4WD suggestions

Hard to go past the Kia Sorento for reliability, price, towing and 4WD ability.

Hi Chris, i suppose it depends on what you want to use it for. I recently purchased an Isuzu D-Max Dual Cab 3.0 Lt Turbo Intercooled and i must say, it is a most capable 4wd.

I put it through its paces at Appin state forest tracks and was surprised at how easily it handled some very rough terrain with large gradients, technical rocky areas and decent water crossings (it was a rainy miserable day in Sydney and didnt look like getting stuck once).

Fuel usage, well, my previous vehicle was a non-turbo 2Lt Subaru Impreza and currently, with same driving habits (to and from work and weekend run arounds) i am using 1 litre per 100 Km less in the D-Max.

It is suprisingly comfortable given it is a style side ute with no load at the moment, better than i thought it would be. It is strong and rugged and the interior isnt flashy but has all the necesseties without being flashy.

Overall, i am completely happy with my purchase and i am looking forward to giving it a run through the desert next year as well as numerous day and weekend trips. Good Luck.

P.S. I am in no way associated with any vehicle manufacturer or seller, simply a very happy consumer.

Pajero ;-)

Test-drive a Ssangyong diesel 4x4 for a comparison with your selected choice

(no affiliation etc etc)

Maîneÿ . . .

If you want a mid size 4x4 that drives nice on the road, goes well, is good on juice, almost whisper quiet compared to some, and is surprisingly good offroad, then I'll agree with Tazbaz above....the Kia Sorrento..

Don't own one, but have driven my sons one ( diesel ) and unless you need the outright 4wd ability and size of the Toyo, Nissans and Pajeros, then do yourself a favour and at least test drive one !!

If you aren't actually wanting to go 4wd-ing and don't need size, then choose an AWD (or small 4wd) like a RAV4, kluger, forester, captiva, grand vitara. There are many to choose from.

An idea of your budget would help, what State are you in?

anything i should stay away from?
is pathfinder anygoood?

The best value for money 2nd hand 4wd are Jackaroos in petrol only. We brought an immaculate 03 Nullarbor with lots of extras with 76000ks for $14000. We then put a ecb bullbar , spotties and uhf which brought it up to $16500. Son brought and 02 se with same bullbar and aircraft landing lights, but with more ks for $11500.This one also had a service history and had never been 4wdriving. The manuals are quite good on fuel( down to 11.5/100) the autos use about 2/100 more. They have very robust drivelines eg they are some older 3.2s arround with 400000ks and apart from timing belts have not been touched. The only common issues I can find are the check engine light being on which is usually the iac motor, maf or occassionally the inlet manifold gasket. This last problem was more common on 98 s and 99 models. They where built in Japan by truck manufacter Isuzu, not Holden.
While they are no longer built I have never heard of spares being an issue.
Cheers Pete

Chris 123,
Without meaning to sound derogatory, the person having to make a decision is you.
Posters on this or any other forum will offer opinions based on their experience or biased toward what they think may suit your needs.
There are so many options out there that it is very difficult to make a choice.

ALL the common vehicles are generally suitable for your purposes but in the end it comes down to you and perhaps your "significant other"

Hereis a list of possibly suitable vehicles.
Pajero, Prado, Pathfinder, Hyundai Terracan, Kia Sorento, RAV4, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Holden Captiva, Jeep, Landrover Discovery & Freelander, All Dualcabs with canopy, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribune, Suzuki grand Virara, VW Toureg, Porsche Cayenne, (Ok these 2 may be out of your price range) Nissan Xtrail, Mitsubishi Outlander and so on.

Any one of these may well be the vehicle you want, but only you can make your decision, based on what suits your needs.

Hope this helps

Disco.

Chris, browse through the website below just to get an idea of a suitable car, for the price you are looking for, I don't think you have specified whether you want a petrol or diesel vehicle, this could make a difference also.

http://www.discountusedcars.com.au/

Cheers, John

As mentioned just once above the Hyundai is an excellent vehicle. I drive a patrol but have heard many very good reports from people I know driving Hyundias who love them. The fuel economy when towing on the diesel model is excellent.