What's the best 4wd under 10 grand??

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 03, 2003 at 23:30
ThreadID: 7025 Views:24312 Replies:8 FollowUps:5
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G'day. I'm looking at buying my first 4WD and wish to spend between $5-10k. From what i've seen in that price range in the trading post (private & dealerships) there's heaps of 80's Jackaroos, Pajeros, Landcruisers, Patrols and a handful of Pathfinders. I live in suburban Melbourne and I would be using the car to travel back and forth to work (mainly on the freeway) and offroad holidays. I have a few questions and would appreciate any input...

- Which is the better 4wd in that price range and why?

- Do the bigger 4wd's (Patrol/Landcruiser) use considerably more fuel than the smaller ones (Jackaroos/Pathfinders)?

- There's heaps of Jackaroos and Pajeros around in that price range, are they any good?

- I haven't even got as far as test driving any of the said vehicles yet but I've heard that some people struggle for leg room in 4wds... which of the above vehicles have the most generous front seat leg room?

- Do any stand out as having cheaper running and repair costs?

Cheers
Riley
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Sep 03, 2003 at 23:48

Wednesday, Sep 03, 2003 at 23:48
Best bet is go drive everything in your price range, and then see what you like, dont like, petrol diesel, manual auto, etc etc.

Its a personal thing, then come back with what you find, yr model, make, etc mods, and its easier to work out, as every car has so many different makes, models, configurations they are never the same.

Patrol/Cruiser, are seen as the more serious 4wds, the Pathy, Jackaroo, Paj, are all capable.

What do you intend to do? Long trips? then a larger 4wd would be better, Patrol/Cruiser.
AnswerID: 30059

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 00:27

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 00:27
$2000 at the moment.

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Great little SWB 4X4 set up with 12 volt 110lt Fridge/Freezer, 70lt water tank with pressure tap, aluminium roof basket, side annex and attachable table, interior/exterior light, auxillary battery set up to run fridge/water/lights while car is parked. Reluctant sale due to purchase of house. Purchased and fitted out for honeymoon around Oz, great traveller, mechanically sound. First to look will buy!! Please contact Tim on 0404 072 780 to arrange viewing/test drive of our Bush Beast!
AnswerID: 30063

Reply By: Matt - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 10:44

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 10:44
Get yourself a old rangie, pretty cheap, lots of advice on websites all over the world, and lots of spare parts.... also one of the most capable 4wd's around... better than the new ones !!

matt.
AnswerID: 30080

Reply By: riley - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 11:22

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 11:22
Yeah? There are stacks of them around, but I've been told to steer clear of Range Rovers because of parts and repair costs... Anyone else got an opinion on that?
Thanks to everyone who has gotten back to me so far. Love your work.
AnswerID: 30083

Follow Up By: zigglemeister - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 11:36

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 11:36
I like them 4wding, but own one... I don't think so. They're made in England, just like Jaguars, and from what I've heard things just fall off a lot. But I've never owned one - just my opinion :-)
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FollowupID: 21155

Follow Up By: Member - Eric- Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 14:45

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 14:45
Had one around 6 years ago , it was more trouble that it was worh. Parts were very expencive and it always needed something . I dont think the drive train could rust with the ammount of oil it leaked . Sold it under the hammer for next to nothing . i couldnt look at some one in the eye and tell him it was a good purchase lol
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FollowupID: 21162

Follow Up By: David O - Friday, Sep 05, 2003 at 11:31

Friday, Sep 05, 2003 at 11:31
I have two of them and would definitely recommend a Rangie for budget 4wd. I have a 1984 3.5 5 speed which I am about to sell for $6500 because I bought a 1990 3.9 EFI Auto. I spent about 2K on the 86 getting some things fixed. ie new water pump and new alternator suspension bushes. It was unstoppable and did lots of off-road work.

When I was offered the 1990, for a bargain price $9000, I jumped at it.

If you are looking for one, stay away from the "all singing, all dancing" electric everything, pneumatic suspension types. Go for the simple coil suspension and choose one that looks like its owner cared about it. Be prepared for a new water pump, radius arm bushes and maybe a few electrics if buying an old one.

For a first foray into 4wding they are unbeatable. Buy your spares off the net from many good firms available and it wont cost a furtune. Join the australian rangie forum to discuss any mechanical issues you may come across. You wont regret it, but as with buying any old vehicle, CHOOSE CAREFULLY and take it to a Rangie expert for assessment BEFORE YOU BUY.
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FollowupID: 21237

Reply By: Ivor Biggun - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 14:11

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 14:11
Any Toyota under $10,000. They are better than Nissans. 70% of all forum users surveyed agreed.
AnswerID: 30098

Follow Up By: kezza - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 19:36

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 19:36
Who ran this survey??
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FollowupID: 21190

Follow Up By: Luke - Friday, Sep 05, 2003 at 12:00

Friday, Sep 05, 2003 at 12:00
Ivor Biggun has his hand on his Biggun :-D

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FollowupID: 21248

Reply By: Willie - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 18:13

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 18:13
Any Suzuki
Toyota HJ60
Nissan Patrol G60 and MQ80
Jackaroo

Cheers,
Willie
Never a dull moment
AnswerID: 30122

Reply By: Jol from Direct Four WD Awareness - Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 22:15

Thursday, Sep 04, 2003 at 22:15
All of them, some better than others

GQ Patrol 3litre, with mods go good, i know how to, or old HJ 60 for diesel

The old BJ 42 3.4 were good off road

cheers jol
AnswerID: 30155

Reply By: matt - Monday, Sep 15, 2003 at 11:04

Monday, Sep 15, 2003 at 11:04
Get a jackaroo
Cheap on parts and fuel. They go anywhere with bigger tyres we've got 31 x10.5 A/T and they do go alot further than most I don't know why. They have plenty of room inside loads of leg room. we are currently getting 28mpg around town and alot better on the highway. They do have independent front suspension but for IFS they have alot of travel. There are good ones out there we picked ours up for $2500 it has no rust, rebuilt motor and is very clean and straight. We have travelled from Bris to Melbourne in it and back and prove to be a very comfortable drive just cruised on the highway at 110kmh hope this helps
AnswerID: 31070

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