Hello everyone
I'm now the proud owner of my own business dealing in horse tack. Going to start going into stocking feed, and delivering it to local yards.
This means, Polo Saloon will no longer be able to used to its full potential, and I'm looking to get a 4x4.
Having previously had a Discovery, I quiet like that, but seeing as my budget is about £2-3k it would have to be quiet an old one, and looking at HJs breakdown on it, I'd be better of avoiding it.
What other suggestions do people have. It needs to be good at going across fields and over pot holes. Also, due to Baby Kenny arriving in March, needs to be easy enough to put baby seat in back.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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Also I forgot to mention - I've seen a few with LPG conversions. Is this a good option? I know the fuel costs will be lower, but will the servicing be twice as much?
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Nissan Terrano/Ford Maverick. Made in the same factory in Spain and using the same engine in TD spec. You'll get a 95M/N 2.7TD for your budget with some cash left over. Really rather capable off-road whilst retaining reasonable on-road comfort for a vehicle of its type and age. The LWB seats 7 and has by far the better ride.
Nearly everything else in that price bracket is a welders paradise (ancient Land Rover) or a tired Jap import.
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Thanks for that - I'd not even heard of the Nissan before - it looks OK for us. Having a look around, there are a few, so we should be OK.
(Just found out we're having a little girl Kenny :-) )
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(Just found out we're having a little girl Kenny :-) )
You might want to rethink the name, it's a little mannish ;)
Congratulations!
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Well if she's going to be the next British Ferrari F1 driver, she'll need all the help she can, and Kenny sounds like a great F1 driver name! :-p
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Your budget should give you a few more options.
Dihatsu 4 track
Jeep Cherokee - IMO small inside for the apparent size of the outside.
Defender - probably looking at up to 93ish for your money. If you can get the TDi engine in one that is a plus.
I wouldn't write off the Discovery out of hand. Yes, many of them have had reliability problems, but those with a oood SH tend to be better than others. They need plenty of maintenance, which many people skimp on, and unlike other vehicles Discoveries aren't that forgiving.
In the 2 full years I've had mine I have had only one component fail, and that was a fault that was on the vehicle when Ibought it. That was the starter solenoid.
The 200 and 300 TDi engines are very DIY friendly. They remind me of working on my Mk 2 Escort where everything was accessable.
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I hitched a ride in a 4trak this summer and was feelin seriously carsick within seconds - it was lurching and yawing all over the place. Awful.
Still, nice of the guy to stop....
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add a Lada Riva to your list
--
I read often, only post occasionally
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add a Lada Riva to your list --
I presume you mean a Lada Niva - the Riva was the 4dr saloon
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Your budget should give you a few more options. Dihatsu 4 track Jeep Cherokee - IMO small inside for the apparent size of the outside. Defender - probably looking at up to 93ish for your money. If you can get the TDi engine in one that is a plus.
4 Track is seriously old-school and technology, not a patch on the Terrano for on-road comfort and general versatility
The kind of Cherokee you will get for that sort of money is likely to want more than your scalp. Legg, leggy, leggy. Avoid.
Defender 300 to be avoided. Not the best engine they ever made by a long chalk. Good thing it is DIY friendly because you'll find yourself shaking hands with it fairly regularly. Agree the TDi is the better bet.
Given that this will have to double as work and family vehicle I would still go with the Maverick/Terrano (technically the Terrano II)
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A friend had a 3dr Terrano. I have a vague recollection of it saying Teranno II on the spare wheel cover but it was M reg and I've seen newer looking facelifted versions around.
It was great. Of course, the only time it was remotely needed was Knowsley Safari Park and even then, the monkeys had off with the wheel cover.
Dad's mate got a (new) Ford Maverick. Again, the old one I think - P reg. Absolutely massive thing but he's got it.
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Well, on this note, before it gets shut down, I'd like to thank everyone on their comments here.
You've given me a few choices which I never knew about so the shopping around starts now :-)
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Well, on this note, before it gets shut down....
No need. It just got heavily pruned. This time nothing of worth got deleted, only the endless waffle.
DD.
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