Budget 4wd sub $6k, please help

[loudmoto]

What I would really like is a tray back ute.

What I need is relative fuel economy.

Im looking at a Vitara but it may not be the one for me.

Not a rock hopper, mosly just beach and outback trails.

I need something reliable.

I looked at a sierra but after seeing them triple in price in last 3 years (fuel prices have come down but sierra isnt), i realised they are way over priced for what you get.

So I considered a brumby, But worried a 89-92 brumby for $4k maybe way too tired.

I was hoping for sub 200kkms as I cant afford expensive work.

I saw a 99 sportage with 80kkms for $6k, but redbook said $5k.

Any advice appreciated.

[cmarico]

I don't rate Kia's in general - but im not sure if you made a typo for 80,000 kms or if it's 180,000 kms.

Redbook's prices are based on a certain amount of k's. Generally between 150,000 and 250,000 - depending on the year. If you did mean 80,000k's - then for 6k its a relatively cheap car.

Just keep that in mind when looking at redbook prices.

[loudmoto]

just checked its 73kkm, so thats cheap?

they dont look too 4by though, can you chuck big tires on em to make them look the part?

[cmarico]

I'm not familiar with them sorry, but at a guess you'd need a fair bit of suspension work done. 73,000 is quite low km's. Based on redbooks index of 4k for a car with 150,000km's, I would say 6k is cheap.

[Simo63]

Send a PM to damkia on this forum .. I think he knows his way around the Kia's.

A Vitara is a great option, they are capable little cars, economical (relatively speaking for a 4WD they are) and parts are available and not too expensive.

I would consider one of those highly. But don't limit your choice just by looking at smaller 4b's, you can get a wide range for under $6k including early Pajeros or GQs or even Jackaroo's and there are more than just these.

Good luck.

Cheers
Simo

[BundyRumandCoke]

Even look at a later Daihatsu Rocky. 6K should get you a lower mileage TDi 2.8 diesel in pretty good condition. The only issue is lack of aftermarket componants. But you can get the major ones, if you care to look.

[zagan]

I'd say wait... and save.

Then buy something that's popular, it's much cheaper and easier overall in the long run.

[nicinnz]

I work for a Kia service agent. Dont expect great fuel economy from a Kia Sportage as the 2.0L petrols are thirsty.

[phat-customs]

hey mate, im currently in a simialr situation to U, chasing something small for under the 5k mark, i have looked at pagero's and jackaroos and feroza's and am chasing a VItara ATM, all the SWB stuff seems to hold its value really well. regardless of age and kays... there just popular little buggers :-D

[thehanko]

you want a tray back ute but havent mentioned any?

Have you considered the simple old hilux?

they are not quick, but they are reliable and quite ecconomical. if looked after the engines go for a long time. you can drive them stock or mod them as far as your wallet will go.

mine has 300000ks now and runs very well and has been turboed.

you can pick up many of these for 4-6000 bucks.

mine gets 9 -11 L per 100km depending on my right foot, which is pretty good out of any 4b.

There are a number of other diesel utes which could also work.

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

utes hold their value pretty well mate.
what about a hilux or rodeo in a tray back/
get a diesel though for economy in my opinion

[loudmoto]

well a ute (tray back prefered) is exactly what i want.

but, i need reliability. i do 1000kms up and down freeway each week.

and most utes around the $5k mark are pre 90s and close to 300kkms

eeeeeeeeeeek, i dont wanna spend $5k then $5k getting it back to a reliable standard. maybe im wrong in that thinking.....

[dumbdunce]

old diesel Navara is excellent value and great economy. I am a toyota man but the old navaras are pretty much what you are looking for. maybe rodeo but they are not as good all round as the nav.

[-Scott-]

Diesel Defender ute? NFI on pricing, but I believe the TDis are amongst the most fuel efficient you'll find, and offroad performance potential is huge.

According to some, reliability is a lottery - do you feel lucky?

[thehanko]

well a ute (tray back prefered) is exactly what i want.

but, i need reliability. i do 1000kms up and down freeway each week.

and most utes around the $5k mark are pre 90s and close to 300kkms

eeeeeeeeeeek, i dont wanna spend $5k then $5k getting it back to a reliable standard. maybe im wrong in that thinking.....

Mine is an 89 model with now 300,000 ks. in the last 50, 000ks since i bought it I have probably spent $500 total or less on parts for it.

most jobs you can do your self as they are cheap. the only two more major things i had to fix, leaking steering box and leaking inner axel seals, were both at the start, jobs the previous owner had put off doing. in the last 50,000 ks ive had sweet fark all go wrong. and by fixing them myself it only cost about $200.

I have done other mods to it, but they were by choice not by necessity, ie flexier lifted springs, winchs etc not mechanical issues.

Over all I have found it an extremely reliable truck and when things do go wrong you have the choice to fix it yourself cheap, unlike more complex vehicles which you need far more knowledge to work on.

I do most of my off road driving solo and do it cause i trust the truck.

yes there are very bad trucks out there regardless of make and model. find one from an owner who seems to care about it and service it well and your on the right track.

I now drive this car because it fullfills my 4wd needs (read wants) and is a cheap and reliable work truck. it is by far the most cost effective work vehicle i have ever had.

[loudmoto]

wow thats not so bad. but how often u brake down side of the road?

im reasonable with a spanner. i dont have any training or knowledge but do my own oil and sparks etc etc. would prob feel comfortable doing brake pads. but definitely wouldnt be comfortable stripping the engine apart.

[thehanko]

you sound similar in knowledge to me, from there outers members the search function and a manual and you will be fine. the engines are pretty solid as long as its not already a pos from previous neglect.

I have had 2 side of the road break downs, 1 was a bolt coming lose on the brake caliper. could happen to any vehicle and was most likely my fault for not correctly torquing the bolt. for future refference it feels a bit like a slave cylinder has gone, except when you brake things go bang

The other was blocked fuel intake intank filter... er... entirely my fault due to my experiments with veg oil as a fuel supplement and not filtering a batch properly.

So the only issues I have had on the side of the road have been my own stuff ups.

I tow with it, drive long runs and also drive it around town to the office every day and can knock out 5000 km in a week (that 50,000 ks is 6 to 8 months).


I have now turboed mine and got it driving very well and it has not seen any issues from that either.

[loudmoto]

so what model lux? man a tray lux 4x4 is a dream ride. or even a utility.

[zagan]

hey mate, im currently in a simialr situation to U, chasing something small for under the 5k mark, i have looked at pagero's and jackaroos and feroza's and am chasing a VItara ATM, all the SWB stuff seems to hold its value really well. regardless of age and kays... there just popular little buggers :-D

seems to be up to the owners I guess as when I was looking last a 2005 patrol with 150000klms might be $12,000 but a 1998 patrol with 300000klms might go for $30,000

No idea why that is happening but it does.

The cheapest places I seen 4wds at were the wrekers.

I think you'll be really hard pressed to find much below $10,000 let alone 6 or 5g really.

I think it's a case of look around for ages and have the cash ready to go straight away and ring or better yet goto the owner/place and try and do a deal on the spot.

Be getting harder these days as people will be wanting the cash and probably won't drop the price all that much either.

[loudmoto]

i would have thought the opposite with the over priced sierras etc, the price should drop in a recession as people dont have the cash to give away on overly expensive toys. but meh, what people ask and what people get are always different i guess. i think i might have to be sad and save up for another 3 months and get something semi decent.

see i pay cash, i dont do finance, so $10k cash is a fair whack of dosh to me.

[Sammyboy]

I drive the last of the 'old/square/boxy' Pajeros (NG). Most of them are under $5000. I would definitely go for the turbo diesel version coz I have heard that the 2.6 carby and the 3.0 V6 petrol can be thirsty (I don't know this first hand, so don't quote me on it). I used to own a 1983 NA shorty Paj, with the exact same 4D56 turbo diesel that is fitted to my current NG model. If you are interested in the Paj and do look at the earlier models, be very very very very very wary of the old KM145, 5 speed transmissions as they are unreliable. I did experience this problem on a few occasions. In 1988 when they introduced the V6 paj, they also replaced the older, unreliable gearbox with the newer V5MT1 5 speed box. This is the box that is fitted to mine and I haven't had the slightest problem with it in the 2.5 years that I have owned it. As for fuel economy for my 2.5L turbo diesel, in the city I reckon that I get about 10L/100km. If I drive it like I stole it, I will get about 12L/100km. On an average country trip, I will get between 9.0 and 10.5L/100km, and at it's absolute best I will get below 9L/100km (8.6 personal best). Offroad I haven't had any issues. My 4WD gets me to where I want to go, and then back again.

[Sammyboy]

...Plus if you are doing outback trails you'll need a vehicle with a decent touring range.

[SCANAS]

Yeah I agree go the Navara, cheap as, easy to work on yourself and if does stuff up plently of cheap parts around.

Hilux are great but might be out of your budget you'd get a tired old lux for 5k or a decent navara for same money.

[SCANAS]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic173789.php

This seems the go

[thehanko]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic173789.php

This seems the go

yep sounds great, and not that unusual. whilst less luxs go for under 6 than over 6 grand, its a matter of wait for thie right one.

I have never looked back and only paid 5k (mind you it was out of rego at the time and needed a few jobs done) but as mentioned above you can do them yourself.

and a hilux will always be in demand should you need to sell.

good luck

[loudmoto]

thats a beauty but in Qld.

few navarras around but no utes.

a 2.4 pathfinder local too which is going cheap and looks ok nick, but 240kkm

[HTH]

that luxy forsale is as cheap as they get (turbo'd and reco'd engine)
id say worth a drive 2 QLD for it. engine nearly worth the selling price.
just my thoughts... probably a little biased HILUX OWNER .

Good luck which ever way you go!

[ferog]

thats a beauty but in Qld.

Jetstar = Sydney - Brisbane @ $79.00 !!

Get the owner to meet you at the airport, check it out and if it's as good as he said it was hand over the cash and drive it home !!

[thehanko]

thats a beauty but in Qld.

Jetstar = Sydney - Brisbane @ $79.00 !!

Get the owner to meet you at the airport, check it out and if it's as good as he said it was hand over the cash and drive it home !!

Yep, for the right vehcle i will travel, call them first and ask lots of questions to get a feel for the current owner and how well you trust them.

I drove to the vic border from sydney by my current hilux and trailered it home.

I drove to some hole out west 10 or 12 hours away for my last bike again cause it was the right bike in my eyes.

depends a bit on how free you are to risk a trip to brissy, but as mentioned flights are cheap.