4x4 Help

Not sure if this is the right forum,

Anyhow, after coming back from Sharkbay at the end of last year i have caught the bug!

so i decided to sell my forester XT and get a 4wd, wheels in motion, the car is sold pending finance.

the hard bit, choosing a 4wd!

having a look a cars the ones i want are all out of my price range..sort of.

I have two cars that on top of my list, but the car in question is the new Suzuki Grand Vitara.

There are 3 variants, 2.4 4 cylinder, 3.2L 6 Cylinder and teh 1.9 Diesel.

the 1.9 is out of question as it only manual, the missus cant drive it.

the 6 cylinder is a bit over 40k, with leather, and the usual swank you get with "prestige" even fake marble centre console.

On road the car was zippy and really nice to drive, petrol consumption is good and it seems quite good for what its worth.

next question - how good with these cars to take 4x4ing? is the 200mm clearance a problem?

i want to take it steep point and will be towing a boat or camper trailer - do you think it would pose a problem?

its got a tow rating of 2T.

my 2nd option is buying a 2nd hand hilux sr5...this will consume more fuel but i think will be a better fit for my fishing holidays.

so ultimately, do you think i should just forego the vitara given that its a bridge between a softroader and a proper 4wd?


Cammos's picture

Posts: 606

Date Joined: 30/06/09

At that price I would be

Mon, 2010-01-25 09:58

At that price I would be having a look at the Kia Sorento, especially the diesel, although I am not sure if the new model has lost some of the old models 4x4 ability. I heard talk that the strong chasis is no more.

 

damo6230's picture

Posts: 2029

Date Joined: 07/06/08

4wd options

Mon, 2010-01-25 10:05

Suzuki are good cars for the $$.

They are light and reliable from conversations with mates. When I lived back in the Northern Territory a lot of clubs had them as the lead scout car. Light and could go anywhere, hence being the scout. Only real problem is carrying capacity as there is not much room inside or long range with the fuel tanks. But every car has its pro's and con's and they are great on sand and over rocks. The ground clearance is not a problem if you drive it within the limits.

The hilux is tough and o so popular for obvious reasons. Personally, and I have a hilux, I would look at a triton or bravo as these days there are comparible for the price. I would always opt for a diesel as it provides longevity and I have never had a problem with my engines over the years. Bigger size engines so they will work less when towing and they get up and move when around town. They all have auto options. 

Shop around and pester the yards or private sellers....they have to sell you a car at your price Wink  

JoRn's picture

Posts: 368

Date Joined: 20/11/07

thanks for the reply cammos

Mon, 2010-01-25 10:08

thanks for the reply cammos and damo,

i did have a look at the triton, quite $$$ as well, and teh seats were less to be desired...i have a big a$$$ and i could just see it being uncomfortable in the long run.

i have to yet see the navara.

In your view damo, do you think it will be a problem towing? the fuel could be an issue for sharkbay tho hey, i would assume it would churn through the fuel whilst towing

damo6230's picture

Posts: 2029

Date Joined: 07/06/08

towing

Mon, 2010-01-25 10:26

use the standard 20% increase in fuel rule when towing, at least, in sand then it would be higher.

If it's rated to 2T then I imagine it can handle that. You can compensate by making sure the trailer wheels are the same profile (width) as the car so the trailer wheels travel in the car wheel tracks. Also tyre pressure and time of day help (hot weather means real soft sand/cold weather means solid sand; as sand heats it expands).

You can alwyas custom the trailer to carry jerry cans. Once again I am a minimilist when it comes to going bush. You just dont need every convienence (IMHO) and the more fuel I carry the more I can explore. If I was getting a camper trailer then just the canvas/bed/some storage and lots of food and water/fuel. Also a trailer light in weight. I have pulled trailers all over the NT and if you drive sensibly and correctly then no problem. Mine where just the standard box trailer with leaf suspension and she went everywhere and I mean remote!

Take one for a test drive, if you are keen then what good honourable car saleman wouldn't let you hook a trailer on for a test drive...or go hire a suzuki for a weekend and hit the sand Wink

wide open's picture

Posts: 444

Date Joined: 24/12/09

suzuki

Mon, 2010-01-25 13:28

suzukis are good cars as evryone said but i dont know how good they would be for offroad towing but remeber when your car is fully loaded with the boat and let down tyres clearance will be less.

if you were considering the vitara (a smaller car) would the hilux have enough room?

know doubt these are excellent and very capable off road with good clearance, turbo diesel would be my pick

my niebor had the 3.0 litre str narvara and towed a camper to steep point and was very happy with the car.

we have a ML triton and its been great and calcup hill was no challenge for it flew up that hill

GrahamM's picture

Posts: 648

Date Joined: 19/01/09

lots of info for you here i

Mon, 2010-01-25 14:32

lots of info for you here i drive a forester my self but both my brothers have navara 's a petrol one and a deisel one. they both have fished up north and towed boats 1 to steep point with atinny in tow neither of them complain about the nissan's btoh reckon they are great cars. If you are looking at traveling to places like steep point and towing something i think the suziki might struggle. look at turbo diesel's if you are towing off road for my money

Faulkner Family's picture

Posts: 17835

Date Joined: 11/03/08

i had the 3ltr turbo diesel

Mon, 2010-01-25 17:39

i had the 3ltr turbo diesel navara and towed my boat loaded and weighed around 3 tonne. wasnt the quickest as there is a huge wind drag on the boat and i was getting between 5 and 6 km to the litre.i have heard the new mazda bt50 are great as well

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

The_Wanderer's picture

Posts: 735

Date Joined: 24/09/08

Check out  the Holden

Mon, 2010-01-25 17:54

Check out  the Holden Colorado Or Isuzu D-Max both. The base model colorado in TD manual is around 36k new on the road(09 clearance) and included duel airbags power windows, mirrors and ABS.As well as being able to tow up to 3t braked. 

 

The Mazda BT50/Ford Ranger are identical in drive terrain and engine just different badge.

HTH

Ben 

DazSamFishing's picture

Posts: 1518

Date Joined: 19/08/09

I've owned a Mazda BT50 -

Mon, 2010-01-25 18:53

I've owned a Mazda BT50 - really good ute (powerful & fuel efficient). Will your other half mind a ute? Mine didn't... that's why we got rid of it. Turning circle in most utes are crapola (and your other half won't want to park up at the local shops). Offroad they aren't as comfortable as rear strut/spring suspension setups in wagons/cars.

IMO - pick of the bunch utes would be the Navara STX (2.5L TD) - been voted as 4x4 ute of the year on numerous occasions. Mazda/Ford, Mitsu, Holden/Isuzu, are all comparably priced. The hilux is nice, but comes at a premium price.

A mate at work has owned a vitara & has taken it up north plenty of times without drama.

Just make sure you do your research... get a car that fits your lifestyle & budget. Remember... cars cost money & they lose value quickly.

PJAY's picture

Posts: 1005

Date Joined: 12/05/09

check out the nisan

Mon, 2010-01-25 20:11

check out the nisan navaras/pathfinders.....3lt turbo diesal i think they are around $35k??  Dual cab ute?

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The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!

wide open's picture

Posts: 444

Date Joined: 24/12/09

i dont really like the look of the new

Mon, 2010-01-25 20:49

stx's narvaras, they are a very box shape, but whats wrong with the hilux, definetly one of the most reliable cars out there.

theres heaps of good second hand one and hiluxs hold their value extremely good

PJAY's picture

Posts: 1005

Date Joined: 12/05/09

not comparing vehicles just

Mon, 2010-01-25 21:24

not comparing vehicles just putting up another option?

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The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!

JoRn's picture

Posts: 368

Date Joined: 20/11/07

thats for the comments

Mon, 2010-01-25 23:56

thats for the comments guys,

will keep an eye out, i really like the 3 door prado, maybe i will be bite the bullet, but we'll see.

is there really much of a benefit going diesel over petrol?

servicing cost are lot more, and cost more initially...i personally like the drive a petrol more...

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Its a huge difference

Tue, 2010-01-26 06:56

Its a huge difference towing, its even big just driving around town.

We had a 2.4l mazda petrol ute and then got a 3l diesel bt50 and used less fuel just doing deliveries around town. The fuel bills dropped bytwo thirds!

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JoRn's picture

Posts: 368

Date Joined: 20/11/07

thanks for all your comments

Tue, 2010-01-26 10:55

thanks for all your comments and advice.

i guess i'll just wait for the right one to come around...

you guys have almost sold me on the diesel, just that, i dont know, kinda always had sports cars and getting a diesel seems like getting a truck..sorta...

preference in order

prado d4d diesel
hilux diesel
hilux petrol

yet to check out navara.

wide open's picture

Posts: 444

Date Joined: 24/12/09

i can asure

Tue, 2010-01-26 10:59

diesel is the pick

it uses less fuel

much better towing economy

longevity

i reckon they sound better!

AmericanBen's picture

Posts: 150

Date Joined: 26/01/09

4WD

Mon, 2010-02-01 22:49

John, I own a 4wd training company and get to see all of the vechicles in action.  If you want a good vehicle for towing and want to get into some serious fun on the tall dunes, then the turbo diesel V8 landcruiser is what you want.  If you look around, there are some good used deals and Toyota makes a quality product that lasts forever.  For the price I would never buy a new 4wd becuase if you are taking on the tracks it's going to get scratched.  I nearly cried wathing the $139 Sahara in front of me getting scratched this weekend!!  I'm driving a jeep unlimited which is great as well but it struggles a little on the hills when towing my 21 ft ally. 

If you are just going to play on the flat sand or bush, then any of the 4WDs out there will do.  The HILux is great as well but a it's a little tougher on the advanced beach slopes but will still make it to the to with a little work. 

The other option is the Nissan Patrol but make sure you get the biggest engine as it makes a big difference.

Hope this helps.  If you want some more advice.  Give Pete or Ash a call at Eureka 4WD Training.  Tell them Ben asked you give them a ring for some advice.  Cheers, Ben