Best 4x4 for general country use.
Discussion
Looking at getting a 4x4 for general use but also for a spot of off roading/green laning. Ideally want something that the dogs can get in the back of. Which is also reliable and not too costly too tax and insure.
Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
For that budget, you'd get an excellent WK Jeep Grande Cherokee. Performance is great from the turbo charged 3.0 Diesel V6. 215bhp standard and can be easily mapped to over 260bhp for not much money.
Not mine BTW
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
Access to the rear is a bit high which depending on the dog might be an issue.
Not mine BTW
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
Access to the rear is a bit high which depending on the dog might be an issue.
Edited by Terzo123 on Monday 4th February 17:07
snowey13 said:
Looking at getting a 4x4 for general use but also for a spot of off roading/green laning. Ideally want something that the dogs can get in the back of. Which is also reliable and not too costly too tax and insure.
Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
It really depends on a few things.Been looking at defender 90's, SWB shoguns etc..
Have a budget of around £7000.
All input will be greatly appreciated.
Such as how much off roading and what type. And what general use actually means. Will you want to use it for long journeys, hauling, towing, people moving?
Are you wanting to modify the vehicle at all? And are you prepared to do some spannering and maintenance.
A Defender won't be the most comfortable, but it is highly capable out of the box. They also hold their money well. But there are lots of options for £7k.
I bought a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 last year for around that amount.
Gave it a 2" suspension lift, took off the 18" alloys and summer tyres and replaced with 16"s and BFG K02s
Touch wood, utterly bullet proof so far, and suitably competent off road.
I think its the MX5 of the offroad world..
Gave it a 2" suspension lift, took off the 18" alloys and summer tyres and replaced with 16"s and BFG K02s
Touch wood, utterly bullet proof so far, and suitably competent off road.
I think its the MX5 of the offroad world..
[quote=300bhp/ton]
It really depends on a few things.
Such as how much off roading and what type. And what general use actually means. Will you want to use it for long journeys, hauling, towing, people moving?
Are you wanting to modify the vehicle at all? And are you prepared to do some spannering and maintenance.
A Defender won't be the most comfortable, but it is highly capable out of the box. They also hold their money well. But there are lots of options for £7k.[/qu
As for the off roading it will be used for going into fields when out with the dogs beating. But also for a slight bit of green laning, nothing too major just a bit of fun. I don't want something too big like a disco on a 4" lift with massive tyres, which is useless for anything but off roading. I still want to be able to use it for basic road use, possibly driving some miles to go away in.
As for moving people that's not an issue, 2 front seats would be ample, but at the same time for example with the Defender 90's you've almost got a van with seats in the back. The toss up im having is whether or not to go for a bit more luxury and go for a Shogun SWB 4work, and put some decent tyres and possibly a 2" lift kit. Or go for a 90 and have it hold its money well and be easier to work on when something goes wrong. You also see a lot more defenders already done up with lift kits tyres etc.. but also with winches which also might come in handy lol.
It really depends on a few things.
Such as how much off roading and what type. And what general use actually means. Will you want to use it for long journeys, hauling, towing, people moving?
Are you wanting to modify the vehicle at all? And are you prepared to do some spannering and maintenance.
A Defender won't be the most comfortable, but it is highly capable out of the box. They also hold their money well. But there are lots of options for £7k.[/qu
As for the off roading it will be used for going into fields when out with the dogs beating. But also for a slight bit of green laning, nothing too major just a bit of fun. I don't want something too big like a disco on a 4" lift with massive tyres, which is useless for anything but off roading. I still want to be able to use it for basic road use, possibly driving some miles to go away in.
As for moving people that's not an issue, 2 front seats would be ample, but at the same time for example with the Defender 90's you've almost got a van with seats in the back. The toss up im having is whether or not to go for a bit more luxury and go for a Shogun SWB 4work, and put some decent tyres and possibly a 2" lift kit. Or go for a 90 and have it hold its money well and be easier to work on when something goes wrong. You also see a lot more defenders already done up with lift kits tyres etc.. but also with winches which also might come in handy lol.
TBH you don't need to do anything to a Defender to take it off road, there is almost no point in lifting one. And you can fit pretty big tyres to one with stock suspension.
I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
300bhp/ton said:
TBH you don't need to do anything to a Defender to take it off road, there is almost no point in lifting one. And you can fit pretty big tyres to one with stock suspension.
I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
That is what is making me sway more towards a Land rover. Speaking to a few people about them they say stay clear of the td5's due to them having more electrics than the later models. Looking on ebay and other websites all the Land rovers seem to be high mileage 120 thousands plus. I would say, no matter what you get, put some good tyres on it. Either aggressive AT's or mild MT's. Either will be fine on the road and you'll be thankful when off of it.
Defenders can be made quite habitable, lots of people use them for overlanding. But expect them to need a bit of TLC and fettling. They are generally quite reliable, but will need little bits doing to them.
Rust on the chassis, then the bulkhead are the biggest things to watch for. Everything else can be replaced easily and fairly cheaply. A Td5 one will be a lot more refined than earlier models, unless you are looking at V8's.
But really the biggest plus point is residuals. You could likely buy a Defender and run it for a few years, then sell it one for the same or more money than you paid for it.
As for the Shogun, I actually have a soft sport for these, the 3rd and 4th Gens. Although there are some scare stories on the 3rd Gens with regards to the injector pump, so worth researching. They are also all independent suspension, so while they should be more car like on the road, the 3rd gen is less capable than the Defender off road. The 4th gen is better as it has traction control.
I would say, some of the Jeeps are good value though.
If you think you might like a Defender, go and find yourself one. Rather than waste shed loads of time looking for one the right spec and in budget, any Defender will do for now. Sit in the drivers seat and close the door and window. Imagine being in there for hours at a time and see if you still want one.
I'll be surprised if you do.
I'll be surprised if you do.
I have always wanted a Defender both for the looks and their ability. Then my friend purchased one last year and I took it for a drive. Now I never want to sit in one again 
Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a good car or others won’t enjoy them, because clearly they do, but they are absolutely nothing like a road focused 4x4.
I was crushed TBH. Never meet your heroes!
Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a good car or others won’t enjoy them, because clearly they do, but they are absolutely nothing like a road focused 4x4.
I was crushed TBH. Never meet your heroes!
benny.c said:
I have always wanted a Defender both for the looks and their ability. Then my friend purchased one last year and I took it for a drive. Now I never want to sit in one again
Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a good car or others won’t enjoy them, because clearly they do, but they are absolutely nothing like a road focused 4x4.
I was crushed TBH. Never meet your heroes!
Shame you didn’t like it. They may not be road focused, but I have to say I rather enjoy hooning them about on the road. They actually handle quite well, not necessarily grip the best. But you can really chuck a 90 about. Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a good car or others won’t enjoy them, because clearly they do, but they are absolutely nothing like a road focused 4x4.
I was crushed TBH. Never meet your heroes!
snowey13 said:
That is what is making me sway more towards a Land rover. Speaking to a few people about them they say stay clear of the td5's due to them having more electrics than the later models. Looking on ebay and other websites all the Land rovers seem to be high mileage 120 thousands plus.
The electronics thing is a bit of an urban myth. I’m sure there are some old farts out there that really believe it. But Range Rovers which are essentially the same under th body have run electronic fuel injection and ECU’s since the mid 1990’s. As have all petrol Discoveries. The NAS spec Defenders all used ECU’s too. And even the 300Tdi auto in a Disco 1 had an ECU.
Electronics wise, a TD5 is no more complex than running any car built after around 1982!!
Really there is nothing to fear. The TD5 has a few unique issues, but so do all engines. Including the older diesel from Land Rover. The TD5 also passed all of the MoD tests for reliability. And the only reason they didn’t adopt it over the Tdi was down to the fact the ECU couldn’t be protected from EMP attacks. Not something an average Landy owner has to contend with though
Now don’t get me wrong. I love the Tdi engines in the older Defenders. In fact I have two vehicles powered by these engines. But dynamically the TD5 is superior in every regard. And the Tdi’s are very unrefined.
benny.c said:
I tried my best to like it but it was so uncomfortable and agricultural. Being 6’2” probably doesn’t help because the cabin is slightly cramped 
If you still fancy something similar. Maybe a Range Rover classic or D1 would suit more. They are 90-95% the same as a Defender under the body. But have much more interior space and better NVH. Pickup conversion look pretty cool if you want something a little more rugged looking.
The TJ Jeep Wrangler is also a good alternative. It has a 93.1” wheelbase vs 92.9” wheelbase for a 90 and has about the same size footprint and weight and has coil springs. The only real difference is the Jeep was built as a recreational vehicle as opposed to utility. So it is more comfy. The Jeep is also rwd on the road. But overall drives in a very similar manner to a Defender.
The newer JK and JL Wranglers are even better. They still have all the rugged appeal and feel of a proper 4x4 just like the Defender has. But they offer much more modern NVH and comfort levels.
And remember the Jeep has a longer and bigger heritage than the Defender does.
Yeah, I’ve had a Wrangler (YJ) and six or seven XJs. All have had a few minor niggles but generally they have been pretty bullet proof and drive OK on the road - just about in the Wrangler’s case. I’ve currently got a WK which I’m very happy with.
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 5th February 23:29
300bhp/ton said:
Check out the Readers cars. Someone has a Bowler based one they use for track days. It seems to go very well. Plus there are plenty of Land Rovers used for racing.
Yep, Defenders are quite nifty on the road, they don't have a massive steel shell to lug around like most other 4x4s. Bear in mind Defenders are used for several types of motorsport, including stage rallying in pretty much standard spec, albeit with slightly uprated suspension.
I just went through this very thing. Narrowed my choices down to a pajero, hilux surf, xj jeep and a grand vitara. I ended up with a delica which is basically a pajero. I really wanted a defender to start with but in the end decided they weren't worth it in the long run. I would have gone with an xj just as easily as the delica but I didn't see any 4l near me, only 2.5 ones.
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