Off Topic 4x4 for £500

[panda panda]

I've got it into my head that I need a 4x4 to go off road.

Don't think the budget will stretch to a Panda 4x4 so I'm thinking of buying off ebay for around £500 with a decent ammount of mot.

Question is what? I like the smaller suzuki's, has anyone any experience of these?

Lots of cheap fronteras and isuzu's but really are too big and I don't like the driving position much either.

Landies are out of my budget too.

Any thoughts peeps?

 

[Giacosa]

Don't know why an Asia Rocsta popped into my head but its smallish cheap and probably pretty simple

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Asia-Rocs...512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41761c1a78

Or how about a portugese UMM http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Umm-Alter...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c720b62e1

 

[Palio]

I like the smaller suzuki's, has anyone any experience of these?

Only in the sense that when it gets really bad snow & ice here (you've seen how hilly it is) the only things moving are my Panda cool, a couple of the little Suzuki things and "proper" Land Rovers. All the high tech expensive 4x4's grind to a halt or dive into a ditch - this includes every BMW X-factor, every "lifestyle" crossover monstrosity, all the double cab fancy 4x4 tax rule specials, and half the flash Landys (though this is down to pillock drivers as far as I can reasonably tell).

This is all good, as we can have some fun while everyone else can't!

Personally in your position I'd chop in Fizzle, add your £500 and get a solid but slightly careworn Panda 4x4. The Suzuki is a decent second best though - you can get a met pink colour, which should be budget friendly!

 

[Liquid Knight]

I just paid £350 for mine.

SJ1000 are too heavy for the little engine and SJ1300's are too expensive.

Suzuki X90 - Hmmmm... Errrrmmm... basically an SJ1000 only without a chassis. Lighter, nippier but off road at your own risk.

Subaru Justy's are great but parts are harder to come by than Panda parts (mine was a write off because one of the front CV's went).

Subaru Vivio shared the same 660cc triple as the Dihatsu Domino, nippy but not very quick or any good off road. The Domino Turbo bits fit the Vivio engine making the car a 14 second quarter mile muncher.

Vitaras are dirt cheap and if you fit a set of decent tyres to a V6 and jack the thing up an inch or two there's a lot of potential.

Freelanders within budget will be crap.

Discovery's within budget will be terrible, rusty or knackered.

£500 for a Range Rover classic could be a decent shout but expect one needing a fair bit of work, not economical or particularly easy to live with.

Ford Ranger an early one will be within budget but if it has the 4.0 V6 make sure the service book has more stamps than Riverdance or walk away.

Vauxhall Bravo - "Don't you mean Fiat Bravo?" No the Vauxhall Bravo used the Isuzu platform and bits of Frontera to make an under rated and apart from the Vauxhall bits pretty good pick up truck.

Dihatsu Fourtrack is well within budget but with good reason. They aren't very good on the road and not great off road. Gutless, slow and about as entertaining as a Loose Women Twilight special.

Dihatsu Sport Track a bit better, less weight, shorter wheelbase, same gutless engine but potential.

Honda HRV and CRV basically a Civic that tilts if you think about driving around a bend. Available within budget the CRV is better but the HRV is better equipped. Saying the CRV is better than the HRV is a bit like saying having a Vasectomy is better than being chemically castrated though.

Vauxhall Frontera - An Isuzu that goes rustier and breaks down more often.

If it were my money I'd be looking for an early one owner from new Toyota Rav4. The 2.0 engine is the same as the Celica and MR2 so various levels of tuning are available. Including a GT4 or MR2 Turbo conversion making the little Rav4 a serious Paris Dakar jobbie...



...but that would be sensible. Why not get a cheap Subaru Impreza, jack it up and stick some tyres on that?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-SUBA...9443703?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2581add777

 

[Liquid Knight]

Also the Toyota Camry V6 is a strait swap if you want off road torque. Plenty of room in the back for an LPG kit.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Having owned a RR classic they are a massive money pit, find one for £500 and you'll probably need to replace half the floor pan tail gate chassis and inner body shell and well as all the birmabrite corroding

However you can't go to far wrong with a little Suzuki SJ they really are a little land rover for pocket money proper 4x4 running gear with a proper transfer box, not like a lot of the soft roaders, and you can buy a multitude of upgrades roll cages diff locks and suspension modifications

Personally if you could get a diesel freelander for the money I wouldn't rule it out they where always far better off road than they ever got credit for

 

[JamieK]

Hold out for a cheap panda 4x4 (you might get lucky like mr liquid night) or do as Gavin suggested? Another option is the Lada Niva! I've been keen on one of these for a while. Could be in budget if your lucky. A nice one came up last year on ebay for £600 but it was almost in Scotland so no good for me! Great solid cars though and you can pretend your Jason Bourne trying to escape the Ruskys

 

[Liquid Knight]

I really shouldn't write reviews when I'm in a bad mood. Sorry guys.

 

[panda panda]

I don't mind bad tempered reviews - at least it was realistic.

retro charm of the lada niva is appealing though I'd have a hard time parting with it, same goes for trading in Fizzle - would have to be exceptional to let him go.

Vitara and Rav 4 are front runners at the moment - keep the thoughts and opines coming though

 

[panda1408]

I think a Vitara would be my choice at that budget, ok on the road and good off it, definately better than a Rav4. Suzuki SJ's are fantastic off road, but rubbish on, they also seem to be woth more than £500, so many have been off roaded to death any left are in high demand.

Lada Nivas are quite appealing to me, hard to find good ones though I think.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Great suggestions here from everyone but it really has to be a Panda. Vitaras and Rav 4 are definitely the best second options in your budget. Lada Niva would be sweet but they are well rare as are standard SJs now. Fronteras are poo, as are troopers but the Dihatsus aren't too bad at all, heavy on fuel but will go everywhere that the rest will.

You have to remember though will all capable 4x4s barring Pandas and Justys they come with expensive running costs and high insurance/tax depending on on your circumstances so for me chopping Fizzle in would the best option and putting extra money towards a good Sisley or 4x4.

In any case John if you want help with looking at any 4x4s for sale in our area just give me a shout and I will come with :thumbup:

 

[Liquid Knight]

Wideboys are crap and Grand Vitaras are expensive. Basic cooking fat Vitara with a Grand engine.

How about a cheap Cherokee?

Like a Range Rover but less rust.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JEEP...0922485?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d11314175

Local-ish to me if you need it collecting and stored for a bit.

This could be fun...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAIHATSU-...2655641?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d114bb399

...and valuable when restored.

How about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-JAGU...4165113?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27d732f379

With a little work...

 

[Palio]

:shakehead: @ Grand Cherokee - about 14mpg from the 4.0L auto? Not ideal if you're on a tight budget

Might as well have a 3.9 Range Rover Classic - which I'd really like as it goes. Driven them a few times, and the fuel economy doesn't matter for a fun car - good job I have no space left..... :bang:

 

[panda panda]

Want to stick with something smallish and reasonably economic.

:idea: I could up the budget by trading in the mk3 panda, mum managed to get in and out of the rangey easily enough.

Downside to that is 4x4 panda is definately out as no good for access

But the budget would be 3k

 

[Palio]

Depending on the access requirements, a 4x4 Panda may be better. It sits higher & is easier for my Mum with her bad back.

At £3k you could find a mk3 4x4 though - there you go, problem solved! :idea:

 

[Liquid Knight]

But the budget would be 3k

I could have built you the Jag' for that. Ideal for Peterborough.

 

[panda panda]

I could have built you the Jag' for that. Ideal for Peterborough.

I can just imagine taking my mum to sainsburys in that

 

[Liquid Knight]

Won't be anywhere near as much road rage in the Jag' than a little Fiat.

 

[purple haze]

3K gets you a fully kitted, super clean, auto, 3ltr diesel, Gen3 Toyota surf. It will go on forever..

 

[Didge3]

You could get another 4x4 but I think you'd always want a Panda 4x4, either wait for a cheapish 4x4 to come along or try and find a really nice one worth selling Fizzle for. Or just wait a bit longer and save more?
Just my thoughts. Besides I bet Daihatsu and Suzuki forums are crap