What's a good 4 x 4 for daughters 1st car up to $7k

[Homer_Jay]

The Suzuki vitaras and sierras are great little 4x4s
Go anywhere tough as nails and cheap to run.
We used to use them years ago for delivering papers, and they copped the biggest hiding and never broke.
And for a young person they are still a bit 'cool'.
I would go the vitara for her being a bit safer I would think.

BUT trying to find a good one that hasn't been abused is hard. I was trying to find a good sierra a few years ago and anything around that price was pretty crappy or had been modified too much. But if you search hard enough something might pop up.

[Ratbag]

Subaru Forester. 2006 or 2008 model (MY06 or MY07). If she wants an auto, make sure its got the Sportshift (Prodrive) auto.

These cars are very, very safe - both in avoidance and body contact events. All Foresters since about 1997 have a 4 star ANCAP safety rating. Five star from 2002 models onwards. Ditto in the USA testing program, and analysis of real world crashes. They are tough cars. They aren't light, either. The 2002-2008 models weigh around 1450 Kgs tare.

The AWD system is managed by either a viscous LSD in the centre or a clutch pack controlled by the (Prodrive) TCU (auto). Both have a vLSD in the rear. The beauty of this system is that if it is not badly abused, it will last forever, requires no maintenance and no special user knowledge or skills. It also works equally well at highway speeds and on the beach. The 4EAT auto is bullet proof. The 5MT/DR manual in the SG and on have dual synchros on second and third, and are a stronger box all round than previous Subaru 5MT/DR boxes.

A good friend has a V6  Suzuki Grand Vitara, and he reckons my Forester is a better car in every way.

The EJ-253 engine in these models gets 80% of its maximum torque by 1200 rpm, and is still above 90% at the red line, 6300 rpm, so they are very tractable to drive.

Put a SubaXtreme sump guard on it (ADR and air bag compliant), and she will be ready to have a ball.

We have two Foresters. Mine is a 5MT/DR 2006 series II SG. SWMBO's is a Sportshift auto 2009 series I SH. Both have the EJ-253 donk.

Both get around 7.5-8.5 L/100 kms on the open road, around 10.5 on cross town trips (Melbourne) and around 11.5-12.5 on short shopping trips.

Use FS 5W-40 oil in both engines, not what's recommended (0W-20 FS). Neither of ours use a measurable quantity of oil between changes (12,500 km intervals). Mine has done 110K kms and SWMBO's has done 85K kms. Still practically brand new ...

Avoid the Suzuki Jimny. It is basically an unsafe car in both primary and secondary safety. Very easy to roll ...

FWIW.

[DaveR]

How about this Suzuki

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Suzuki-XL-7-2001/SSE-AD-3212383/?Cr=30

[Ratbag]

How about this Suzuki

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Suzuki-XL-7-2001/SSE-AD-3212383/?Cr=30

There is no safety rating for most Suzukis of this era. This is mainly because they were considered to be very unsafe.

Any car the OP is considering should be checked out on http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/how-safe-is-my-car/, and anywhere else he can find safety info, like ANCAP, etc.

[feisty]

There is no safety rating for most Suzukis of this era. This is mainly because they were considered to be very unsafe.

Any car the OP is considering should be checked out on http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/how-safe-is-my-car/, and anywhere else he can find safety info, like ANCAP, etc.

X a lot. Fun but.......

[wartim]

Been looking at the Suzuki Grand Vitara's as suggested for daughter, however have just found out they have huge problems with cracked heads or blocks plus issues with the AC leaking?  Mechanic told me there is no blocks available in Australia.

Not sure if its the 6 cylinder or 4 cylinder models?

[dazzler]

Agree with Forester or Vitara.

Forester has the asymetrical driveline so makes up for its lack of ground clearance compared to the Vitara.
Most AWD's get stuck on the beach due to tyre pressures not ground clearance.

A long shot but if you can get the very last of the Subaru DL wagons in dual range owned by a little old lady with low k's you would be on a winner.  Can sleep in the back of it.  Can do ALL sorts of things in the back of it!
(maybe not  )