Most economical 4x4

Lemonade_Pockets

I think Landrover is still the best bit for everything that you need. Defender or Disco. With possibly exception of the latest disco (its a bit of a porker)they should all be better on fuel that your current one.

A old Disco with 200K+ which has had a hard life is never gonna give its best fuel economy. So anything newer should give u bit better anyway.

I can't think of anything that will give you the required all terrain and towing ability and better fuel economy than the Landy's.
Nissan patrol, mitsubishi shogun, izuzu trooper would do it too. You might find the pickups like nissan navara and co might be up to the task, but the 4x4 system isn't as good, im not sure how the towing capacitiy stacks out either!

All of the soft roaders rav4, kuga, kia etc merc's, bmw's, x-trail, crv 4x4 systems are !!!!! most of them don't even have a low range box or a locking diff - nothing anywhere near and Landy's capabilities. + I think towing the stuff you do would ruin them pretty quick (even if they had the required capacity)- i'd bet my life that you wouldn't get 100K out of them never mind 200k same goes for the Jeep!

Freelander might do it but towing capacity + 4x4 isn't as good compared to its siblings and they tend not to be as reliable!

So

Defender
Disco
Nissan Patrol
Mitsubishi Shogun
Toyota Landcruiser
Izuzu trooper
Mitsubishi L200 - possible
Nissan Navara - Possible
Toyota hilux - possible
Freelander - possible

Hintza

God I must be bored. Here is an indication of the crucial points and how much they cost new (manufacturers web site) and how much Glass's say an excellent condition 1 year old model with 12,000 miles is worth.

Price New 57 Plate Depreciation mpg Tow
Rexton 2.7 19,000 6,930 63.5% 31.4 3,200
Sorrento 19,995 10,550 47.2% 35.8 3,000
Disco 29,322 17,200 41.3% 30.7 ?3,500
Defender 110sw 23,50 ? 25.7 3,500
Shogun 3.2 26,300 14,600 44.5% 30.7 2,800
Grand Cherokee 27,095 13,750 49.3% 27.7 3,500
Land Cruiser LC3 28,640 13,250 53.7% 30.7 2,800

Sorry can't get the formatting but I think you can worh it out)

I have just checked the Rexton used price on autotrader and it bears no relation to what Glass's is saying.

cyclonebri1

Someone please tell the OP she/he needs a Massey Fergussun (sp),
(non Chelsea tractor)
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Is there a genuine/cost effective/ie, cheap 4x4?
Can you get something for nothing???

hewhoisnotintheknow

navara pickup

Hintza

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

navara pickup

Just a question to those suggesting pick ups. Have you tried towing a heavy weight with one?

hewhoisnotintheknow

Hintza wrote: »

Just a question to those suggesting pick ups. Have you tried towing a heavy weight with one?

track day cars, seem to manage ok

Hintza

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

track day cars, seem to manage ok

My point is their towing capacity is only 2,700 kg which is a bit light and they have a lack if rear end weight which also causes problems. Also who really wants a rough pick up?

goldspanners

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

track day cars, seem to manage ok

track day cars are light.

hewhoisnotintheknow

its about 2 tonnes including a beefy trailer and spares etc

epninety

If you don't want to do 'damageing' off roading, then a 200 or 300 series Discovery is a Defender in a posh frock, at a fraction of the price. Many of them will need a bit of welding at the MoT these days, but with even very good ones changing hands for under £1500, it takes a lot of beating in my view.

BTW if your tdi Discovery is only doing 20mpg theres something wrong with it. Even thrashing it, I struggled to get my 200tdi below 28mpg, and most will do around 30 if serviced properly. (Defenders tend to be a bit worse, with lower gearing and housebrick aerodynamics.)