Looking for my first 4wd $10-$15k

Hi Rick
my hubby & I recently purchased a late model Nissan Patrol 4.2td. We're so far very happy with it (apart from the stick in the radiator tonight), we've had it up the beach, he's been crossing creeks etc this week and in the mud. Our plan is to get a van and travel around Australia with the kiddies, hence the 4.2ltr, and we want to do a bit of off-road work. I'm not sure what you'd pick up a 1997 - 2000 model for (ours is 2004 and worth about $30,000).
Otherwise, I have a friend who does a lot of extreme bush work for his job, and drives Land Rovers (he swears by them).
Just my opinion...
Regards
Kym111
Geraldton WA

For urban driving manners and brute off-road ability, your budget suggests a 2000 vintage Jeep or thereabouts.

Turns on a sixpence, good running gear, but drinks like Ollie Reed. But then if you wanted a fuel-efficient car, you wouldn't buy a 4wd would you?

You can get larger cars, but do you need the space and manouvering hassle around town? Depends on your needs, but a Jeep is easily and extensively modifiable by you. Just get the recovery points and a snatch strap first.

Others will have other views, I might consider the Suzuki as well. Depends how you roll.

I would be looking at a Pajero in that price range. A few more grand and you are in Prado country

I dont think the Jackeroo is all that bad,but the styling has never appealed to me

I think you would find the Jackaroo would be a good car for you Rick , they are much underated and have all the essentials. My neighbour had a monteray and he was hard to shake.

Some cars like pre-current model Hi-luxes and the popular Prado roll far to easily as they have poor side slope ability. Often an existing 4wder will cope with this without much of a issue , but when you step from a normal sedan you tend to automatically apply the same driving rules to the 4wd and you can get yourself in big trouble.

As a biased Jackaroo driver I have no hesitation in recomending them. I have a 2000 3.5 V6 auto I picked up for $14k 3 years ago with only 85k on it. I dont
think they are ideal as a daily driver, as they like a drink if not driven sedately.
I only use mine as a holiday vehicle & it has been faultless, giving 15l/100 on
last outback trip, with 4 adults on board & towing a C/t. Plenty of good runabouts around for about $5k to handle the daily driver thing, I use Peugeots..Your budget will get you into a good Jack, but hunt around for low
k's . The perceived ugly look keeps the prices down, but believe
me, you cant see it from the inside. More room than a cruiser or Patrol. I couldnt find the value in spending another ten grand or more on the more
popular brands or a diesel, & so far have no regrets after 30k. Your Commodore
is a fine example of what depreciation does to the wallet. Only 30k & 5 year old & has cost you probably close to $4k a year in depreciation alone, if you
bought it new. I knocked back $15k for my Jack last week & I thought that was top dollar, worth more to me than that......oldbaz.

Hey thanks for the quick replies guys, I think I'll look into the Jackaroo more as, to be honest, I actually dont mind what they look like. Should I go for the petrol v6 or diesel? As for the Jeeps or Landrovers I havent really looked into them, but will now. Im not going to rush into anything and will spend a couple of months researching the 4wds, then try and sell my Commodore and hopefully have some extra money saved up to by the extras (bullbar(if one isnt already fitted), recovery points, snatch strap, snorkel? etc).

As for the Jackaroos whats considered as decent km's? <120,000 or should i be looking under 100k. Also, one ive narrowed the market down to 1 or 2 cars I would probably get the RAA to do an inspection as I cant seem to find a website saying which parts of the car I need to check out to make sure its not trashed.

I saw a 1997 Nissan Patrol a couple weeks ago with 160k on the clock and that was $17990, however it had no radio, the wheel alignment was majorly out, it had no petrol when i was going to take it for a test drive and the back door wouldnt open - so I kinda left that dealer pretty quick.

Im hoping to have my 4wd by October or early November at the latest as I would like to spend a couple of months doing some training and getting the feel of it before we go for our trip up to the Gold Coast and Cairns in January.

You guys are a really nice bunch of people and never say a bad word to anyone which is awesome. If 4wd clubs are as nice as you all then I think Ill have a 4wd for the rest of my life :)

Thanks again, Rick

Having just added an extra jeep to the stable in the past 12mnths I can only echo timglobals comments.

If you have a budget of up to $15k then you can have an exceptionally well setup XJ cherokee for that amount.

The most recent XJ was bought to be a duplicate of the other, for two vehicle touring.

1997-2001 model is in my view the better ... but earlier ones can be found in pristine condition. Do not buy an XJ diesel !! Your research will show why.

The vehicles are american - so some attention needs to be paid to the effectiveness of the cooling system here in australia - depending on use.

Parts are as common as old holdens from a variety of outlets - but parts prices can vary dramatically.

This latest one cost $6k and will have $6k spent on it before travel. Not that there is anything wrong with it ... just completed 1500klm trip towing a loaded car trailer in addition to its regular 500klm fortnightly, sunday offroad/touring training drives.

The additional spending is on new suspension / new cooling system / wheelbearings / spares / tyres / storage system etc., in preparation for peace of mind long range travelling.

Recently inspected a 98 model in excellent condition with all the extras wanted, except a winch fitted - to make it complete ... wish it had been for sale a year ago .... was $8k.

The 4.0l is as good or better than most jap petrol 4cyl and V6 engines for highway economy but definitely a bit heavier on fuel use around town as its easily driven as an SS commode. Has the ability to leave plenty young drivers and their doof doof rice burners in its wake.

Do not buy a used model with extravagant (high) suspension systems etc., if you are going to be mostly town use and general offroad exploring - its not nescesssary ... An XJ in factory specs will go most places other brands struggle with.


My other choice would be as per Robin Miller ..... A Jackeroo ... Like the XJ cherokee - its another maligned underdog ... by all who know nothing of them. Again - its a matter of buying the pick of the bunch - quite a bit of good Jackeroo info on this site.


In the end though ... Your "new" vehicle will depend on what you feel comfortable in and and best suits your application. Pointless buying anything for yourself and then having to change your way of life to suit the item.

Rick Hi,
You are on the right track with the Isuzu built Jacks. How do I know this?. Well we have three of them now. I have a 98 se man with 146000ks, (the one in my profile) Wife has an 03 Jack Nullarbor with 82000ks , this one is an auto. No 1 son has an white 02 man. with 130000ks. He paid $11500 and it came with an ECB b/bar, dri8ving lights and tow bar(only towed box trailer to tip.) This last one drives as new, and I am in new cars alday.
The 3lt Diesel was years ahead of its time, but the injection system was not sorted, and leads to nightmares and marriage break ups.
In my opinion the best petrol motors are the nissan rb30, 4.5 Toyo( very thirsty) and the two Jack v6s. Tim from this site had a 3.2 that had covered 395000ks and had just started using a bit of oil when he sold it.
Manuals are fuel efficent, the autos pretty thirsty. Mine does less then 15l/100 on very short runs(3ks to work) Sals auto averages between 18 and 20/100 arround town. But still managed 14.5 towing my boat at an av speed of 95.
I have been to Thornleigh and back to day in mine 377ks and it is just below half full. But I was wishing I had taken the auto after the 100th set of lights.
The paj in my profile pic was our old one, and I was very fond of it, but they seem more trouble after 200000ks then jacks..
Its not often I disagree with my old mate Baz, but I would go for one with B/bar, t/bar, driving lights etc because its makes no diff to the price. If the rear springs are either sagged or replaced with hd units it may have done heavey towing. Check the back yard to see if they have a large van.
Cheers cPete

Hi there

Just my 2c. I have had 2 hilux 88 & 2000. A troopy, 80 series and a 98 disco. I now have a 94 Pajero............ a lot of ups and downs but i am really happy with what i have now. All i have used for touring and off rd but Paj (done 290 000km) in my view is fantastic. 10lt per 100km, its not too big but big enough for family, the most reliable ive come across and cheap parts if something does go wrong.

It comes down to what you need it for. You will be on road and track 95% of the time so thats what you mainly cater for. Spend a little on the Paj. 2'lif and front locker as the rear LSD is fantastic, hand winch and you will go everywhere the others go, cheaper, more comfy. And the biggest factor is the driver no matter which car you go for.

They are all good cars.... just thoroughly check any car over or yu can easily get done over and think badly about the brand (as most do) when its not the cars fault but the buyers for not checking!

Have a super time!

Rick,

You'd be well advised to check out the Hyundai Terracan. You'll get a 2004/5 model V6 with less than 100,000 km on it within your budget.

Very capable off road.

Another option is the Kia Sorento. More car like in appearance than the Terracan, but looks are deceiving, it's very good off road as well.

Cheers,

Jim.

Rick spotted an immacualate 98 Jack 3.5 In Goubourn NSW with 86000ks. The web site was country cars. Price was $11000.
Cheers Pete