Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a new cheap 4x4 to do some touring and light to moderate 4x4ing... I'm about to buy a house so my budget can stretch to about $8,000 only. I was originally going to try to stretch it to about $14k to get a GU 4.5L petrol/LPG but that is just going to cost too much. Now I'm considering a 90 series Prado 3.4L V6 or an XJ Cherokee 4.0L I6 - very similar fuel consumption for both 6 cyl's and looking for something under 200,000kms..

Jeep XJ Cherokee
PROS:
simple, solid axle, better looking (in my opinion), cheaper purchase price (can afford 2001 model)
CONS:
unreliable (well my old WJ Grand was terrible - cost me thousands all the time (mind you, my JK Wrangler was great - but, I digress)),

Toyota 90 Series VZJ95R
PROS:
Toyota reliable,
CONS:
Toyota tax, gutless (apparently), fugly, IFS, will be older in my price range (around 1997 model)


To be honest I think I prefer a Jeep more, I think its because I swore I'd never drive a soccer mum car... But it does stress me out thinking about the potential problems that plague Jeeps. Does anyone have any other suggestions / comments / feedback?

Below are two comparable options I would be considering

I should mention that I need 4 doors for me, the misso, the dog and camping gear... so all single cab utes and SWB's are out

I also plan on basic mods - 2" or 3" lift and some 31" or 33" muddies, maybe one locker, front bar etc etc

land rover discovery?

bad_religion_au wrote:land rover discovery?

Yeah have thought of those, but scared of the economy of the V8 and the inherent reliability issues...

De-lux wrote:

bad_religion_au wrote:land rover discovery?

Yeah have thought of those, but scared of the economy of the V8 and the inherent reliability issues...

And your looking at jeeps?

No better or worse if you know what to look for.

Disco would be my pick

What does a Playdo with the 1KZT-E go for ?
Might be a better option if in your price range.

De-lux wrote:Toyota 90 Series VZJ95R
PROS:
Toyota reliable,
CONS:
Toyota tax, gutless (apparently), fugly, IFS, will be older in my price range (around 1997 model)

Other pro for the Prado, although nothing that can't be easily rectified in something else, is they have dual tanks standard, so have a large fuel capacity (159L). As for gutless, guess it depends what you want to compare it to, but for a mid size wagon, they are fine. Will tow a camper and sit at highway speeds all day with no hassles. If it's all running properly, they aren't all that bad on fuel, I have a V6 Auto 90 Series and would say it's average consumption would be from 12-14L/100km depending what it's doing.

Having a Prado, if i was to replace it with something similar to do similar duties, would honestly only look at a Pajero, similar kind of specs but better value for money.

Prado. I could not think of a worse 4wd for touring than an XJ, they are a serious POS.

chunks wrote:Prado. I could not think of a worse 4wd for touring than an XJ, they are a serious POS.

Based on???????????????

Personal experience/known vehicle?

The world is square.....(another baseless unsubstantiated argument for comparison)

Of those two, I voted Prado, because I think they're a perfectly capable touring vehicle (my father has been all over Australia in one over the last 10 years) and you're more likely to find support for them in remote areas, should you need it.

However, with my bias, I will suggest you consider a late Gen 2 Pajero. Not quite as refined as the Prado, the engines are not as economical, but the drivetrain is stronger and the rear LSD works very well. Will take 33s easily, all the common aftermarket bits are readily available, including a front airlocker.

My Paj on 33s has taken me to every touring destination I have wanted to go with ease, and I've rarely needed the front diff lock.

Have you checked out a Cherokee in person? They real small!
Can't say I've much experience with a prado but I know which one I'd rather pack for touring.

I do like my jeeps (i have 4 of em) but they arent comfortable, cheap to fix, reliable or economical. The Prado is all of those things in comparison. Oh and a 80 series can be found around that money and is an AWESOME tourer

mick whats wrong with a 1hz 80 series wagon?
great economy.
great reliability.

not as fast as a V6 petrol.

but it will hold its value better im sure dude. and you got solid front end, coils all around its a WINNER MAN!

the jeep will have much smaller cabin space, less fuel capacity and solid axle is great for off roading, but the IFS will be more comfy and handle touring with ease.

XJ's are a POS and fugly IMO, and make sure you carry a couple of extinguishers

My mate I go touring with has that model prado with similar k's. It's done cape, desert, arnhen land, kimberleys, and more. Does it easy with minimal mods. They have pretty good travel for an ifs, and are generally about the most under rated touring rig going around.

DAMKIA wrote:

chunks wrote:Prado. I could not think of a worse 4wd for touring than an XJ, they are a serious POS.

Based on???????????????

Personal experience/known vehicle?

The world is square.....(another baseless unsubstantiated argument for comparison)

Seriously?

Mick I agree with the 80 series idea, usually more car for your money - but prados are still good buying (check timing belt history - expensive). Cherokees of that vintage are mostly money pits. Sure you'll get the odd "haven't spent a cent" story but they are rare and often spoken too soon.

You could buy a bad toyota too in the age brackets we're talking but if you're comparing vehicles of similar ages and service histories, you're money is much safer in the toyota IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm a little surprised the jeep hasn't got much love... I guess I like the looks of the xj.

Regards to the 80 series & Pajeros - they are still asking too much $$$ for them compared to a prado or Cherokee.

Looks like I'll investigate the 90 series more.

Tanks again peeps!!

DAMKIA wrote:

chunks wrote:Prado. I could not think of a worse 4wd for touring than an XJ, they are a serious POS.

Based on???????????????

Personal experience/known vehicle?

The world is square.....(another baseless unsubstantiated argument for comparison)

Based on taking thousands of dollars of customer's money to repair the shitboxes. An XJ and a Prado are not even in the same league in terms of build quality or reliability. Ever driven an XJ with 150k + on it? It's a scary experience.

I guess I should clarify that I'm looking to compare the newer XJ's (around 2001), with low kms. So one would assume that all the issues have been sorted out, given the motor & vehicle has been out since 1994..

BUT,

I guess I will can the idea of a Jeep... as much as I like them I need to buy a car with my head and not heart

chunks wrote:

DAMKIA wrote:

chunks wrote:Prado. I could not think of a worse 4wd for touring than an XJ, they are a serious POS.

Based on???????????????

Personal experience/known vehicle?

The world is square.....(another baseless unsubstantiated argument for comparison)

Based on taking thousands of dollars of customer's money to repair the shitboxes. An XJ and a Prado are not even in the same league in terms of build quality or reliability. Ever driven an XJ with 150k + on it? It's a scary experience.

If that info had been forthcoming in your first post my question would not have been asked.....

Try to justify answers with a bit of actual information.

My father has a 90 series and my brother has an 80 series. I've driven them both long distance, and I'll take the Prado thanks. The 80 series is too "truck", and (on touring trips) the Prado goes everywhere the 80 goes.

De-lux wrote:Regards to the 80 series & Pajeros - they are still asking too much $$$ for them compared to a prado or Cherokee.

Huh? '98 or '99 Pajero with similar kms in similar condition costs more than a same vintage Prado?

I haven't checked, but this surprises me.

yeah sorry Scotty - upon further research the Paj is a good priced option!

i personally would lean toward the pajero then the prado, personal perference.


Have you looked at a Grand Vitara V6?

De-lux wrote:

bad_religion_au wrote:land rover discovery?

Yeah have thought of those, but scared of the economy of the V8 and the inherent reliability issues...

fuel economy - better than the xj
reliability issues? - more reliable than the xj.

De-lux wrote:I guess I should clarify that I'm looking to compare the newer XJ's (around 2001), with low kms. So one would assume that all the issues have been sorted out, given the motor & vehicle has been out since 1994...

The motor's are reliable, it's the car they are fitted in that's the problem.

ok... I could be mad, but now I'm tossing up between an NL Pajero and a 90 Series... But for my dosh, an NL might be a better option... See below:

I'll put a vote in for XJ i had a 96 150ks limited it was a fantastic car. Sold it to a mate who went all through FNQ in it and now his missus drives it everyday done over 200ks now had a couple of issues with power steer pump but I would say that might have something to do with him driving through salt water about 4 inches shy of the door handle up at DI about 18 months ago!

De-lux wrote:ok... I could be mad, but now I'm tossing up between an NL Pajero and a 90 Series... But for my dosh, an NL might be a better option... See below:

Lower spec model, still be OK offroad, but it's got smaller wheels, tyres & front brakes than some of the higher spec models.

3.5 is a reasonably good motor for it's time, the NL has the SOHC version that doesn't have as much power as the earlier DOHC, but has better low rpm torque. More of an issue in the manual than the auto. Not exactly economical, either - from memory, the Prado V6 engine was considered a better performer, and more economical.

I think it will do everything you want, and has heaps of potential, but unless you're in a hurry, I'd keep looking.

Hey scotty - Paj expert

What are the spec differences in the Pajs'? Escape vs GLX etc?