Which 4wd is the best?

is that right ??? a veichle wont go after the air bag is deployed even if the veichle is able to be driven

Hi Peter,
I know it's not a 4by but our factory manager had a 7 series BMW. In a fender bender the airbag was deployed and the computer shut the entire car down even though it appeared completely driveable.
Blue

"Anything else is a compromise"

Now that's the first "hands in pants" posting you've made in a while me ol' mate.

Cheers cob

How are you Rosco, me old mate?

Now I know that you lean the other way and by all accounts your lean is just as good as the best in some instances.

I would say however, that if you were unsure of what you were going to do with your 4bie and wanted one as an all rounder with a proven track record in reliabilty, service and longevity and without quirky traits then the best idea would be to go with the two most popular brands.

So many people set out with great ideas on what they want to do with their vehicle and then find out in a short space of time that there are serious shortcomings with their purchase.

With my hands in my pants I am giving directions....lol

Hi Bob, I would disagree with your opinion on magazines, partly because I work for one and have an insiders view to testing... For the most part magazines have people that drive MANY (if not all) of the 4wds available on the market. Some of them may have leanings one way or the other but so does Johnny Citizen from this forum... People have opinions and thats great. But if I wanted to know what vehicle to buy, I would rather ask or be informed from someone who has driven a wide range of 4wds than by someone who has driven very few and has a loyalty to a brand "coz they own one".

Robb,
sorry to defame all journalists writing for such mags - I am sure most of you are straight shooters. My concern is that if Company X has 8 full pages of advertising the editor won't take to kindly to one of you bagging their product in an article.

Re Bob and Robb

I spent several years as a managing editor with ACP (the Kerry Packer empire). I ran all the scientific and technical magazines. I'd like to comment on Bob's comment re advert pressure - and also to Robb's denial that this can happen etc.

It is not at all uncommon for an advertiser to apply strong pressure on editors and managing editors to change or withdraw an unfavourable review. I had that happen dozens of times. It is however very rare for a magazine to agree. I would have personally fired any editor who did.
The refusal to bow to advt pressure can cost. One of my own magazines (Electronics Today International) lost six-pages a month for two years over such refusal when I advised the owner (in Latin) to 'futue te ipsum'.
That cost the company $144,000. And I had Packer's backing to do it.

There can be however 'unhealthy' relationships between magazine staff and manufacturers. Australian motoring writers in particular are sumptiously wined and dined, and are regularly flown to exotic overseas locations to 'test' new products. It is not unknown for them to return with more than 'token gifts'. After a few years of this it is conceivable that a writer's judgment may become a bit fuzzy.

There is a further and I believe valid point. This is that many such writers are full-on 4WD enthusiasts. It is true that they do have access to a large range of vehicles - and it's not their concern if they break one. But they may not necessarily evaluate products from a general viewpoint.

It is also a fact that some specialist magazines are bought by enthusiasts but are not necessarily participants. Glossy truck magazines are an example - few truckies would be caught dead reading one!

Journalists with such magazines must to some extent write about the sizzle rather than evaluating the steak!
Collyn Rivers

Collyn,
your picture is a bit blurry but it looks like a Mitsubishi Star Wagon with a roof extension. Would I be right?

Bob - the pix is clearer if you click on the Rig/Profile icon.

It's an OKA - made in Western Australia.
Collyn Rivers