Discussion
Its coming round to that time of year again where I seek my automotive thrills off the road, so I'm looking for a cheap and reliable 4x4 for some green lane and muddy action. I'm quite liking the idea of a diesel Fourtrak, right size, good engines, cheap to buy and I'd imagine they are quite robust. In the past I've had a V8 Range Rover classic, which was an immense vehicle but a complete moneypit, and a diesel SWB Pajero which was fantastic and took many a beating before being sold on for more than I paid for it! I'd have another one in a shot, but I thought life's too short and seeing as I've already had one I'd look elsewhere. Both my brothers have already had SJ's and Vitara's as well, so any weak points on the Fourtrak worth mentioning or any reason why I shouldn't? Cheers, Ollie.
I'm open minded to be honest, my criteria are that it must be >£1k, SWB-ish as parking is a bit of nightmare where I live, reliable and reasonably capable without modifications. I'd prefer diesel as I have access to lots of used cooking oil, but its not a must. I'm thinking at the moment its going to be a toss up between a Terrano/Maverick, SWB Pajero, Fourtrak or a Vitara. I think that covers it.
You already have Pajero experience, I've got a 99 lwb that cost me £500 and is a fantastic beast! Superbly reliable, will hit the ton and does 30mpg. Great in the snow (I use KL71's), great for towing and a massive boot. Can also seat 7 quite comfortably. I don't think anything else can come close for the money.
The more I think about it, the more something like a Terrano or a Fourtrak becomes a bit of an unknown quantity. I absolutely loved my Paj and it performed faultlessly, only reason I got rid of it was because it was getting scratched down green lanes and was too nice to wreck. I sold it and bought a Range Rover which was a money pit. The Pajero's seem to be a lot cheaper now too, I've just got to get the missus to pass her test and then she can take on my MX5 as I can't bear to let it go!
Having to slightly re-appraise my criteria now. I'd settled on a SWB Paj, but driving my little Mazda in to work this evening it had just rained and whilst I wasn't even going that fast it was wiggling its arse all over the shop. This may be down to poor tyre choice on the back, but I'm not so sure that putting a 21yr old girl with zero driving experience in a car like this* straight after passing her test, might not be the best idea. Plus it is tiny and has such poor crash protection that I couldn't have it on my conscience if she stuffed it into a tree.
So, she flatly refuses to drive a Pajero because according to her they are 'ugly', 'too big' and 'she just doesn't want to'. However, I still want some 4x4 action this winter. Interestingly she is not averse to the idea of a Vitara, as my brother had one that she quite liked. I'm a bit unsure because a) Been there, done that b) I don't really like the way they drive on the road c) They are probably just as unsafe as the little Mazda.
Any thoughts?
ETA - My first thought was something like this maybe, my mum had a new one over 10yrs ago and I remember it seemed quite well screwed together and had quite a willing engine, plus its a bit more modern and has airbags etc. I'm a bit unsure how good they are off the beaten track? Bear in mind I'll have to nick it off the missus and would only be doing green lanes and a bit of playing in places like Salisbury Plains.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1279648.htm
So, she flatly refuses to drive a Pajero because according to her they are 'ugly', 'too big' and 'she just doesn't want to'. However, I still want some 4x4 action this winter. Interestingly she is not averse to the idea of a Vitara, as my brother had one that she quite liked. I'm a bit unsure because a) Been there, done that b) I don't really like the way they drive on the road c) They are probably just as unsafe as the little Mazda.
Any thoughts?
ETA - My first thought was something like this maybe, my mum had a new one over 10yrs ago and I remember it seemed quite well screwed together and had quite a willing engine, plus its a bit more modern and has airbags etc. I'm a bit unsure how good they are off the beaten track? Bear in mind I'll have to nick it off the missus and would only be doing green lanes and a bit of playing in places like Salisbury Plains.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1279648.htm
- I know its not a fire breathing Speed 12, but it still has quite a 'loose' rear end, and little crash protection.
Edited by OllieWinchester on Monday 5th October 23:19
Me - "How about an Isuzu Trooper?"
Her - "No! I hate them! They are big and ugly and I JUST DON'T WANT ONE!"
Me - "Ok, but why?"
Her - "I JUST DON'T! STOP GOING ON AT ME ABOUT IT!"
Me - 'slap'
I think the problem is that if it is going to be mainly her using it, it has to have a hint of girlyness about it. Pajero's don't have this, neither do Isuzu Troopers (unfortunately). However I reckon I can put my salesman skills to use and get her to agree to a Rav or a Jimny or something. Do you see what I mean?
Her - "No! I hate them! They are big and ugly and I JUST DON'T WANT ONE!"
Me - "Ok, but why?"
Her - "I JUST DON'T! STOP GOING ON AT ME ABOUT IT!"
Me - 'slap'
I think the problem is that if it is going to be mainly her using it, it has to have a hint of girlyness about it. Pajero's don't have this, neither do Isuzu Troopers (unfortunately). However I reckon I can put my salesman skills to use and get her to agree to a Rav or a Jimny or something. Do you see what I mean?
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
normalbloke said:
That could be my driveway,we have an S2000 and a Unimog for "all eventualities"!
damn you...trumped !
So we did.
Unimog 
I've had a couple of old s404's, really would like a square cab one of these days.
I had a bit of a bash in a U2100 belonging to the hydro board, what a beast! They were round trimming trees near to their cables on my land and the driver fancied a go in my 404. Think he found it quite different!
I've had a couple of old s404's, really would like a square cab one of these days.
I had a bit of a bash in a U2100 belonging to the hydro board, what a beast! They were round trimming trees near to their cables on my land and the driver fancied a go in my 404. Think he found it quite different!
Right, going to look at a SWB Rav tonight. Missus is sold on ther idea, which makes life easier.
Anyone know what sort of drivetrain they have? I know they are full time 4x4, and I know they don't have a low range selector (Not that I ever found it necessary to use this on my Paj or my RR), but any idea what the drive split is and how it is split? I think they have an LSD on the rear...
Anyone know what sort of drivetrain they have? I know they are full time 4x4, and I know they don't have a low range selector (Not that I ever found it necessary to use this on my Paj or my RR), but any idea what the drive split is and how it is split? I think they have an LSD on the rear...
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