Buying Advice

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the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Tuesday 3rd September 2013
quotequote all
looking for some advice,

il looking at getting a bargain 4x4 im looking to spend around £1000 and want a 4x4 with 5 doors (LWB) and must do about 30MPG or more. what would the PH massive recommend?

camel_landy

5,040 posts

188 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Nothing...

A budget that low will be a false economy as you'll spend several times more in keeping it on the road.

(A 15yr old Diesel Cherokee is probably as close as you'll get!!)

M

Edited by camel_landy on Wednesday 4th September 08:29

Chainguy

4,381 posts

205 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
That kind of money will get a perfectly usable 2000ish Shogun Pinin five door. The body will be a bit ding and scuff, but you'll be expecting that. Anyone who tells you they are not a proper 4x4, they are talking out of their hoop. While it's not a separate chassis, it's a unibody, it has the full low ratio four wheel drive system etc (two gearsticks) and read any road test from launch, they are very capable even when stock. Soft roader they are not.

Although petrol, they also do 30/32ish to the gallon.

Have a look on usual places, and good luck if you go for it.

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
thanks for the responses so far, please keep them coming

i have had a look around and seen the following in the price range

1998 land rover disco 2.5 TDI
1997 Nissan Terrino 2.7 TD
1996 Isuzu Bighorn (Trooper) 3.1 TD

any views on these?

Chainguy

4,381 posts

205 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Seems you've looked at all the same kit I have.

Terrano's are good if you can find one that either hasn't lived on a farm and been worked to death, or has spent the last ten years in a council estate being maintained on thruppence ha'ppenny.

Disco's of that vintage, all the ones I went to look at anyway, mean you NEED to be good with a MIG welder or know someone who is who will work cheap. Oily bits were all looking to be at about 8/10ths wear as well, and looking at big bills very soon. If you like spannering as much as driving the thing though, go for it. Parts are cheap and depending where in the country you live, practically available at the corner shop.

Troopers are good and capable, and I liked them, but they are still holding strong money for the ones with the RIGHT engine, the 3.1TD. When I looked you needed £3k+ to get something from this century that wasn't worked to death, and even then they were rough at that price range. I wouldn't touch the newer 3 litre as it is a money pit that will bite you, even at a lower mileage.

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Chainguy

thanks for the info i have not been to look at any yet as im waiting for some funds to clear.

i don't mind a bit of tinkering to get things running right but i would rather get one that will be fine for 6 months and 5K miles before i have to think about looking at it if im honest (just being lazy)

i know there is plenty of 3 door 4x4's out there but there just to small for me plus i here they dont ride so well.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

195 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
the_ferret82 said:
looking for some advice,

il looking at getting a bargain 4x4 im looking to spend around £1000 and want a 4x4 with 5 doors (LWB) and must do about 30MPG or more. what would the PH massive recommend?
Honestly you'll struggle to find a proper 4x4 that can really manage 30mpg + and certainly not of the ilk or price range you are considering.

Most will be 22-28mpg range for diesels and worse for petrols.

If you go soft roader then you'll find some in the 30mpg range, but not loads and it'll mostly be the diesels not the petrols.


You've said you looked at the Terrano. The Ford Maverick (early ones) are the same vehicle, but tend to sell for less with the Ford badge on.

A diesel Freelander might be in budget too, mostly good vehicles, just read up on the pitfalls and issues they can suffer.

A Diesel Disco 1 is likely a good bet overall. I loved mine and only paid £1300 for it about 9 or 10 years ago.

chris182

4,178 posts

158 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
All the early discos I see about now are total rustbuckets, I would avoid them like the plague myself. My Landcruiser does about 30mpg so it is certainly possible but they cost more like £5k. I would look at a 2.5td Grand cherokee if I was you, my brother bought one for £700 and it has done very well. It seems to be completely rust free, hasn't broken down at all and whilst 30mpg is a tad optimistic it's not so far off.

Realistically though, if your budget is £1k are you going to be able to afford to run a 4x4 and do you really need one? There are many estate cars that would fit the bill much better if you don't really need any serious off road capability.

Edited by chris182 on Wednesday 4th September 11:54

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
the_ferret82 said:
looking for some advice,

il looking at getting a bargain 4x4 im looking to spend around £1000 and want a 4x4 with 5 doors (LWB) and must do about 30MPG or more. what would the PH massive recommend?
Honestly you'll struggle to find a proper 4x4 that can really manage 30mpg + and certainly not of the ilk or price range you are considering.

Most will be 22-28mpg range for diesels and worse for petrols.

If you go soft roader then you'll find some in the 30mpg range, but not loads and it'll mostly be the diesels not the petrols.


You've said you looked at the Terrano. The Ford Maverick (early ones) are the same vehicle, but tend to sell for less with the Ford badge on.

A diesel Freelander might be in budget too, mostly good vehicles, just read up on the pitfalls and issues they can suffer.

A Diesel Disco 1 is likely a good bet overall. I loved mine and only paid £1300 for it about 9 or 10 years ago.
some good info to know there.

i think i need to state where i say about 30mpg i obviously mean on a motorway so 28 mpg is not out of the question also on the price front i think 1300 would be about the limit, but obviously the cheaper the better if i can get a good bargain.

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
chris182 said:
All the early discos I see about now are total rustbuckets, I would avoid them like the plague myself. My Landcruiser does about 30mpg so it is certainly possible but they cost more like £5k. I would look at a 2.5td Grand cherokee if I was you, my brother bought one for £700 and it has done very well. It seems to be completely rust free, hasn't broken down at all and whilst 30mpg is a tad optimistic it's not so far off.

Realistically though, if you budget is £1k are you going to be able to afford to run a 4x4 and do you really need one? There are many estate cars that would fit the bill much better if you don't really need any serious off road capability.
i would love a land cruiser but i can justify that money for a winter hack / shed which is what i want a 4x4 for. as for the esate cars i have thought about it but i far the lack of ground clearance would be an issue, i dont plan on doing serious off roading but it will travel a number of dirt roads and across fields and cope with some potential heavy snow falls.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

195 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
I struggle to believe you can't find a usable Disco for this money.

Yes they can rust, but they can be fixed. Chassis is normally ok, my 1990 H plate has had no structural welding to the chassis. The boot floor can also be easily replaced and isn't an MoT failure as the seat belt mounts don't bolt to it.

chris182

4,178 posts

158 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
the_ferret82 said:
chris182 said:
All the early discos I see about now are total rustbuckets, I would avoid them like the plague myself. My Landcruiser does about 30mpg so it is certainly possible but they cost more like £5k. I would look at a 2.5td Grand cherokee if I was you, my brother bought one for £700 and it has done very well. It seems to be completely rust free, hasn't broken down at all and whilst 30mpg is a tad optimistic it's not so far off.

Realistically though, if you budget is £1k are you going to be able to afford to run a 4x4 and do you really need one? There are many estate cars that would fit the bill much better if you don't really need any serious off road capability.
i would love a land cruiser but i can justify that money for a winter hack / shed which is what i want a 4x4 for. as for the esate cars i have thought about it but i far the lack of ground clearance would be an issue, i dont plan on doing serious off roading but it will travel a number of dirt roads and across fields and cope with some potential heavy snow falls.
Fair enough, I am not anti 4x4 as I own a Landcruiser and live in Dorset where there is absolutely no need for it whatsoever smile. I think any proper diesel 4x4 at that price is likely to be a bit shonky though so I would suggest one of the following options:
  • Cheap petrol 4x4 - lots about for very low money and spend the capital saved on more petrol
  • Estate car, possibly with winter tyres - Realistically it will be fine for 99.9% of what you want to do.
  • Soft roader - As above
  • A jeep 2.5td if you are set on a proper 4x4

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

203 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
How many miles do you drive per year, on average?

Diesel Discos generally, in my experience, achieve in the low 20's mpg wise, petrols low teens in mixed use, although an LPG conversion brings the cost equivalent up to close to the diesel cost. The V8 is a more driveable engine, again in my experience, although you pay for it in fuel use.

They do rust, on the bodies anyway, my 1998 version is in need of a patch or two now, although the chassis is pretty sound. Could use a new coat of waxoyl though. You can have it for your budget if you want. It's fairly scruffy mind you.

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
to add it does not need to be diesel as long as the MPG figure is in the same area as what im looking for. its just fromt he quick hunting i have done they all seam to come back as the devils fuel..

the_ferret82

Original Poster:

25,627 posts

189 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Super Slo Mo said:
How many miles do you drive per year, on average?

Diesel Discos generally, in my experience, achieve in the low 20's mpg wise, petrols low teens in mixed use, although an LPG conversion brings the cost equivalent up to close to the diesel cost. The V8 is a more driveable engine, again in my experience, although you pay for it in fuel use.

They do rust, on the bodies anyway, my 1998 version is in need of a patch or two now, although the chassis is pretty sound. Could use a new coat of waxoyl though. You can have it for your budget if you want. It's fairly scruffy mind you.
it will do about 7 - 8K in 6 months hence the want for a reasonable MPG figure... i would love another V8 but running 1 is enough wink plus this is to give that V8 a rest over the nasty months of the year..

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

203 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
the_ferret82 said:
it will do about 7 - 8K in 6 months hence the want for a reasonable MPG figure... i would love another V8 but running 1 is enough wink plus this is to give that V8 a rest over the nasty months of the year..
Ok, makes sense. Usually I'd say a diesel suits a 4x4 better due to the way it delivers the power but in the case of the 200-300 series Disco, I prefer the V8 as it's more tractable from low revs. However, as said, they are very heavy on fuel, although mine's on LPG so it's not too bad in cost terms. Helps that I only do 1-2000 miles a year in it though.

geeks

9,459 posts

144 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
A B Series LWB 2.2 DTi Frontera can be picked up for that sort of money. Comfortable, bags of room, reliable, cheap to maintain and run and less prone to tine worm than a Disco and will easily see over 30MPG on the motorway as long as you stay below 70 (Mine averages between 35 and 40 unless I am towing when I average mid 20's) Mine has been solid as a rock and over the last 12,000 miles has required nothing more than oil changes (I do these at 6,000 miles as I do a lot of short trips and a lot of towing) and rear brake pads.

RWD when in two wheel. Very capable off road too. Due to a lack on open centre diff can only be run in 4WD when on a slippery surface where the speed differential can be scrubbed off by allowing a wheel slip or spin. Has its advantages and disadvantages much like all drivetrains.

downthepub

1,376 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Be careful with the 2.5TD unit in XJ Cherokees, er, they aren't known for being particularly reliable.

camel_landy

5,040 posts

188 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
Have a sniff around the auction houses...

www.brightwells.co.uk

M

Chainguy

4,381 posts

205 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
I struggle to believe you can't find a usable Disco for this money.

Yes they can rust, but they can be fixed. Chassis is normally ok, my 1990 H plate has had no structural welding to the chassis. The boot floor can also be easily replaced and isn't an MoT failure as the seat belt mounts don't bolt to it.
Maybe where you are, but around here £1000 will get you a Discovery 'project'. Not something that is ready to be depended on in the dead of winter and has ticket and tax.

I went and looked at a load of them earlier this year with a mate who is a 4x4 mechanic as a day job. Of the 8 job cards he will have in a day, 6 will be Land Rover product, so he knows them inside out and backwards. To say there are some dogs out there on the used market, albeit some shiny and freshly polished on top, would be an understatement. At that price range there is always SOMETHING needing done, replaced, looked at. Always. If we heard the phrase 'it just needs....X' from a chancing seller one more time we were ready to hit the pub early and forget the whole bloody thing. My budget was higher than the OP's as well. Didn't matter, same problems. Same sellers with a seriously over optimistic view of what their 15 year old rusty, fluid dripping Disco was actually worth.

Sorry, but if a grand is your limit, go either Jap or rebadged Jap (Vauxhall Monterey) and that was his advice to me initially, I wish I'd listened. Now having seen what's getting passed off for sale out there, now it'd be mine as well.