Best japanese budget 4x4?

[fernando the frog]

Looking for a japanese 4X4 that's capable in the snow etc but also suitable/comfortable/refined enough to do long distance driving in. Budget of around £4-5k. Quite like the look of the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2005 onwards shape. Any other suggestions?

[irish boy]

Save yourself a few quid and buy a mk1 honda hr-v. Not the prettiest but surprisingly capable and totally bullet proof. Jimnys are very reliable too but not great for distance, the Vitaras are decent but the 1.6 is totally dead and the 2.4 drinks badly.

[fernando the frog]

irish boy said:

Save yourself a few quid and buy a mk1 honda hr-v. Not the prettiest but surprisingly capable and totally bullet proof. Jimnys are very reliable too but not great for distance, the Vitaras are decent but the 1.6 is totally dead and the 2.4 drinks badly.

good shout. didn't think of the HRV, thanks

[wuckfitracing]

For what its worth Ive owned 2 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, both petrol one a 2001 second one had LPG and was a 2003. I now have a Honda CRV with LPG. The Honda is by far a better car. Its a 2005 and now has 176K miles on it and flew through the last MOT. Avoid the diesels as they eat clutches.

[Grommit]

Isuzu Trooper/Bighorn/Vauxhall Monterey.
Great reliable cars, probably not the most refined, although the Monterey's are a bit more upmarket. Great when it gets slippery.
I'm now on my 3rd.

[GravelBen]

If you're only worried about a bit of snow on the roads and not serious offroad work then Subarus are among the better options. Nicer to drive on the road than the more rugged 4wds or soft CRVs etc, with very good Awd systems.

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 30th January 08:42