Which 4x4

If you have a good look you should be able to get a 94-96 1hz 9-80 series with under 200k. I sold a 97 80 last year with all the fruit and 170k on it for only a few grand more than you are looking at.

Matt

In reply to your last couple of questions.

Here are the Answers
1. No.
2. Yes and Yes

You would be better off with an All Wheel Drive. Subaru Wgn are a good choice.

You still have to carry chains no matter what 4WD you have.

Agree with Tony, a Subaru is the way to go for snow.

And a lot better to poke around Sydney during the week.

Ya still gunna get a frozen ass sleeping in the Suby!

I agree with Tony & Allan - most of your driving will be on the highway so a Subaru would be far better (you only seem to want 4WD for the chain issue rather than off-road ability). A Subaru will be more economical (fuel), more comfortable on the highway, and be better on the many corners when you get to the mountains.

You should be able to get something decent for $15k, and Subarus have a good reputation for lasting a long time.

Was it you that had the Patrol/Maverick 'stolen' when it was not registered in your name? Make sure you transfer the title this time - even if it means you have to pay stamp duty, eh?!

Subaru or similar size would keep your fuel costs down quite a bit to.


Dan

I'll second that - that Jackaroos are very comfortable tourers (I just sold one at the end of last year) I could drive it all day and not get aches and I often had passengers commenting on how comfortable it was to travel in.

Mine was a 1995 with 3.2L V6 and had 395,000km on it when I sold it. I never had to do any no major work (exc. changing the timing belt!) so don't be afraid if the kms are well over the 200,000 mark - it should have plenty of life in it if looked after. You can pick up 3.2L Jackaroos for around $7k with around 200 - 250,000km.

I still think the Subaru would be better if you only want 4WD for the snowchains issue. Otherwise spend the $15k on a good 2WD and a set of snow chains (they don't cost that much), and it's rare that you have to fit them going up to Bullocks Flat/Thredbo (different if you drive to Perisher Valley) - I've been driving coaches up there for the last 4 winters and never had to fit chains, YET!

Very interesting Tim, I am trying to find out just how long those 3.2s last if well serviced. 450000ks is the highest I have found so far,but suspect they may last much longer then this. I believe they are a chrome bore motor anyway so would only need new rings and bearings but overhaul the heads.
You are right also about the long distance aches and pains. I drive lots of new car at work and get out of most of them barely able to walk.(joys of old age) Yet I have done 800 ks in my 98 Jack several times and arrived at my destination still fresh. Not sure if the 3.5s last as long as the 3.2 yet, but are one of the few motors I have driven that make good power from 1000 rpm to 6000rpm..
Cheers pete

You mean I sold it thinking the end was near and it still had another 55,000km in it?! :) It might depend on how much blue smoke you're willing to put up with before you declare the engine officially "worn out"!Mine had only just started needing an oil top-up between 10,000km services. Not sure either about 3.5L engines - I heard of a catastrophic failure around 150,000km in one of those due to oil blockages - might be prevented by regular servicing and/or using an oil flush every so often.

Interesting what you say about good power from 1000-6000rpm - I found my petrol V6 Jack pulled out of corners better at around 1500-2000rpm than my brother's t/diesel Prado - go figure?! I think the 3.5L Jacks had "variable induction system" which was supposed to improve low-end torque even further (max torque was around 3750rpm in the 3.2 but reduced to 3000rpm in the 3.5 - that's not bad for an EFI engine!). Anyway, all interesting, but ever so slightly OT! :)

Tim I remember reading years ago they where designed to do 500000ks.Yes the 3.5 will pull strongely from 1000rpm in 4th.
Cheers Pete

Hmm Ive been thinking about a scooby wagon for a while now..

Also theres the Nissan Stagea, looks like a pretty mean spec and you can pick up an 02 m35 for 20k!

there a pretty flash wagon ,but there japanese imports so be careful.If you want to do some travelling besides just the snow,as in the beachs in summer then a landcruiser is a good investment ,20k will get you a pretty decent truck,set it up for camping and your laughing.