Advice on 4x4

[Lawr]

I'm looking to get a 4x4 for use in the UK countryside roads but I'm coming unstuck!

I'd like to have a petrol engine 4x4 (not a truck as I'd likethe cab to have the dogs in too).

However, I can't work out which is the best car for decent ground clearance, petrol engined and good value for money.

I'd love some pointers!

[sherman]

Landrover or range rover.

[55palfers]

Budget?

[Jamescrs]

Suzuki Jimny

[Lawr]

Between £5K - £10K

Used of course but still got some life left in it

[fflump]

For a lot of country types in the Lakes and Scottish Borders Subaru seems to be the make of choice-Forester or XV (basically a lifted Impreza). Ground clearance is about 9 inches on both which for roads (assuming they are at least metalled) should be ample.

[Lawr]

Thanks for the advice, how does that compare to a landrover TD5 for example ?

[fflump]

Lawr said:

Thanks for the advice, how does that compare to a landrover TD5 for example ?

I'm sure you can find that answer quite quickly on the internet.

Unless you are green laning I'm not sure a TD5 is necessary

[OverSteery]

Lawr said:

Thanks for the advice, how does that compare to a landrover TD5 for example ?

I thought you were after a petrol?

Personally, I hate diesels but after V8 Land and Range rovers, I decided I could face the fuel costs of another v8 and got a disco2 TD5. The D2 is the last of the rugged/affordable landrovers (now the defender prices have gone daft). They seem to be holding their value.

I still hate diesels, but will probably be buying another TD5 disco 2 - despite not liking the engine and the poor reliability.

[Lawr]

I am after petrol but I was thinking about ground clearance and general use as a comparison really.

I've scraped the bottom of my car enough times to make me paranoid about being obsessed with clearance!

Perhaps, as you say, it's worht the cost of considering diesel.

[samoht]

Lawr said:

I've scraped the bottom of my car enough times to make me paranoid about being obsessed with clearance!

What car is your current one? You've scraped it on the road, going onto driveways, or driving off-road? Is it stock suspension?

There are plenty of sports cars with short front overhangs that basically never scrape, so I'm surprised it's happening so often.

[bungalow]

I've just bought a 2.0 petrol CRV and really like it although miss the torque of previous turbo petrols and diesels. Its a bit more roly-poly on narrow country roads than the xc70 it replaced so maybe consider a jacked up estate like an octavia scout.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a decent petrol 4x4 there are some decent options

Infiniti FX37 well proven mechanical's with sensible servicing costs, they also come fully loaded with kit:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Infiniti-FX-FX37S-...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101188...

Of if you want something Q5 sized then there's the EX37

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Infiniti-Ex-3-7-V6...

Subaru Tribeca

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012016...

XC60 SE T6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002117...

X5 3.0si SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

3.2 Q5 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

2.5T Ford Kuga

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

[A500leroy]

Kia sportage

[snowandrocks]

After owning quite a few Land Rover products over the years I'd stay well clear unless you want a project.

I enjoyed owning them but every single one of them was a badly built, under engineered pile of crap. They're bad enough to own new, never mind on a 5 to 10k budget.

I'd go Japanese every time -

A crv or Rav4 if you only need moderate off road ability. Both reliable and not ridiculously thirsty in petrol form.

Most of the heavier duty stuff like Land Cruisers are available with big Petrol engines but expect sub 20 mpg.

[55palfers]

As already mentioned, maybe check out a RAV4

Very competent cars and Toyota reliability.



https://usedcars.toyota.co.uk/en/Toyota/RAV4

[Lawr]

This is all really great. Thanks all for being so thorough in your replies!

Talking of Japanese brands, I liked the idea of a land cruiser, they seems rare (as far as autotrader goes) and very expensive.

I'll look into each of your recommendations though.

[HRL]

I had a quick look at Defenders this morning and it appears to be at least £10K for a half decent one.

I’m looking to get a 4x4 shed for when I move to Devon in a couple of months. Think a Forester or Sportage will probably do the trick for £2K instead.

[anonymous-user]

Double cab hilux ?

[Lawr]

This seems like a good bet (from just looking at it).

I'll investifate further.

I'd preffer a truck really but since the cab and bed are seperate it makes putting the dogs in the back a bit ... illegal ?

The double cab idea is cool though