Please suggest a $5,000 - $7,000 outback tourer?

Hi Ben ,I don't like your chances in getting a 4x4 of any quality for that price , if you do it will possibly have done a lot of work and the engine may sound ok but there is a lot of other things that need to be looked at under the vehicle ,and in the outback is not the best place to find out what is broken or worn out .Now do not get me wrong , I have had a Prado 95 Series Turbo diesel with auto and it was a fantastic vehicle 269000 kms ,but I knew it was a local vehicle and the servicing had been done as it should have ,plus being a diesel ,while they are more expensive to repair than a petrol, if well maintained they will go for years .

For that money I would look at an 80 series Cruiser, the later the better.

Still see a lot of them in 4 x 4 shows and around town. I would join lcool Forum to get the lowdown on what to look for.

More likely to get one with lots of options on as well.

Peter

I'd go older. I'd be looking for a Toyota 60 series diesel. They are built like tanks and simple. Simplicity is important as they get older. Lots of (relatively) cheap spares available and easy to work on. I just sold one for $2000. I would not have hesitated to drive it outback off road on serious stuff. I would not buy anything with a common rail diesel once it was over 200000 km and for $5000 to 70000 it will be. In that price range I would forget automatics.

try a Pajero; your price point probably precludes a diesel. Toyotas have stong resale value compared to other makes, so factor the badge price as well.
A dual cab might also be worth looking at. Like a Mazda or equivalent Ford, or maybe a Triton.
As far as range goes, jerrycans are the go for low capital investment regimes. And for high capital ones as we, come to think of it. They are relatively cheap and easy enough to handle for the few times a year you actuallu transfer fuel from them..

Have fun

You should be able to pick up a nice holden jackaroo . It doesnt have to be diesel . Parts are cheap .

I really appreciate the replies, everyone! :)

I have looked into landcruiser wagons a little previously. Finding good examples of 60s around here isn't easy, many have rust too. The occasional 80 petrol pops up and I haven't seen any with rust yet. Did Toyota better rust-protect the 80s maybe?

It is important to me that a vehicle is reliable in the outback as an unreliable vehicle can quickly turn a situation into life or death.

A dual cab ute with Jerry cans is another option I could consider - another great suggestion.

Will Prados and Jackaroos stand up to the weight of a steel bar, a couple of hundred litres of fuel, a couple of hundred litres of water and the rest of the usual gear? Will a coil 80 series for that matter?

I've read about Jackaroos having problems with their Injectors/seals and glow plugs disintegrating into the combustion chamber. Any truth to this?

A diesel Jackaroo is something I might be able to afford, assuming they're reliable. Is there much reason to stretch for a diesel? Prices seem similar at the bowser, usually in petrol's favour. Service intervals leans in the petrol's favour but diesels typically have more range.

I've spotted a cheap '92 80 GXL with the fuel injected 3F motor and the old non-electronic A440F hydraulic auto transmission. It only has a 95L tank which may cause some range anxiety but I imagine this would be a reliable vehicle (toyota), better stand up to the weight being carried, should be a reasonably easy fix if anything breaks and parts should be easy to come by.

Thanks very much, everyone! :)

Hi Ben,

Have you considered a Troopie? Ideal for sleeping in and rugged enough to take you just about anywhere. Petrol versions can be found occasionally to keep the purchase price down, though diesel is probably a better option if you can find a decent one in your price range, if only because they are more common in remote areas than petrols so parts and expertise are more available. From experience they are easy to work on if you need to, and parts (especially secondhand) are readily available outback. Manual gearbox tho - but once your partner got used to driving it she would be like lots of other women, including older ones like me, who really love driving a Troopie. You might find the blog - click here - we have written on our Troopie useful.

Cheers,

Val.

Ben

Stick to the Toyotas of any series
Pajaros are also a option ( 2.5 and 2.8 diesels are great motors ) and are getting cheap
and they are not common rail ( big plus )
Maintenance records are the key.
Cheers

Hi Ben,Just came across a vehicle that may suit you,$8000-$8500 (with engel fridge and roof top tent included 290000 kms HZJ80R 1990 Diesel in Sydney.
Can you email me and will send phone numbers

Buying vehicles of the 4x4 persuasion in that price range is always going to be fraught with danger.
If you are a bit handy with the spanners, ok.
If not, may I respectfully suggest you keep a few bob in the pocket to invest in a sat phone if going anywhere remote.

Cheers
Pop

Dunno where you are located but you can sometimes source good vehicles from property clearance sales. Might be worth keeping an eye on The Land newpaper for something worth driving to. See sample here

http://theland.farmonline.com.au/clearing/_upload/clearing/92/2015_02_05/Page552.pdf