Best 4x4 for a beginner?

The fundamental basics are pretty much the same with whatever 4wd you buy.
Firstly you need to decide:
Budget for what you want to spend
How many passengers you will be carrying
Where you are wanting to go with it
Do you need to tow anything

That will narrow it down a bit to vehicle type required, suggest also to look up one of the local 4WD clubs and you will receive plenty of advice and some good practical training to get you started, attend as many of their planned outings as you can as you will pick up lots of tips and info and gain some confidence

Good luck

you say you don't like automatics, but there's plenty of 4wders about today who have gone from manual to auto 4wd's, and swear they'll never own a manual vehicle again.
$$$ you have to spend will determine what vehicle you may be able to afford, so a rough figure might be in order for people to help you better.
as to where to go from there.....leave the vehicle as is for a start and maybe put money towards a offroad training course or join a 4wd club to learn the basics and your vehicles limits.

Hi Holly,

Presume you are in WA, couldn't go far wrong with the 2.8 GU Patrol in the Classifieds on this site.

Most 4x4 from Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi are good, it comes down to personal choice...... asking a forum will just get you more confused.

Start walking and having a look at what is available and when you like something then ask what is it like.

Bit like asking what suburb should I buy a hose in and how many rooms do I need.

Seeing your new to it a UHF would be the first thing I would put in..... once you have a bit of experience then look at lift kits, tyres, diff locks and the 1 million other accessories you can get but everyone has different needs, one may need diff locks and another no diff locks but a winch.

As I said have a look around and find something that you like and feel comfortable driving... then ask.

Hi Holly,
I will stick my neck out and tell you that an 80 series Landcruiser would be a very good first 4WD. It is one of the best and the auto gearboxes have an extremely good reputation, more so than the manuals. Normally aspirated diesels are good, if a little slow, but will go forever if looked after. the petrol models are also very good but many are frightened off by the fuel consumption but they are big powerful motors anyway.

From 1993 onward was their best models with 1997 being the last and best of the mark although they shared all the same running gear and engines. Only the interior design, specifically the dash, was changed in 95 to provide the updated model. The 97 was my first unit and it immediately sold me on the mark forever. I will never own anything but a Landcruiser as long as I can afford to own one. That is my personal preference and my opinion.
I cannot speak for other makes as I have never owned one. But the 80 series earned for themselves an enviable reputation in 4WD circles. They are built like tanks and will last, with good servicing, accordingly.

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Holly,

Dont be put off buying secondhand, with your budget you will probably need to do that. Any of the major makes - Toyota, Nissan should be good for you, providing that you can find one in good condition. Dont worry so much about age - as others have said some are built like tanks and will last for a long time. Just look for signs that the vehicle has been well looked after. We are still driving our 1987 Toyota Troopy that we bought pretty much on a whim 20 odd years ago - and one of the best buys we have ever made.

Maybe when you buy something it will have some add-ons, but I suggest don't go rushing in to buying extras until you really understand what you need (as opposed to what the glossy magazines tell you that you want). The list of add-ons is very long and potentially expensive - not much of it is essential, especially for a novice.

If you are travelling in convoy a UHF is handy, and if you are out alone and need help it may enable you to call for assistance - but if you are in remote areas you need better comms than just a UHF. A decent air compressor and tyre guage is another good thing to have.

The thing that I would really recommend is that when you do get a vehicle, find a 4WD club that gives the best possible training and do their courses ASAP. That will give you a very good idea of what you and your vehicle can do safely, what extra gear you really need, and will allow you to get a lot more enjoyment out of your vehicle.

Good luck with it all.

Cheers,

Val.

If you want a fun 4x4 for under 20k new then look at the suzuki jimny

If you are after cheap reliable fun for a beginner look at early 1990's low milage Mitsubishi Pajero.
1. reliable but worn valve guides can have cold start and take off smoke
2. Manual gearbo is so much easier to use than Patrol or Cruiser and shift on the fly from 2WD to 4WD can be done up to 100km/h with 4WD being able to be engaged on tar to assist with dirt or wet weather driving and has a seperate 4WD Lock (off road only) and 4WD low. A truely fantastic setup for a beginner.
3. Auto hubs no need to get out of the car but not ful time 4WD only 2WD on highway giving good milage and less maintenance.

We have had Pajs and jacks(only v6 petrols) and have found the isuzu built Jackaroos to have much better engines(no head troubles) or gearbox problems that seem to aflict Pajs after 200000.
By the way at the moment their are four Jacks with less then 100000ks on them and all are less then $14000. One has 88000ks and already has b/bar driving lights and a slight lift.
But stay away from 98 to 03 Diesel Jacks,one problem after another with that engine.
Bye the way I just brought and immaculate 03 manual v6 jackaroo se with 130000ks with B/bar, sheepskin seat covers, t/bar full service history for $12000. I knew I had to replace the air conditioning compressor sio factored this into the price.
Good luck Pete

My first 4x4was a 1992 1HZ Troopy with 292,000kms on it. Never missed a beat, never even felt like it would stop (except for when I abused and flattened a battery - nothing a jump from a passing traveller didn't fix).

Everyone thinks the 4x4 they have is the best for their needs, or best they could afford or whatever. It probably doesn't matter too much what you buy, except that it has been well maintained mechanically.

If you want to use this move to tinker with and learn how to work on your own car, then I'd recommend a simple diesel engine (1hz, 300tdi etc) rather than a more modern common rail diesel.

The first thing you should do post purchase is a course and learn how to drive it safely. For me, when I first started out, I'd never even been a passenger in a 4x4 on a true 4x4 track -on the day's practical I learned a lot about the vehicles capability - Something you just don't appreciate without experience. Forget about accessories until you work out what you need.

We have to face facts Holly...if ya going to use it as a 4wd and ya new to this whole thing you are going to scrape, scrag or dint the thing......so second hand makes a lot of sence....you will be far less precious with it than a fancy new or near new vehicle.

You should be able to get something pretty decent for $20G, if ya don't want to carry a heap of gear, the little suzukis are a heap of fun and very capable as they come.
Hiluxes are always good value and there are plenty of parts arround for them.

Not a fan of pajeros...but other seem to like em.

It realy comes down to the actual vehicle that is available and the deal you can get.

As for as what to do when you get it...join a club that does the nationally acredited 4wd training course.

before you start...Gregories publish a 4wd survival manual that is pretty closely aligned with the nationally a credited course..a read of that will be a very good start....a certain other person publishes a 4wd survival manual....get the gregories.


cheers

This will end up like the famous Ford V Holden

Holly I'd be looking for something like a GU Patrol wagon for around the $17K mark. They are a sturdy capable coil sprung vehicle that have plenty of room for touring with a family, pretty reliable & have heaps of cheap assesories available should you get right into it. Petrol or diesel would both be OK & may have a few extra's already fitted but more importantly look for one with low KM's (under 200,000km). Don't be offput by an auto as in many situations they are far superior to a manual offroad. Save a few dollars of your budget for some assesories. Priority to good tyres, upgraded suspension, storage & communication.
Where to go next would be to join a 4x4 club, take a 4x4 course or just go out with an experienced mate to learn the ropes. Once you go on a few trips, how to set your vehicle up will become clearer when you decide exactly what sort of driving you want to do.
Cheers Craig..................