Picking a 4WD for 10 months

Submitted: Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 14:46

ThreadID: 105547 Views:3212 Replies:9 FollowUps:17

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dan_and

Hi guys,

This is my first post on this forum, but I have been a fairly active member on patrol4x4 over the past months. Now thinking about different vehicles than a Patrol, which is why I am after your advice.

A bit about myself: I'm from Europe and have fallen in love with Australia, especially the wilderness, the outback and the friendliness of people. It's been my dream for a while to acquire a 4WD and explore beyond the standard tourist sights, and I have finally managed to save up enough money to invest in one.

The only catch is that for job reasons it in unclear for how much longer I will be able to remain in Australia - the fun could be over in 10 months from now!

So I'm hoping you can help me narrow down my choice of vehicles. I am well aware that there are hundreds of posts like this on this forum and others, but I have very specific criteria and am after equally specific advice.

My criteria are, in order of importance:

1) I want a 4WD that can be sold easily and quickly with a reasonable depreciation. This is paramount as I won't have time to wait for buyers for weeks on end because I might have to leave Oz on short notice. Prepared to accept a higher buy-in price to achieve this.

2) I'd like good comfort on the tarmac and around town. I've come to realise that I will use the 4WD mostly in inner city Melbourne and will probably take only 3-4 longer trips where actual dirt driving and some 4WDing will happen. In my limited experience, that probably means IFS, and I definitely want an auto.

3) I must be able to take me to the following must do destinations without massive modifications:
- Up Cape York
- A few iconic outback tracks, e.g. Simpson desert, Oodnadatta, etc.
- Exploring the Kimberleys
- Beach driving, e.g. Fraser Island
Note that I don't care much about 4WDing for the sake of it, I just want to be able to see all the major sights. So that probably means mild 4WDing and dirt road driving rather than hardcore low range action.

Budget is $30,000, including all required modifications. Open to either petrol or diesel.

What vehicle comes close to satisfying the above criteria?

Cheers, guys!

Dan

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Reply By: allein m - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 15:38

Reply By: Tony F8 - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 15:46

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 15:46

This is going to open a big can of worms, but here we go, my opinion would be to get a good 80 series toyota, if diesel, don't expect your in a v8 for a second, slow, yes, but will get you to timbuctu and back, I did say a good one. Beleive me you will not have trouble off loading it when the time comes. Reasonbly comfortable, and bullet proof, and user friendly. For 20k you will be able to fit it out with absolutley everything you need. Even some money left to do a 4wd coarse, which would be invaluable with where you arre planning to go.
Drive safe and enjoy.
Tony F8

AnswerID: 523314

Follow Up By: KevinE - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 16:36

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 16:36

+1

I was thinking the exact same car! You shouldn't take much of a hit in depreciation when its time to sell, some even make a small amount on what they paid.

It'll go anywhere you've mentioned.

Probably not much fun in Melb city traffic though lol!

FollowupID: 804699

Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 17:01

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 17:01

+2 - Diesel 80 series aren't going to depreciate too much. I would avoid buying something new, you would probably sell it OK, but depreciaton on anything new is a killer.

Really depends on whether you calculate your depreciation as a "rental cost" ......

FollowupID: 804701

Follow Up By: dan_and - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 18:23

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 18:23

Thanks, guys - have considered the 80 series but I do think it's not too comfortable for around town. It's the same reason why I'm starting to discard the Patrol...

Agree on not buying new. Definitely in the market for a used 4WD. Yes, am treating depreciation as kind of rental cost. Some depreciation is fine - definitely not trying to play the market or attempting to make a profit. Selling fast is what I'm interested in.

FollowupID: 804703

Follow Up By: Penchy - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 18:57

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 18:57

How much comfort do you need? Heated leather seats with a built in back massager? I have a GQ Patrol and I changed the seats to 2013 Impreza seats and has completely transformed the car into a much more pleasant car to drive. Maybe consider a seat conversion if comfort is a major consideration, or go buy a Lexus.

FollowupID: 804711

Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 19:58

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 19:58

"but I do think it's not too comfortable for around town." - therein lies the rub.

Unless you're prepared to pay for a new model (which you aren't), then something "comfortable for around town" and economical isn't necessarily going to do all the tracks you wan't to do and carry all the gear you need in that vintage.

80 series, 70 series, and earlier Patrols are still trucks and aren't either nimble or economical in city limits. Sure, you can drive them in the city, but remember they're more akin to a small truck, rather than a town car.

FollowupID: 804716

Follow Up By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 20:01

Friday, Dec 20, 2013 at 20:01

If you want something more nimble yet capable, Peter's suggestion of a V6 Prado might be the go.

Remember, unless you've got unlimited funds, it's always a compromise somehwere.

FollowupID: 804717

Follow Up By: dan_and - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 14:57

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 14:57

Penchy, what I mean is that I don't want a car that pogoes around every time I drive over a speed bump or along a winding road. I have experienced the difference between a normal road car and a 'classic' 4WD on a recent trip from Darwin to Adelaide.

I couldn't care less about leather seats or driving a Lexus, but what I am saying is that I want a 4WD that handles more like a car when I drive around the city, because that's what I will be doing 90% of the time. For the remaining 10%, I want a reasonable 4WD capability to get me a bit off the beaten path, but nothing crazy. It took me a while to realise this, but I'd rather compromise on the latter rather than the former.

FollowupID: 804769

Follow Up By: Penchy - Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 15:04

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 at 15:04

A 4wd that drives like a car? I'm sure there are plenty of people that would like one of those. As for pogo over speed humps, I'm not sure what you mean by that. If you get motion sickness driving a car with longer suspension travel/incorrect suspension setup then the obvious solution to that might be the one for you (don't drive a 4wd). Or you could spend 25k on a car you will spend 90% of your time in and 5k on a 4wd you will spend 10% of your time in.