Sub 1k 4x4

[Nick]

What should I get. I need something to fill with crap (computers, barrels of beer, building shite and tools) and drive on rough ground (building sites + farm yards) and keep my possible next purchase straight in the bad weather.
Needs to be cheap to buy, run and insure.
What should I get?

 

[EVO MANIAC]

Ya might be OK with a Defender. Some well cheap Pajero's out there too but ya gonna need to replace the head gasket for peace of mind. Not expensive to do but might be cheaper still if ya have a mechanic or two in ya top pocket. Most 4 be 4's are thirsty buggers and 40 odd miles to the tenner is a norm.

 

[Nick]

I used to have a 90, not going that route again. I spent more time with a spanner in my hand that the steering wheel! Great fun and very good for pulling loads but not reliable at all in that price bracket.
I was thinking Zuk Vit or maybe an old SJ...

 

[EVO MANIAC]

Zuk's are nice but more for show imo. The fat boys do look the biz and the SJ's are the biz...sort of. Kinda looks like ya mind is set!

 

[Nick]

Minds far from made! Just know from experience the 90 is out. Would love another, but its defiantly not for this job.
i wouldnt get a fat boy, just a cheapo one to not care about throwing a load of crap in.
But I wondered if I had overlooked anything else.
I used to have a 4x4 panda when I was younger. That was a great car. Went anywhere on the farm. Just dont think it would be suitable now...

 

[ElDopesta]

Get a Grand Vitara if space is a priority.

El

 

[dic]

toyota all the way mate. just don't buy the 2.4td as they have weak heads... when it comes to 4x4s i would'nt touch anything else.
like the maniac says the sj is good and will go anywhere but they are tiny...
if fuel is'nt a problem go for a landcruiser (over a £1000),comfort lots of power and very reliable. but my personal fav is the mk2 hilux had a few of em and they just don't die. also had a surf but they have a few issues..

 

[Nick]

Space isnt a big priority, Its the weight which is. Barrels for example are not large but weigh a lot. Think you might be right about the SJ being to tiny though...

 

[dic]

try and find yourself a hilux pickup mate i have nothing but love for em, the 2.4 and 3.0td are reliable engines. but the 2.4td is'nt.. things to look out for are hi/low 4wd all works. 4wd hublockers arent seized. and check the rear buck/arches/fillercap area is'nt rotten, leaf springs are'nt sagging/cracked as those are the areas that tend to go.
p.s mk2 is the best.

 

[ElDopesta]

A nice truck there Diccon.

I prefer the Land Cruisers and the Hilux's too but all down to the budget really!

El

 

[Wayne'o]

grand vitara x2

 

[dic]

grand vitaras are ok....... if your a girl

tbh mate you will struggle getting a tidy 4x4 for a £1000 pound.
unless its a sj

 

[ElDopesta]

My thoughts too buddy, but you don't know our Nick and his bag of tricks

El

 

[Nick]

hehe
But it doesnt need to be tidy. This is a vehicle to abuse keeping my nice motors nice. Its for on the building site, shifting beer, visiting the a farm, keeping me moving in the snow and general crap I dont want to do in my expensive motors. So long as its going to keep going with a ton of cement in jobs a good'un.
I like the thought of a hilux pickup. I wonder what insurance will be as its commercial.

I have had a naught thought though. A quad

 

[dic]

used to cost me about 600 quid with 3ncb
hilux surf would do you justice as long as its the 3.0td

 

[ElDopesta]

Get a Traders policy Nick, I can pass you a number of a great Broker that will get you covered the same day and you're looking at around £950 and covered to drive multiple cars which you need to update on the Database whenever required!

Might be worth while getting an Isuzu Rodeo or Trooper pick up as they are quite good and the pick up of choice in South America.

Great diesel engines and pulling power in the 3.0tdi is better then the Hilux and more economical to boot!

El

 

[sponners]

imo for a cheap reliable 4x4 workhorse I'd definately get a older 200tdi disco.

for a grand you should find yourself a 'goodun'.

Main parts are very reliable (may have the odd issue with electrics though)

35mpg

parts for them a dirt cheap and easy to find, and they are easy to work on.

(and I 'think' with the new towing laws you can tow a lot larger loads with these as they are 'land rovers' and classed as agricultural)

 

[dic]

big fan of izuzu engines but the body tends to fall apart.. daiatsu fourtraks a great motor too..
personaly i hate anything land rover. but thats just me, can't beat the jap engineering, thats why i bought an evo