Advice for buying a second hand 4x4

This should be fun!!!

Depends on how far you want to strech your dollar.

Buy from a dealer and pay top $$$
Buy private and spend forever picking through the crap
Buy from an auction and take your chances, This option can work for you, or against you. A good friend from work just bought a 2001 3.0lt non turbo duel cab Hilux with 190,000 and extras for $11,000 at auction.
So all depends how confident you are at sussing out cars

Cheers Stefan

Look for a diesel, that has been religiously serviced, and the lower km the better. Turbo diesel will gived more power for towing, but service history is even more critical with a TD.

If you think you'll customise it later, look at what's available for the beast you're thinking of - not all 4WDs have accessories available off the shelf. If you're lucky you might find one with everything already added on.

For offroad capability, consider the advantages of beam axle compared with IFS. The beam axle allows more wheel articulation, so you can go into rough places easier, but the IFS handles better on the blacktop.

Happing shopping

John
Hermannsburg

Thanks Stefan - I am not that confident in sussing out cars and would be relying on RACV (or similar) inspection. I borrow a mates SR5 and have been impressed with its ability - but I am not that biased that I wouldnt consider other brands as well. But your right - the purchase options are varied as are the pros and cons of each purchase option.

Hi Doug,

I've got a 2000 model Petrol Hilux extra cab 4wd and it's great - mind you I probably should have got the diesel (although it now runs cheaply on LPG).

I've been through the Kimberleys and Kakadu in it (including the twin falls water crossing among others and it's always been reliable and has a great ride.

I'd recommend a 2000ish dual cab Hilux diesel (SR5) to you for your purposes - but avoid turbo models and ex mine vehicles and they both may be time bombs.

The Hiluxes seem to have a better reputation than other brands and I've found Toyota to be quite helpful - plus the Hilux has better ground clearance than its competition

Good Luck, Will.

Oh mate I really feel for you on this one. I have just been thru this and with all due respect to all those who offer their best intentions and advice you are probably better going with your gut and a good experienced 4x4 mechanic from a dealership (few cartoons of the amber works) OR if you are a member of the RACV, NRMA or any of the others can help. Mates seem to have a knack as well if they own a 4B....

The advice from most of the forums is really good but if you are a VIRGIN like I was you will worry yourself to the point of NOT getting one because of the "be aware of this that and the other, bearings, Turbo, brakes, big ends and the list goes on. Yes these are all valid points but they could equally apply to ANY vehicle....

There are so many problems that vehicles can have that if you take them ALL as gospel you will agonise.

So go with your gut, and a good mechanic and I think you will be mostly ok...

To all those who offered advice to me thankyou but remember if you are like Doug I and myself be aware that our investment is probably a one and only and we tend to worry about some posts.

Grrr!!!

On a budget of $15000.00 you will pick up a low mileage se Jackaroo with arround 100000ks on it. Their are stacks of good low milage ones arround. Best to go petrol with these as the diesel did give some problems. The petrol goes extremely well and give yery little problems .
CXheers Pete