New 4wd required on a budget

[slcs78]

To cut along story short, due to in part from suffering from a back injury last year Im looking at stepping down from my current position at work. The hours demanded and work required are hindering getting my back right and to be honest my heart isn't in it anymore after many years. As a consequence I'm stuck with a novated lease on my current car. Whilst I can afford to pay out the residual I cant currently afford or justify the extra $$ to set it up as a decent touring vehicle. We plan to take a 3 month trip with the family in 2017.

I'm confident I could sell the Colorado for low to mid 30s with no issues. I would be then looking at spending at a max 25k for a decent 4wd. But the more $$$$ I can put back in my pocket the better. It will be mainly be used as a school taxi (3 kids)  but be needed for towing the camper on weekends away and the big trip. So now opening up a can of worms what do you all suggest. Have been looking at some petrol 80 and 100 series cruisers (diesel still to much $ and im thinking the offset in fuel consumption wouldn't offset the purchase price). Im not that familiar with patrols and only know of the early issues with the 3.0lts.

So any advice would be great. Big transition for me and the family at the moment so just want to make the right decision

Cheers

[Rumpig]

The petrol 100 series Crusiers are a nice vehicle, so long as you are aware they like to drink in the tough stuff then it's all good. As you say, the cheaper purchase price off sets the fuel cost differance some what, so not a major issue in the long run. Personally i'd go a 100 series over an 80, mainly due to stuff starting to break purely from old age, which is why i'm currently looking to upgrade from my 105 series.

[JCOJ]

What about a 120 Prado - easier for the wife to get around in and still very capable?  Or a Pajero for that matter where you will get more car for the money!

[Bird]

keep wat u have...

[slcs78]

The petrol 100 series Crusiers are a nice vehicle, so long as you are aware they like to drink in the tough stuff then it's all good. As you say, the cheaper purchase price off sets the fuel cost differance some what, so not a major issue in the long run. Personally i'd go a 100 series over an 80, mainly due to stuff starting to break purely from old age, which is why i'm currently looking to upgrade from my 105 series.

TBH that's what I have mainly been looking at.

 

What about a 120 Prado - easier for the wife to get around in and still very capable?  Or a Pajero for that matter where you will get more car for the money!

The wife already has her car. We are looking at her going back to work full time and me working part time for the next few years until all the kids at school

keep wat u have...

Would like too, but its not setup as a tourer and would need $$$$ to do so. Not an option at the moment. This change will cost us some $$$ in the short term but there are more important things at the moment

[Mallory Black]

If you get a petrol and tend to do a lot of bitumen have a spare set of rims that have HT tread pattern in a non-light truck carcass.
I reckon that LT tyres on my V6 prado cost me at least a litre per 100ks compared to the previous set, which were same pattern just not in an LT carcass.
Do what you can to keep weight and aero drag  (eg those big full sized roof racks) out of the vehicle when it's not in camping mode and a petrol aint too bad an option. Plenty of 4.0V6 Prado's and V6 Paj's out there that have been babied all their lives

[dazzler]

What about a 120 Prado - easier for the wife to get around in and still very capable?  Or a Pajero for that matter where you will get more car for the money!

Should even be able to get into the TD Pajero for the same price as the petrol Prado 120 as well.  They are both great engines too.

(Just dont drive the Prado after the Pajero.  Chalk and cheese on noise vibration harshness if that is an important thing to you)

[Barrabart]

It will be mainly be used as a school taxi (3 kids)  but be needed for towing the camper on weekends away and the big trip. Cheers

G'day slcs,

We have owned a '98 FZJ105 petrol cruiser for about 8 or so yrs..... my opinion is they wouldn't be my first choice if you are going to be doing alot of general running about, as yes, they do like to guzzle fuel........ that being said, i love mine, but we don't use it for general running about on a daily basis, and i'm only home half the year so the Cruiser struggles to get 10,000klms up in a year, so for me, the fuel bill isn't really an issue.
As for travelling and touring they are great, provided you can cope with the average 17-20ltrs/100klms. I did once get 14.9klms/100k but that was driving the highway heading down to Brissy, very late at night and nice and cool outside and sitting on about 90kph.....
With the combo of daily driving and touring in mind, i'd certainly consider as others have mentioned, Prado's, Pajero's etc...... as i imagine the extra seating would be disirable with 3 kids, and their mates etc.
Also another small issue with owning a Cruiser and driving it for a while is if you do decide to sell it and buy another rig, you'll find it hard to pick a new rig that doesn't feel like you are stepping down in comfort etc.... the Cruisers are a bit addictive.
Every now and again i think it would be good to off load the old Cruiser and get something more economical and more new............... but then i look around, slap myself for being silly, jump back in the ol' girl and drive off cursing at myself and apologizing to the cruiser for thinking such thoughts......

[prodigyrf]

Lad's fiance had her 2004 Subaru wagon rear ended and totalled just before Xmas and insurance paid out $9500 and I picked up a schmick 2008 Nissan X-Trail, auto for $12500 cash, complete with nudge bar and towbar. Basically mum's yuppy runabout, service history with 63000kms on the clock and the tongue and ball were brand new in the spare wheel well as it had never towed and never been off the tar. I was bloody jealous I wasn't buying it for mum and I although we can afford new ones.

If I were you and given what you've stated I'd think seriously about dropping down in engine size like that and retaining comfort and reliability and plenty of change. Good off road capability but most of it will be tootling round the burbs. You have to compromise somewhere and high mileage top of the range 4WDs can get damn expensive if things go bang clunk.

[Nifty1]

We're having a great run from a 2005 Hyundai Terracan diesel. Swore I'd never own a Hyundai product after seeing all those Excels - the cane toads of the road - but reckon this will last me a long time. Just done 200,000km. Reckon you could pick one up for very little money, under $15k probably.
Just as a comment, a mate of mine bought a LC200 at the same time, for about 100k. Terracan cost me about 35k new. He was a bit scathing, but as I pointed out, even if the Hyundai should disappear in a cloud of rust after 10 years, I would have lost less than the depreciation on his machine.
12 or 13 l/100km towing a camper, under 10 most of the rest of the time. 8 on an easy highway run with 3 up and a full load.

[Vards]

Like a few others said I would look at a Prado.  Great value touring rig and comfy.  Heaps out there you could pick one up on your budget with some extras, already has 180 litres of fuel tank.  I bought one 5 years ago with 130,000kms, (petrol) and it had been kitted out at an Arb store by previous owner, thought it was a bargain at $32000.  Sure it had been offroad but nothing I wasn't going to do in it anyway.  Saved heaps $$$.  Has been a great  offroad touring vehicle in my opinion. 
Cheers Steve

[Banjo16]

Mitsubishi Challenger,cheap & a genuine 4wd, but comfortable enough as a daily drive.
With the current runout prices should pick up a good one for your money.

[prodigyrf]

Yeah saw new auto runout 2014 Challengers for $34888 drive away in Sydney so that must have an impact on s/hand although Mitsi officially advertise $37990 drive away. Get your runout Tritons too before only the dearer new 2015 models are available.

The only thing I would say is it's a buyers market out there and it cuts both ways if you're trading down.

[Barry G]

IMO a late model Jackaroo is well worth considering.
The Diesel engines were way ahead of their time, provided they were properly maintained.
Any that weren't properly maintained died a long time ago.
And most f them rarely left the bitumen.
They are a great basis for a tourer, and will certainly go anywhere your CT can be taken.

[achjimmy]

How bads  the back?

I love the Paj but there average in corrugations. If ghe backs an issue get a chassis based vehicle and make sure no seat airbags and chuck a recaro in.

You might find a good TD Crusier guy at work sold his smick 2004 TD GXL 100 series with konis for $20k  had 265km but was excellent condition the guys might be asking $35 k for TD 100 s but I don't think there getting it.

[slcs78]

Lad's fiance had her 2004 Subaru wagon rear ended and totalled just before Xmas and insurance paid out $9500 and I picked up a schmick 2008 Nissan X-Trail, auto for $12500 cash, complete with nudge bar and towbar. Basically mum's yuppy runabout, service history with 63000kms on the clock and the tongue and ball were brand new in the spare wheel well as it had never towed and never been off the tar. I was bloody jealous I wasn't buying it for mum and I although we can afford new ones.

If I were you and given what you've stated I'd think seriously about dropping down in engine size like that and retaining comfort and reliability and plenty of change. Good off road capability but most of it will be tootling round the burbs. You have to compromise somewhere and high mileage top of the range 4WDs can get damn expensive if things go bang clunk.

Agree Xtrails are a great little run around. The wife has a 2010 model and cant fault it. We are planning the cape year after next plus across into the NT so need something a bit more capable offroad.

In regards to fuel consumption not that fussed, the Xtrail will do the daily work commute for us both. The second vehicle whatever we buy would be lucky to do 100klm a week.

Like a few others said I would look at a Prado.  Great value touring rig and comfy.  Heaps out there you could pick one up on your budget with some extras, already has 180 litres of fuel tank.  I bought one 5 years ago with 130,000kms, (petrol) and it had been kitted out at an Arb store by previous owner, thought it was a bargain at $32000.  Sure it had been offroad but nothing I wasn't going to do in it anyway.  Saved heaps $$$.  Has been a great  offroad touring vehicle in my opinion. 
Cheers Steve

Had a few mates who have had Prados and loved them. Seem to be holding their value well second hand but is defiantly on the list

How bads  the back?

I love the Paj but there average in corrugations. If ghe backs an issue get a chassis based vehicle and make sure no seat airbags and chuck a recaro in.

You might find a good TD Crusier guy at work sold his smick 2004 TD GXL 100 series with konis for $20k  had 265km but was excellent condition the guys might be asking $35 k for TD 100 s but I don't think there getting it.

The backs not great, L4 and L5 are stuffed. At the moment any more than three hours driving stuffs me pretty well. Whole reason im stepping down is the hours I do are stopping it getting much better. Want to really focus on my fitness and health to alleviate it and prevent it getting worse. Too young to be like this for ever.

Mitsubishi Challenger,cheap & a genuine 4wd, but comfortable enough as a daily drive.
With the current runout prices should pick up a good one for your money.

TBH don't think I would be much better off then what I have now. My payout on the Colorado is low 30 and a challenger/triton would be around same ballpark. Would still need to spend money on it to get it ready for cape trip. Have driven current triton and is a generation behind in terms of ride and comfort on what I have now. If $ wasn't a factor I would keep the Colorado as it hasn't skipped a beat.

Thanks all for your suggestions, its appreciated

[DaveCQ]

Prado. Awesome vehicles, very comfortable, great tourers and there are lots around with plenty of unused fruit on them already.

[cruiser 91]

You have mentioned setting up. Do you have in mind exactly what you want to do and what are the cost? This can cost you up to half the price of a 2nd hand 4wd.
What do you intend to do any real 4wding? or just touring and daily driving.
Don't be frighten of older 4wd's, there are some very well looked after ones out there.
The 80 series, 100 series and patrol are the roomiest and most likely the heaviest. I have a 80 series and will never part with it.
I had a petrol 1998 challenger as a second car, excellent daily driver, The same room inside as your colorado, but for us it's too small for to tour in.
A factory TD 80 series with medium km's and set up still fetch around the $20k mark here in SA. A petrol 80 series in very good condition will cost up to $10K. Both will last for many more years.

PS, I had a few op's on L4 and L5, the 80 series driver seat is still the most comfortable. I even drive a 1989 ford because the seats in this car is like a lounge chair, far more comfortable than any late model vehicles
 

[chisel]

Does it have to be a wagon?  Plenty of used 4x4 dual-cabs out there - some of which are already well setup for touring.

[Barry G]

Seats are crucial for looking after bad backs, and dependent on suiting YOUR back.

For example, I find the front seats in my daughter's X-Trail give ny lower back no support whatsoever.

However, I and others I have known find the front seats (armchairs!) in the Jackaroo absolutely fantastic.

Some of the higher spec later models - e.g. The Monterey and Nullabor models - had electrically adjusted and HEATED leather seats.

I have never found a more comfortable stock seat in a 4x4.

[slcs78]

No doesn't have to be a wagon. I'm not an extreme 4wder. Just want a decent tourer and something at min can tow our camper up the OTT.

[Colmano]

  for Petrol Prado...

[McTavish]

Just had a quick squiz on carsales.   May be able to pick up a 2007/08 petrol prado - couple around 100km but majority 150k+k's.    For the $5k you get in your pocket - keep what you have and as you say - you have 2 years till you do a 3 mth trip.  Just slowly save and fit the bits and pieces on the Colorado as you have plenty of time.   And you know what your car has done (presumably since new/ish) compared to something older than you have.

If you are going to 'downgrade' then do a real job of it and get into the $10-15k market and truly pocket some $'s in the process.

[slcs78]

keep wat u have...

Looks like Bird was on the money. Work have helped me financially a little more than I was expecting so when we sat down and weighed up pros and cons and would I could realistically sell the Colorado for, we decided to keep it. Ive had it from new and haven't had any dramas and saves buying someone else's issues. Its only got 60,000 klms on it and we will now make the xtrail the daily commute car so the it will be lucky to do 10,000klms a year from now.So now to start saving and keeping my eye out for some good deals over the next 12 months. Set of 265/70/17 D697's went on her last week

Thanks for all the suggestions guys 

[McTavish]

Good call...