what 4x4

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Discussion

isee

Original Poster:

3,713 posts

190 months

Monday 9th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi all
Decided to swap my Hyundai Galloper (Mitsu shogun copy), which I use on my farm on the continent for something a little bit more reliable and refined.
I love the galloper, but despite being manufactured in 1999, the tech used is that of 1991.
My reasoning is if I swap it for a 1996 disco, I will actually get something more modern and quite possibly more capable.

I was looking on the autotrader and found two possible contenders:

1996 disco 300, manual, 2.5 TD 7 seater and a towbar, 12 months MOT
or
1996 Isuzu Trooper, 3.0TD, just serviced with new CV joints and 10 months MOT
both for under £1500

I am under the impression that Disco is nigh on unrivalled in offroading (it will be 50/50 offroad/onroad but the offroad willr equire more than just higher road-clearance) but the Trooper is more reliable.
Also One massive problem with the Galloper is that it is like a cow on ice when it comes to on road manners. I constantly have to steer it, in order to go straight. i am talking proper corrective inputs.

Lastly. what top speed can I epxect on both cars realistically? The galloper tops out at exactly 75mph indicated and I could do with 10 more on top or so.

Thanks for your advice


300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Monday 9th November 2009
quotequote all
Land Rovers are good vehicles. A little fickle and like a good dose of TLC. But they can get the job done. Also very capable in stock trim off road. However technology wise. Much of a Discovery is based on 1940's and 1950's tech. All be the coil suspension which is early 70's.

Top speed wise. Well on standard tyres a tdi should do more than 75mph. With off road tyres I wouldn't expect much more though and it won't feel as planted as a regular car.

I'd be tempted to have a look at some Jeep Cherokees. Just as capable
in many ways and the 4.0 litre engine is nice.

Rum Runner

2,338 posts

224 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
quotequote all
Had one family member and good friend loose there engines on 3.1 Troopers due to failed oil pumps.
Try a Nissan Terrano .

Lucky me!, just picked my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara at the weekend.
Very please with it !.

Edited by Rum Runner on Tuesday 10th November 01:26

isee

Original Poster:

3,713 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Land Rovers are good vehicles. A little fickle and like a good dose of TLC. But they can get the job done. Also very capable in stock trim off road. However technology wise. Much of a Discovery is based on 1940's and 1950's tech. All be the coil suspension which is early 70's.

Top speed wise. Well on standard tyres a tdi should do more than 75mph. With off road tyres I wouldn't expect much more though and it won't feel as planted as a regular car.

I'd be tempted to have a look at some Jeep Cherokees. Just as capable
in many ways and the 4.0 litre engine is nice.
That's not good news... Ny 1999 Galloper feels ancient and my reasoning was that it is 1989 tech from shoguns, hence why it feels so dated.
no you telling me Discovery is even older tech? Man I was getting all excited about the disco... frown

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

197 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
quotequote all
isee said:
300bhp/ton said:
Land Rovers are good vehicles. A little fickle and like a good dose of TLC. But they can get the job done. Also very capable in stock trim off road. However technology wise. Much of a Discovery is based on 1940's and 1950's tech. All be the coil suspension which is early 70's.

Top speed wise. Well on standard tyres a tdi should do more than 75mph. With off road tyres I wouldn't expect much more though and it won't feel as planted as a regular car.

I'd be tempted to have a look at some Jeep Cherokees. Just as capable
in many ways and the 4.0 litre engine is nice.
That's not good news... Ny 1999 Galloper feels ancient and my reasoning was that it is 1989 tech from shoguns, hence why it feels so dated.
no you telling me Discovery is even older tech? Man I was getting all excited about the disco... frown
Older yes but proven and works. Depends how much of an off roader you want or how much of a car. Remember you current ride is also based off the same ideas and princples as a 70's Range Rover.

If you want a less ruffty tuffty off roader then maybe something like a Freelander, Subaru Legacy Outback, Subaru Forester or Volvo Cross Country would be worth a look.

If you do want a proper off roader the the Landys are well worth a shout and in the right spec comfy and refined. Some of the Jap ones like a Landcruiser or HiLux Surf are mean to be good but I have no experience of them. Somethink like the Terrano I'm not too keen on as there are vehicles both better on and off road than these so they tend to offer the worst of both worlds in my opinion.

Not sure if it's in budget but I quite liked the Suzuki Grand Vitara I drove a few years back.

isee

Original Poster:

3,713 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
isee said:
300bhp/ton said:
Land Rovers are good vehicles. A little fickle and like a good dose of TLC. But they can get the job done. Also very capable in stock trim off road. However technology wise. Much of a Discovery is based on 1940's and 1950's tech. All be the coil suspension which is early 70's.

Top speed wise. Well on standard tyres a tdi should do more than 75mph. With off road tyres I wouldn't expect much more though and it won't feel as planted as a regular car.

I'd be tempted to have a look at some Jeep Cherokees. Just as capable
in many ways and the 4.0 litre engine is nice.
That's not good news... Ny 1999 Galloper feels ancient and my reasoning was that it is 1989 tech from shoguns, hence why it feels so dated.
no you telling me Discovery is even older tech? Man I was getting all excited about the disco... frown
Older yes but proven and works. Depends how much of an off roader you want or how much of a car. Remember you current ride is also based off the same ideas and princples as a 70's Range Rover.

If you want a less ruffty tuffty off roader then maybe something like a Freelander, Subaru Legacy Outback, Subaru Forester or Volvo Cross Country would be worth a look.

If you do want a proper off roader the the Landys are well worth a shout and in the right spec comfy and refined. Some of the Jap ones like a Landcruiser or HiLux Surf are mean to be good but I have no experience of them. Somethink like the Terrano I'm not too keen on as there are vehicles both better on and off road than these so they tend to offer the worst of both worlds in my opinion.

Not sure if it's in budget but I quite liked the Suzuki Grand Vitara I drove a few years back.
My budget is around £1500, max £2000
though it will be 50/50 off and on road. the offroad bits will be fields, swamps, snow, muddy potholes, forest, towing, steep slippery hills. Not sure Freelander and their ilk will like that.
there will be no proper dealer facilities around, though I have a very well equipped garage there. I have no doubt the disco will manage the tasks with aplomb, I am just a bit worried it might require a service or a fix at the most inconveninet of times...

Perhaps I should just buy a MOT'd Disco for £1400 and another spares/repair one for £600.

What's it like on tarmac by the way? Is it anywhere near like driving a normal average car, or is it a constant adjusting of the steering wheel?

isee

Original Poster:

3,713 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
quotequote all
Just looked at Toyota 4runner/hilux reviews.
Seems like a nice alternative. For the money I could just about get a 1993 model, but if they are as reliable as people say they are and have better on road manners than the Galloper (shouldn't be difficult) it might be a better option than the disco.

exitwound

1,090 posts

187 months

Tuesday 10th November 2009
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I drove an ex-CNN Humvee H1 at True Grip near Canterbury last year. Sailed over the extreme terrain there without much drama. Definately my first purchase when the lottery comes up!

anomaly

466 posts

180 months

Saturday 14th November 2009
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I would thoroughly recommend a Jeep Cherokee for what you're looking for with that budget. My 1999 4.0 is pretty quick (over 90 mph comfortably) and refined on the road and although I haven't done any serious off roading in it I've heard excellecnt reports of their capability.

Mine has been completely reliable so far and the only downside I can think of is ecomomy (20 mpg average).

No experience of the others mentioned but the Jeep is great!

antond

26 posts

182 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
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I'd second the terrano. In 3.o turbo, not 2.7, gives better mpg and a dark horse off rd.

isee

Original Poster:

3,713 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th November 2009
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got a 1994 Hilux surf 3.0 TD auto in the end
with very good service

for £1750

Edited by isee on Thursday 19th November 07:17

onlynik

3,982 posts

200 months

Thursday 19th November 2009
quotequote all
Well done.

Hilux's are awesome.

Forum for owners is here

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/index.php