Advice needed

[EIRE 88]

Hi guys. I am currently driving an R34 Skyline but I have it up for sale as I want a 4x4. I have never owned one before as I've never needed/wanted one but now I do. Because of this I have no idea what I want. The main things I want it for will be camping/fishing. I'm not gong to be trying to scale huge mountains, just getting to good fishing spots that a car wouldn't take me. I will be buying a kayak too soon so the beneifit of carrying one is a nice option. When I sell the skyline I will have about 10-11k to spend.

Question is what is the best for my budget. I love the thought of a Patrol but not sure if I'd get a good one in my budget. I want to be able to take 4 people with camping gear comfortably also. I have just come back from shark bay/monkey Mia which has made me want one even more.

I basically just want advice on what to look at. Any help is appreciated as I really hav no experience in this area.

[S85FI]

Why don't you come out when the AL does the 4x4 day out? It will give you a good idea on capability, fuel consumption and comfort vs off road ability with the different cars out on the day.

Also maybe check out the Nissan finance deal available for the Narvara D22. With the sale of your car and 1% (if you can manage it) is a pretty good deal. Repayments on 20k difference = motor free drama for a few years? 20k loan would then be about $350 per month payment, and less than $600 in interest in the life of the loan.

In saying that I have a D22 and if you do come out to the AL 4x4 day, your more than welcome to hitch a ride.

[EIRE 88]

I was just looking at the thread there. I would love to go but I don't have a 4x4 to take and don't know anybody either lol.

[S85FI]

Well now you have a even better reason to come out.... :)

[xr6tego]

Keep in mind when your looking for a 4wd is that alot of tracks get narrow and you will end up with heaps of scratches from sticks and bushes. Most polish out, but some don't.
I bought an 80 series Landcruiser turbo diesel for under 15k, and i'm not too fussed if it picks up a few bush marks along the way. I wouldn't be doing it in a 25k+ 4wd though.
I'm sure the new 4wd's ride alot better, have better fuel economy, but its great fun just pushing your way through some narrow tracks and not have to turn around like some of my mates do in their new cars.

[EIRE 88]

Another thing to keep in mind. It must ride well on the road too as it would be my daily for work. So a good balance is needed.

[EIRE 88]

Any more advice here guys??

[Buckas]

dont buy a discovery. mine has broken down on every trip its been on recently and crap in the sand

If you can push the budget a 100 series is an awesome base and very capable. My mate had one until recently and standard (was the 4.5 petrol 105 series with solid front axle) was a lot more capable than modded surfs etc.

He now has a TD 80 series and loves the thing. I just sold my gf's camry at that vacant block opposite Bunnings on leach hwy and there were 2 80 series' parked up there for sale. 1 for 8k ono and another for 11-12k i think.

Previous rides we've had in my close friends group have been 4 Hilux surfs. Dont buy a 2.4, its underpowered and struggles (all 3 of them so far, especially if they have 33's on them). If you can pick up a 3l its much better and they're very capable on sand. Good for getting to fishing spots. Although not as comfortable on the open road as the cruisers. Also the seats are mounted very close to the floor so not much fun if you're above average height. My mate has a 3l TD manual surf thats just blown the timing belt tensioner and he'll be offloading really cheap send me a PM if youre interested at all.

Other than that only first hand experience ive had is with a v6 jackaroo which was nice but didnt handle its mods very well. And also a 4l cherokee. You can pick these up very cheap and it went pretty well in the sand and offroad (much better than the disco)

I'm over the 4wd thing as i dont get to use it enough but if I had the choice I'd get a Patrol or 80/100 series. Anything else we've had seems to be a bit fragile and not go as well and have the comfort

[EIRE 88]

Thanks mate. That's some good advice there. I may give that place a call on Saturday. Need to get the Skyline moved on first so that's the priority. Pm coming your way also. Got offered a 1998 Range Rover there as a trade but not really what in after.

[Chompy]

Stay away from range rovers and land rovers, we've had many and they dont last long

[EIRE 88]

Yeah it's wasn't something I was interested in but just had it offered to me. I'll steer clear of them anyway.

[EIRE 88]

Anyone else any experience?? Anyone know some looking to offload a 4x4 and fancy a trade with a skyline?

[Shauno]

I currently have a ML Triton V6 Dual cab, i absolutely love it so much more room than most dual cabs, but its ugly as fuck haha.

Triton
BT-50
Ranger
Navara

etc etc are all good 4x4's BUT everyone has their own opinions, try driving a few before you make your decision!

[Niva]

Nothing wrong with how an 80 series rides on the road if its been semi looked after, and the petrols fucking hammer along the sand considering how much car they are shifting. Reliable, strong, comfortable.

agree with staying away from the disco, or anything british for that matter... hate to admit it but they just break.. a lot. and its not cheap.


but fuck all that common sense nonsense, buy 2 nivas and live a little.

[EIRE 88]

Navara is something I haven't looked at actually. Got offered an excellent hilux with heaps of work done but its just a bit much for a daily. Can't imagine it would be great on road everyday. I guess I just need to keep hunting.

[turboknapp]

I've got a 98 Holden Rodeo tray back, has the 3.2L Isuzu v6. Has heaps of power and is nice and light, got Rancho full adjustables and springs.
Being narrow it goes everywhere and plenty of floatation on soft ground, just spent the wkend in Collie and had a ball.

[EIRE 88]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wangara/cars-vans-utes/2002-nissan-navara-d22-st-r-4x4-white-5-speed-manual-dual-cab/1016401185

How does that look for a base anyway??

[EIRE 88]

Or even this??

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bibra-lake/cars-vans-utes/nissan-navara-d22/1015997866

[turboknapp]

Lotta Km's for petrol engines bud, plus had a few mates that were real disappointed with the Navara's. in saying that it is there experience.

Plenty of other better options out there, just keep looking. Granted I brought mine of my brother, but when he first brought it it was a awesome deal.

[S85FI]

I would go the D22 from the Dealer, seems to have a good warranty package. I have a 2012 D22 and they all look the same. Good thing about it you will be able to kit up the car as plenty of things available.

Things to look out for:
1 Speed is out by 10% from factory. You will wonder why people overtake you unless it's fitted with slightly bigger tyres from factory. It's deliberate. ECU read spot on to the gps except the speedo. Odo reads spot on.

2. No handles for passengers to grab onto.

3. Interior light only operational from drivers door. Again unless modified after factory.

4. Poor wheel alignment settings. Got to set by "feel " and not the factory specs.

My only bug bears.

Very capable 4wd. Not many places it won't go. About 650km to a tank. I had a 2000 Grand Cherokee before that. Nice to drive, not very reliable. D22 more off road ability.

[turboknapp]

If that isn't something your happy doing, but what ZZM5 is probably one of your best options there is always an old faithful
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/malaga/cars-vans-utes/2005-toyota-hilux-kun26r-sr-4x4-white-5-speed-manual-dual-cab/1010145252

[Passage GT]

In your budget it's hard to go past a gq patrol, petrols are thirsty but as reliable as the diesels and generally cheaper, your budget would get you a clean well looked after example
They're as tough as anything and excellent off road
You could get a petrol Ti with the injected motor, most have a rear locker standard and some will have a sway bar disconnect also
80 series are a great car but hold their value better so a really good one is still in the 15k + range plus a fair bit more for the 1hd versions

[S85FI]

If one thing Nissan got right, it's the tight LSD on the 4x4

[KPWISHN]

80 series is so hard to beat. Reliability, comfort, go anywhere. I'd avoid the littler dual cabs if you want any rear passenger comfort.

[EIRE 88]

Think I might call up to the dealer after work to have a look at it. See if we can work something out. How thirsty would the petrol be?

[turboknapp]

Petrol you would be probably looking at around 13/14 litres per hundred city driving, but I could be way off. They are pretty inefficient around the city.
Newer ones though may have significantly improved. I'd be looking at diesel any ways.

[EIRE 88]

Think I'm going to go see the white one this evening after work. Meeting the guy with the blue one on Saturday for a look. Still keeping my options opened though for now.

[KPWISHN]

If you are talking petrol 80's then that figure is way off. More like 20L/100kms. Td is the go but you'll struggle to find a 20yr old one that's any good for less than $15k. Good examples are highly sort after and fetch huge dollars, with good reason i might add. NA diesels are very gutless but are good on juice and very very reliable.

[turboknapp]

Sorry, I was meaning the petrol dual cabs that were on previous page

[EIRE 88]

Being honest, I can't see it being any worse than the skyline. I'm going on Saturday anyway and I'll have a good look around it then. Seen a few patrols on gumtree that I have to contact also. Waiting on a reply about the surf for sale on here also.

[EIRE 88]

So went to have a look at the white one today. Disappointed to say the least. Drove about 40 mins to see it and I honestly felt like I was an inconvienence to the guy. No enthusiasm at all, knew nothing about the car. Basically felt like I was being pushed away!!!!!!! Shocked to say the least. I've never bought from a dealer before maybe that's why. Going to see a 00 V6 Challenger some night so see how that goes. Anyone any experience with them??

[adamenp]

If i was you mate would definately be looking to try to get my hands on an 80 series land cruiser, mate of mine has one and will guy pretty much anywhere off road. For your budget you will be more than likely be able to pick up a petrol but will be on the juicy side