Ford Maverick/NIssan Terrano or suggestions

[rswift]

Any had/got on one of these, looking for a winter 4x4, and they look good value.

Had a Ford Explorer last year, good but thirsty. Would happily have an LPG Range Rover or Jeep but a bit pricey. I'm trying to spend £1500 max, less if possible for something with Tax/MOT that I can sell in Feb/March.

Thanks

[rswift]

I mainly need it in December, when I have a daily 80 mile or so commute, the way back being from Central London at around 1 am ... before the Snow-ploughs start work in the sleepy villages of Bedfordshire.

I am used to the economy of an LPG Jaguar X350.. and a 4.2 LPG gives me between 40 & 50 per gallon, but in the Snow just goes sideways, or more often nowhere.

I reckon a small FWD, and more importantly correct tyres will see me through winter, but I need reasonable economy and some creature comforts !

[300bhp/ton]

I think the Mav and Torano are ok. Not the best on or off the road, more Vauxhall Frontera than Freelander but probably underartted for what they are. I knew a farmer who had Mav and used it as the farm hack instead of a Landy and it seemed to cope ok. Suzuki Grand Vitara might be worth a look too although not sure what you'll get for the same money.

[Marlboro Gold]

Plenty of Pajero/Shoguns around for that money. Good off road and pretty reliable too.

[pugwash4x4]

terrano's are surprisinglyt good off road- landcruiser prados often have lockers in both axles too- that would be big help trying to climb snow covered hills!

[Lefty]

Marlboro Gold said:

Plenty of Pajero/Shoguns around for that money. Good off road and pretty reliable too.

This, I've had a couple as cheap winter bhes and they were great.

[tr7v8]

rswift said:

Any had/got on one of these, looking for a winter 4x4, and they look good value.

Had a Ford Explorer last year, good but thirsty. Would happily have an LPG Range Rover or Jeep but a bit pricey. I'm trying to spend £1500 max, less if possible for something with Tax/MOT that I can sell in Feb/March.

Thanks

Slightly off topic but can I ask what the Explorer was like? Looking at one for the winter & they look pretty good. Have a fuel card so fuel cost is irrelavent.

[rswift]

The Explorer was Excellent, comfortable and pleasant to drive. They do however have a problem with the cam chain, and it's guides. They are very prone to breaking, I guess I was lucky as I bought mine in ignorance and covered a few thousand miles in it without issue. This is all well documented on the Net, and there is a very good Ford Explorer website.

[300bhp/ton]

rswift said:

Any had/got on one of these, looking for a winter 4x4, and they look good value.

Had a Ford Explorer last year, good but thirsty. Would happily have an LPG Range Rover or Jeep but a bit pricey. I'm trying to spend £1500 max, less if possible for something with Tax/MOT that I can sell in Feb/March.

Thanks

Hi. I've been doing a bit Of reading on these and if I'm honest I suspect they are a lot better than I and most others give them credit for. It seems it was a joint venture by Ford and Nissan. Almost identical bar badges, front grill and some trim and the Nissan swb was diesel only. Same engines and everything else.

Designed in Cranfield so local to both of us and assembled in Spain. Having now read the spec I like these more and more. Body on frame design but win torsion beam IFS and a live rear with coils. And what I like a rear limited slip diff. On the right tyres I'd say in 4wd mode they should out perform a Landy in the snow due to that rear LSD.

Not very speedy and I suspect rather plasticky trim like a hatchback of the same era. But I'm rather impressed with whY I've found out about these vehicles.