Looking for a 4wd

Hi Ryan

if it is fuel economy you want I would'nt be looking at a swb patrol. They are great 4by's, but fuel economy is'nt one of their strong points.
Have you throught about a grand vitara.

Patrick

You have your budget.

Firstly figure out what the primary use will be. Touring - weekend warrior - family tourer.

Then figure out how many people it will carry.

Then figure out what accessories you want to fit.
EG Touring stuff etc.

Then look at what cars in your list have cheap/lots more second hand accessories.

Then figure out from that if you want petrol or Diesel. Con of dual fuel is there aint gas in remote places, and petrol isbleepin expensive.

Then figure out insurance costs for the different cars - some are double others for certain age groups.

Then go and drive each one that you short list. This will narrow it down to 1-3 cars.

Im rather biased here so I'll say go the SWB patrol - just in a diesel model (for fuel economy). Diesels may not be the most spritely things on the road, but they are fantastic offroad. Patrols have a excellent toughness/reliability factor too. Coil suspension on the GQ is excellent for ride as well.

Maybe also look into a Toyota bundera too. Even shorter wheelbase, coil sprung, lighter than the GQ, but with a gutless 2.4L petrol, id be looking at the diesel bundera myself. There is also the MWB landcruiser but its leaf sprung.

There are other fourbies I'd look at but just not in your category. Dual fuel and small/SWB petrol cars is an unfortunate thing in that they generally take valuable space away from a car which is limited in size to begin with!

Cheers,
Dave

I recently bought a '90 swb patrol 4.2 diesel for $10k.
I can't fault it so far. It's a solid wee truck and in terms of fuel economy I get 750km from an 80 litre tank which is about 11litres/100km. I drive it 80km a day. Short drives are a bit thirstier.
I'm told a 4.2 petrol will do 23litres/100km which is impressive by any standard and if you put in dual fuel you either lose ground clearance or most of the space in the back and I'm told the lpg can do funny things to the engine if you don't have the coolant system in top condition (don't quote me on that though, I'm no mechanic)
Without the back seats in it and with a roof rack you can get a comfortable set up for camping ( as long as you don't carry too many luxuries) and I don't see why it couldn't tow a camp trailer if you were inclined.
One of the limitations is the 80litre fuel tank but in small 4wd's and swb patrols or l/c's I'm guessing you won't get bigger than that as standard.
Hope this is some help. The patrol is my first 4wd so what I've just written is about all I know on the whole subject!!!

Richard

Go the wide track feroza a mate of mine picked one up a 12996 with 120k on the clock in mint contion from a yard for $14k, there are plenty out there, some cheaper than that with more k's or slightly older.
Electric windows, power steearing sunroof, electric mirrors 16v EFI 1.6 with 79kw stock. They are tough little bastards and great to drive on road. Take a good look at them, you won't be dissapointed. I owned a narrow track for a few years and still miss it. Fantastic fun.

bypass the small car issues early, and you should get a fj or hj80 for those $, good strong capable, economical, competent.

Check out a Daihatsu Rocky - Turbo diesel , more room than a Feroza or Suzuki.
I get 10km/ltr from my '92 Rocky and it will go anywhere. Daughter has a Subaru which is also a good bus however its a little restricted in where it will go. If you are not going to into the real off road stuff a Subaru would be worth looking at.
Good Luck!

you may fined a dual cab a little short for carring a trail bike, u see lots on the road with the tail gates down with the rear tyre half hanging off the back, perhaps something like a 75 landcrusier ute,

just my 2 cents worth