What off-road vehicle should I buy?
Discussion
Hi all, first post here!
Bit of background: I currently have a hatchback which has done nearly 100K miles, had it for six years and driven it down many bumpy roads in the west Country, got a few knocks and scrapes but it's in good enough condition and has been a reliable car.
I've always liked jeeps and pickups and I go hiking every so often, and travel all over for work, which often means going to very rural parts of Britain. I don't *need* an off-road vehicle but I'm saving up several thousand and am thinking it's time to ditch the polo and get a new vehicle (second hand of course).
Let me add: I won't be towing trailers (yet), and I don't shift lot's of stuff around, nor work in farming, it's merely because I like pickups and want something off-road for when the circumstances arise.
People have told me Ford Rangers can have electrical issues and aren't the best pickup. I've also heard numerous people say Nissan's look good but are a crap pickup. So far I've been recommended the Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux. People have mentioned landrovers too but what are relatively recent models? People have also mentioned subaru foresters but I prefer pickups.
My budget is about £8,000 absolute tops. Ideally, I want something with kickass acceleration too, so for a 4x4, 0-60 in 9 secs or under (if possible)?
Any suggestions most appreciated. Cheers
Bit of background: I currently have a hatchback which has done nearly 100K miles, had it for six years and driven it down many bumpy roads in the west Country, got a few knocks and scrapes but it's in good enough condition and has been a reliable car.
I've always liked jeeps and pickups and I go hiking every so often, and travel all over for work, which often means going to very rural parts of Britain. I don't *need* an off-road vehicle but I'm saving up several thousand and am thinking it's time to ditch the polo and get a new vehicle (second hand of course).
Let me add: I won't be towing trailers (yet), and I don't shift lot's of stuff around, nor work in farming, it's merely because I like pickups and want something off-road for when the circumstances arise.
People have told me Ford Rangers can have electrical issues and aren't the best pickup. I've also heard numerous people say Nissan's look good but are a crap pickup. So far I've been recommended the Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux. People have mentioned landrovers too but what are relatively recent models? People have also mentioned subaru foresters but I prefer pickups.
My budget is about £8,000 absolute tops. Ideally, I want something with kickass acceleration too, so for a 4x4, 0-60 in 9 secs or under (if possible)?
Any suggestions most appreciated. Cheers
Hi.
Basically very few proper 4x4's will be speedy. And the ones that are, will generally have big engines and like a drink.
So it depends how "4x4" and off roady you want. All of the UK market pickup trucks are somewhat basic. New ones are nicer spec, but all diesels and generally the smallest most budget range of trucks that those manufacturers offer.
An L200 is going to be lucky if its sub 15 sec to 60mph. And it'll still like a drink.
So really your options divide into different categories depending on what you want and what is available for your budget.
On the one hand vehicles like a Freelander 2 are hugely all round capable machines. Fairly speedy, fairly good road manners. And can go off road. But do lack the rugged 4x4 look and feel.
A step up is a luxury 4x4 like a WK Grand Cherokee. Bigger and heavier than the Freelander. But still with fairly good road manners. But worse on fuel. However speedy engine options exist such as a 5.7 Hemi V8. Just be prepared for the mpg. Off road capability also increases and more off road style mods available.
Then you have proper rugged off roaders. Which normally have a proper chassis and live axles. Such as a Defender or a Wrangler. Or even a Jimny. Usually road manners are less good. But they do tend to feel more 4x4 with a greater sense of occasion.
Pick up trucks sort of have the same lack of road manners as proper 4x4's like a Defender. But can have good sense of occasion. Although many actually aren't all that good off road.
There are also US imports you might want to consider. US market trucks tend to be bigger, better equipped and nicer than UK market ones. There are also smaller 4x4's such as K5 Blazers, Broncos and the like. Which offer similar thrills to a Wrangler or Defender. But just as an alternative.
As for Land Rovers. Well if you live in the U.K. It would seem foolish to not consider them. Loads to choose from. Loads of cheap easy to buy spares. And loads of people who work on them. Plus they are overall good capable vehicles.
Newer models are more up market and more luxury. But older models are perfectly serviceable and far more rugged.
Basically very few proper 4x4's will be speedy. And the ones that are, will generally have big engines and like a drink.
So it depends how "4x4" and off roady you want. All of the UK market pickup trucks are somewhat basic. New ones are nicer spec, but all diesels and generally the smallest most budget range of trucks that those manufacturers offer.
An L200 is going to be lucky if its sub 15 sec to 60mph. And it'll still like a drink.
So really your options divide into different categories depending on what you want and what is available for your budget.
On the one hand vehicles like a Freelander 2 are hugely all round capable machines. Fairly speedy, fairly good road manners. And can go off road. But do lack the rugged 4x4 look and feel.
A step up is a luxury 4x4 like a WK Grand Cherokee. Bigger and heavier than the Freelander. But still with fairly good road manners. But worse on fuel. However speedy engine options exist such as a 5.7 Hemi V8. Just be prepared for the mpg. Off road capability also increases and more off road style mods available.
Then you have proper rugged off roaders. Which normally have a proper chassis and live axles. Such as a Defender or a Wrangler. Or even a Jimny. Usually road manners are less good. But they do tend to feel more 4x4 with a greater sense of occasion.
Pick up trucks sort of have the same lack of road manners as proper 4x4's like a Defender. But can have good sense of occasion. Although many actually aren't all that good off road.
There are also US imports you might want to consider. US market trucks tend to be bigger, better equipped and nicer than UK market ones. There are also smaller 4x4's such as K5 Blazers, Broncos and the like. Which offer similar thrills to a Wrangler or Defender. But just as an alternative.
As for Land Rovers. Well if you live in the U.K. It would seem foolish to not consider them. Loads to choose from. Loads of cheap easy to buy spares. And loads of people who work on them. Plus they are overall good capable vehicles.
Newer models are more up market and more luxury. But older models are perfectly serviceable and far more rugged.
Hi, thanks for the response! Would have responded sooner if it wasn't for being exhausted from work.
I think you're probably right in regards to speed, unfortunately. I am now at a crossroads between whether I get a truck which isn't as fast as I'd like, or just go the total opposite and get a golf GTI which can do about 0-60 in 7 secs. I know it makes no sense but I have a hatchback anyway so if I decide not to get an off-roader, I'll get something quick and my polo has done me pretty well so I'd upgrade to a quick golf.
Will have a look at the freelander and WK Grand Cherokee though, thanks.
I know land rover defenders are old school and very legit, but I get the impression they're a bit past their sell-by date?
Will have a look at US imports but I can't imagine they'd be within my budget of around maximum £8,000. Of course I'm going for something second hand and preferably with a max mileage of around 50,000 miles.
I think you're probably right in regards to speed, unfortunately. I am now at a crossroads between whether I get a truck which isn't as fast as I'd like, or just go the total opposite and get a golf GTI which can do about 0-60 in 7 secs. I know it makes no sense but I have a hatchback anyway so if I decide not to get an off-roader, I'll get something quick and my polo has done me pretty well so I'd upgrade to a quick golf.
Will have a look at the freelander and WK Grand Cherokee though, thanks.
I know land rover defenders are old school and very legit, but I get the impression they're a bit past their sell-by date?
Will have a look at US imports but I can't imagine they'd be within my budget of around maximum £8,000. Of course I'm going for something second hand and preferably with a max mileage of around 50,000 miles.
Ignore above, 300 only thinks that Land Rovers or overweight yank tanks are the only vehicles worth considering.
Meanwhile in the real world, 8k will get you an 8yo L200, fully loaded with leather, sat nav and cruise control, which will do 60 in about 12secs (there's always remaps if you want to go faster!), which will do 30mpg as long as you're not ragging it everywhere.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
or you could try a Hilux (few more miles on this one, but should run forever)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd avoid Rangers as you said electrics aren't great, and Navaras of that age, the chassis can crack!
As the Aussi adage goes, if you want to go into the outback take a land rover, if you want to come back take a toyota
Meanwhile in the real world, 8k will get you an 8yo L200, fully loaded with leather, sat nav and cruise control, which will do 60 in about 12secs (there's always remaps if you want to go faster!), which will do 30mpg as long as you're not ragging it everywhere.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
or you could try a Hilux (few more miles on this one, but should run forever)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd avoid Rangers as you said electrics aren't great, and Navaras of that age, the chassis can crack!
As the Aussi adage goes, if you want to go into the outback take a land rover, if you want to come back take a toyota
Mammasaid said:
Ignore above, 300 only thinks that Land Rovers or overweight yank tanks are the only vehicles worth considering.
Meanwhile in the real world, 8k will get you an 8yo L200, fully loaded with leather, sat nav and cruise control, which will do 60 in about 12secs (there's always remaps if you want to go faster!), which will do 30mpg as long as you're not ragging it everywhere.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
or you could try a Hilux (few more miles on this one, but should run forever)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd avoid Rangers as you said electrics aren't great, and Navaras of that age, the chassis can crack!
As the Aussi adage goes, if you want to go into the outback take a land rover, if you want to come back take a toyota
Maybe should have tried reading what I posted instead of throwing insults about ffs Meanwhile in the real world, 8k will get you an 8yo L200, fully loaded with leather, sat nav and cruise control, which will do 60 in about 12secs (there's always remaps if you want to go faster!), which will do 30mpg as long as you're not ragging it everywhere.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
or you could try a Hilux (few more miles on this one, but should run forever)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I'd avoid Rangers as you said electrics aren't great, and Navaras of that age, the chassis can crack!
As the Aussi adage goes, if you want to go into the outback take a land rover, if you want to come back take a toyota
I've had 3x Range Rover L322s which were lovely cars but had their issues, I then had a TDV6 RRS which wasn't a lovely car and had loads of expensive issues, don't get me wrong I like LR/RRs but the horror stories you hear about the newer ones are pretty accurate, I've finally seen the light and ditched the RRS for a D4D Landcruiser and my only regret is I didn't do it about a decade ago!.
How far off road do you want to go is the big question. As off-road capability improves, comfort, performance and economy suffers.
I realise you said you like pick-ups, but a mid-sized SUV could easily do what you want and provide the performance/economy blend better than a commercial pick-up type vehicle. Audi Q5s are currently high mileage at your budget, but the X3 is achievable - 3.0sd will hit 60 in just over 6 seconds. The X1 is newer an the 2.0d will do 60 in 8.4. Then there's the Skoda Yeti, very well reviewed - 8.1 0-60 and 45mpg. Nav-4 is good but slower at 10-ish seconds...... Lots to consider.
I realise you said you like pick-ups, but a mid-sized SUV could easily do what you want and provide the performance/economy blend better than a commercial pick-up type vehicle. Audi Q5s are currently high mileage at your budget, but the X3 is achievable - 3.0sd will hit 60 in just over 6 seconds. The X1 is newer an the 2.0d will do 60 in 8.4. Then there's the Skoda Yeti, very well reviewed - 8.1 0-60 and 45mpg. Nav-4 is good but slower at 10-ish seconds...... Lots to consider.
It depends on your preference. Are you looking for pick-up or mid-sized SUV? When buying an off-road capable vehicle, check the truck parts and look at its 4x4 features.
Hi all, very late but thanks for all contributors to my thread.
Some great posts and since July I have gained a lot more knowledge surrounding off-road vehicles, their capability, specs and so forth.
In the end, I did get a 4x4 (why I briefly thought about just going for a faster hatchback, heaven knows?!) and I bought a used Jeep Patriot.
I did think long and hard about getting a Jeep, because some say they can be notoriously unreliable, but like with any vehicle, some car makers are undoubtedly better than others, and some vehicles are undoubtedly more reliable than others, but it's often a case of hit and miss too.
I ended up getting the Patriot because while I like pick-ups, I've driven them for work and frankly, while I have little experience driving them, I still find them a devil to park given how long they are, and I came to the conclusion, why get a pick up when I don't need one? They're big, and I generally won't need the back to be hoisting loads of tools around in. Also, from what I saw on autotrader and elsewhere, pick ups eat fuel and are generally not very quick. And any of the quicker ones, drink even more fuel, as someone said above!
I did think about the Subaru Forester (but couldn't find many of them), and I seriously thought about the Land Rover Freelander, but opted with the Patriot as it was slightly cheaper, and gives me what I want.
So I got the used Patriot, 60Reg, 60K miles, for 6 grand, with a one year warranty from the dealer. Cruise control and reverse parking sensors included. The MPG is brilliant and I get between 40 - 44 on average depending where I'm driving and if I'm in a rush or taking it easy. I achieved a top MPG of 52.6 when travelling Scotland. Tax is also cheap, and can get 0-60 in about 9-10 seconds. I have no trouble over-taking others at speed on the motorway, it's far quicker than my old polo.
I know the Patriot is no Wrangler or Defender, but I've seen the videos on YouTube and people seem to take them almost anywhere. I've driven in reasonable mud with it, and on ice/snow, and it hasn't got stuck yet in mud (with summer tyres), and can get out of deep snow with ease, albeit it did lose control a couple times in the ice but to no damage.
I've recently put Michelin Latitude Cross tyres on which are semi off-road and rated highly, so look forward to testing it out at an off-road track just to see it's capability. This is a car I intend to use primarily for commuting on road to work, but also for travelling with the odd bit of off-road driving thrown in.
Very happy with the Patriot albeit a rear wheel speed sensor failed one month after purchase (was sorted at dealership no charge) and I have an ongoing pulling issue with the car (possibly related to suspension/ball-joints etc) as wheel alignments at multiple places have not solved the car being extremely sensitive to camber/road disturbances, but as long as it doesn't eat my tyres (which I check regularly), I'm prepared to put up with this.
Some great posts and since July I have gained a lot more knowledge surrounding off-road vehicles, their capability, specs and so forth.
In the end, I did get a 4x4 (why I briefly thought about just going for a faster hatchback, heaven knows?!) and I bought a used Jeep Patriot.
I did think long and hard about getting a Jeep, because some say they can be notoriously unreliable, but like with any vehicle, some car makers are undoubtedly better than others, and some vehicles are undoubtedly more reliable than others, but it's often a case of hit and miss too.
I ended up getting the Patriot because while I like pick-ups, I've driven them for work and frankly, while I have little experience driving them, I still find them a devil to park given how long they are, and I came to the conclusion, why get a pick up when I don't need one? They're big, and I generally won't need the back to be hoisting loads of tools around in. Also, from what I saw on autotrader and elsewhere, pick ups eat fuel and are generally not very quick. And any of the quicker ones, drink even more fuel, as someone said above!
I did think about the Subaru Forester (but couldn't find many of them), and I seriously thought about the Land Rover Freelander, but opted with the Patriot as it was slightly cheaper, and gives me what I want.
So I got the used Patriot, 60Reg, 60K miles, for 6 grand, with a one year warranty from the dealer. Cruise control and reverse parking sensors included. The MPG is brilliant and I get between 40 - 44 on average depending where I'm driving and if I'm in a rush or taking it easy. I achieved a top MPG of 52.6 when travelling Scotland. Tax is also cheap, and can get 0-60 in about 9-10 seconds. I have no trouble over-taking others at speed on the motorway, it's far quicker than my old polo.
I know the Patriot is no Wrangler or Defender, but I've seen the videos on YouTube and people seem to take them almost anywhere. I've driven in reasonable mud with it, and on ice/snow, and it hasn't got stuck yet in mud (with summer tyres), and can get out of deep snow with ease, albeit it did lose control a couple times in the ice but to no damage.
I've recently put Michelin Latitude Cross tyres on which are semi off-road and rated highly, so look forward to testing it out at an off-road track just to see it's capability. This is a car I intend to use primarily for commuting on road to work, but also for travelling with the odd bit of off-road driving thrown in.
Very happy with the Patriot albeit a rear wheel speed sensor failed one month after purchase (was sorted at dealership no charge) and I have an ongoing pulling issue with the car (possibly related to suspension/ball-joints etc) as wheel alignments at multiple places have not solved the car being extremely sensitive to camber/road disturbances, but as long as it doesn't eat my tyres (which I check regularly), I'm prepared to put up with this.
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