First 4wd

How about a Grand Vitara. While the new ones have gone the way of the xtrail in terms of fully independant suspension, they atleast have a semi-ladder chassis and very importantly, low range. I think they're a 2.7l V6 though, so not much over your 2.5l limit. If you'd consider going 2nd hand, then I'd much prefer the previous model Grand Vitara due to it's separate chassis and rigid rear axle - making for relatively easy modifications if you're wanting to lift it, etc (and having a 2.5l V6). Neither come with computer controlled traction technology or what you may call it but that would be no great deal to me anyway.

Jason hi,
I think a xtrail is only going to get you into trouble. They are a very light duty 4wd but great as a dirt rd vehicle. Most 4wds are very reliable past 200,000ks provided they are serviced and not abused, Personally if I was was offered an xtrail with 40000ks and a cruiser with 200,000 for a trip arround aust. I would take the cruiser and I am sure it is reliable. My 4runner with over 200.000 ks is still very reliable
Cheers Pete

No low range = not as versatile off road. Simple.

Low 30s, Pajero Exceed Capable, comfortable, 2.8 diesel bullet proof, economical, lot of vechicle for the money.

Cheers Axle.

Hi Jason,

would a Forester do you? as they would be good in the city and still capable of the tasks you clasify as off road. Manuals do have low range in this car.

Otherwise maybe a fairly new Terracan, one of the blokes I know off this website has a diesel one and he uses it to tow a trailer on Fraser and Rainbow beach regularly. It has also seen a few dirt tracks but it will never match a cruiser or Patrol in the real ruff stuff.

Cheers, Trevor.

Have a look at the Mitsubishi Challenger. A surprising package! Low range, ladder chassis 3 litre V6. Based supposedly on the older Pajero. My dad owns one at it takes him to places like Straddie, the Cherry Venture and Fraser no worries at all. I have driven it and while it is not a Landcruiser it is still quite capable.

Mike.

I've been to Fraser about 10 times, been all over it up and down and never once used low range. Never been bogged. Same for Moreton, although once got slightly bogged there (not that low range would have helped). I have a 2001 pathfinder.

I have friends who've taken all sorts of softroaders on Moreton and Fraser ... RAVs, Vitaras, Foresters, Jimny's (ok, that's not really a softroader). All went well. An x-trail would be perfectly fine for fraser/moreton. Obviously your chances of getting bogged are a bit higher than if you own a big, serious 4wd, but the chances are still pretty low. (Oh, and you probably want to steer clear of the ngkala rocks bypass - it can get rough and is (sometimes) no place for a softroader).
Personally I'd probably go with a RAV4 over an x-trail but they are more expensive.

ps:thanks for all the helpfull answers to!