Compact 4WDs, which one?

[JDub]

Hey all,

Im looking to purchase a new car and wanted a 4WD. Basically I need something that will cart around my fairly big dog, and a kid or two in the not to distant future. And that is capable of launching/towing a small boat etc.

My Budget is around $35k and I want something that is not going to cost me a fortune to run.

I was thinking of an Nissan X-trail or a Mazda Tribute?

Suggestions? Thoughts?

I was thinking of getting one about 1-2 years old to save the 10k you lose as soon as you drive it off the lot.

Cheers

[Johnno]

SWMBO has a Subaru Liberty Wagon. Back when I was able to travel we towed a small caravan all around Southern Oz - No problems. Year before last a lady drove through a giveway sign and I T-boned her. Me, wife & 2 dogs in car. $23,000 damage including a rebuilt engine ($500 short of a write-off). No damage to any occupants and the doors still opened normally.
Love that Suby

Johnno

[Frenchie]

I have a Tribute and for the things you listed it would handle with ease.

It is a bit thirsty though. Around town (very short runs) I average around 18L/100 k's, but, when travelling I can achieve around 10L/100 k's fully laden.

Very punchy engine and gets along very nicely.

Good Luck
Frenchie

[HappyHammer]

For $35K you could get a good second hand Pajero (full size). I pull my boat with it no problem and SWMBO finds it easy to drive. We test drove Landcruiser (My preference), Patrol and Pajero and she said the PAjero drove more like a car, probably because of the moncoque chassis. Have had it two years and very happy with it. Still look longingly at the Patrol and 'cruiser though.

HH.

[Wood Borer]

I just bought my third Subaru (second Forester) an XS brand new for the price you mentioned. I have taken my previous one in heaps of good places, outback QLD, outback SA, outback NSW and heaps of bush tracks in Vic.

I am very happy with them, a bit more ground clearance would be nice but they are reliable and tough. I always give cars a hard life and mine have looked after me far better than Fords or Holdens.

- Wood Borer

[bitingmidge]

Subaru's are a great all-rounder, and I nearly bought one last year when I replaced my Suzuki Sierra after 300,000k.

If you are only looking for a wagon which is fine in most conditions, go for it.

Don't buy a big 4WD just because it is big....

If you want a "proper" 4WD that is quite economical round town and off-road (10ltrs/100k) I don't think you can go past a Grand Vitara....
Low range, V6 wagon good ground clearance, relatively small and very nimble off road and towing.

I actually have a "shorty" 2 door version with a twin cam 2litre and it's fabulous in the rough stuff, towing and round town...on the highway it's comfortable enough, but no Subaru (that's why I have a beemer too! ).

You should get one brand new with all the tricks, 3year warranty, central locking, power windows and everything and still have $5k change.

Cheers,

P

[HappyHammer]

If you want a "proper" 4WD.....I don't think you can go past a Grand Vitara....

[bitingmidge]

Your place or mine Hammer??



Cheers,
P (former hairdresser)

[HappyHammer]

OK never seen one that looks like that, but I wouldn't put too much on that roof rack!!

HH.

[bitingmidge]

OK never seen one that looks like that, but I wouldn't put too much on that roof rack!!

HH.

The roof rack is only for bringing home bits of 'Cruisers left on the tracks.

Put a few "S" bends in the original sierra gutters stopping quickly(well as quickly as possible with 3" drum brakes) with a full load of timber...dont' think the Vitara is up for much more than 80kg!!

P

[davo453]

I loved the Forrester when I test drove one, the down side was that it will only tow 1400kg (braked) which is a bit limiting, it doesn't have to be much of boat to go over that. But then the liberty is only 1300kg

The grand Vitara is 1850kg which is a bit more respectable (source www.discountnewcars.com.au). when you look at the towing capacity of vehicles it really sorts the men from the boys, few match the landcruisers 3500kg

Dave

[DanP]

If you buy a toy 4X4 don't expect it to be much use off road. The way they are designed, as soon as the wheels start to slip they turn into a two wheel drive anyway.

Dan

[E. maculata]

Unless you are going into virgin country, go the forester. My job takes me through all sorts of country, have had over the last 7 yrs all sorts of work vehicles (4x4's) from cruiser traybacks to V6 fourunners, patrols, pajero's, prado etc etc. When I took this position Boss gave me a "poxy pretend 4wd" forester, I whined winged and complained, a week later I wanted to buy one for the family, 215mm clearance is a bit low, but still more than most of the others, including some "real" 4wds(check your control arms etc guys). Do I use it in anger? you better believe it only rocks,washouts and stumps slow me down, in which case you learn new techniques. 6 weeks ago I took my new white forester down a goat track on private bush country looking at potential harvest yields, the sook behind me was whinging about his metallic diesel turbo patrol with the works getting scratched, spent 2 hours driving all over through overgrowth, and undergrowth, whilst the patrol had issues with side clearance between trees. Then outcornered a flying commodore on the way home. Don't let looks fool you just because subaru elected to keep the styling low and not mount the cab way up high, like some pretenders. Its horses for courses.
Next car another subaru forester.

[bitingmidge]

Unless you are going into virgin country, go the forester...., 215mm clearance is a bit low, but still more than most of the others, including some "real" 4wds(check your control arms etc guys). Do I use it in anger? you better believe it only rocks,washouts and stumps slow me down, in which case you learn new techniques.

How right you are Bruce! In the late 70's when the Birdsville track was a "bit" rough, a good friend did the journey in company with a couple of then brand new Range Rovers, a couple of troopies and a Nissan. He was in his one year old Peugeot 504, and was the only one on that trip who didn't get bogged.

4WD for me is mostly used in the boggy bits at the edge of the beach, towing others through same, and pulling "real" 4wd's out of ditches that they could have gone round! Retreiving a ton of boat in low range on a slippery boat ramp or boggy beach is useful.

Yep, I do go straight into the scrub occasionally in the course of my work too, and yep the bog standard Zook on street tyres seems to always find a way home.

At the end of the day, I do what I need to do for almost $20 grand less than the Sub would have cost and that's all that drove my decision...."proper" 4wd's just don't add up!


Cheers,
P (Ducking!)

[DanP]

You'd be amazed at what a 'real' 4WD will do in the hands of a real 4WD'er. People who get stuck when driving them are taking them into places that are beyond THEIR driving ability to negotiate, OR, where the thing shouldn't be going in the first place.

Dan

PS. I think the Suby is a great car.