Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Currently driving a troopy pop-top camper. Although I love it, we're rationalising our cars, and I've decided to sell it and the wife's honda Civic, to go back to one smaller 4x4 vehicle.

I'm looking towards getting a small 4x4, that is cheaper to register and run, and has 4 doors (planning to have kids soon).

At the moment, I'm thinking of getting maybe a Honda CRV or Suzuki Vitara. I don't want to spend over $20K, and would prefer a 4 cylinder.

I want something that will handle decent off-road actvities, but nothing too extreme (usual Moreton/Fraser type jaunts, and some bush-bashing).

A few people have recommended a Subaru Forestor, but I'm thinkg they maybe a little too low to the ground.

Can anyone provide comments, and suggestions of what to look for?

ryangus wrote:At the moment, I'm thinking of getting maybe a Honda CRV or Suzuki Vitara. I don't want to spend over $20K, and would prefer a 4 cylinder.

I want something that will handle decent off-road actvities, but nothing too extreme (usual Moreton/Fraser type jaunts, and some bush-bashing).

A few people have recommended a Subaru Forester, but I'm thinking they maybe a little too low to the ground.

LWB Vitara definately the most capable of those options.

I would rate the subaru Forester or outback above the HRV if it's an earlier model Forester.

Don't think you can get them in a four door but it sounds like a jimny is nearly what you want! There is a bit of aftermarket stuff around for them these days as well. And can go pretty well off road.

From what you've listed Vitara hands down. Still got low range i think, and as long as your not getting brand-newish should have at least a solid rear. CRV is only rear 'assist' IIRC, and no low range - 99% sure

Actually just look under the back of a CRV should turn you off it, the 'diff' is tiny and open to such easy damage

CRV is low as... i think my bros charade has more clearance than a CRV....also dont get a nissan X-Trail they break on sand (read review in 4WD Monthly)

vitara out of your 2 choices.....


my 2c
Evan

Honda CRV

(Exit that for an idea...)

Considered an early Pajero, Jackaroo, Foreskinner, Pathfinder, even a Sportage (post 2000 "longbody"). All can be had for less than $20K

ryangus wrote:
At the moment, I'm thinking of getting maybe a Honda CRV or Suzuki Vitara. I don't want to spend over $20K, and would prefer a 4 cylinder.

I want something that will handle decent off-road actvities, but nothing too extreme (usual Moreton/Fraser type jaunts, and some bush-bashing)

Dual cab Hilux/Navaras/jackaroos/pajero/4runner as stock it will handle decent ofroad activities. They is all a lot smaller than a pop-top troopy. Forget all the soft roaders as they will not handle decent offroad activities. The Vitara will work also but fitting camping gear etc might be a bit hard

Id go a 3.0td surf.... KZN185 is the model number... or even a 90 series prado

I would go the pajero for downsizing, unless that's still too big. If so, then maybe the LWB vitara but just personally, I think the LWB vits look horrible, while the SWBs look cool.

mudmacaca wrote:

ryangus wrote:
At the moment, I'm thinking of getting maybe a Honda CRV or Suzuki Vitara. I don't want to spend over $20K, and would prefer a 4 cylinder.

I want something that will handle decent off-road actvities, but nothing too extreme (usual Moreton/Fraser type jaunts, and some bush-bashing)

Dual cab Hilux/Navaras/jackaroos/pajero/4runner as stock it will handle decent ofroad activities. They is all a lot smaller than a pop-top troopy. Forget all the soft roaders as they will not handle decent offroad activities. The Vitara will work also but fitting camping gear etc might be a bit hard

Completely agree. You have the cab for passenger carrying and also the ute comes in handy (around home and carrying camping gear)
And they are all fairly capable while giving and alright ride
Remember IFS smoother but less capable and SAS is the opposite

SAS stand for a Solid Axle Swap.
To have a SAS rig means you started with IFS and Swaped that for a Solid Axle thus SAS.

If you want a daily driver there is nothing wrong with a IFS it will handle sand and mud. They are good for holidays/touring
I had a lot of fun in mine but have since found out I like the Hart stopping,woody giving.cold sweating wheeling you might just find this out and then you will have a choice of doing a SAS or selling your IFS and getting a earlier model that already has a live front end

What about the RAV4 i dont know much about them

mac1cruz wrote:What about the RAV4 i dont know much about them

That's about as much as you would want to know about them.................

DAMKIA wrote:

mac1cruz wrote:What about the RAV4 i dont know much about them

That's about as much as you would want to know about them.................

I know a hottie from bondi who has one she looks sweet in it.
In fact she looks sweet in anything or nothing

mudmacaca wrote:

DAMKIA wrote:

mac1cruz wrote:What about the RAV4 i dont know much about them

That's about as much as you would want to know about them.................

I know a hottie from bondi who has one she looks sweet in it.
In fact she looks sweet in anything or nothing

The chick that cuts my hair on the Island has one too and she is But i love my girlfriend and she is also hot...

mac1cruz wrote:

mudmacaca wrote:

DAMKIA wrote:

mac1cruz wrote:What about the RAV4 i dont know much about them

That's about as much as you would want to know about them.................

I know a hottie from bondi who has one she looks sweet in it.
In fact she looks sweet in anything or nothing

The chick that cuts my hair on the Island has one too and she is But i love my girlfriend and she is also hot...

I love them all they taste as sweet as strawberrys

kia sportage are good for the light stuff and still fairly strong ,compare the underbody with most other small 4wd's

Vitaras are capable 4wds, but tyre size is a little limiting. 29" is about the limit without significant mods.

Vitara come out with 28" tyres from stock on some 16" models - 15" are normally 27".

You can fit 30"s with suspension lift alone, depending on the rim offset you use. Certainly 235/75/15"s (29") or similar are easy - I think 29"s will fit with no lift at all.

A sportage probably deserves consideration - didnt really think about that. Sportages are not too bad really - pretty cheap to buy and pretty solid drivelines. Not as many offroad accessories but that doesnt sound like an issue for you.

pajero io ??

j-top paj wrote:pajero io ??

Never thought of one of them! How do they stack up everybody?

Dont know anyone who's used an iO offroad to say. They're smaller than a lwb vitara or sportage and come with small rubber to start with.


I guess in the field you're looking at they're probably about par.

ryangus wrote:

j-top paj wrote:pajero io ??

Never thought of one of them! How do they stack up everybody?

I don't know of too many making it far offroad. I think the biggest problem is lack of aftermarket accessories - suspension, bullbars etc.

The 2 door is a 1.8 litre, 4 door is 2 litre. I haven't had a look underneath, so I don't know how well they're built. Inside, they could be "finished" a little better.

The 4 door may do what you want, but it's a long way from what you're used to. For what you've described, I'd recommend you concentrate on Grand Vitara, Sportage, or larger.

Terrican, Should be able to get one about 20k.

Or a Jeep Cherokee CRDI

Or a Rangie, you could get a 1997 - 98 Rangie for 20k

See my thread in chit-chat. Took a Ford Escape (rebadged Mazda Tribute) up a few tracks the other day. Was very impressed with it's capability.