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Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:18 pm
by Ken 83
Hi
i am currently looking at a few small 4wds or soft roaders and i have come to the hyundai tucson AWD and the nissan X-Trail they both have the same style of problems with heat disengauging the 4wd but does anyone know which ones better all opinions are welcome cause im stuck....
ive also seen some pretty good vids of these cars doing mad things but do they last
Cheers

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:26 pm
by DUDELUX
What kind of stuff are you driving??
Have you looked at a SWB Pajero?? A Paj would be more capable than either of the vehicles youve mentioned, and more user friendly as well.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 4:29 pm
by oldmate
I'd go out on a whim and say the Nissan will be the better built vehicle. Of course I base that entirely on brand reputation. I also happen to think the x-trail is a better looking car, but that's probably irrelevant.

Neither of those two cars are designed to drive in harsh enviroments, so pushing it to do so will probably land you back at my first point.

If it were me, I'd go the x-trail, for looks only. Although the Tuscon is better value.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 5:44 pm
by 1MadEngineer
yep a nissan navara is a great softroader, tiny front diff and not even a locker available for them.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:15 pm
by 351ciofgrunt
What about a Suzuki vitara?

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:24 pm
by Loanrangie
Nissan entrails are garbage and farken ugly, i'd go a Subaru outback , suzi vitara or outlander .

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:45 pm
by Goatse.AJ
Loanrangie wrote:Nissan entrails are garbage and farken ugly, i'd go a Subaru outback , suzi vitara or outlander .
X2

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:10 pm
by -Scott-
DUDELUX wrote:What kind of stuff are you driving??
This.

Outback touring on dirt roads, you should be fine. Beaches, I don't know that I'd trust a "soft roader". If you'd think twice about taking a Falcodore (any age) then I think you should consider something with low range.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:51 pm
by alien
my boss bought a kia sorrento... its pretty decent... turbo diesel and has low range etc but all the comforts... cheap to buy and ok on servicing - however he just got new front rotors and pads - cheapest price was about $650!!! so theyre not cheap on parts.

still, i've ridden in it and taken it for a spin and i rate it very well as something for touring and the occasional offroad venture.

anyone in perth that knows the powerlines - he drove it from flynn rd to talbot rd (the hardest section for those who dont know it) without issue. yes, he took the bailout tracks all the way, but he still made it through without doing any damage, and i think only bellied out once at the start.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:09 am
by SCANAS
Tucson 8/10 use a bit of fuel being v6, five year warranty
Rav4 8/10 constant awd makes is a bit thirsty
CR-V 8/10 Servicing expensive but good car
X-Trail 7/10 have issues with motors and water ingress to axles
Subaru 8/10 servicing expensive and low to the ground low range avail on manuals
Outlander 8/10 5yr warranty cheap to look after
Escape / Tribute 8/10 thirsty as v6 vulnerable drivetrain but getting very cheap second hand now

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:46 am
by TheOtherLeft
I would go the Vitara. It has some creature comforts, low range, lots of available accessories. They are a little small though so if touring it depends on how many people go or how well you can pack.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:25 pm
by MARKx4
alien wrote:my boss bought a kia sorrento... its pretty decent... turbo diesel and has low range etc but all the comforts... cheap to buy and ok on servicing - however he just got new front rotors and pads - cheapest price was about $650!!! so theyre not cheap on parts.

still, i've ridden in it and taken it for a spin and i rate it very well as something for touring and the occasional offroad venture.

anyone in perth that knows the powerlines - he drove it from flynn rd to talbot rd (the hardest section for those who dont know it) without issue. yes, he took the bailout tracks all the way, but he still made it through without doing any damage, and i think only bellied out once at the start.
I wouldnt call the sorento cheap, we are looking at a turbo diesel to replace the rav4 at the moment and the diesel 4x4 starts at high 30k and go upto low 50k.

Mark.

Re: Soft Roaders

Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:27 pm
by MARKx4
-Scott- wrote:
DUDELUX wrote:What kind of stuff are you driving??
This.

Outback touring on dirt roads, you should be fine. Beaches, I don't know that I'd trust a "soft roader". If you'd think twice about taking a Falcodore (any age) then I think you should consider something with low range.

I would go the grand vitra, it has low range and the 3.2 V6 is a great engine. My parents have one and it is a great car to drive.

Mark.