Clueless British lass seeking 4x4 advice

[ExpatinSA]

Hi all,
We've just arrived in Joburg for a three-year or so stay. I'm a journo so will mainly be haring around the city but also undertaking long road trips. We also want to explore this beautiful country as much as possible - nothing too hectic, just national parks, bush braais, camping etc.
We're getting a dog and will have friends/family to stay so need something fairly spacious.
The last car I bought was a Renault Megane back in the 90s and that was with my dad so I have no idea about makes/models etc. I hope you'll forgive my ignorance.
I love the idea of a proper 4x4 like a Land Rover Discovery and there seem to be plenty of them around for our budget (up to 75000ZAR), but I wonder if it's ridiculous when we'll be mainly city-based. Freelanders seem the obvious option and there are loads about but having read your postings on them religiously, it sounds like I should avoid them?
Everyone tells me to go for a Toyota for the ease of maintenance but there are very few around for that price. I love Pajeros - we had one when I was a kid - but are they ok to buy quite old with a high mileage and to maintain?
In terms of "softroaders", we've looked at Rav4s and would be happy with one but a guy who works in vehicle tracking tells me they're a favourite of carjackers. I've trawled gumtree/AAAutobay/Autotrader for other softroaders like a Subaru Forrester/Tucson but can't find much.
So - as you can see, I'm floundering slightly. I know you guys get loads of posts like this and are probably rolling your eyes at my ineptitude right now but if you could offer any advice at all, I would be really grateful!
Thanks

[Gary110]

Hi Lass,

If I was in your position I would get a second hand Disco 3 TDV6. Its more than capable for anything you would want to do offroad, and its also a very good and safe city traveller. You could probably get a really good one for under R400k.

Gary

[XJ Junkie]

Welcome to the Forum. I hope that you enjoy your stay here in SA.

Although a soft-roader might suit most of you're needs, space might be an issue when you get visitors (I'm not sure how many soft-roaders have 7-seats).

For R75k, you are going to have limited options as far as 4x4's go. I'd be inclined to look at a Isuzu Frontier, Landrover Discovery I or a Jeep Cherokee XJ. Expect high mileage for the first 2, & no more than 150 000 km's for the Cherokee XJ.

The other route is to look at a double cab 4x4.

Let us know what your fuel preferences are, but high - mileage diesels aren't always a good idea.

[XJ Junkie]

Hi Lass,
If I was in your position I would get a second hand Disco 3 TDV6. Its more than capable for anything you would want to do offroad, and its also a very good and safe city traveller. You could probably get a really good one for under R400k.
Gary

Gary - I think she mentioned R75k, not R750k

[Biggles]

The price will cut out alot of your options. In that bracket the disco1, cherokee and pajero are the ones that stand out. I would aviod the softroaders in that catagory as they seem to hold thier value better and you cannot get a decent one for <100,000 (just been down that road and ended up with a Td4 Freelander for R95000) Also as you will be getting an older vehicle stay away from diesel.

The cherokee will get you best overall value for money. although they can be cramped inside vs. a disco. They are however practically bullet proof.

[Engel]

welcome and enjoy!

[Gary110]

Gary - I think she mentioned R75k, not R750k

Doh!!! Sorry lass, my mistake... well my advice then is to get an old Defender...

(does the fact that I am biased towards Land Rover show? )

[XJ Junkie]

Doh!!! Sorry lass, my mistake... well my advice then is to get an old Defender...
(does the fact that I am biased towards Land Rover show? )

It shows just a little . As a matter of interest, do you drive yours around town regularly. if so, how do you find it?

The other option, is perhaps a Range Rover

[Landyluvver]

to serve your needs and stay within your budget, the Discovery is probably the best buy. if you need space, you cannot get away with a small car. the fact that it is a 4x4 is a bonus.
it scores well in safety and drivability.
it is also not on the top 10 of the theft list, affordable enough to run, compact enough for town driving and yet big enough for long distance travel. not too complicated to fix and maintenance not too expensive to run.
the V8 is very reliable but "slightly" heavy on fuel.
the Td5 not reliable enough.
quite frankly most cars under R 100 000 are small city runners or shot.

[XJ Junkie]

Landyluvver.....is your Discovery that you are selling a GS? I couldn't see in the advert?

[Dirk]

Of the vehicles mentioned dont discount the frontier, it will be very suitable for your purpose.

[Biggles]

I would aviod double cabs as they have very little space at the back and again decent ones in your price bracket are difficult to find.

[TLC70]

Lassie,

your R75K won't buy you a lot, and def not a decent 4x4. Get a DC bakkie with a diff-lock, it will do all you mentioned, and the dog will love it.

[Wolweseun]

The Isuzu Frontier is a very underrated vehicle and you can pick them up at a reasonable price
You dont have a huge choice in that price/reliability range

[Gary110]

As a matter of interest, do you drive yours around town regularly. if so, how do you find it?

I find it quite easily, especially in parking lots, the roof rack sticks up above all the other vehicles quite nicely

In town and traffic I really like it, its high enough to see several cars ahead, and the taxi's aren't quite as aggressive with her. Fuel (diesel) consumption is about 8,5 km/l and she fits into most parking spaces just fine. I prefer driving the Defender in traffic to SWAMBO's platkar!

[Stormboy_sa]

What about a Nissan Terrano?

http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/c...01022186791152

Here's a Pajero with very low km : http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/c...01026186857150

Kia Sportage, smaller, but economical and reliable. http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/c...01026186861200

[gazza1210]

Early 2000-2003 Xtrail with about 150k on the clock... everything and more except low range. Economy @ about 9.9km/l, car like comfort and equipment with adequate offroad road ability.

[dieselfan]

Isuzu Frontier - CHEAP to maintain and reliable I'd avoid the LR's and Jeeps on the older models. The Isuzu from that generation is bullet proof we STILL have one clocking 810 000km without an overhaul. It gets used daily for LONG trips EL - Jhb (1000km) etc. Both times it "let us down" it was mere belts which weren't changed at service.

It's the only75k 4x4 diesel I'd buy. Good space SUPERB ride, soft ride without handling like a boat (Disco 1).

[dwinter]

Hi Expat,

What about a generation 2 LWB pajero - the petrol engines are bullet proof (perhaps a bit thirsty), they are very capable off-road and you'll have plenty of space.

Just a thought...

[hbannink]

Now we are getting good advice..............Yes I am veeeery biased to pajero but at least I have first hand experience

For your budget you should be able to find a very nice and reliable gen2 petrol.
No problems with reliability but as said can be slightly thirsty if you class 7 km/l as thirsty ( a lot of 4x owners would love this kind of consumption)
Spares are freely available and not priced out of this world
Is arguably one of the safest on road drives with off road capability well above your needs.
The drive is comfortable without any vices and niggles.

That is a biased opinion but if I had to give you sound good honest advice it would be much the same as above. I might have mentioned toyota reliability and ability but spare part costs and fuel consumption coupled with a harder drive would make me forget to mention that one