Excluding Nissan and Toyota what is the best 4wd?
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:08
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2000 Red Rodeo
Well I'm normally at work at this time of the day, but having come down with the dreaded lurgy I'm at home sitting on the couch and a bit bored. I don't do sick
well. It is boring.
Anyway to fill in some time I'm looking for a bit of debate about what is the best 4wd and why. BUT I don't want the usual Nissan v's Toyota. Lets look a bit further afield (and not add to my boredom).
So what is the best 4wd EXCLUDING Nissan and Toyota. Why are they the best, what are their negative points, how would you use it (ie touring, rock climbing, etc). Let me start with a couple of nominations.
1) I love my Rodeo. 2000 model, crewcab, raised
suspension, upsized tyres, etc set up for touring. I have had this car for 7 years and can see myself still owning it in 10 years time. To me its a great all-rounder. It has a lot of go which is great around town and for getting up those steep hills. Negatives would be the limitation of the torsion bar front
suspension which can be partly overcome with a diff lock in the front. The other negative is the fuel economy.
2) Jeep Wrangler soft top. Would be great when I'm ready for my midlife crises.
Positives: Plenty of modification options,
suspension lift, tyres. Plenty of power. Can see me driving with the top off along
the beach.
Negatives: Cheap build quality (read that American), controls all back to front, not overly practical, poor fuel economy
Let the debate begin!!
Geoff
Reply By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:32
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:32
An Isuzu MU of course
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:53
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:53
He wants the BEST Bruce and not the worst hahahaha
Annie will tell you the Wizard is better than the MU anyway ;)
Cheers Kev
| Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: 2000 Red Rodeo - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:48
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:48
Isuzu MU = Baby Rodeo.
I could live with that. I wonder if the wife will be happy with that as a 2nd car?
:-)
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Reply By: wato35 - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:37
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 15:37
The one that gets you back home safely and without breaking down.
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Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:28
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:28
Best light ute. Triton. Price, space, power, reliability & 5 year warrenty all good.
Best offroad vehicle. Wrangler. By far the most capable & when modified almost unstopable. Fuel consumption & build quality these days nowhere near as bad as you think either Geoff.
Best outback tourer. (Non Toyota/Nissan) Defender. Heaps of body options, upgraded
suspension available out of the factory, brilliant fuel consumption & very capable.
Best softroader. Subaru Forrester GT. Unbelievable power to weight & road holding.
Cheers Craig................
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Follow Up By: landed eagle - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:22
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:22
Triton won 4 x 4 of the year recently too Crackles.
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:58
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:58
So did the Leyland P76
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 00:07
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 00:07
Freelander 2 is way better than a Forester. I've had both. It easily goes where a Forester struggles even with no low range. The terrain response dial is some sort of magic. Better on road as
well. Mike
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:40
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:40
Yes I wouldn't read too much into any 4x4 of the year awards Eagle. Magazine bias tends to see funny decisions at times.
Freelander........yes
well a very nice car if you didn't get one built on a Monday or Friday ;-)
Quote from Landrover
forum......."I had the following problems - ...................
Rear window motor
Rear door handle
Head Gasket changed
Tyres scrubbed unevenly
Heater fan replaced
Air con overhauled.
And then similar replies just kept coming. How far would Landrover be in front of everyone else if they could get their reliability in order.
Cheers Craig..........
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:59
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:59
Freelander 2 was mentioned - not the Freelander 1 that the list refers too - completely different car.
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 10:29
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 10:29
I'm on all the LR forums and seem to have missed all the Freelander 2 problems completely? Lots of raves about them on AULRO and Freel2.com. Build on Land Rovers from 06/7 on (when Ford took over) has been good.
Mine seems to be full of Peugot and Volvo parts. Its getting hard to know what brand you are driving these days. Tata from India own them now so who knows how that will affect them? Don't confuse a Freelander 2 with a Freelander 1 they are different cars, renamed LR2 in US should have done that here as
well.
Subarus are nice cars, I've had 3 over the years no problems with them. Freelander 2 71000 kms and no problems at all, drives like new and I have given it a hiding on most of the outback tracks plus plenty of offroad. Freelander 1 different story altogether I believe but I have never owned one.
I can only speak from my own personal experience, which is Subaru, nice car...Freelander 2 fantastic car (except for the price of course).
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Reply By: Voxson - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:29
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:29
In my opinion you cant beat a 4x4 with a live axle setup with big coil springs...
Next down the list is Independant front
suspension with rear coils....
After that you are only going to get 4x4 utes....
It is absolutely personal choice...
We had Hiluxes, BT50's etc on our last trip and whilst they all did the trip ok and they could carry heaps of load they were woeful for comfort and cockpit room...
All cars are plastic, steel and rubber....
The ones with the widest range of spares with the best prices are the ones to go for.....
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Follow Up By: ross - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:41
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:41
You can get leaf springs to work
well. My 75 series is as good as good as it gets.
Put 500kgs in the back and its like a limo
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:46
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 16:46
Tourer category:
Hyundai ix35
Drives like a dream, with variable speed turbo, diesel engine, 6 speed Auto trans.
For those who know
Perth area, I drove one up Greenmount, effortlessly stayed on the speed limit all the way up and over the top with no hassles, was even passing V8's all along the way.
Is a top contender for me, as I'm not looking for a 'bushbasher' or need to tow a huge caravan, just the boat and
camping gear and with their huge torque compared to weight they are a vehicle that makes touring effortless.
Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:14
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:14
If not the best, they would certainly be a close second after a Lada Niva....LOL
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Follow Up By: Member - T N (Qld) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:12
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:12
Haiiry,
I think the Great Wall range of wagons should be on the starting line in this thread, Lada old hat now.
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Follow Up By: 3GoBush - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:34
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:34
Hey Mainey did you have a Hyclone in it??? LOL
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:34
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 16:34
Would not know, it was a Hyundai demo vehicle, did not realize Hyundai were also using the Hyclone technology?
When I think about it the turbo might be a bit more responsive with a Hyclone installed.
I've 2 Hyclones in my diesel so I will not negate the thought of putting them in the next one also.
What is it they say 'when your on a good thing, stick with it' :-)
Maîneÿ . . .
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 17:19
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 17:19
Nah!! Nothing else, Its Patrol or dare i say TTTToyota.... LOL!!! How about a late model Range Rover or Discovery?? Very capable vehicles... Michael
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 17:56
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 17:56
Yes there's thousands on the road I heard several actually got back home ROFL
Didnt get to the Cape on the big 6 test a few years ago LOL
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:06
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:06
Graham...an oldie, but an oldie!!
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:15
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:15
Shame they made it home on the back of a truck though. LOL
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:50
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:50
When are some of the members going to grow up and act their age.
A sensible question was asked and some members think it is a comic session.
Isn't that what Friday Funnies is for?
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Follow Up By: Off-track - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:54
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 22:54
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The Off Topic Rule 
.
Forum Moderation Team
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 07:46
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 07:46
From the OP I thought it was a wind up from someone who was bored and just wanted to stir so the answers are in the spirit of the thread.
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 11:53
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 11:53
OK
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Follow Up By: 2000 Red Rodeo - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 17:40
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 17:40
All supposed to be a bit of fun.
Also interesting to see other peoples opinions
As far as RR and LR goes my worry would be reliability and cost of repair.
But we all have our own preferences. Some are from left field.
I really like my 2000 Rodeo for its simplicity. Theres not much to go wrong with them. Therefore you cab rely on it to get you there and home again.
For that reason I don't like the newer Rodeos/Colorados. They have lost their simplicity. ie push button 4wd etc.
Each to their own. But it is interesting
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 17:57
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 17:57
"As far as RR and LR goes my worry would be reliability and cost of repair"
Any vehicle will relaibility problems and costly repairs if not maintained correctly.
In these discussions it is easy to ovelrlook that Nissan made an (exploding) engine that people are still paying for...at great expense, and Nissan thumbed their noses and walked away from the problem.
So I guess it all comes down to perception and relativities....
But having said all that, whatever your vehicle choice..get out and enjoy it..and it has been an interesting discussion.
Beer O'Clock...Cheer, The Landy
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Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:07
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:07
I can only highlight the virtues of ‘The Landy’ – a Defender 130 Twin Cab.
Whilst I have added communication a large storage canopy (you could hold a party in!), and larger fuel tanks, the vehicle otherwise is stock standard – running gear, engine etc, are all unmodified and simple, albeit reconditioned.
And with a GVM of 3,500 it has an excess payload capacity of 540kg after allowing for 2 adults, 1 child, 200 litres of fuel, 70 litres of
water, fridge, and basic spares. Fuel consumption at full load sits in the range of 11.5ltr per 100klm.
Does everything I ask of it, and probably capable of far more, and whilst some might argue they are a bit agricultural (ok, very agricultural!) if it is a solid, long-range touring vehicle you need, than take a good look at a ‘Fender........
Note to
forum....Landrover tragic, own two currently!
Cheers, The Landy
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:17
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 18:17
You should have saved your post for tomorrow........it would have fitted nicely under "Friday Funnies" Hahahahahaha...........
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:15
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:15
Nah, I had you in mind when I posted it a day in advance of the 'Friday Funnies', because it will proibably take you to Friday to see the funnie side of it........
Cheers, The Landy
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Follow Up By: StormyKnight - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:22
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:22
ROFL!
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:32
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:32
Ouch!! LOL
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Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:15
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:15
Suzuki Sierra will go any were a Toy-ota or Patrol will go. Not so good for touring though.
Cheers Dave
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Follow Up By: 2000 Red Rodeo - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:46
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:46
I could agree on that.
While not a tourer, with a few mods and bigger tyres you could have a lot of fun with a Suzuki Sierra.
I remember a 4wd trip a few years back where a Sierra was going
places the Toyotas and Nissans couldn't.
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:02
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:02
I hear they occaisionally like to have a little lie down too.. ;-))
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Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:47
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 21:47
Yeah
John,
With a bit of a lift they have the road manors of an FJ Holden.
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Reply By: Joe Grace Doomadgee - Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:39
Thursday, Jul 29, 2010 at 19:39
Mazda ........ simple answer, i have a hzj75 and may be down sizing and will not buy a hilux
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Reply By: Fab72 - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 08:29
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 08:29
UNIMOG....!!!!!!
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Reply By: Member - Jeff P (SA) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:40
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 09:40
Mr Bishi Pajero. Will do anything the others do in comfort and excellent value for money. All those Dhaka wins must mean something about the technology developed and used. Excellent for touring, can fit long range tanks if needed, great on the beach/sand as they don't weigh 10 tonnes and the traction control is excellent. Of course I'm biased, I own one and would not look at the "big two", better vehicle for less money.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 10:28
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 10:28
There is a vast difference between a Dakar Pajero and what you drive.
Do you have a quick change gearbox, shocks that get changed every day various other bits and pieces that havent yet got to road cars.
About the only thing that is the same is the badge on it
I agree that the technology used advances road cars but not for a while.
Cheers from a happy toymota driver.
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Reply By: StormyKnight - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:31
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:31
Wasn't it the Pajero that made the 90 series so good?
PS I love my 90 series!
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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:43
Friday, Jul 30, 2010 at 13:43
So you want the 3rd best 4wd??
I vote for the Lada Niva ;)
Andrew
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