Forester or Rav4

[bitingmidge]

I'm going to get blasted for this, but so what.

A 4x4 is a 4x4 and in my book there's only 2, the Landcruiser and the Patrol. Anything less is for running around town in (fair go, WB ran up to B/ville and back in one, but I'd think he's one of the very few who use it for a dual purpose) and if that's all the use it's going to get - then stick to a sedan.

If you've got a 4x4 it's for off-road, you don't care if it gets dings, scratched or dirty. A 4x4 doesn't really give you more security in a crash, they have a higher centre of gravity and are more prone to rolling - especially on the tar and if you don't know how to drive a 4x4. They might protect you, but in Toorak or Armidale you're going to wipe out the car or kid you hit.

I'll now sit back and wait to be flamed.

He he...Woosho!...... I've just not half an hour ago picked up my new V6 Suzuki to do all those things you said can only be done in a Patrol or Cruiser!

I generally agree with your sentiments Waldo, but can't see any reason why two people travelling light, have to put up with the size, weight, poor handling and complete discomfort of the aforementioned "proper" 4x4's.

This is my fourth Suk, and while I'm not into rock climbing or competitiion stuff, the other three have gone places that most only see in magazines or television shows. This one will be no different. Actually it will be very different: Automatic, Airconditioning ABS EBD LMONP QRSTUVW.... it's got the lot!

This isn't me, but I'd hate to see what a "real" 4x4 could do!

[Waldo]

G'day BittingMidge,

Not saying a lesser 4x4 can't do the things a Patrol or Landcruiser can do, just my opionion on what a real 4x4 is.

Heck, to agree with your pic and what you said, my late Dad when he had to go out in the field as a Hydrographer, one area he had to do was up in Mareeba. On weekends he'd take his 1968 Toyota Corona in the same places he'd take the work Landcruiser and over bolders in the river beds over 3ft high - it's not what you drive, but more knowing how to drive in a given situation.

[bitingmidge]

Yep! In about '73 when Range Rovers were just invented, (and at the time were amazint off-road vehicles) a mate went down the Birdsville track with four blokes in RR's.

He was the only one not to get bogged on the whole trip, and he was driving a Peugeot 504 (with "wintertread" tyres).

I thought seriously before spending $30k on the new Zook, as for that sort of dough I could have had an old tank and a heap of modifications. I do around 10k a year driving to work and the shops, and previously about 2k off-road. Over the next few years, the off-road k's will increase, but so will the on-road numbers to get to those places... for instance, mucking round around the Darling - Menindee area on the way to Goolwa may well expose us to 200 k's of gentle 4wd territory (within the scope of most 2wd's but not the Beemer ), and later maybe another 100k or so in the Alpine country, out of a total 6,000 k's. I really couldn't think of anything more unpleasant than driving a laden Patrol that far.

Oh! yes I can! Driving a laden Cruiser!

cheers,

P

[Felder]

This isn't me, but I'd hate to see what a "real" 4x4 could do!

A real 4x4? Like the one in the first pic? No sir, that could never get stuck or bogged.

it's not what you drive, but more knowing how to drive in a given situation.

And no, I wasn't driving at the time.

[bitingmidge]

A real 4x4? Like the one in the first pic? No sir, that could never get stuck or bogged.

It's not whether it can get stuck or bogged that counts!

It's whether you can walk out of the bog with it on your shoulder!

Cheers,

P

[Felder]

It's whether you can walk out of the bog with it on your shoulder!

Most folks could not perform the task of which you speak, Midge.

But because I am so HUUUUUGGE I can carry out one truck on each shoulder.

[Waldo]

But because I am so HUUUUUGGE I can carry out one truck on each shoulder.

G'day Felder,

Can we have that as demo at the next Melb WWW Show? If you can lift a Hammer b/saw on your shoulders I'll buy one and won't even ask SWMBO for permission.

[Felder]

Can we have that as demo at the next Melb WWW Show? If you can lift a Hammer b/saw on your shoulders I'll buy one and won't even ask SWMBO for permission.

DEAL!

Now if you will excuse me, I have something I need to do for the next eight months.....

[Waldo]

DEAL!

Now if you will excuse me, I have something I need to do for the next eight months.....

G'day Felder,

Thought I'd help you out a bit there.

http://www.alibaba.com/productsearch/Ab_Workout.html

[corbs]

I held off for a while but last night has prompted me to reply. I loved my Forester before last night, but SWMBO and our two boys were driving back from Sydney in the storms around 10pm when she hit water, spun and flipped the car. Car is a goner but everyone inside is safe and sound without even a scratch. When it comes time to replace this car, it will be with another forester (glad she wasnt in the Rio)

Corbs

[mcarthur]

I held off for a while but last night has prompted me to reply. I loved my Forester before last night, but SWMBO and our two boys were driving back from Sydney in the storms around 10pm when she hit water, spun and flipped the car. Car is a goner but everyone inside is safe and sound without even a scratch. When it comes time to replace this car, it will be with another forester (glad she wasnt in the Rio)

I can relate to that - I had an older Subaru 1800 model which was hit by a fairly full sand and gravel truck running a red light at about 80+kph. I managed to get the hit transfered from the passenger door to the back door at the last millisecond - no fast airbeds in those days - and was flipped over and spun 180 degrees. I was left looking back where I'd come from hanging upside down from the seatbelt going "wow" (multiple times - shock does strange things ) before I let my out (click - ouch! slide through window) and look at the carnage. Total writeoff. Bought another Subaru immediately after. Will (probably) be buying another soon.

Oh, and the second Subaru crossed the Simpson desert along with a big b*gger hired Nissan Patrol. I can relate to the previous reply: there's nothing like surfing over the top of hundreds of sanddunes : get a good run up, hit 3rd sometimes 4th by the bottom of the dune, get to 1st just before the top then clutch in and surf over the loose stuff right at the top. Oh, and pray there's noone coming the other way! You end up with a really shiny and thinner bashplate too . Oh, and the Subaru got up Big Red first time while the Patrol needed three goes (ignore the fact it was carrying most but not all of the supplies ). There was some evidence for the Cairns (or somewhere up there) Morris club having made the trip in the 60's or 70's, but I reckon they just had three people carrying each car across .

Rob

[E. maculata]

I held off for a while but last night has prompted me to reply. I loved my Forester before last night, but SWMBO and our two boys were driving back from Sydney in the storms around 10pm when she hit water, spun and flipped the car. Car is a goner but everyone inside is safe and sound without even a scratch. When it comes time to replace this car, it will be with another forester (glad she wasnt in the Rio)

That is the clincher for me, safest car on the road is the one you want your family in.

2 foresters (99 & 2004) now I've got a "proper" 4wd again ('06 Navara str).........really miss those foresters I does.

[journeyman Mick]

Macca,
I happened to drive past a vehicle with a wheelchair rack on the roof the other day, the chair being out of the rack and the rack was in the "down" position. I saw immeidately that my idea was no help at all. Here's another possible solution out of left field: If the height of the vehicle is the limiting factor due to restricted head height in your garage you might want to price the cost of a carport being tacked on to the front of your garage. It might just be the solution to your dilemma.

Mick

[macca2]

Yep looking into the carport idea, and also looking at removing Tilt door and replacing it with 2 remote operated swing gates. (2 x 3m) as the gaeage is 6metres wide.
This will give me the full height of the garage which is 2100.
Might still get the Forester. It realy is the best seat height for me.

Macca

[macca2]

Because of the headroom under my existing garage door I had to go for compromise.
Lancer sports wagon. 2.4l. Nice unit.

I now have my license to drive modified hand controls vehicle.
Mods all done and I am back on the road.

All that remains is to get the ceiling of the garage boxed out by 300mm to allow hoist to raise and lower chair in the garage.

Thanks again for all ideas and suggestions.

Macca