Small 4x4 for about 2 Grand

[Norse_mann]

Hi Guys, would welcome some suggestions here!

I run a couple of landrovers (S111 and a 300tdi ninety) I have taken my dad out and about and done a little bit of gentle off roading and he had a great time and wants to maybe do a bit himself and wants to get a truck so he can.

I offered to fix up my spare series for him but he finds my series landy hard to drive, he doesn't like the defender because of the lack of room in the cab and you are jammed against the door.

He is looking for a smallish one, with fairly simple mechanics (home spannering is a must) for upto or around 2 grand.

We have tried a Jimny but the cab was a bit wee, thought about a mk1 freelander but they are still a bit pricey for a decent diesel.

Any thoughts/ recommendations?

[TheHeretic]

Four track/Sportrak, Vitara, Trooper, Cherokee, and so on?

[downthepub]

Wrangler? £2K might be a bit tight though.

Edited by downthepub on Wednesday 12th December 21:23

[SystemParanoia]

grand cherokee v8

[bakerstreet]

downthepub said:

Wrangler? £2K might be a bit tight though.

Edited by downthepub on Wednesday 12th December 21:23

You won't get one for £2k

Pajero or shogun?

[eltax91]

Vitara I would say

[Bill]

SystemParanoia said:

grand cherokee v8

If he's going for something that big he might as well get a Discovery, at least then they have experience with the marque and commonality of parts.

[Fazt]

Bill said:

If he's going for something that big he might as well get a Discovery, at least then they have experience with the marque and commonality of parts.

agree get a disco, plenty of room drives like a car compared to defender etc.... and the spare parts are practically free there that cheap haha.

[tr7v8]

Fazt said:

Bill said:

If he's going for something that big he might as well get a Discovery, at least then they have experience with the marque and commonality of parts.

agree get a disco, plenty of room drives like a car compared to defender etc.... and the spare parts are practically free there that cheap haha.

Depends on how good he is with a MIG welder TBH. A Jeep for the same money will be newer as it won't have the LR premium.

[300bhp/ton]

Norse_mann said:

Hi Guys, would welcome some suggestions here!

I run a couple of landrovers (S111 and a 300tdi ninety) I have taken my dad out and about and done a little bit of gentle off roading and he had a great time and wants to maybe do a bit himself and wants to get a truck so he can.

I offered to fix up my spare series for him but he finds my series landy hard to drive, he doesn't like the defender because of the lack of room in the cab and you are jammed against the door.

He is looking for a smallish one, with fairly simple mechanics (home spannering is a must) for upto or around 2 grand.

We have tried a Jimny but the cab was a bit wee, thought about a mk1 freelander but they are still a bit pricey for a decent diesel.

Any thoughts/ recommendations?

Some things to consider:

-What are you wanting to do with the vehicle?

Greenlaning is fun, as can pay and play sites. But there's a whole different world if you want to get involved in RTV trials. These are a form of grass roots motorsport that typically cost £20 to enter once a month.

The aim is to drive a 'section' consisting of 'gates' (typically a pair of canes). The idea is to drive the entire section without stopping or hitting a cane, lowest score wins. It's a fun way of being challenged and seeing what your vehicle can really do, while in a safe environment.


Land Rover's are by far the most popular for this type of thing. So it's well worth considering another if you are interested. There are clubs that cater for other vehicle types, but as a rule they are not as prolific.


Re: a Defender. Sitting close to the window is good off road as it allows you to lean out and see the wheels and what you are driving over.

If however you want a more comfy, more roomy Defender then a Discovery is your ideal vehicle. It is essentially a Defender with a wider more comfy bodyshell.


Off road I'm also a huge fan of live axles and good suspension. This really boils down to Land Rover and Jeep as the main contenders.

XJ Cherokee's represent huge value for money and can be hugely capable. Although you'll want to budget a lift in your buying price (lifts are cheap, £100 if you fit yourself).