Buzzy--Bee

What about a Jeep Wrangler?

Short wheelbase petrol runout is selling at $29k brand new now. Very very capable off road out of the box.

Here's mine having some fun yesterday -





BB

Broad Shoulders

Have you ever deliberately crashed it through a Jeep Dealership window? ;-)

EvannTel

We are in exactly the same boat as you Emma.

Despite my love affair with VW I would not consider a Tiguan. Just not good enough off road. A toureg is too dear.

For similar money as Prado, we are looking at new range rover évoque - looks fab and good off road performance - or a Freelander.

A few ave recommended me Nissan x trail or pathfinder but to me they are ugly and I'm no Nissan fan.
It a really difficult call - good off road while affordable and good on road

Scubaemma

Yeah it's not as easy as I thought it would be!

Thanks for all suggestions so far, will continue researching (and booking some test drives!)

Bernieboy

You want to have a word with yer council about them roads,shocking

lesleys

We've had our Nissan X-trail for 3 years (used to have Isuzu in UK) and it seems fine. It's actually made in Japan and was definitely the best value small 4WD when we got it.
We had had a Mazda 3 before and managed to do an awful lot with it but needed more room for carrying avocados (X-trail takes 350kg easily) and pulling a loaded 7x5 trailer off-road. 4 doors are a must for easy loading. Check the dimensions of the space in the back with the seats down - some are tiny.

eddie007

The jeep looks like the most fun.... Action man and barbie have them so they MUST be good....

Did you know the only GI Joe "female" Doll ever produced was a nurse?


it didnt sell well

ProudVIC

Pajero is good as is Prado. You are looking at about $55,000 for the Pajero and over $60,000 for the Prado (pretty sure).

X-Trail and Tiguan have limited off road capability. They are what are often referred to as 'soft roaders' or 'urban SUVs'. They are excellent on slippery surfaces and rough roads and will go off road to some extent, they are absolutely no match for a Prado or Pajero though. They are cheaper and are better for everyday driving, much more comfortable and drive like a sedan. I heard Touraeg mentioned. Pretty sure they are larger SUVs and considered a luxury model, $60,000 plus.

European cars are more expensive than Japanese or Korean cars, at least here they are anyway. They are also expensive to service, Volkswagen parts cost an arm and a leg from what I've heard.

Jeep's are also good along with anything Land Rover or Range Rover as well although the latter are expensive. Range Rover is considered luxury and pretty much at the top of the heap.

itigo

Noone has mentioned the Nissan Patrol. Apparently more robust than the Prado........

Kim67

Seen loads of FJ Cruiser's around lately - they're quite cute, very popular in the UAE and made by Toyota too so should hold their value for resale.

renth

They break down a lot. The older 3.0 litre engines are terrible.

northernbird

and they sound like a bloody tractor!

roaringmouse

Just go for a Great Wall! Cheap..

Scubaemma

Thanks for all your suggestions. Here's where we are ATM.

Ruled out the Prados and Pajeros - Pajero don't make a 3 door SWB anymore (they stopped making them in 2009 and although we liked the 2009 one we test drove, we don't really want to buy a 3 year old car) and the 3 door Prado is v nice but very expensive ($60-75k)! The 5 door versions are just too big for us.

Ruled out all AWD's (even though there are some very nice options). We need a proper 4WD with low range option for proper off roading.

Suzuki Grand Vitara - definitely an option. Small enough for us, basic but nice enough inside, proper 4wd (low range), good price (pretty cheap compared to lots of others). Prob looking at $35k.

Toyota FJ Cruiser - didn't like it from the pictures (it's definitely a bit different looking!) but liked it a lot more in the flesh. Drives like a dream (Prado engine) and very smooth drive around town and would be awesome off road. It's funky and a bit alternative, but I think I like it. Looking at $50k.

So at the moment it's between the Grand Vitara and the FJ Cruiser (although we might change our minds again tomorrow!)

Buzzy--Bee

errr the Jeep is more capable off road than the Vitara which is really a "soft roader" and it is only $28k new at the moment.

BB