road trip car
Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 22:26
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matthew h
hello, this is my first post and the main reason i joined the site, although i hope to find out a lot more from you all over the next few months. me and my partner will be leaving
Melbourne in april (originally from the uk) to embark on an Australia wide adventure roadtrip, we will be going everywhere we can think of and driving on almost all surfaces OZ has to offer with an eye to go off road a fair amount, nothing to extreme but a good amount of mud and sand with a few
creek crossings and things just to spice it up a bit. so were looking for a comfy, reliable and capable 4WD with a good amount of space in the back as we will be bringing a lot of
camping gear and occasionally sleeping in it. i have so far narrowed the search down to the following: 3L diesel hilux surf, nissan pathfinder, holdon jakaroo and the mitsubishi pajaro. our budget is 15000 max but we are realistically looking around 12000 unless we see something really perfect. is there anything else i should add to the list or prehaps one i should exclude? i have decided against the toyota landcruiser as they are just to expensive in good condition and low k's and although the landrover disco2 and range rover are perfect i have heard some really bad things about there reliability and dont want to have the trip interrupted by anything going wrong. any help you guys can offer would be great.
Reply By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 23:04
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 at 23:04
Sounds like fun. What about a Prado? You can pick up one with 120,000kms on the clock for that money. Big fuel
tank comes in handy outback. Reliable so they say and decent off road as
well as good on road. Plenty of mods available too. Cheers.
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Follow Up By: madfisher - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 22:31
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 22:31
well when I was looking a few months ago, I could find no low milage Prados under $20000,finished up getting an imaculate Jack v6 03 model for $12000, but had to put a compressor in it.
Cheers Pete
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Reply By: ChrisE - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 00:06
Reply By: matthew h - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 00:22
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 00:22
we did consider the patrol but we couldn't find any in our price range with low km, although it sounds like they can go on for a long time we are looking for sub 160 ish thousand km's just for the peace of mind as we will be putting some mega numbers on it. also the large petrol engines are just to dam thirsty to be appealing witch is why we had to rule out the jeep grand cherokee. tbh a diesel would be our first choice but they seem to cost a fair bit over here and appear to be a bit more rare then the petrol alternative so it will have to be a smaller cc petrol engine most likely. the perfect car would be big enough to sleep in the back off, be comfy on and off road with good air con, have bull bar, driving lamps and roof racks included, a sun roof and would ideally be diesel with manual transmission, low range is a must. but obviously some compromise is inevitable even with our long preparation time. the hillux surf nearly ticks all the boxes but ive heard some bad things about its cooling system in the hot climate and the fact that its import only means finding spares if need be could be a bugger, i know its closely related to the 4runner but some key components are different :(
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Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 06:52
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 06:52
I don't think you will need a sunroof. When you are out in 30deg and higher temperatures the last thing you need is sucking in the suns rays and heat. It would also not be practical with a roofrack. I would also be thinking about the color of the car. Lighter colors help to reflect heat. Bob.
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 07:34
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 07:34
I have Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel and it gets in the 8's on a trip. Powerful and comfortable and good off road. The price range is right as
well.
Mine has a sun roof that I have never used, bugger that. However, even though
mine has never let me down in 80,000 kms, I wouldn't recommend it because everyone who drives Jap cars will tell you it will let me down sooner or later. The Jap diesels in the vintage you are looking at all drive like tractors, have rubbish power and get what I consider poor economy for a diesel. The petrol versions are all powerful comfortable and reliable if a bit thirsty. Not towing I would expect 12-13l/100 km on a petrol if you aren't flogging it, others may say different. An lpg conversion if already in place would be ideal, they don't seem to add to the price and cut the fuel bill but they usually have high kms already.
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 09:05
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 09:05
I doubt LPG is practical for remote areas - not available everywhere and a bit hard to carry in a jerrycan. Try to find a vehicle with long range tanks so you can easily do the long stretches without carrying too much fuel in jerries - although if you are serious about going remote then on some tracks you will have no option.
There is a purchase price differential between diesel and petrol vehicles but worked out over time, taking running, servicing and initial cost into account, I doubt that there is much difference in the long run.
In the northern half of Oz Toyotas are by far the most common vehicle which means that its not too difficult to find parts and people who are familiar with the vehicles when it comes to working on them.
For a touring vehicle that ticks all your boxes you really cant go past a Toyota Troopie. They are big enough to fit a good sized bed and still carry a heap of gear.
Cheers,
Val
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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:22
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:22
Hi Val,
you right about LPG. On top of everything, if the vehicle wasn't originally made to run LPG + other fuel, it is less reliable.
Hoo Roo Dana
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 09:26
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 09:26
Hi Matthew and welcome.
Your list of cars does not seem the most appropriate for the job to me.
Most are a bit short on space to sleep in also !
Buy a standard Nissan Patrol GQ or plain Toyota 80 series - prefferably both in petrol.
If you can get a copy of recent Australian 4WD action and read the article titled
"Best 4wd ever made"
These cars come in 1 & 2 and were widespread in the 1990's and will give you a lower overall trip cost.
They are basic , very cheap (sub $10k) and in petrol very fixable and reliable which is an
excellent trade off for there 30% more fuel usage. (cruising approx 14lt/100km)
The GQ patrol in particular is significantly lighter (only 1860kg) in a version known as the RB30 which is a 3lt carbie straight 6 engine.
This engine was widely used in a fuel injected variant in Australias once most popular car
and hence basic support for it is widespread.
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Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:28
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:28
Gday Robin
Mine clicked over 500000 km not long back, so i have given it to my son. So far, 1 starter motor . That's the trouble giving things to your kids, when will it ever end.
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Reply By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:15
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:15
Hi Matthew
Before considering any petrol vehicle, you should consider fairly unknown fact.
Diesel vehicles are far, far safer to drive in Australian bush than any petrol vehicle.
This is the reason:
Even in medium temperature petrol fuel evaporates fast as it is very volatile fuel. With bushfire of cause comes extremely high temperature. Petrol evaporates even faster, and actually will evaporates in fuel lines of the vehicle,
well before reaching
the engine. With no fuel in the engine, there is no way to drive off.
When it comes to diesel, it is very simple. You must normally per-heat diesel to even start the engine in first place; otherwise you wouldn’t be able to start the engine at all. So in same very high temperature, diesel vehicle just drives off….
Yes, I written this once before in different thread, but it’s important think to know before buying any vehicle for Australian conditions and specially for driving in bush.
There you go, you have got something to consider now…..
Cheers Dana
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Mark S (cns) - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:00
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:00
"With bushfire of cause comes extremely high temperature. Petrol evaporates even faster, and actually will evaporates in fuel lines of the vehicle,
well before reaching
the engine. With no fuel in the engine, there is no way to drive off"
I've heard it all now!! So this has actually happened to you?
turn key on, fuel pump pumps fuel to engine through the "evapourated fuel line" and you drive off....! (that's of course if you happen to be next to a bushfire in your car....)
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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:13
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:13
Hi Mark S
Thanks for reply.
No, it doesn't happened to me, I always drive diesel vehicle.
But I about know this from our good friend.
He is Victorian member of bush fire brigade in Dandenongs Ranges.
Hoo Roo Dana
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 13:21
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 13:21
Come on Danna you can't be serious - fuel evaporation is an issue that manufacturers take into account in engine design just as they do diesel freezing in the high country - both issues have proper engineering solutions .
While either can occur under servre abnormal conditions , they are
really not issues.
In bushfires , lack of visibility from smoke haze and radiant heat are the real issues.
Examine australias worst ever fires that occurred were I am.
On your info you could make a case that petrol cars are safter cause they don't get to drive and hence circumvent the crashes caused by heavy smoke haze - however I'd rather argue that people slipping on diesel oil spills is a bigger problem.
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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 13:59
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 13:59
Robin, you would thing so, would you. As same, as you would thing that if manufacturer put on vehicle as a standard future
snorkel, it is not only for dust but also for going thru
water…..is it…
Guess what that’s big mistake with new V8 Troopys. They have dust
snorkel and that’s not generally known eider.
I don’t know if other 4WDs have same issue…
Cheers Dana
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Reply By: Mark S (cns) - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:53
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 11:53
In that price range, far better bang for your buck with petrol over diesel. Don't get too hung up over fuel cost if you can save $5k over an equivalent diesel.
Also, with a 2.5tonne 4wd, a smaller capacity petrol (eg earlier prado 2.7l 4cyl) will use pretty much the same as a V6 equivalent, as they work a bit harder.
Another thing to note, is that if you find something with bullbar, spotlights, + other accessories, then it likely has been flogged around the country over all sorts of terrain, as opposed to finding one that is pretty stock std that is likely to have spent most of its life on sealed roads, meaning components should be less worn. It's not just the motor to consider when looking at km's travelled, but everything else that moves....
Check these links out below.. prado/pajero/jackaroo (pathfinder in this agegroup may be too small to sleep in, as may be the jackaroo?) prado has std 159 litre fuel
tank, others about 90 Litre
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/toyota-landcruiser-prado-2002-13196887?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=11&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+4294962861+4294962685+903+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Price:10000,15000~0.5&sort=defaulthttp://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/toyota-landcruiser-prado-1998-13501569?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=1&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+4294962861+4294962685+903+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,200000|Price:10000,15000~0.5&sort=defaulthttp://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mitsubishi-pajero-2003-13467500?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=7&eapi=2&__N=1216+1246+1247+1252+1282+4294964597+4294964596+903&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,200000|Price:10000,15000~0.5&sort=~Pricehttp://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/mitsubishi-pajero-2003-13046734?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=18&page=2&eapi=2&__N=1216+1246+1247+1252+1282+4294964597+4294964596+903&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,200000|Price:10000,15000~0.5&sort=~Pricehttp://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/holden-jackaroo-2001-13557583?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=1216+1246+1247+1252+1282+4294965857+4294965663+903&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,200000|Price:10000,15000~0.5&sort=~Price
Cheers
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Follow Up By: wizzer73 - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 14:52
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 14:52
That 4th link down, second pajero, looks to be a good tourer. All setup, ready to go.
and before anyone asks, its not
mine. lol
wizzer
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Follow Up By: matthew h - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 20:48
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 20:48
it does seem like a good idea to go for a standard car over a modified one as theres a better chance of getting something in as good condition as possible but im not keen on having to source, pay for and fit the extras if i dont have to. will be getting any prospective purchase checked out by a local mechanic to ensure its in good nick so this should hopefully mean less chance of getting a lemon. thanks for
the tip about the prado fuel
tank. will defiantly be considering it as a serious contender. the pajero looks great too.
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Reply By: wizzer73 - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:12
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:12
Hi Matthew
I have a Jackaroo (98model) converted to LPG. I have done the gunbarrel, connie sue, great central rd, nullabor in it. Ive never had a problem getting LPG. Never heard of cars being less reliable because of LPG. As long as the car is duel fuel with a decent petrol
tank you will be ok. However, You could only sleep in the back of it with 2 people if all the seats are removed and you make a special bed. If I were you I would probably go the prado because of its long range tanks. Sleep in a tent or get a roof top tent.
How come you seem to have ruled out utes? A good ute with a lockup canopy. Easily make some drawers and a bed in the back.
have a good trip.
wizzer
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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:23
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 12:23
wizzer
my hubbies company Toyota was busted after driving with converted LPG + petrol after only 2years driving with conversion.
Independent mechanic's report to car owner (company) clearly stated it was due to conversion not a poor servicing.
I only replied with this pure fact.
Dana
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Follow Up By: wizzer73 - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 14:43
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 14:43
Hi Danna
Yeah 2 yrs seems a bit light on.
Mine is up to 70,000kms on gas now and seems to be running as good as the day as i got it.
My gas conversion actually saved me a long walk a couple months ago. I was towing my van, running on petrol, inbetween towns when a miss started up. Felt like i was running on 5 cylinders. I flicked over to the gas system and car ran perfectly. On later inspection the problem turned out to be a dodgy connector on a fuel injector. But if I hadn't of had the LPG system I would've had to stop and walk to next town. It was good to of had the backup.
cheers
wizzer
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 19:25
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 19:25
Danna,
I've had 5 cars converted to lpg, all of them did 350,000 kms plus without any troubles at all. They were Holden, Mitsubishi and Nissans. None of them were built for lpg. They all had installations from different installers. Have I just been lucky? That's my personal experience over 20 years.
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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 20:54
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 20:54
mikezz and wizzer,
maybe my hubby was just unlucky, or maybe some models and make of vehicles are more suitable than others.
I just written the fact. We still have at home the copy of that report.
Hoo Roo Dana
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Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 15:35
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 15:35
Hi Matthew,
Do not be put off by the high relative price of the 80 series Landcruisers. They are one of, if not the toughest 4WDs around. Get a good one and look after it and it will outlast you.
Even the dear ones are worth the money. They are not holding their price fo no good reason.
As Robin Miller says, the GQ or an 80 series. Very good advice.
Cheers, Bruce.
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Reply By: madfisher - Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 22:46
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 22:46
We have four Jackaroos in our family and have found then to be excellent off road and very reliable as long as they are
well serviced. The 98 on diesel 4jx9i diesel is not as reliable as the v6 petrol and more expensive to service. They are built by Isuzu not Holden. You can not beat the Jack for value for money.
We have owned my wifes Nullarbor for three years and apart from servicing only the front shocks have been replaced. The Jack that I have just sold covered 100000ks in five years and the only problems where fuel pump, egr valve and inlet manifold gasket and schocks. Total cost in repairs about $1700.
Cheers Pete
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