Can you recommend a 4x4 for me?

Question

I want a cheapish, secondhand 4x4 which is capable of rough, hilly terrain. Land Rover Freelanders, for instance, look a bit soft - more school run than offroad.

I'm not sure where to save money: is a high mileage unacceptable for 4x4s? I was thinking around 90,000.

I once saw a kick-*** Land Rover with a 3-seater cabin and an open truck style back. Can you tell me the model? Any other comments about what to look out appreciated.

Answer 1

YOU BETTER READ ALL OF THEM, because these are all handtyped by me.
First, what currency are you using for 90,000?
Second, please don't get a Freelander. They have the worst quality and safety. If you are more of a urban driver, the car is stunningly thursty......

1. I would recomend the old Honda CR-V, not the new one. Because the new one is not a 4x4. The car looks quite good but no feeling of cheapness, and it is better if you get the facelifted 2006 version. And it is very spacious

2. Or the Mitsubishi Outlander. Slightly more expensive than the CR-V, but higher quality. It is a nice crossover, but not too hard core, so it is not too thirsty. DONT GET the 7 seater ones, because the back seats are stupid.

3. You might ask me why don't I recommend the Toyota RAV4, because I think it looks ugly and their are no space at all. But the new RAV4 is just okay for me. In a toyota, all you find is lack of quality, style, and it feels cheap.

4. I want to talk more about the new Honda CR-V. It is capable of rough, hilly terrain just okay. But day to day, you don't get to much of a 4x4 feel, because it is designed by people who doesn't really like 4x4s. It feels too low to be an SUV, but too walblely for a sedan. It is the most environmental though, both for an SUV and A SEDAN TOO.

5. Maybe the new Nissan Dualis(Qashqai)too. But to be honest, I know nothing about it. Except for its super-stylish look and the both reasonably powerful and economicly environmental engine. It also has a 5 star Euro NCAP rate, so it is a good-to-know information, if you have childrens.

6. Since I just mentioned safety, all of the car I mentioned except for the car you mentioned, which only had 2 or 3 stars. All of them are either 4 or 5. You can check Euro NCAP results in the official cite, if you are interested.

7. If money is more then driving pleasure that you are more considering, japenese cars are the best for them. I won't recommend European cars or American cars. Because European are good at expensive cars but not the cheap ones. American cars are just rubbish.
Hope that helps, and choose me as best answer, at least for my effort.

Answer 2

What you want is a Land Rover Defender or a Discovery. The Defender is a proper hardcore off-roader, can tackle anything off the road, comes with 2-8 seats depending on the model and a range of TDi and in some cases V8 petrol engines. However it is a pretty horrible drive on he road!! The Disco is a great all round family car with plenty of space and is also a very good off road vehicle, but drives better on the road, but is the next size up. You should check around, but make sure the vehicle has a full service history and has had all the proper motor check ups. Hope that helped!

Answer 3

There is only 1 4x4 and that's Land Rover!!! don't be put off by the looks of the Freelander it has serious off road capabilities just not as much ground clearance as the 90. I was at Landrover HQ when Auto Express brought a fleet of Jap and German 4x4s to Vs the Landrovers on the road. The companies declined Land Rovers offer to test them off road! You wanna pose? Get yourself some over rated German crap! You wanna climb? get yourself a LAND ROVER!

Answer 4

I have done a little research for myself on the matter of 4x4's. i have come to the conclusion that the best buy in 2.5 diesel would be the Nissan Navara, it does not have the toys, such as the Mitsubishi etc, but lots of grunt from the engine, which being the heart of a 4x4, to me is most important. The Navara is i believe the best in its class at 130bhp, at the moment, but buying a used model of any type,with the kind of milage you describe, i would say, a full service history, with the relevent dealer if possible,would at least give you a fighting chance of selecting a gem. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Both my husband and i have discoverys, i have a petrol V8, and he has a turbo deisel, His is on an N plate and he got it for around £1600, high mileage and a bit tatty in places but well worth it for the money, they're so cheap to repair and maintain if you have the time and room to do it yourself.
The discovery is equally at home whether going over rough terrain or out on the road. I wouldn't have anything else, we do need them where we live, ( very rural part of North East Scotland!) so i don't expect anyone to harp on about emmissions etc!
Wouldn't have a freelander, heard too much bad press about them, too small for my needs anyway. You're right, they do look a bit soft!
Good luck!

Answer 6

Everybody has mentioned some great 4X4's, but have neglected to mention the most winningest Baja open class vehicle, along with 4wheelers number 1 SUV pick; the HUMMER. I own one and would not own anything else. It is as tough as they come and you can wheel the piss out of them. Of course, if your looking for a over glorified grocery-getter, masquerading as a wheeler, go with some of the above mentioned (Save the Landies, old school Toyota's, and Jeeps). Do yourself a favor, spend a couple extra bucks and get the biggest dog in the kennel : )

Answer 7

I searched for newer consumer reports but cannot find one. This is old (2004). It doesnt even hava the hummer yet.

There is a blog that names the Nissan Murano as one. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2007/01/personal_picks_.html


Consumer Reports rates 14 four-wheel-drive vehicles, of 34 tested, true off-roaders. From the best down:
Toyota Tacoma TRD
Chevrolet Avalanche
Toyota Tundra
Toyota Land Cruiser
Land Rover Discovery
Toyota 4Runner
Lexus GX470
Dodge Ram
Land Rover Freelander
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Nissan Xterra
VW Touareg
Mitsubishi Montero

Answer 8

the land rover you mentioned will either be a series 3 or a defender with both you have the option of hard or rag top (open covered with canvas ) your best bet would be a pre 1973 landrover series 3 or 2a as it'll be tax exempt and cost you under £1000 to buy plus they come under classic insurance and if you do buy one no worries about mileage as they just keep going on and on and on

Answer 9

Land Rover every time. Forget about the foreign rubbish

Answer 10

the land-rover defender by fare.the only vehicle mentioned where you can throw a dart at a map of Great Britain, and drive to that point. plus spares are dirt cheap IE. new bumper-bar (should you ever need one) will set you back about £100 tops, for your japi" poser it will be in the region of £400-£500 plus fitting. and, as a previous poster said .it will run and last for ever