New to forum. Which 4WD for $30k?

[Terry Wrist]

G'day all. I'm going to purchase a 4WD from the ex-government fleet / repo auctions in Perth. I've a limit of around $30k to spend. I want to use it mainly for 4WDing in sand and dunes, but want a vehicle that's a capable 4WD. It must be a turbo diesel.

The vehicles of interest selling for around that price range are:

Patrol GUIII/IV ST 3.0TD
Pajero GLX
D22 Navara dual cab
MK Triton
R51 Pathfinder
Toyota Hilux SR150 4X4 V6 3.4 or 4.0ltr

Most of these vehicles are around 3 years old and do have moderate k's on them (60-80k) but have full service history.

I believe the Patrol offers great value for money but there's that dreaded engine reliability issue I read of in this and other forums. Do the late models still suffer from engine problems? I've seen a couple of the ST-6 4.2l TD's but they are $10k more expensive - simply out of my price range.

I really like the 3.2l Pajero D-ID and have not read any bad bad reviews on them. A mate of has an '04 D22 ST-R Navara 3.0TD and I'm very impressed with the capability of it. I've no idea what the R51 Pathfinder is like other than the 2.5ltr engine is a ripper and makes good power and heaps of torque, but is it another highly strung engine waiting for problems to develop like the Patrol engine? As for the Toyota's I'm not really a fan of them. The TD's from what I can gather are rather gutless.

Any suggestions and feedback on the above models would be greatly appreciated. I've around 12 weeks to find a good vehicle.

Thanks.

[mistaboz]

The one you can pack the most explosives into!

[macca81]

i say ya look at something thats about 5-8k less, then spend that leftover cash on mods to make it a lil more capable. bullbar, lights, winch, shock upgrade, etc etc

[Cruza62]

Depending on what you are going to do with it ie. tow or 4wd or both, the Patrol is the best value 4wd for that money BUT I think you may regret buying the 3 lt diesel thing as I've heard some people having issues with lack of GOGO..... If you can buy the 4.2TD would be much better, they are a proven engine with plenty of potential.

[jtraf]

8K-15K buy a GQ TD42......

15k for mods........

I wouldn't buy a 3lt Patrol unless it was on lease...........

[Zute]

If you mainly want to drive sand and dunes, a petrol motor would be best. Though the pajero DiD would do it. Auto's would help a TD as you don't loose the boost as much.
You could Buy a NJ pajero V6 for around $8000 and save the $22000 for fuel and big tyres and other add ons.
Pajeros are great on sand. The super select is made for it.

[Terry Wrist]

Thanks for the replies. I'd rather pack the explosives in a van, or give them to the Chaser guys to deliver to the InterContinental hotel

I already have a Territory Turbo which is a hoot in the sand and dunes, but it's limited in it's off road abilities. With it's crap ground clearance, no LSD option and a DSC system designed strictly for tarmac use, it gets bogged easily and I'm sick of getting it towed out of bogs. Although the idea of buying a cheaper 4WD and modifying it has some appeal, due to finance restrictions I cannot buy older than late '03.

It will be used a lot for towing a trailer hence the turbo diesel preference. Petrols have a tendancy to chew the juice if the Territory Turbo is anything to go by. I'd also like to tackle some reasonably tough terrain.

I went looking at the ST-R Navada and GLX/GLS Pajero's today. Saw a '04 GLX DID 5 speed auto at the auction yard today. 232k on it, with a asking price of $21,550. It's in reasonable condition with full service history, but for an extra $6k I can get the same year/model with only 60-70k on the odo.

What are the D22 ST-R's and the Pajero's like for reasonable off roading?

[pigletracing]

i have a 2006 3lt auto gu,as company car,the only time it lacks power is on
take off.Other than that its fine,I have only ever owned 4.2TDs previously
& would of never have considered buying a 3lt,but after getting 1 as a company car now I wouldnt have a problem,mine gets used for
4wd trips,beach trips(frazer/doubleisland) towing camper trailer/biketrailer & even the car trailer to every comp,with the comp rig on it..as a rep I do over 1000klm per week,& have found it very comfortable, B4 you purchace any
go to a car yard & take one of each of what you are considering for a test, this will give you a rough idea

[turps]

The Paj are surprisingly good offroad. I have been in a NM 2000 petrol auto. That for a relativly stock vehicle has been alot of places. And being an auto is fantastic in the sand.
Reports on the DiD engine are that it is fantastic and with the auto would make a good offroad car and tow vehicle.

[chunderlicious]

the new pajeros are awsome car, they drive and handle so well. offroad, theyre as good as any fully independant car. but dont get the diesel turbo in auto it is slow as all hell, the manual is awsome, very very responsive. the petrol is just awsome

[just cruizin']

Just ask your best mate, Al Kider

[Zute]

the new pajeros are awsome car, they drive and handle so well. offroad, theyre as good as any fully independant car. but dont get the diesel turbo in auto it is slow as all hell, the manual is awsome, very very responsive. the petrol is just awsome

I disagree, I think the auto diesel preforms very well. Got rounded up by one while I was driving my V6 PJ.