I want to play a game (shed off-roader)

[Clivey]

Morning everyone. I want to play a game.

First, the background:

Some of you might have noticed that I've been asking a few questions regarding off-roaders recently. Ideally, I'd like a late, low-mileage & top spec Discovery 2 TD5 but that's going to require some saving first!

I currently have a Citroen C4 3-door, which I plan on selling ASAP. I've owned it for 5 years and it's not practical for us any longer so the plan is to sell it, put the money away and continue to save for the Disco.

However, I will need a vehicle to go to work & back (only a handful of miles per day) in the meantime. Of course, I could just buy something dull & reliable like a Nissan Almera (there's one locally for £390 with a 12 month MOT), use it until we've got the money for the Disco then weigh the shed in / sell as scrap. Inevitably though, being a petrolhead has lead to me exploring whether I can find anything interesting to smoke around in and I'm wondering what would be the cheapest working & reliable 4x4 for me to "practice" off-roading in in the meantime.

So, I've got a fun little game for everyone (because if you're anything like me, you spend far too much time browsing classified ads ). - Find me a 4x4! My requirements:

• £1000 budget
• Long MOT
• Reliable
• Decent off road

Let's see what you come up with!

[anonymous-user]

£1000?
This is gonna be good.......

[Clivey]

Crossflow Kid said:

£1000?
This is gonna be good.......

Shed rules (as in SOTW). - I seem to recall a Chevy Blazer recently...

[s_zigmond]

A few different options It would be too easy to post discos and SJ's all day. (Some of the MOTs are a bit short)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/isuzu-trooper-4x4-3-1-v6...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/daihatsu-terios-4x4-farm...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-RANGE-ROVER-3-9-V8-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x4-2001-Kia-Sportage-2-...

I knwo all are auctions, but they should I think end around the budget

[Woody]

How about these:

1998 R Reg 4.0 Cherokee

1997 R Reg 4.0 Cherokee LPG

1999 S Reg 2.5 Cherokee

[Jem0911]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daihatsu-Fourtrak-2-8TD-...
Maybe get it for less.

[Woody]

Here's another couple:

Slightly over budget - but you might be lucky with haggling!
Suzuki Jimny


Daihatsu Sportrak - 12 Months MOT

Ssangyong Korando 2.3 (Merc running gear)

Daewoo Musso

Shogun V6 LPG converted

Shogun Diesel

[Clivey]

Woody said:

Here's another couple:

Slightly over budget - but you might be lucky with haggling!
Suzuki Jimny

That looks ideal actually. - I've seen what they can do and TBH they seem like quite a sensible option. Is there anything in particular to worry about on these?

[Jem0911]

Clivey said:

That looks ideal actually. - I've seen what they can do and TBH they seem like quite a sensible option. Is there anything in particular to worry about on these?

It seems to be leaning back somewhat.
A very casual Jimny.

[sunbeam alpine]

Daihatsu Fourtrak - unkillable.

And cheap.

And capable off-road

[s_zigmond]

This is what I use

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Lada-Niva-Hussar-Ex...

[camel_landy]

Cherokee all the way...

I got mine last year:

• '99 Jeep XJ
• 4.0 Orvis
• New BFG AT
• Long MOT.
• 5 mths tax

£675

It needed some bits as the previous owner's dog chewed a load of stuff... e-Bay - £150

It's now a tidy little runaround for the missus.

M

[alpine87]

I bought one of these for £1200. 2001, Y reg, immaculate on the inside, pretty good on the outside, service history, tax, mot.

Downside is the GDI engine common issues - bad idle - miss fire/hunting. Well documented issue, reasonably easy to fix with time and a little know-how.

Pretty good off road. I am a bit of a wuss so not pushed it beyond or near to any kind of limits.



I was after a Jimny, Nissan Patrol, Pinin, Shogun (big one), l200 or anything 4x4 and cheap. Ended up with the Pinin because it represented best value for money.

This seems like a 'cute' example:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[bakerstreet]

For £1000, I would just get a Jeep Cherokee or a Mitsubishi Pajero V6.

I know the green oval will be tempting, but for £1000, it will be ropey.

[hawox]

i don't know precisely the mot rules in britain. but if i can give my 2cents i'd go for something small and buildt to be cheap.
suzuki vitara: it's less classic than the sj-samurai so prices re lower, plus it's a bit bigger and more confortable. off road is very decent and it's very reliable. i know quite well the car and it surprised me.
daihatsu feroza: suspensions are less confortable than the vitara and the rear diff is self locking so maybe better offroad but must be more carefull on road at high speeds.
lada nivaermanent 4wd with the central diff locker, quite good offroad but uses more fuel than the vitara and feroza.
nissan terrano: bigger and eavier than the previous models, it has 2 locking diff so good ofroader but it will use alot of fuel, don't know about reliability.
nissan patrol:be carefull that the locking diff were optional so you must check if present, or instal yourself.
opel frontera: avoid absolutely
uaz: very spartan and original.

in my opinion, if you whant to do cheap offroad the best way is buy a vitara or feroza or a niva, the 4wd system of the lada maybe is the better but the car interiors were cheap (not that i care in an offroad) and difficoult to find with aircon (the air conditioning also helps to slow down by subtracting power so you go slower in steep). the lada also doesn't have the frame, the body is robust but carefull for rust.
i used to have the vitara and had enormous fun with it, obviously it lacks some grip and 1 or 2 lockers so can't compete with a prepared mercedes G class but you can do much more than you expect thanks to ground clearence and short wheelbase. plus it's bulletproof and i spendt many sundays trashing it off road and then back 90 mp/h on the higway averaging 10 L/100km.

[deltashad]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Rover-Vogue-SE-/29...

[camel_landy]

Lada Nivas... Yep, cracking toy, bomb proof & cheap as chips.

The only thing I have against them is the gear change, if you can find one to change into (on a par with an old VW Beatle).

M

[Hoover.]

camel_landy said:

Cherokee all the way...

I got mine last year:

• '99 Jeep XJ
• 4.0 Orvis
• New BFG AT
• Long MOT.
• 5 mths tax

£675

It needed some bits as the previous owner's dog chewed a load of stuff... e-Bay - £150

It's now a tidy little runaround for the missus.

M

I agree....bought 4l Limited XJ 97 for £950, only 68k on the clock, and in fantastic condition ...... most used car since due to weather, ease of driving and not being precious

[Clivey]

I've just had a look at the V8 petrol Cherokees etc. - I knew the fuel economy wouldn't be great but...ouch! I'd be spending literally multiples of the Jeep's value in fuel per year. - I think in my case smaller would be better.

Jem0911 said:

A very casual Jimny.

[s_zigmond]

What about this

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/jeep...