and camping in the UK, but I'm also planning on driving down to and through Morocco next year, and who knows where else!
I don't want anything too basic (Defender, etc) as its my daily driver too, so it needs to be comfortable, well equipped, handle well on the road but also be capaable and reliable offroad too.
Any suggestions?
My current fav 4x4 is the JK Wrangler. Available as a 3dr swb or a 5dr lwb Unlimited.
I admit more on the rugged style than the luxury, but they come well equipped offering air con, electric most things, auto's or 6 speed manual, iPod connection and comfy seats.
The 2.8 CRD is punchy and good on fuel (esp 35mpg) and offers very similar performance to a TDV6 Disco 3.
They handle on road as well as anything Land Rover with live axles and will happily cruise at 80mph.
In return you get a practical spacious interior, strong Dana44 axles and pretty much un-matched standard off road ability.
Oddly prices seem to have gone up. When I looked 6-8 months back you could have got an 07 for £10.5-11k, cheapest on Autotrader now is nearly £13k though.
If you want something more in-line price wise with the p38a and D2 then I'd look at a Grand Cherokee. 3.0 Merc engine diesel or some nice V8's that you can LPG.
Lastly and if you don't mind losing a bit of luxury and speed you really should consider a G-Wagen.
3.0 diesel http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I admit more on the rugged style than the luxury, but they come well equipped offering air con, electric most things, auto's or 6 speed manual, iPod connection and comfy seats.
The 2.8 CRD is punchy and good on fuel (esp 35mpg) and offers very similar performance to a TDV6 Disco 3.
They handle on road as well as anything Land Rover with live axles and will happily cruise at 80mph.
In return you get a practical spacious interior, strong Dana44 axles and pretty much un-matched standard off road ability.
Oddly prices seem to have gone up. When I looked 6-8 months back you could have got an 07 for £10.5-11k, cheapest on Autotrader now is nearly £13k though.
If you want something more in-line price wise with the p38a and D2 then I'd look at a Grand Cherokee. 3.0 Merc engine diesel or some nice V8's that you can LPG.
Lastly and if you don't mind losing a bit of luxury and speed you really should consider a G-Wagen.
3.0 diesel http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I think this Shogun would fit the bill nicely.
Some AT tyres would see it perfectly capable for greenlaning and it's expedition qualities were proven by the LWR support team driving one from London to New York.
I'd also suggest a Land Cruiser of some sort but I don't know the model range so well. £7500 should be enough to get a reasonably modern one though. They're strong and capable vehicles.
Some AT tyres would see it perfectly capable for greenlaning and it's expedition qualities were proven by the LWR support team driving one from London to New York.
I'd also suggest a Land Cruiser of some sort but I don't know the model range so well. £7500 should be enough to get a reasonably modern one though. They're strong and capable vehicles.
The problem with the Shogun/Trooper/Landcruiser's is they just have no class! The interior's are awful, just a mass of cheap plastic - and going from a BMW, that is going to annoy me intensely!! The P38 and D2, on the other hand, are pretty classy inside, IMO.
Think the Wrangler suggested is more than I want to spend I'm afraid! And as for the G Wagen, I'd rather a Defender 110 I think.
Anything else?
Think the Wrangler suggested is more than I want to spend I'm afraid! And as for the G Wagen, I'd rather a Defender 110 I think.
Anything else?
you're a bit nuts not to consider an 80 series landcruiser- being one of the most reliable overlanders known to man.
once you get to know them you will find they have a lot of character, and a really closeknit landcruiser scene in the UK. You will also find a LOT of people in Europe and Africa drive them.
On top, they are also extremely capable off road, whether you are laning or overlanding (or even competing- although too big to be properly competitive).
once you get to know them you will find they have a lot of character, and a really closeknit landcruiser scene in the UK. You will also find a LOT of people in Europe and Africa drive them.
On top, they are also extremely capable off road, whether you are laning or overlanding (or even competing- although too big to be properly competitive).
Jeeps are well worth a look. They are all unibody so lower c of g and lighter than a Landy. This makes them better on road. But with live axles, good suspension and clever TCS they are just as good off it.
Another one worth a look might be the VW Touareg. Admittedly I'd personally only want a 5.0 TDI V10 but they are all meant to be good. Surprisingly capable off road too.
Another one worth a look might be the VW Touareg. Admittedly I'd personally only want a 5.0 TDI V10 but they are all meant to be good. Surprisingly capable off road too.
Mike_C said:
The problem with the Shogun/Trooper/Landcruiser's is they just have no class! The interior's are awful, just a mass of cheap plastic - and going from a BMW, that is going to annoy me intensely!!
Excuse me segueing in from your other thread. Have a good feel of the interior plastics in a P38, especially the lower dash panels. Very cheap plastics, and on a par with a Shogun if not worse. Door cards similarly. My shogun is a far nicer place to be than my old P38, storage spaces are far more useful, and the seats are more comfortable.If you could stretch your budget just a little more you'd get an L322, albeit a little old, and higher mileage! Very nice car! Everybody will now pile in and tell you it'll be a pile of poo at that price, and will cost you a million pounds a week in repairs, but they'll be wrong.
You'll get a nice p38, or a very nice Jeep Grand Cherokee, which might be the more sensible option!
You'll get a nice p38, or a very nice Jeep Grand Cherokee, which might be the more sensible option!
bozmandb9 said:
If you could stretch your budget just a little more you'd get an L322, albeit a little old, and higher mileage! Very nice car! Everybody will now pile in and tell you it'll be a pile of poo at that price, and will cost you a million pounds a week in repairs, but they'll be wrong.
You'll get a nice p38, or a very nice Jeep Grand Cherokee, which might be the more sensible option!
My only issue with the L322 is the way it looks, fat, blobby, middle aged with an overhanging belly.You'll get a nice p38, or a very nice Jeep Grand Cherokee, which might be the more sensible option!
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