4x4 vehicles express you opinion!

[harryoner]

Hello all i'm new to the 4x4 scene and have done a bit of driving in a mates 4Runner and absolutely loved it, however the time has come where i have a developed a definite interest in to purchasing my own fully capable off road machine. However armed with little knowledge i' am really intrigued as to what may be some of the top off road vehicles and why? It seems many people out there are willing to pledge a biased opinion on a particular make with little justification. I'm not looking for an answer spurred from a deep passion of a particular make if i wanted that then i would direct my queries toward a dealership.

Certain cars such as Wranglers, Hilux Surf's, Landcruiser, Defenders and Cherokee's have all struck a deep interest. However i' am wondering which of all the makes if you could buy 'one' in particular would you purchase and why? Lastly can i ask why is it that Jeep Cherokee's seem to be selling so cheap?

Kind regards, Harry

[Cj's TJ]

Ok Harry, Obviously you can expect a completely biased opinion from this forum.

Rule 1.
Decide what sort of 4x4ing you want to do before you buy one.

Different vehicles are great at doing different things. eg, Cruisers / patrols are fantastic at loading up with heaps of stuff, and heading bush for months at a time, but they can also have their limitations once you get into the really bumpy stuff . . .

Wranglers are fantastic at traversing all manner of bumpy stuff, especially with a few significant mods, however, are next useless for touring the countryside with a family, as they can't tow the skin off a rice pudding, and have the internal storage capacity of your average nostril

So all i can say is, the one that best suits the type of driving you want to do is the one you should choose . . Oh, and make it a Jeep, cause they are better

[hillsjeep]

Originally Posted by harryoner

I'm not looking for an answer spurred from a deep passion of a particular make if i wanted that then i would direct my queries toward a dealership.



Kind regards, Harry

Boy have you come to the wrong place then

The only other 4wd I've owned is a patrol, which I thought was pretty good so can't really give you an objective answer.

Part of the reason XJ Cherokees are so cheep is becase as a 10 year old car you will almost certainly have to spend a few grand bringing them up standard. There is a sticky under XJ cherokee drivers that lists whet you'll probably have to do.

So just to proove my initial point, Jeeps are great!!

[TassieXJ]

Ive had a landcruiers and a patrol and now got a xj jeep. All good 4wds, the landcruiers was a flat tray and having kids change the type l need. The cruiers/patrols in australia are good for getting parts fast and cheap, they have lots of room to carry stuff and have a strong driveline. The reason l went with a jeep is because they are small & light with still room for the kids, so when rasied still not top heaver, they still have the bigger drive line (dont like 4 cyl) and have soild axles

A 4wd to me has to have a few items
*Soild axles front & rear for wheel travel to keep the wheels on the ground
*A strong drive line save in repairs

[Wolfe]

Originally Posted by hillsjeep

Boy have you come to the wrong place then

The only other 4wd I've owned is a patrol, which I thought was pretty good so can't really give you an objective answer.

Part of the reason XJ Cherokees are so cheep is becase as a 10 year old car you will almost certainly have to spend a few grand bringing them up standard. There is a sticky under XJ cherokee drivers that lists whet you'll probably have to do.

So just to proove my initial point, Jeeps are great!!

I disagree, the xj is a good as any 4x4 out of the box, however this model has been discontinued and at the moment is being sold off by the yuppies who no longer see it as the status symbol it once was. combine that with fuel prices and the current anti fourby climate we live in and it just not trendy anymore to own an xj. The same cant be said for tj s as they are the most popular convertable ever sold and the gays love them.

The aftermarket accesories for jeeps is second to none. You can get anything for any model jeep you have. No other vehicle has the world wide following of a jeep. WE ARE A CULT. we are a lifestyle this is not bragging this is fact . So if youre after unbiased opinion, im sorry you came to the wrong place.
Sure jeep are not perfect, but they are damn close. As said, they are small, not for big families on long tours. But as dedicated four wheel drives on the rough stuff, i dont mean gravel roads, you wont find better. If I were you I'd go on a tag along with one of the clubs when they go out for a trip. That way you can talk to the drivers and see for yourself. Heres a hint, dont talk to jap/nissan/yota drivers about jeeps, they know jacksheet, besides they think gravel roads are off road.

[Ando_13]

Buy what you can afford, mod it (ie: have 15k, then spend 7k on car and 7k on mods ), wheel it and enjoy the great outdoors. Some of the most fun times I've had wheeling was in a mates $500 Suzuki Siera.

My advise is for your first 4 wheeler is not to buy a brand new $60k 4by, as you will never get a proper feel of what wheelin is all about.

I've only owned to 4by's, one a 30k Hilux which I was pretty carefull not to get sratched and dented, now the Wrangler is pretty much dent proof and love it.

[Wolfe]

I forgot to mention that toyota's idea of customising your vehicle is a cup holder.