4wd recommendations?

pineapple

I live in a small community down a private track, where winters have been getting progressively worse. When our track gets slippy, only 4 wheel drives can make it out.
My neighbour swears by his little Suzuki Jimny. But I've heard it's a rubbish ride generally.
I need something that is capable in wintry conditions but which is an OK drive the rest of the year (but I do less than 10,000 miles). I haven't a clue about vehicle maintenance so it has to be something which can be maintained fairly cheaply.
Can't spend more than £10,000 and hopefully a lot less!

payandisplay

Anything made by Land Rover/Range Rover - The best 4 x 4 by far.
Avoid Japanese copies.

Inactive

payandisplay wrote: »

Anything made by Land Rover/Range Rover - The best 4 x 4 by far.
Avoid Japanese copies.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


Best laugh I've had in ages, still laughing at that..

Takoda

pineapple wrote: »

I live in a small community down a private track, where winters have been getting progressively worse. When our track gets slippy, only 4 wheel drives can make it out.
My neighbour swears by his little Suzuki Jimny. But I've heard it's a rubbish ride generally.
I need something that is capable in wintry conditions but which is an OK drive the rest of the year (but I do less than 10,000 miles). I haven't a clue about vehicle maintenance so it has to be something which can be maintained fairly cheaply.
Can't spend more than £10,000 and hopefully a lot less!

Jimny's rock! They can cope with anything and they are great. The ride is bouncy but for me that adds to the fun. The engine is only 1.3 so it isn't a motorway mile muncher but it depends what type of driver you are. I quite like the fact that it isn't a fast car and sticking my elbow out of the window and trundling along are very enjoyable. The high driving position is fab too.

Nothing but nothing stopped it in the recent bad weather we had!

Motoring journalists don't like it but owners LOVE them.

Why not try one for yourself? You don't lose anything by that.

PS More reliable than a Land Rover too.

PPS Not much room for passengers on long journeys which is why mine is a second car.

gilbert_and_sullivan

If you want cheap maintenance you really need Korean or Japanese, not as these are cheap to repair just they need less of it.
Suggest looking at Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota Rav 4, Suzuki Grand Vitara for starters...Nissan Xtrail capable but has issues, Freelander has lots of issues.

If you want bigger more serious stuff then Hyundai Terracan, Kia Sorento, Landcruiser Colorado...these are good qualitly proper off road motors but don't expect any more than 30mpg from the larger stuff.

Land Rovers are extremely capable but you'll need a tame mechanic who likes you a lot as you'll be spending much time together.

Hintza

http://www.fiatsupasaver.com/ItemDetail.aspx?mID=26

Well I had to get it in!!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/230157/fiat_panda_cross.html

ohyeahitssorcy

I cant believe all these land rover bashers maybe im just lucky but my 12 year old discovery with 135,000 on the clock has been ultra reliable without any major repairs needed for the 2 years that ive had it apart from normal stuff like tyres exhaust and servicing costs.

If you find a decent independant 4x4 specialist who KNOW about land rovers then repair costs arent astronomical like main dealers however having said all that i wouldnt touch a freelander with an extra long barge pole.

Parts for older land rovers are generally fairly cheap but jap motors for spares :eek:

Markyt

4x4 Panda. I've had several Landies, a Range Rover and a Shogun, but the 2 WD Panda I have now is fantastic. Get the 4x4 version and you will be able to go anywahere the big 4x4's can, and burn a lot less fuel doing it.

goldspanners

payandisplay wrote: »

Anything made by Land Rover/Range Rover - The best 4 x 4 by far.
Avoid Japanese copies.

why?
have you been watching too much jeremy clarkson?

goldspanners

Takoda wrote: »

Jimny's rock! They can cope with anything and they are great. The ride is bouncy but for me that adds to the fun. The engine is only 1.3 so it isn't a motorway mile muncher but it depends what type of driver you are. I quite like the fact that it isn't a fast car and sticking my elbow out of the window and trundling along are very enjoyable. The high driving position is fab too.

Nothing but nothing stopped it in the recent bad weather we had!

Motoring journalists don't like it but owners LOVE them.

Why not try one for yourself? You don't lose anything by that.

PS More reliable than a Land Rover too.

PPS Not much room for passengers on long journeys which is why mine is a second car.

i'll agree with all of this.
the jimny is a great off roader if all you need is off road. if you need a family car that can tow and carry lots of junk then the jimny is far from ideal,but it will go anywhere.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

why?
have you been watching too much jeremy clarkson?

Don't criticise - they are obviously fond of vehicles that are not mechanically sound. Each to their own.

Meanwhile, I am going to get into our very reliable Land Cruiser and will be with you very shortly. No need to put the electric blanket on...