Thread: Help me! 4x4 Recommendations

OK Team so I need to change my 4x4 to a family friendly one and I am after some advice.

I currently have a 1996 4x4 Isuzu Mu diesel which has served me very well for the last 5 years but I need a 4 door now. It gets used as a run around and a bit of 4wd work on farms but very little serious off roading. It also gets used to tow a trailer (usually full of soil, gravel or rubbish) and hopefully a small boat again soon. Cant really justify more than about $5k so that leaves out Toyotas and anything recent.

My options are probably a Isuzu Wizard or Bighorn, Nissan or Mitsubishi. I have noticed a few of the more recent model Wizards around but understand that the diesel motor is crap? Maybe I should consider a petrol one.

Suggestions and Ideas?

I run this, family friendly, gets all my gear in, tow the 6.5HT boat, is a proper 4WD and diesel very ecionmical...

Yes it has 40mm lift kit and snorkel, yea All terrains on 20in wheels, however I travel on old tracks and do loads of river crossings where i hunt, daughter boyfriend loved it so much he bought one...

Is it 5k or under as op asked for?

Originally Posted by jakewire

Is it 5k or under as op asked for?

Oops, my bad missed that part

A hundai santafee could be a good pick. But they are like tikkas, they are hard to find cheap even second hand!

3.2 terrano regulus. I have one. Goes good.

Go the Bighorn. Fits price wise and keeps you away from 'that' motor. They are extremely good off road too.

Originally Posted by jakewire

Is it 5k or under as op asked for?

YES sad I know.

Originally Posted by Friwi

A hundai santafee could be a good pick. But they are like tikkas, they are hard to find cheap even second hand!

Hey now that's an interesting idea. I know nothing about them.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Go the Bighorn. Fits price wise and keeps you away from 'that' motor. They are extremely good off road too.

it's certainly one option.

Or a KIA - they aren't quite as popular as the Hyundai's, but almost literally come off the same production line, Hyundai own both brands.
Have been impressed with one I drove recently, although OE tyres are really noisy on coarse road surfaces.
Almost turned the XC90 in on one, but sanity (and the missus) prevailed.

I'd be looking at a Prado

Originally Posted by Beavis

I'd be looking at a Prado

I take it for around $5000 it will be a petrol or a diesel flogged to death. Do the petrol ones drink much?

The R50 terranos aren't too bad. Ditto the Bighorn (essentially the same as your Mu), I always liked the 2.7 over the 3.1. Hard to find one that hasn't gone to the moon and back now though. Avoid the V6 petrol Santa Fes like the plague.

Originally Posted by Tommy

The R50 terranos aren't too bad. Ditto the Bighorn (essentially the same as your Mu), I always liked the 2.7 over the 3.1. Hard to find one that hasn't gone to the moon and back now though. Avoid the V6 petrol Santa Fes like the plague.

Cheers @Tommy I was waiting for you to chime in. Bighorny is slowly going up the list. I remember someone in an earlier WD21 terrano pulling a mates RL Bedford out of the mud on top to the Ruahine Range. Very embarrassing for RL and driver.