Buying my first 4x4

[Calum]

Hello all, this is my first time here so please be nice.

As the subject suggests I am looking at buying my first 4x4 but really have no idea whats good and what to stear clear of.

This is what I need:

I have a budget of approximatly 13-15k. Please dont ask me to save more, thats not possible as I have a baby on the way.
Needs to be auto
Dont mind if its petrol or deisel (I dont really know what would be better, please help me here)
Needs to be a wagon, mainly for the dogs in the back (wife doesnt want them in a ute).
Wont do to much towing, just the box trailer, maybe a small boat in the future.
Will not be a hardcore 4x4, but will go offroad and beach.

I like the look if the Jackeroo, Pajero, Frontera, but as I said before I really dont know what to look for, so am open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your help

Cheers

Cal

[SCANAS]

If your looking at mid size 4x4's like those you have mentioned, i'd recommend the Pajero's or Jackaroo's - although never touch a 3.0Litre Diesel Jackaroo. Pathfinder are also a great car as well or even a Prado with a few klms on the clock. I'd also recommend the Suzuki Grand Vitara but they might be a tad too small. The rest is up to you. Petrol or Deisel is a personal thing. Diesel's are generally longer living but require more servicing and demand higher prices. Deisels are generally slower and not as nice to drive but it's a personal thing I guess. Just remember to never buy a diesel Jackaroo!

As with any car try to buy the cleanest, best looked after truck your money can buy! If your just doing beach and medium 4x4 any of the cars above will do it.

Feel free to ask more questions

[4bdan]

Here are some examples of something that might suit your needs
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... __Qpb=true

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... o&trecs=83

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... o&trecs=66

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... o&trecs=62

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... l&trecs=27

I don't know what state your in, so I just got some examples from any state.

IMO, these would be the best models to suit your needs but it depends on what you like the best.

Good Luck....

Dan

[SCANAS]

gee that Nullabor is cheap 02-03 with 129klms on the clock 13k!

Personally i'd steer clear of the 4.5L patrol like my 4.5L 80 they like to drink too much if you've got a kid on the way your going to need the money...

Otherwise 4bdan has put you on right track.... Questionable about the disco tho??????

[4bdan]

gee that Nullabor is cheap 02-03 with 129klms on the clock 13k!

Personally i'd steer clear of the 4.5L patrol like my 4.5L 80 they like to drink too much if you've got a kid on the way your going to need the money...

Otherwise 4bdan has put you on right track.... Questionable about the disco tho??????

That Gu is on LPG. Most people that I have met who own the 4.5 love them AS LONG AS THEY ARE ON LPG. I

I like Disco's, just never owned one personally...

[SCANAS]

Not trying to discredit you 4bdan... You made some top picks.

But I wouldn't recommend a disco or LPG car to somone as their first 4x4 that's all. I have retailed one LPG car in the last three years sold more than 1000 in that time. 06 Prado with 2 month old gas system still under suppliers warranty otherwise we steer clear of them... Too many probs in the past.

[Calum]

thanks for your help guys, I will check out the pathfinder as well, I am located in Canberra so its slim pickings as far as anything decent is concerned so I will probably have to go to Sydney and have a look around there.

I don't mind traveling if its a good deal, so thanks for posting those links for me.

I guess I will go and do a bit more research into the Pathfinder and Jackaroo. The wife likes the look of those as well, so I may be back here fairly soon asking what modifications I can do

[thehanko]

thanks for your help guys, I will check out the pathfinder as well, I am located in Canberra so its slim pickings as far as anything decent is concerned so I will probably have to go to Sydney and have a look around there.

I don't mind traveling if its a good deal, so thanks for posting those links for me.

I guess I will go and do a bit more research into the Pathfinder and Jackaroo. The wife likes the look of those as well, so I may be back here fairly soon asking what modifications I can do

I personally tend to find that a huge majority of cars in sydney are piles of crap, not looked after, repaired from crashes etc etc. Al the good cars ive bought have been from outside of sydney. just a thought.

[Loanrangie]

The only problem with disco's is the mis information given by toyota drivers, bang for buck a disco in that price range will be a far better vehicle that a prado/ pajero or jackeroo. As for any old vehicle service history is paramount. 2.8ltr diesel auto jackeroo's are not bad vehicles.

[4bdan]

The only problem with disco's is the mis information given by toyota drivers, bang for buck a disco in that price range will be a far better vehicle that a prado/ pajero or jackeroo. As for any old vehicle service history is paramount. 2.8ltr diesel auto jackeroo's are not bad vehicles.

As far as the Jackaroo Turbo Diesel goes, I have never heard a bad thing about them. Aren't they an Isuzu motor? Isuzu have been making brilliant trucks for how long?

I'm sure that like any other engine, if it's not looked after then it ain't gonna do the same for you...

[macneil]

if you can you might be able to find a nissan patrol 4.2diesel auto.. gq's came with them rare but there comfortable to drive.. will tow and fairly cheap to run.. put a set of decent tyres on it and it will go where you want it..

[-Scott-]

I'm a big fan of the Pajero (no great surprise there) but I'm not sure I'd recommend one here.

If an auto is a must then that rules out a diesel Paj, unless you go grey import - I wouldn't. (Oz spec diesel-auto combination arrived with the 3.2 DiD - I don't think you'll find one in that price range, much less a good one.)

I think the V6 auto Paj is too thirsty, and (although LPG makes for cheap city commuting) I don't like LPG 4wds for touring - a personal thing.

I believe the Jackaroo is a great 4wd, but I've heard the Caterpillar (?) diesel injection system is "different", and requires specialist knowledge to service. Again, I don't think that makes a good touring combination - but I don't think this system is on all Jackaroo diesels, so do a liittle research before you buy.

I like the Disco diesel engine - good power (for its displacement) and good economy. Not sure what the autos are like, but there is the (previously noted) internet opinion that they're unreliable. Some owners appear to have no end of trouble, others have no trouble.

Toyotas are expensive - you pay for the badges. If you can afford them, I expect you'll be happy - Toyota owners generally are.

Patrol is a truck - if you (and the missus) are happy to drive it, you should be happy with the 4wd, too.

The Pathfinder is a moderately competent & comfortable offroader, but probably the least "upgradeable" of anything discussed so far. Great "entry level" 4wd, but you could easily outgrow its capabilities, and its scope for improvement.

[SCANAS]

2.8 Litre Jackaroo's are great just old now 1992 was the last year they sold them in oz....

3.0 Litre Jackaroo's have major oil and injector issues I know of two cases where dealers have spent massive dollars on them and had to buy them back off the customers they sold them to because they still couldn't get them to run. Had a few customers trading them in and ask "had any problems" with a cheeky grin most just smile cause they know what your getting at and say "yeah you know!... don't get me started" and then we swap 3.0Litre Jackaroo stories! Plently of bad reports on here if you do a search or google "holden jackaroo diesel engine problems"

I think the Jackaroo in general is a great car, and Isuzu do make fabulous engines. Whatever the difference between the Jack and Rodeo 3.0litres is must be the prob cause I've never heard of any dramas for Rodeo 3.0Litres. You could buy a 3.0litre and never have a problem but if it was my money i'd buy the petrol Jack or something else.

[CheSter]

No one mentioned XJ's ? Room for your dogs .. 4 litre shouldn't have an issue pulling a box trailer or small boat. Easily get one for this kinda coin. Pretty well optioned leather / electric windows / cruise ...

And they are a pretty small car .. very easy to park and push around shopping center car parks.

The 4 litre's a good engine, not great on the fuel.. but they are nice to drive.

I've driven a stock one on moreton .. and what it doesn't have in clearance it makes up for in grunt.

Only concern might be towing weight ? I know the TJ's are munted not 100% sure what the XJ's can tow.

C

[SCANAS]

You can get a nice 97 odd XJ done 100,000klms for 10k! So maybe even an KJ if your spending 15k

Had a 95 XJ limited done 190,000klms radiator went on me which is common prob but otherwise a great car.

[RO8M]

My Turn: Challenger Get rid of the ACT in the top left panel to expand the search...

[4bdan]

My Turn: Challenger Get rid of the ACT in the top left panel to expand the search...

I can't say that I dislike the Challenger, but I have never understood why Mitsubishi made it, when it ain't that much different to the Pajero in the 1st place?

Anyone shed some light???

[Andres]

My Turn: Challenger Get rid of the ACT in the top left panel to expand the search...

I can't say that I dislike the Challenger, but I have never understood why Mitsubishi made it, when it ain't that much different to the Pajero in the 1st place?

Anyone shed some light???

Kinda ironic a Surf driver says that.

A challenger is essentially a Triton with a 'wagon' body. Much like a Surf is a Hilux with a wagon body and (I think) a Pathfinder is a Navara with a wagon body. Although obviously the Surf is a much more obvious link to the Hilux.

The Challenger was the budget option to the Paj, with less luxuries, (originally) leaf spring rear etc.

I believe the Challenger is coming back soon as well. Which is nice, cos it's a much more capable 4WD than the Outlander.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/39175/ ... -november/ Looks pretty good to me as well !

[Simo63]

I'm a big fan of the Pajero (no great surprise there) but I'm not sure I'd recommend one here.

If an auto is a must then that rules out a diesel Paj, unless you go grey import - I wouldn't. (Oz spec diesel-auto combination arrived with the 3.2 DiD - I don't think you'll find one in that price range, much less a good one.)

I think the V6 auto Paj is too thirsty, and (although LPG makes for cheap city commuting) I don't like LPG 4wds for touring - a personal thing.

I believe the Jackaroo is a great 4wd, but I've heard the Caterpillar (?) diesel injection system is "different", and requires specialist knowledge to service. Again, I don't think that makes a good touring combination - but I don't think this system is on all Jackaroo diesels, so do a liittle research before you buy.

I like the Disco diesel engine - good power (for its displacement) and good economy. Not sure what the autos are like, but there is the (previously noted) internet opinion that they're unreliable. Some owners appear to have no end of trouble, others have no trouble.

Toyotas are expensive - you pay for the badges. If you can afford them, I expect you'll be happy - Toyota owners generally are.

Patrol is a truck - if you (and the missus) are happy to drive it, you should be happy with the 4wd, too.

The Pathfinder is a moderately competent & comfortable offroader, but probably the least "upgradeable" of anything discussed so far. Great "entry level" 4wd, but you could easily outgrow its capabilities, and its scope for improvement.

There is some good advice in here Calum .. except for the fact Scott doesn't like LPG (but as he said, it's his personal preference only), he's pretty much on the money with everything he's said here.

[tommy182]

id be after a gq 4.2 diesel myself, cheap,simple,never die, not bad fuel economy (me mates one is doin bout 700hundred to the tank..non-turbo)
throw the dogs and the kids in the back, down the beach easy with the lsd and throw the boat in the back,most important your not guna loose a small furtune when you go to sell it in a couple of years. call me old school but i recon keep it simple

[4bdan]

My Turn: Challenger Get rid of the ACT in the top left panel to expand the search...

I can't say that I dislike the Challenger, but I have never understood why Mitsubishi made it, when it ain't that much different to the Pajero in the 1st place?

Anyone shed some light???

Kinda ironic a Surf driver says that.

A challenger is essentially a Triton with a 'wagon' body. Much like a Surf is a Hilux with a wagon body and (I think) a Pathfinder is a Navara with a wagon body. Although obviously the Surf is a much more obvious link to the Hilux.

The Challenger was the budget option to the Paj, with less luxuries, (originally) leaf spring rear etc.

I believe the Challenger is coming back soon as well. Which is nice, cos it's a much more capable 4WD than the Outlander.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/39175/ ... -november/ Looks pretty good to me as well !

What's ironic about it? As you said, the Surf is a wagon, the hilux is a ute!

Both of which are quite smaller then the Landcruiser...

In Mistsubishi's case they already had a ute (Triton) and they already had a Wagon (Pajero). I was just wondering what their thoughts were when they brought in the Challenger as it ain't much different to the Similar sized Paj that already exsisted....

As i said in my previous post, I don't hate the Challenger. I was just pondering...

[Guy]

I have two yung kidletts (8 months and 2 and a half)
I purchased an NL paj a about 3 months back, dual fuel. Racked up 7000ks on it so for with only one minor user induced incident.

It gets about 450ks to a tank of gas (bout 81 liters) could easily get more if I slowed down a little, usually sit on about 113kph. Not sure about petrol as I rarely use it, but seems to be about 15-17liters per 100 again not going slowly.
Overall I am quite happy with the Paj and plesantly suprised at it's offroad manners and capability.

Honestly if I had a bit more coin, I would have jumped at another GU 4.5 .. but only if it was on Gas due to running costs .. I loved my last one and miss it terribly ( as does my wife ) for 15k you would get quite a good unit .. tonnes of room, simple as a rock and just as reliable.

I looked at some disco's, but could never get that annoying will it\wont it be a good one feeling out of my mind about em.

Very very difficult to go past any of the major jap brands for well built reliable trucks .. the yank and euro stuff has more personality for sure, but when you have a youngen on board, you just dont want that lingering doubt regarding reliability 500 or 50 k's from home.