Which 4x4 for going round oz..under 20k?

Submitted: Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 11:37
ThreadID: 57973 Views:9557 Replies:13 FollowUps:11
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Ok me and 1 or 2 mates are thinking of taking 3-6 months off travelling around Oz. Wont be hardly any offroad, worst we will get is gibb river road, and maybe a tiny bit through NT.

Plan is to start in Perth and head up coast, through NT relatively quickly(time restraint because of wetseason) then make our way back down east coast and through tas and back to perth.

Obviously with rising feul costs we are unsure what would be a good car to take. We need to fit 3 guys, 3 swags, a tent, an engel, clothes and fishing gear basically. So im not sure if thats considered as alot of weight but i would say it will weigh a bit.

Heres what we have in mind :

GU Nissan Patrol 2.8TD
Gu Nissan Patrol 4.2P or D?
2`001 Mistsubishi Pajero 3.5L Petrol (can pick one up for just over 20, and around if look hard enough)
80 series cruiser


By the looks of my search results you guys seem to know your stuff so would appreciate your feedback! As i said mainly HWY driving, and not towing but car will be full.

thanks in advance!
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 12:15

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 12:15
Hi Shizz
What ever you go for, if possible go for a diesel version. Even though diesel fuel is dearer than petrol, in the long run the diesel will be far more economical on the road and you will also be able to purchase diesel anywhere in the outback.
That's my thoughts.

Cheers

Stephen
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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:04

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:04
shizz,

80 Series diesel 4.2l
GQ Patrol diesel 4.2l
GU Patrol diesel 4.2l

If you can get a turbo in any of these vehicle it would be a bonus.

Wayne

AnswerID: 305731

Follow Up By: Member - Hughesy (NSW) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:09

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:09
I would say the same order as Wayne.

Pajero too small.
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Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 14:49

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 14:49
Shizz


I agree with the three vehicles nominated by Wayne.

I would not put them in the same order.

If you are not experienced in driving 4X4s I will mention that they have a habit of rolling. Toyotas including the 80 series are well known for it. The patrol is a safer vehicle.




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Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:33

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:33
"Toyotas including the 80 series are well known for it."
I've never heard that Toyotas roll more frequently than any other 4wd. Particularly the 80 series.
What do you base this on?
If it's local knowledge, then perhaps the fact that there's probably more of them travelling ?
Statistically I would doubt it but hey, after 40 years of 4wding mostly in Toyotas,(without a rollover) what would I know ? :))
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Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:45

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:45
Footloose


All 4X4s are prone to rolling over - the Toyotas due to the contant 4WD system are more prone to rolling over. Due to my previous career I was aware of it. I had to put the bodies in the body bags.

I have also had it confirmed talking to a mechanic who has extensive 4WD knowledge. He explained to me the technical reasons.

The fact is they are more prone to roll but a lot of the roll overs are due to driver error. I drove to Bulman recently and had a 80 series come the opposite direction sliding all over the road. I estimate his speed would have been at least 120 km/h. He was driving like an idiot and it wouldn't matter what 4X4 he was driving.



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Follow Up By: Member - Footloose - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:52

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:52
Totally agree that any 4wd is more prone to rollovers than say 2wds. But Toyotas vs Nissans?
Speed and lack of experience seems to be the two biggies.
I've seen them roll on the Tanami (wheel ruts), the Plenty (Prado at speed) and on the Cape (slippery slope).
One of the above was a Nissan :)
I have always said that one should have to do some sort of course before being allowed into a 4wd. Too many think they are just a big station waggon.
I also think that new 4wds should have a sticker on them.
"Drive me like a sports car and I fall over."
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:34

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:34
Gday Tjilpi,
"Toyotas including the 80 series are well known for it."

Comon...that would have to bee the biggest load of Bollocks Ive heard for a long time....

1. If your talking "off road" driving ...it doesnt matter if they are constant 4x4 or not, both vehicles will be engaged in 4wd????

2. If you talking about dirt roads....you have a lot more control in 4wd than you do in 2wd...look at the rally cars????

3.And last but not least....if your talking about bitumen....the thing that makes cars tip over is usually too fast for a corner or a peanut behind the wheel.

Unless of course your talking about "FRITZ in a BRITZ"

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:31

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:31
Diesel 80 series..........
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Reply By: Member - DOZER- Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:50

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 13:50
Prado 4 cylinder diesel, pajero 4 cyl diesel, or a troupy if you want room to throw things in diesel too.
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Follow Up By: Member - Yikes... (WA) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 15:27

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 15:27
Well we are doing just that.. only two of us, and we have a 75 S diesel troopy, Not a turbo which would have been great but then again, thats trhe best we could do at the time.

we did the grr only a month ago and glad we did
- no issues at all. Cost us 16K to pick it up in Perth

Have heard about the rolling of the troopies thou - I figure if your sensible and drive within your and the cars limits you should be fine.. saying that, a wee roll would make for a bloody good story 10 yrs later grin: not that we want to find out.

Not being a experienced 4wdr - I would tend to listen to the other replies more than mine thou.


Have fun


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Reply By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 17:05

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 17:05
Landcruiser Troopcarrier 4.2 Non Turbo, like mine get a good used Ex Gov't and it won't let you down ,
But I would also look at Holden Rodeo

And another thing , if your not going off road then don't get a 4x4
2003 Ford Transit VH Van

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Reply By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 17:47

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 17:47
I agree with Doug, ask yourself if you really need a 4WD.

But if you do, I will buck the trend and suggest a petrol 80 series as opposed to any diesel options. Diesel more economical, sure but with diesel about 25 cpl more than ULP, the economy gap starts to close. A good (GXL) FZJ80R can be had for around $10K. You will probably pay $2-3000 more for a normally aspirated diesel 80 and $7-8000 more for a TD one. The petrol on the highway and for general touring is closer to a TD in terms of its performance, certainly more grunt and useable power than a normally aspirated diesel.

For about half the money you propose you will be surprised at what sort of vehicle you can pick up. Now if you were towing or doing LOTS of slow 4WD stuff, stick with the diesel, but for what you describe, I would have a serious look at the petrol 80 or the 4800 GU.

Have fun,

Matt.
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Reply By: stevie1947 - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 20:33

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 20:33
What about a 2000=2003 Nissan Pathfinder (petrol) with LPG.
Great car. Can pick a good one up for around $12 to $16 grand.
Steve
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Reply By: shizz - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 20:47

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 20:47
the only reason i didnt think a smaller 4x4 is because of storage. With 3 of us effectively living on out of the car for that period of time, there is alot of gear.

What sort of milage do you get out of a 80 series petrol vs a 2.8td or 4.2 pet deisel?
AnswerID: 305830

Follow Up By: Stephen M (NSW) - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:20

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:20
Although I have never owned any of the ones you have mentioned but family that do/did, the 80 in petrol in cruising mode I would say around the 16/17 litres per 100, the 2.8 diesel patrol around the 10/11 and probably around the 12/13 for the patrol 4.2D..... 4.8 petrol in the patrol and 4.5 would be in the vicinity of the same as the cruiser petrol, remembering Im talking cruising along not including any 4wdriving, towing (which your not doing anyway). sand driving etc.Add a roof basket/cage for storage and you can add some more fuel usage to all of them. Decide to hit the sand/beaches in the petrol ones and will jump to approx 25/30L per 100 the diesels might add an extra couple of litres. Regards Steve M
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 09:24

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 09:24
Pretty close Stephen, although you would be hard pressed to eat 30 l/100km. The worst I ever got was probably on the Wickham/Gibbie track where we spent nearly all day in low range towing a heavy (Kimberley) camper. Still only managed about 26l/100km.

Matt.
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Follow Up By: Stephen M (NSW) - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:48

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:48
Hi Matt, thats not bad considering low range. Friends of our's have the V8 4.7 100 series. Last time at Stockton he was up around the 27, BUT he is a lead foot and was giving in to it, nice sweet sound thou. Regards Steve M
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:34

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 21:34
Before you go to far down the track Shizz check out a 3lt GQ Nissan patrol petrol built up until about 1996.

Used a variant of commodore Vl engine , reasonably economical
but most of all a fairly fuss free vehicle of simple mechanical design and great carrying capacity and excellant 4wd capability.

Quite cheap and I think you will be surprized - I sometimes wish I still had mine - but then again a v8 cruiser pulls up next to you at the lights and I think , na I'll stick with the 4800 GU.



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Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:11

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:11
I've nothing against the cars mentioned but suggest you dont leave the Jackaroo out of calculation. Plenty of low K good V6
models for around $15k or less & much younger than the other
recomendations. No worse on fuel if driven sedately, big, strong,
reliable. Not much advantage in diesel now, particularly old high
k jobs. Your choice......oldbaz.
AnswerID: 305897

Reply By: Best Off Road - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 13:16

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 13:16
With that amount of gear I'd be looking at a Dual Cab Ute.

Jim.
AnswerID: 305932

Reply By: chisel - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 13:40

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 13:40
If you don't mind loading/undloading the roofacks a little each day, a pathfinder or similar (eg. challenger) would be fine and you could get a relatively new one for $20k. I'd probably steer clear of a dual-cab unless you are sure you can all sit comfortably in the back (at some stage each of you would have to).
For the trip you are talking about, I'd be making sure you have a comfy on-road vehicle as you'll be covering a lot of kms on the road with not too many offroad. 2000/2001 model pajero or prado would do the trick.
AnswerID: 305938

Reply By: shizz - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 20:47

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 20:47
did a bit of maths and it looks like, going by these figures, over the whole trip i would only be saving 500-1000 dollars going around aus in a TD Patrol vs a Petrol cruiser. How ever, it looks the newer patrol might be more comfy aswel...

I think its down to two cars. The Pajero (2001~) or a TD Patrol (98-00).

AnswerID: 306001

Follow Up By: mq swb - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:57

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:57
Have you looked at the Prado, mine is a 02 GXL petrol, there is 5 of us 3 being kids and I load up the back and the roof and I average about 13l/100kms on the open road 2 fuel tanks 159 litres you should get about 1100Kms out of both, pull out the rear seats and there is a heap of room to put everything you need, you can pick up a 98/99 grande(top of range) for about $16k, you have full leather all electric options nice and comfy.
Just a option

Andrew
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