What 4x4 as a backup car

[Garfield]

Hello, I'm back again
Though we have decided to leave the world of caravanning, having bought a boat that we'll launch from the beach and been snowed in two years running (We have a long track to the main road) we have decided to buy a 4x4 as a second car
As the car will be used very little (<2000milles per year) we dont want to spend more than £1500 ie something that has bottomed out on depreciation.
Though primarily for local journeys it may be used for longer trips in bad weather.
Due to the low mileage, fuel consumption is not that important.
We are looking at a 1999 Terrano diesel auto at the moment, any issue with this model?, are spares expensive?
Are there any 4x4s that are basicly good cars but no-one likes them and are consequently cheap?
Regards
Garfield

 

[HenryB1]

We had a 2000 Terrano Auto for 8 years. Very reliable motor, should be ideal for your needs. We used a non franchised garage for service. Only spares needed were replacement for parts of exhaust system which were obtained by them quickly and at reasonable cost. I think I have read somewhere that the engine is the same as used by many London Taxis.

 

[Rory]

Garfield,

The Terrano will do you fine and you probably wouldn't be disappointed. If I was looking at a cheap 4X4 just used for local stuff, I'd be inclined to have a look at a first generation Toyota Rav 4. They had smaller petrol engines but weighed a lot less so this isn't really an issue. A manual four-wheel drive model would suit you best, but you can decide whether short-wheelbase or long is better suited to your needs. Best of all you get Japanese reliability and good off-road capabilities. Here's an example:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201045372989944/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/rav-4/make/toyota/page/4/postcode/kt64eb/radius/1501?logcode=p
Just a suggestion!

Thanks, Rory

 

[OmOnWeelz]

My mate has a Pajero (shogun) import diesel. It's been ultra reliable and has the Japanese spec twin batteries wet up for cold climate faultless starting. Parts are readily available, not that he's needed anything other than regular service parts. A well worth considering work horse.

 

[Parksy]

I can vouch for the reliability of the Shogun / Pajero because I've used imported Pajero's (well, two actually) for the past ten years as towing vehicles.
We bought a K reg swb 2.5 td auto (which I still own) in 2000 and I bought a P reg lwb 2.8 td auto last July as a replacement. They were both old when we bought them but they are superb towcars which didn't cost much and they are ultra reliable. I've always carried out my own servicing and maintenance and Pajero's are easy and fairly inexpensive to maintain. The only downside is that they are thirsty beasts.

 

[topshelf]

Hi Now on to my second terrano first 1996 now 2003 first one engine was very reliable just the body work got a bit tatty with its age , oinly had the second one a year so the verdict is not in on this one yet, how ever what ever you purchase look at milner 4 x4 web page on google loots of spares at good prices , for most 4 x 4 s

 

[Garfield]

Thanks for the feedback, having looked around, the Terrano's seem to be a bit cheaper than the Shoguns but so many seem to be auto's, I once drove an Orion auto years ago - horrible and I was recenly a passenger in a Galaxy auto, again, horrible, always in the wrong gear and couldn't decide which gear to use on hills

 

[emmerson]

Then it wasn't being driven correctly, or it had a problem.

 

[Parksy]

I agree with Emmerson, both of my Pajero's have automatic transmission with o/d and there have never been any signs of gearbox shunting as described. This is because the automatic transmission fluid is replaced every year( as far as is possible with the capacity of the torque converter). Old degraded a.t.f. invariably leads to gear selection problems and the hunting up and down gearboxes but on a properly maintained and driven towcar this should never happen.
Have you considered buying your 4x4 from a reputable motor auction?

Brightwells of Leominster are a reputable company which hold weekly 4x4 sales. If you are a newcomer to motor auctions Brightwells appoint one of their employees to fully explain the procedure and also to explain the pitfalls.They are on hand throughout the auction to offer help and advce to non traders. They are not trying to catch anybody out or to cheat them, some vehicles carry 'no known faults' guarantees so after viewing such a vehicle you can buy with as much confidence as you would from any private vendor but at a substantially reduced price. Brightwells send auction catalogues via email and also lists of previous prices acheived in their recent auctions so it might pay to subscribe (F.O.C.) to their weekly online catalogue to find out what is on offer before paying over the odds for a vehicle that might previously have been bought from an auction anyway.
If you saw a vehicle which interested you then there would be nothing to prevent you from taking a mechanic along to cast an expert eye, viewing is all day on weekdays. Guide prices are shown and it's possible to agree a sale with a vendor pre auction, many large car dealers and government agencies use this firm to dispose of part exchange or unwanted stock. I have no connection with any motor trader or auction company but I've used them in the past.

 

[Surfer]

The Toyota HiLux Surf is a very reliable motor and spares are cheap and plentiful. They are very much a DIY vehicle. I had the 3.0L and on a normal run got about 30mpg but towing a twin axle caravan with MTPLM of 1650kgs mpg dropped down to about 22mpg. See http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/ as used ones come up for sale from time to time. They also appear on autotrader occasionaly. Avoid the 2.4L model.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

An excellent bullet proof 4x4 for towing is the Daihatsu Fourtrack. Had my 2.8 TDI for 7 years and it is still pulling like a good one. They are a bit agricultural compared to modern 4x4s but by damn they do as required. Towing limit of 3500kg. I have pulled a Discovery coupled to a twin axle caravan off a muddy site with no trouble. Be careful on your choice of purchase as they are very popular with the farming fraternity as a dependable work horse and may have passed their sell by date when they have finished with them.

 

[will2]

I can recomend the Sorento we love ours no probs towing.

I know Lord B has/had one