What's a good first car that's a 4x4?

Question

Hey, I'm 17 and when I'm 18 I can spend my savings account to buy a car (I'm willing to spend about £5000 on the car and £1500 on insurance £500 or whatever on road tax).
I have to have a 4x4 because we live on a farm and the driveway would be impossible for a low down car to not get stuck in, specially when it rains. Otherwise I would prefer a normall car as they're cheaper to run.
Does anyone know what would be a good first car for me? One that's maybe a 2001 model and that's relatively safe. It needs to have 4WD and as economical as 4x4s can get.
I was thinking about a Vauxhall Frontera 2.0 as the engine is quite small and that will lower my insurance fee which will be high anyway as I'm a male new driver. Is the Frontera any good? Or are there others in a similar price range and with small engines? Realiabilty and style design are also important.

Any advice will be useful thanks :)

Answer 1

i dont know how things are over there in europe, but a good american vehicle that is 4x4 and wouldnt be too expensive is some type of jeep (made by daimeler chrysler) i personally dont like them, but they have an available V6 with 4x4, but the down side is that they are all time 4x4, so you cant switch it back to 2wd. i dont know the conversion rate from american dollars to euros but you can find a good jeep for about $4000 if you look hard enough. you can find anything if you look hard enough. i am 16 so i know what you are going through (in the U.S. it is legal for drivers to get their driving privelages when they are 16) just as an example i found a '99 chevrolet s-10 with a nice size V6 and in excellent shape for $3000. sorry i cant help you with european cars. but i tried my best to do my part.

hope this helps!


p.s. insurance is going to be extremely high even for a new male driver no matter what. i got a insurance quote for 2 cars to test this theory. the first car was a 2001 ford f-150 with a 5.4L V8 and 4x4 and all the power options (one of the nicest american trucks out there) net value for this truck used would be about $15000. then the second car was a '94 ford escort wagon with a 1.8L 4 cylender engine and everything basic. there was only a $750 difference in the yearly price. shocking isnt it?

Answer 2

You might be able to find a late '90s or early '00s chevy blazer. Look for the ZR2 package (made for off road fun, with special suspension from the factory) which has 2 doors, seating for 5, and when the back seat isn't being used, it folds flat making the entire rear area usable like a truck bed. It's a midsize SUV with a V-6 so it won't be too much of a gas hog. Blue book values on these in excellent condition range between 5,000 and 7,000 U.S. dollars, But you may be able to find something in your range.

Answer 3

Forget the Frontera. Parts availability doesn't exist. Go for a Land Rover. Thet are the best 4x4 in the world. Buy Land rover Owner magazine, and check out what's for sale. I Live in the UK as I assume you do, and I run a 1994 300TDi (Diesel) Discovery. Or you might prefer a 90 ( short wheelbase. ) They will go anywhere. I'm on my 4th Land rover. The Discovery is the most comfortable. and does over 30 to the gallon.Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Gravedigger edition Chevrolet Suburban

Answer 5

in a car line thats 4 wheel drive a subaru would be the best choice for you they are very dependable and last a good long time,and are affordable,that would be the cheapest one you probably will find and it will also be the most economical to drive also,good luck with it.

Answer 6

an early 80's toyota would work very well, they are very reliable, easy to fix, but they are older so they will have more rattles and squeaks, i drove one for a long time and over all, it was one of the best trucks i've ever owned