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4x4 🤔

Paynut

Paynut

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Currently have a 2002 Grand Vitara, she’s my shooting bus but becoming a bit of a money pit.
Top of the replacement list thus far
Skoda Yeti
Honda CRV
Budget around 5k
Road tax is an issue on the older stuff.
I realise these are “soft roaders”, but will fit the purpose.
Not bothered about the whistles and bells, pick ups or Range Rovers
Any Recommendations 🤔
Thanks đź‘Ť
 
Love my CRV, had to get a lower access 4x4 for Mrs Guzzicat, good on fuel, very sure footed, & a nice drive.
 
Mate's Isuzu finally gave in and gone to the great scrapyard in the sky, and he's not long ago picked up an '09 Sante Fe with the 2.2L diesel lump - I've never been a fan of Hyundai if I'm honest, but for the money (ÂŁ1,700) it's not at all bad and seems to be pretty useful on and around the muddy farm perms.
 
As mentioned already Suzuki Jimmy, it will run forever, out 4x4 a Range Rover and if it doesn't start for some reason it'll either be a flat battery or no fuel.

If can't pick one up then the Honda CRV is a reliable substitute.
 
Had a few of the “soft readers” and currently have an xtrail, would put it up there with the forester if you need the space. If not as others have said the Jimny is a cracking little tool.
To put it into perspective when we purchased the xtrail earlier this year, myself and the missus went out on a organised metal detecting day - on leaving we noticed a few vehicles were struggling as the ground was pure mud and these vehicles we were watching struggle set about a bit of panic (Jeep Wrangler - freelander 2 - Kia sportage). To cut a long story short it pulled us out of the field with no drama thankfully.
 
Steer clear of BMW X3s - mine was scared of snow and would throw warning lights and retreat into RWD only mode even if it heard snow was forecast.

The wife has a 2013 RAV4 which has been very reliable although the nearest we get to off roading is the odd parking in a field at a show scenario. I have a 2016 XC60 which is OK but again never really tested the 4x4 capability - we have SUVs because the dogs we've had/have don't really fit in anything smaller.
 
Another vote for the Nissan Xtrail. Economical on a run as its just runs front wheel drive, has the Auto 4 wheel drive, but you can lock the diff as well, for when you do finally get stuck. Seats fold well in the back giving you a massive boot! Will be keeping my 11 plate Tenka till it dies!
 
I've had three Grand Vitara's - love them. Went Discovery, then ULEZ arrived, so went Skoda Octavia Scout (too low), now Suzuki AWD SX4 SZ5 it has 2wd, 4wd and diff-lock. Too low, but I've bashed the hell out of it and on it goes. Now I'm going Dacia Duster 4X4. Reliable engines, built for rough road driving, ok ground clearance, lift kit available, decent MPG. Sadly, you won't get a 'low range box' for that money (not as far as know) but the Dacia has 2wd, 4wd and diff-lock. I could spend up to 10K, but 4-6K is my limit. I like a car I can rough up, rarely wash, fill with feathers, cow poo and let my wet dog jump in, on a rainy muddy day.
 
Sorry mate, are you in need of a ULEZ compliant motor? Just asking as I'm in Kent, often driving to SE London where Citizen Khan has access to a drivers wallet.
 
Chris jr said:
Sorry mate, are you in need of a ULEZ compliant motor? Just asking as I'm in Kent, often driving to SE London where Citizen Khan has access to a drivers wallet.
Click to expand...
No ULEZ, it’s going to be a replacement shooting bus, I’ve had newer Vitara’s from new, 2 of, great cars, road tax is the killer or would have another, as above 👍
 
Big fan of the Jimny, too small for my needs unfortunately đź‘Ť
 
The answer is to find another Grand Vitara with low miles and in really good nick. If you look hard enough, you will find a very good example without rot for comfortably under ÂŁ3000 and then you have leeway on the exorbitant road tax for a few years. Make sure the clutch is not heavy and on the floor. Everything else is cheap enough and easy enough to fix.

I've had mine for a few years now and wouldn't be without it as a second vehicle. It has the tiniest bubble of rust on one wheelarch but is clean underneath. The trick is not to wash it in winter and let the mud build up to provide protection and then give it a proper wash comes spring when no salt is on the roads. It does all the hard miles on the gated roads to the golf course, on the country roads where I live that are knackered and full of holes and on the farm and for shooting duties and carting out deer. They are light, so a decent set of all terrains is all you need (Geolandars, Toyo Open Country or Falken Wildpeak) to literally go places that you wouldn't think possible. I very rarely use low range in mine.

The Jimny is good off road but is easily worse than the GV on road. It also has tiny load space and they are too much money for what they are for a good one.

I wince every time road tax comes around but then I consider how much less damage I am doing to my daily driver by not having to use it on some of the crap roads round here. I use my other car for going to work and to the supermarket on the good roads and it has halved my service costs and delays things like brake and tyre replacements. If you can swallow the cost of paying twice for insurance and road tax it is, in my view, a false economy not to run two vehicles when you live in the countryside.

Mine will stay with me until it dies. I am yet to find a better vehicle for my needs. As some others have suggested though, if you are not doing proper off road and can do with a soft roader for both muddy track driving and using as a daily driver, I would be looking at a Forester. They are properly good for the money.

Otherwise get another one of these. They go anywhere and make you smile as you plod along

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