Advice on purchasing 4x4 SUV

[Brom]

Hello everyone.

I have read some amazing advice on this forum, and being far from an expert when it comes to cars, I was hoping to get a little advice myself.
Currently, I am in the market for an SUV 4x4 - wouldn't say for any frequent 4x4 obstacles, but rather capable of the enduring occasional camping road trips within Southern Africa (likes of Kgalagadi, Caprivi, Delta, Baviaanskloof etc.) Aside from this and due to the nature of my work, it would not be needed as a daily driver, but likely more every 3 weeks or so for local travel.

My budget is R100k-R200k, and if possible under 200k km. I guess it means mainly looking at older models but given the right conditions, buying over 200k km or R200k is considered.
I am mainly looking at Fortuner, Pajero, Grand Vitara, Touareg, Defender (need to push my budget up for that for sure), LC Prado and X-trail, although I am not sure how capable "soft-roaders" are for trips like this?
Any advice on these options is most welcome, and I am definitely open to any other suggestions:
- What exactly is considered too high mileage for used car buys. For instance, is it crazy buying a 2009 Fortuner with over 210k?
- Diesel or Petrol?
- Major differences Auto vs manual?
- Any of these that are significantly cheaper to maintain and fill up?

I recently came across a 2002 Pajero 3.2 D1D GLS with 167k for sale, asking R145 000.
Seller specifies no rust, new shocks, new brakes, new reconditioned alternator.
Not sure about FSH, but is this reasonable?

Thank you in advance!

[pjf110]

In that budget you want a Suzuki Grand vitara…

[Reenen]

In that budget you want a Suzuki Grand vitara…

Hoekom spesifiek dit? Is hulle nie besonders swaar op brandstof nie? Hoe vergelyk of is hulle beter as bv die vroer 3.0 tdi everest. Of 3.2 lwb Pajero? Of fortuner (ok, die fortuner se herverkoop waarde mag die aankoop vermoeilik, maar hy sal alles weer terug kry as hy eendag verkoop of as dit gesteel word).

[pjf110]

Hoekom spesifiek dit? Is hulle nie besonders swaar op brandstof nie? Hoe vergelyk of is hulle beter as bv die vroer 3.0 tdi everest. Of 3.2 lwb Pajero? Of fortuner (ok, die fortuner se herverkoop waarde mag die aankoop vermoeilik, maar hy sal alles weer terug kry as hy eendag verkoop of as dit gesteel word).

Risiko beperking, hulle sal nuutste met laaste kilos wees. Asook n 2.4 petrol wat baie betroubaar is, petrol verbruik is swaar maar nie te ver af van die grootter voertuie se diesel weergawes nie.

Dit maak vir my logies sin…..maar ek sou n petrol V6 pajero of fortuner koop en vergeet van brandstof verbruik. Lekker maar duur opsie. Effe skikerig vir ou hoe kilo diesels.

[Commander]

Thats a pretty diverse list, so my recomendadtion would be to look at some vehicles (or all) on the list and narrow it down first.

My 1st question is always "how heavy do you want to 4x4?", because as much as I love having LR, if you don't need it (and won't need it), having it just adds cost and complexity. However for your particular use case having a proper 4x4 may very well be worth it.

Next question would be, how handy are you? Are you willing/capable of doing some work yourself? Older vehicles tend to need more care, which ends up costing, but if you can do some (or all work) yourself that changes the equation.

And then, how much space do you need? Some of the vehicles on your list are a lot smaller than the others, will they even be fit for purpose?

But ja, narrow down the list a little first.

[Peter Connan]

Soft-roaders will be fine for all the listed destinations except maybe the delta and Caprivi. Depends on the time of year and how much you look for trouble (there are better roads and worse ones especially in the wet season).
Remember that in both those, the wet season is not necessarily the rainy season. Mostly, you will be able to reach the camps via the major routes, and do reasonably productive game drives even in those areas, but don't tackle the really interesting-looking little tracks.

If you add CKGR and Savuti to the list, that may change.
Be honest with yourself, as you can buy a lot newer softy for the same money than most of the low-range-equipped proper 4x4s.

[Brom]

Thank for all the responses, its given me a bit to think about.

If I had to cut my list, I'd probably have go to with Pajero, Fortuner and Grand Vitara, preferably manual over auto.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the capabilities of Grand Vitara summit for long-distance trips with a little off-roading. Is it's ground clearance good enough? I have heard there is a suspension lift one can do - what price range would that be?
Would Nissan X-trail (2006-2012) be an option for what I mentioned above or not really?

What are your thoughts on buying a Prado with mileage between 200k-280k given good service history?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two that I am quite interested in? Would these be too highly priced, and is the mileage to high?

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...FromWishlist=1

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...sburg/9019617/




Thanks!

[Daniek]

Thank for all the responses, its given me a bit to think about.

If I had to cut my list, I'd probably have go to with Pajero, Fortuner and Grand Vitara, preferably manual over auto.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the capabilities of Grand Vitara summit for long-distance trips with a little off-roading. Is it's ground clearance good enough? I have heard there is a suspension lift one can do - what price range would that be?
Would Nissan X-trail (2006-2012) be an option for what I mentioned above or not really?

What are your thoughts on buying a Prado with mileage between 200k-280k given good service history?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two that I am quite interested in? Would these be too highly priced, and is the mileage to high?

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...FromWishlist=1

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...sburg/9019617/




Thanks!

The Grand Vitara has low range and a very good traction control system. The X-Trail doesn't have low range and as good a traction control system.

[ChasingSunsets]

One tip, if you aren't familiar with the risks of 2nd hand car purchases, be very careful when buying older 4x4's from unscrupulous or lesser known "dealers".

There are many where the service book has been "lost" and the mileage has been turned back. It's very hard to tell even to the trained eye.

Full or documented service history is a must, rather buy high mileage well cared for than a "good deal" without any verifiable history. Also, don't make the mistake of believing a salesman who says he'll get the service record, just walk away. Service records don't just magically reappear.

[Pjansen83]

The fortuner on the link you sent has either been resprayed or damages fixed to rear boot door. The emblems are not what is from factory and in the wrong place. Just something to maybe querie should you be interested in it.

I bought my own for 2008 fortuner with 245k km on the clock. Full service history etc and have been fixing some things, but engine has been running well without issue. Now standing at 344k km. Vehicles that age and km's (any brand) will be needing attention. Things like bushes and other steering components, shocks if not replaced. Drive shaft seals can also start leaking etc. These are things I've had to replace. Waterpump, starter, alternator all things that might start showing their age in the next few years. Just keep that in mind.

Fortuner is very capable and should last a long time if looked after.

And on fortuner make sure the 150k km service including timing belt replacement was done. At 300k km you will have to do that again as well

[Commander]

Thank for all the responses, its given me a bit to think about.

If I had to cut my list, I'd probably have go to with Pajero, Fortuner and Grand Vitara, preferably manual over auto.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the capabilities of Grand Vitara summit for long-distance trips with a little off-roading. Is it's ground clearance good enough? I have heard there is a suspension lift one can do - what price range would that be?
Would Nissan X-trail (2006-2012) be an option for what I mentioned above or not really?

What are your thoughts on buying a Prado with mileage between 200k-280k given good service history?

Does anyone have any thoughts on these two that I am quite interested in? Would these be too highly priced, and is the mileage to high?

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...FromWishlist=1

https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/used...sburg/9019617/




Thanks!

The Grand Vitara is a great "left field" choice, actually very capable and should be reliable. The Tuna seems a bit cheap for what it is (unfortunately the Toyota tax is a real thing).

I would always say if you are buying an older vehicle and you can do some work on it you will end up saving a packet, if not, it could very well get expensive.

[mvcoller]

I have a beaut of a 4.5 Patrol for sale for around R150k. Yes, it is heavy on fuel, but with a budget of R200k, you have R50k (or maybe R55k or R60k if you negotiate well!!) for fuel. That will more than likely effectively mean you have a ZERO Fuel Bill for the next 3 - 4 years.

Strong as an ox, no oil of other liquid leaks, zero oil used between the 15k km services, everything works. It is the GRX model, so it came with a 40lt aux fuel tank, giving it a total of 135lt (IIRC), electric seat movement and a dual aircon - the rear aircon is independent from the front aircon.

Graeme Cummings of G-Tech in Voortrekkerhoogte, Pretoria, gave it a tune-up towards the end of 2023, he checked the compression and all the other vitals and gave it a 100% clean bill of health. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...%20specialists

The body is excellent, rather looking like a 5 year old vehicle than a 26 year old vehicle. I redid the leather on the two front seats, and have canvass seat covers on the front and middle row seats. The rear 6 and 7th seats are in the garage, they have no canvas seat covers.

Services cost minimum on these and nothing other that normal service items need attention bye and large. Maybe the odd new discs here, engine mountings, shocks, exhaust there, you know... (It has a new 2 year old stainless exhaust system and I have two new (not installed yet) engine mountings that may need replacement in the next 50,000km or so. I picked them up at a bargain basement price, so bought them "just in case I ever need them".

All 5 tyres are fairly new, maybe 15,000 km on them, They are Maxxis Bighorn 265/75 R16 muds on 5 original mag wheels. The Front Runner 1.8m long roof rack and High Lift Jack (genuine model) are sold with the vehicle.

The Patrol is hardly run in at 411,000km as you can see from the post (https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...92#post5266792 - Post 91 by "Dungbeetle"), they will do 900,000 km if you maintain them properly.

I just have more vehicles than I have parking for since moving from Jhb to the West Coast in April. I HAVE TO shed some, but at least one vehicle. My fully kitted TD30 Y61 Patrol is standing on a cousin's Karoo farm, 1100km away, because of the lack of parking.

The beauty of these old Patrols are the availability of spares, new (Nissan & Terrain Tamer) or new & second hand (Tinus Lotz or Dawid Volschenk, both are members of the Patrol SA Facebook Groups).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041851300027366/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1060661733968192/