Terracan

[Hoppy11]

Im just borrowing this user name off Hoppy to ask What is your opinion of the Hyundai Terracan. I am looking for a 4WD because I would like that option. I am a girl, I know I will be doing more km's on road than rough off road 4WD.

[MQ080]

What is your idea of rough?

[Hoppy11]

Well i am not planning on doing river crossings if that is what you mean! I live in WA and it is more for driving up the beach camping.

[Beastmavster]

Well... no personal experience with the Terracan.


Korean passenger cars are generally based on Japanese hardware. In the case of the Terracan it's based on old technology Pajero bits (in the same way the Excel was based on the lancer.

Koreans can build tough stuff though - some of the Kia Military vehicles are pretty damn tough.



If you dont intend too much rough stuff what's the reasoning behind the Terracan over say the Santa Fe, a Forester, an Outlander, a Vitara or even a RAV4?

All are competent enough for beach or basic trail work.

[MQ080]

...competent enough for beach or basic trail work.

Agreed,

However I would be travelling with at least another on the soft stuff.

[Hoppy11]

I have looked into Subaru's but the price vs age, the terracan seemed better value. The Rav and Vitara- my friends have and i don't like, too bubbley, too small. I can't fit my bike or sleep in, if i need too.

[Beastmavster]

...competent enough for beach or basic trail work.

Agreed,

However I would be travelling with at least another on the soft stuff.

100% agreed. You should NEVER go 4wding without another unless you're experienced and know good self recovery techniques... even then it's a big risk.

[Beastmavster]

I have looked into Subaru's but the price vs age, the terracan seemed better value. The Rav and Vitara- my friends have and i don't like, too bubbley, too small. I can't fit my bike or sleep in, if i need too.

New model LWB Vit's look damn good IMHO - and even with IFS/IRS they still have low range and traction control, so are still by far the most capable offroad in their class. None of the RAV4/Outlander/Forester/Xtrail/Freelander etc will even come close for offroad ability.


Are you talking New, Near new or any age? Big difference based on budget and age.

Rav is too compact? Then you're probably looking more at the Outlander or Vitara LWB minimum. Beyond that you suddenly jump into the 50k category of the Pajero (which is why you're looking at the Terracan).



If you can deal with the look there's a couple of other options: Korando's are half nice/half fugly jeep ripoffs and have folding rear seats and stuff - good for bikes. Ssangyong have the reliability of Mercedes diesel engines and come cheap - the dual cab Musso ute isnt toooooo ugly (well form behind at least).

Genuine Jeep wranglers are cheap too... if you have to take the softtop off and strap the bike in sideways.

[-Scott-]

Are you looking to purchase new or secondhand? What's your budget?

Being a Paj owner, I'm a little biassed - so be warned.

The earlier Terracan was based on the mid-late '90s Pajero, which is a very well sorted design. Not perfect, but surprisingly competent and reliable, with a pretty good motor. I don't know how well Hyundai manufactured their copies (no reason to doubt the component quality) but I'd trust the fundamental design. IIRC, the major criticism during road test (other than the IFS complaints which the Pajero cops too ) was poor ride/handling from poorly matched springs and shocks. So if you're going to buy a Terracan, budget for a trip to ARB (or similar.)

Cheers,

Scott

[familybus]

here you go try here!
http://forum.australia4wd.com/index.php?showforum=15

[shortgq]

whatever you do don't get a new grand vitara for beach work.... they are hopeless... look at their grand clearance and you'll see why.... they hang up and damage engine gear up front where its mounted to plastic skid pans.... I know from personal experince... a mate bought one, never been a car so easily bogged....

[4x4Monkey]

well i work for a hyundai servic workshop
Stay clear of the terracarn for offroad
rear control arms bend like bannas
diffs are weak as piss and cave in
there under body contruction is piss poor and cant take alot of stress befor things go wrong and damage is caused
also the steering arms bend and rust up and wont budge
alot of money for a big urban 4wd

also if you give em alot of "giddy up" and get em all worked up they will lgo into limp mode very easy

shit i can get em to go into limp mode in the car park

[Dyna Beast]

Hello
You live in WA.Check out the Mitsubishi Delica.Paj/triton running gear.High/low range selectable 4wd with locking center diff.2.8 turbo inter cooled diesel or there is a V6.Short wheel base is best for of road work.Ideal bus for beah driving.Provision for dual batterys.Snorkel available.Alrady has a inbuilt sort of snorkel tha take the air from inside the drivers door well.These have been put together with the intention of some fairly rough of road work.Check out the club site. www.delicaclub.com There you will find every thing about them.
Cheers.

[RockyF75]

Perhaps you should be looking for a capable offroader thats also comfortable as a DD, not the other way around. Feroza's are a fairly capable little 4x4, could squeeze a bike in the back but wouldn't sleep in it, Bundeera but I think they all leaves in the rear so bumpy, SWB Patrol with all coils would be good and much better offroad, coily zook even.

And if on road comfort aint such a big thing, get a hilux/cruiser ute Chick driving utes are Plenty of room, and you can sleep on the tray, maybe even put a small tent up in it

And dont rule out small 4x4's just cause you want to sleep in the back or sumthing, with a bit of time and even less effort you can have a cheap rack ontop, which is comfy to sleep on and your up high and safe whilst all the suckers on the ground are bitten by snakes spiders and crocs

[Zute]

Be interesting to see how much of a Terracan could be swapped with the Pajero. ie, arb diff locks, crawler gears( although they have good low range) or motors into Pajero.

Nothing against 4x4Monkey personally, but Ive never meet a mechanic yet who works for a dealership who doesnt think there product is krap. Could be because its all they work on. I use to work for Mitsubishi. But I got over it. 10 or so years later.

[beally]

Bundeera but I think they all leaves in the rear so bumpy

bundy has coils allround.

my best advice to you is consider a few different cars, dont be afraid to go look at them in the trading post or the like, or the dealers and take them for a drive, just spend one solid weekend doing this and you wont regret it.

Everyone seems to be pushing the car that they drive so far, so ill join the club. I drive a 95 hardtop sierra. I also race bmx, to take my bike i just throw it on the roof rack. With the back seats removed I have plenty of space for camping gear, bike accessories ect. Its on road ability is a tad rough. But it all adds to its character, i went from driving a ford fairmont which sits on the road beautifully, to this, and i have to say, i just dont care that the rides bumpy, and i live knowing that my 4800 dollar zook is reliable, very very capable offroad, and very practical for my needs, uses piss all fuel. And can be cute for a girl, or tough for a bloke.

You might also consider a mistu challanger, but they reek of lesbian.

[4x4Monkey]

think Hyundai its great and theres bigger things to see very soon *hint Turbo accent*

But there terracan is Completly crap
eg some half wit had made the rotors to thin and now theres a recall cos the rotors crack in the middle
Diff chatter is a major one
also is tyre scrub on the outer edges
There just shit

there slow and boggy and there A/c system is shocking