New 4wd - Decisions.....

[Rob S]

We're looking at a used 4wd (2000 or later).

Mostly highway but when we used to go away we'd go into the Alice, Fraser Island, 4wd parks etc. We want to get back into camping now the youngest kid is growing up a bit.

We've had 2 Pajero's and an 80 series and we loved all 3 for various reasons.

I like the 100 series gxl 4.2L diesel non-turbo cruiser.

My father in law advises to get a turbo model if I can find one. I agree but they're a bit out of our price from what we've seen. We'd be comfortable spending under $30 grand.

My wife likes the 3.0L turbo diesel Prado. Are they up to some rough going.. The price is good even for late models (2009).

We both like the Patrol, early 2000's 4.2L turbo diesel.

Father in law says the prado goes ok. I'm yet to be convinced.

Decisions decisions.

My moneys on the patrol.....

Anyone got a Prado? Done any heavy stuff in it?

 

[fraser_john]

My brother has the 3.0 turbo Patrol (2002 model from memory) and being a self employed geologist and gold dealer, he pummels the absolute crapper out of and it has been the most reliable 4wd he has owned. I mean this vehicle was the top of the range one and was lovely when he got it, now it is scratched up, dinged, full of red dirt inside etc etc etc.

The only problem he had was the left rear wheel shearing all bolts off at 80km an hour on the way back from his mining lease outside Broken Hill, lucky for him he was towing a heavy trailer that stopped the vehicle from flipping or crashing out.

 

[andytork]

Go the 4.2 patrol. Good luck finding a turbo diesel one for under $30k though.

There was a recall on the alloy wheel studs/nuts on patrols of a certain age. Get.one with steel wheels from factory. Though easy to identify / rectify. The 3.0 pre gu4 turbo diesel had fuel / engine sieze issues

 

[Rob S]

Go the 4.2 patrol. Good luck finding a turbo diesel one for under $30k though.

Looking at one locally on Thursday for $25 neg

2000 model, 275kms. Doesn't look like its had a hard life.

Will check out the alloy wheels, cheers about that didn't know.

 

[pk.sax]

Get a jeep

 

[Rowy]

Go the naturally aspirated 100 series. I've driven Jeeps, Land Rovers, patrols and cruisers since I was 19 now 46. Name your configuration Petrol / Diesel / Turbo and naturally aspirated. Driven them all over country and outback Qld and a hell of a lot of Qld Islands Islands. Floods / River crossings / black soil / bull dust / sand even on the bitumen every now and again.

Bashed the crap out of all.............why not I wasn't paying. If you want reliability, availability of parts (Particularly in the Country) and safety. Your standard diesel cruiser is the one. Not a turbo fan myself. Just another thing to go wrong.

I know I'm putting my head up but that's how it is. The mechanics I've dealt with over the years tell the same story. Mind you I'd draw the line after the 100 series. The whole lot of them are now just ancy fancy crap. Not a fan of the 200 series I'm afraid or the new Nissans. Can't get naturally aspirated anyway I think.

Don't get me started on Land Rovers and Jeeps. Old Landys were great from about early 90's on their crap. Try and get an extended warranty on one and you'll see what I mean.

Bugger the kid off and get yourself a HJ75 Ute

Just my 2c

 

[Rob S]

Get a jeep

Aye, they look good but I'll never be convinced of their reliability out in whoop whoop.

Go the naturally aspirated 100 series.

Drove a 2001 diesel a couple of days ago. Was a sweet ride.

 

[seemax]

4x4 double cab ute with a canopy?

Potentially better value, just as reliable.. heaps of storage space... road manners not great but Prado et al ain't much chop anyway.

 

[andytork]

Looking at one locally on Thursday for $25 neg

2000 model, 275kms. Doesn't look like its had a hard life.

Will check out the alloy wheels, cheers about that didn't know.

Bite their hand off for 25. They usually have 380+ ks on for that year which shows how easily they do it

Can't remember exact details of wheel issue. May have just been a certain lug nut / wheel combo caused over torque

I did 300,000 in my last gu patrol. Only spent on tyres, brakes and had starter rewound. Later turbo diesels have issue with electro clutch on alternator. Uses same set as aircon clutch to disengage alternator when not needed.

Patrols are not as powerful as cruisers but drivetrain much tougher

 

[pk.sax]

Hehe. Out in whoop whoop, we kinda stormed through a fair bi of rocky rough and didn't even feel it. I had my issues with sorting out the kinks in mine but once they are clear of the sloppy American assembly, the components are pretty good.
Need a lift, snorkel and eventually diff locks, I went up a 70ish degree mud slope in 3rd Low, have to get that vido off the camera.

If I bought it all over again, I'd prolly buy a version from before they put too much electronics in there. It's easy to turn off but it's another thing to go wrong...

 

[andytork]

Hehe. Out in whoop whoop, we kinda stormed through a fair bi of rocky rough and didn't even feel it. I had my issues with sorting out the kinks in mine but once they are clear of the sloppy American assembly, the components are pretty good.
Need a lift, snorkel and eventually diff locks, I went up a 70ish degree mud slope in 3rd Low, have to get that vido off the camera.

If I bought it all over again, I'd prolly buy a version from before they put too much electronics in there. It's easy to turn off but it's another thing to go wrong...

Depends which jeep all grands are euro design / built hence why they have 70s interior rather than 60s

Gearboxes are rubbish and later engines may as well be made from eggshells

As for landrovers (all vintages) I would rather lick piss off nettles.

 

[pk.sax]

There is only one jeep. Acknowledgement of the rest is a crime!
Can you hose out the inside of the others? No. Not a jeep

Tbh, I'm not a big motorhead, just have fun in one.

 

[Kiwimike]

100 series Cruisers are great off road and ride well on road, 200s are too flash for real bush bashing. The 3.0 turbo Patrol is gutless on the road but goes well off it. The wheel nut issue was rectified - but I couldn't tell you exactly when - by special locking nuts and a special tool for removing them. Steel wheels are another answer.

 

[gavinl]

As a libertarian, these are my issues with urban 4wd and suv:

They are subsidized more than any other class of vehicle.
They rip up and destroy suburban roads more than anything else.

Therefore, I believe they should be available only at true cost, unsubsidized, and only allowed on sealed roads with a small truck license required. Purchasers should bear full cost.

I know this is going to attract some flames, but I do hope it may change some people's minds about them. There are far superior alternatives for 99% of what will actually be encountered.

For the rest, here's something you can get really upset about:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/4WD-dr...7586794495.html

 

[adniels3n]

I drive a 4.2L 105 series Landcruiser (solid front axle) non-turbo. I love it, as around here it's only short highway distances till you hit the dirt. Big cabin space, heaps of extras, but heavy on fuel.
If you're thinking non-turbo, take it on the highway, then try passing someone who's doing 100kph.
Patrols are over-engineered trucks underneath, although the 3.0Ls have had a bad rep (the term 'grenade engine' comes to mind), the newer ones seem ok.
If you can fit your family + gear in a prado, go for it. I'd doubt most people these days would walk where a prado couldn't drive. I'd have one if 3 kids in booster seats fit across the back seat.
As a side bet, don't discount the Mazda BT-50. Getting great reviews, & seen a few jacked ones caked in the red stuff on Monday mornings.
As always though, if in doubt, get an OKA

 

[adniels3n]

They rip up and destroy suburban roads more than anything else.

I'll bite. Ever seen a road after a few council trucks do a few u-turns? I'll admit that I'm one of the 2% that lives in the 98% of Australia, but I'll be dammed if I'll buy one car to drive to work, & another to go camping with.

 

[white.grant]

When I lived in the northwest of NSW in the early 2000s I ran the 3.0l GU Patrols, they were well priced compared to the 100s, and a pretty capable vehicle off road when you had the right tyres. They got along pretty well too, and fuel economy was great for such a large vehicle.

Driving them in the city was a whole different ball game, it was just hard work in traffic, expensive to run and trying to find a parking spot big enough when and where you needed it was a chore. I was pretty happy to downsize when I moved back to the coast, and the reality is that a 2wd can get you to most places when you know what you're doing.

 

[Rob S]

As a libertarian, these are my issues with urban 4wd and suv:

(blah blah blah)

I know this is going to attract some flames, but I do hope it may change some people's minds about them.

I ride my pushie most days, it evens itself out.

If you can fit your family + gear in a prado, go for it. I'd doubt most people these days would walk where a prado couldn't drive. I'd have one if 3 kids in booster seats fit across the back seat.

Two kids in boosters and a ten year old - we need space & 7 seats.

 

[Rob S]

For the rest, here's something you can get really upset about:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/4WD-dr...7586794495.html

I find most libertarians to be lithe and underfed. As everyone well knows, nobody likes the thin kid.

I am approaching 40, intolerant of many things (including bleating socialist soy latte drinking prius drivers) so I fit the demographic perfectly to drive my 3 tonne gas guzzler around the inner city. Canyonero!

 

[andytork]

As a libertarian, these are my issues with urban 4wd and suv:

They are subsidized more than any other class of vehicle.
They rip up and destroy suburban roads more than anything else.

Not done the precise maths here but say a patrol weighs 2200kgs then a VE Commodore weighs in at just under 2000kgs. I would guess the patrol with its larger footprint applies less psi to the black top. It's also probably leaking less tarmac destroying oil.

Anyway, I traded my patrol for a Bentley turbo which weighs more than the old Gu and uses three times the fuel. So I guess I am out of the eco race