Thread: Thinking out loud - cheap 4x4 options?

So, I've started doing a few trips away with the whanau to my old stomping ground where I spent a lot of time as a nipper - has the good old kiwi summer past times, hunting, fishing, diving beach river etc etc.

Where this comes to be interesting, is not wanting to end up driving the new 2wd family car on the beach for the obvious reason (long walk home if it doesn't want to keep going forwards haha) and also don't really want to tow a trailer with a quad down for the odd week we spend there. Kids are at the point of wanting more options, i.e. going down the beach for fishing missions etc.

Have been looking at cheaper 4wd vehicles, and for the job in question cosmetically rough is fine but would need to be wof/reg and mechanically sound and safe along with reliable.

Did I mention cheap, i.e. if it gets trapped on a beach or covered in salt not a panic to clean it after recovery sort of deal.

Other things I would like is four door SUV body (I started looking at 3-door smaller vehicles but just not practical for taking a weeks crap for four people with us). I'm not wanting to go huge, Patrol/Landcruiser are too big I think and also they are worth too much more than what I'm looking at spending I feel. Don't really want a soft roader which I think counts out X-trails, Outlanders, and most of the lighter 4x4 with CVT trans as some of the beach access tracks are reasonably rugged and the lighter 4x4's would probably get quite banged up.

Also, I'd like younger than 2000 year - or one WOF per 12 months. After 2000 would mean higher k's and maybe some minor mechanical repairs which I'm fine to sort out. Not too bothered about fuel type, petrol would probably be easier I guess though.

I keep seeing Mitsi Pajeros in the ball park, as well as Land Rovers, Jeeps, with a smattering of other options. Land Rover and Jeep have a fairly major question mark for me though as all of the cheaper options are being sold with either trans issues, electrical problems or body (rust) repairs required.

Is there anything else that would fit the bill that should be on my radar? I am figuring that this is the same market that everyone looking for a toy 4x4 is shopping in, but I'm not in a hurry at the mo!

Your right about it being a tight market, when ever you think you've decided what you want the availability of them goes down and the prices go past what the things worth.

Bang for buck would have to be Isuzu bighorn, although not sure if they made them after 2000?
Otherwise Pajero or Prado the latter isn't going to be "cheap" though.

What about 2,4 auto escudo 4dr 185 kms proper hi lo got more room in front than my 18 ranger want 6500 2008 yr

Have a look at the Ssangyong Rexton W series. 200 or 220. 7 seater - high range low range 4wd.

Pajero, avoid GDI [guaranteed dealer income] though .They don't like our gas much.

Suzuki grand vitara 2.4 manual

When my suzuki (shit it took us on some missions) died I was looking for something to replace it all the cheap 4x4s are pretty much fuked now so instead I got a rav4. Not a proper 4x4 but I dont go the places I used to take the suzuki any more. Its got a set of at tyres on it and will still do paddocks and occasionally ill take it on the beach. Tows a trailer and is more roomy and a bit faster on the road than the little zuk.

Originally Posted by paremata

Pajero, avoid GDI [guaranteed dealer income] though .They don't like our gas much.

GDI is the V6 3.5L???

The Rexton I haven't had anything to do with, will look into them. Had a little bit to do with the escudo's - not sure if they will have the space I'm expecting we will need but will see if I can find one locally to see what the size is like. Bighorn haven't seen much over 2000 - Misti Challenger is another that's popped up...
@m101a1 can you send some pics through? Cheers

Originally Posted by No.3

GDI is the V6 3.5L???

The Rexton I haven't had anything to do with, will look into them. Had a little bit to do with the escudo's - not sure if they will have the space I'm expecting we will need but will see if I can find one locally to see what the size is like. Bighorn haven't seen much over 2000 - Misti Challenger is another that's popped up...
@m101a1 can you send some pics through? Cheers

will dm thurs with some pics

Pajero with 4m41 engine are great truck. Had several give me a call if you want more info

Look out for the ford courier/Mazda Bounty from the 2000s, they’re fairly bulletproof.

Originally Posted by Savage1

Look out for the ford courier/Mazda Bounty from the 2000s, they’re fairly bulletproof.

Yes, I'd agree just not enough room in cab for what we are wanting (SUV/wagon style body as I already have a ute and the question gets asked as why don't we just use that - although it's in the business and I don't want to go there as too much value remaining in it for me to be happy doing beach and rough work with it).

Originally Posted by tibo

Pajero with 4m41 engine are great truck. Had several give me a call if you want more info

Thx, had tritons as work hacks with that engine and only ever had real issues with one. That was we think fuel contamination related - feed anything diesel on crap and it will die eventually though.

Might get lucky and find a grandad-spec post-2000 Terrano/Regulus to fit the bill. (Just avoid the 3.0 diesel, get the 3.2 if you can)