Not often I agree with the sentiments expressed in the 4WD mags, but lo &
behold, one mag has several writers lamenting the direction of manufacturers.
Four out of five of their "4by of the year' entrants are panned because of the
poor wheel /tyre combination fitted . You know the stuff...big 18" plus rims &
piddly low profile highway pattern tyres. Also crying over the fact that to fit
decent profile rubber with A/T patterns will make those wagons illegal. Also
whining over all the electronic gadgetry & traction control gizmos that do all
the thinking for you, & the sorry state you are in if they malfunction, which is
a regular occurrence apparently. How do we avoid this horror? Maybe buy
something like the 76 series wagon, you get a great motor, strong body, &
little else, but way too expensive compared to the LC that has everything. Or
take my way out...get an old, reliable bus with FWH & a drive system that you
control, not some electronic signal. The manufacturers respond to public demand
& apparently this says more toys,less practicality, less load carrying capacity, less driver input. Probably fine
for the majority of 4by highway tourers, but what about the real 4by folk?
What do we do when our beloved "proper 4WD" has had its day?
....oldbaz.