Replacement for 3.1 trooper

tin79

Hello All

I was wondering if anyine could give me some advice. My father is currently looking to replace a 1995 3.1 trooper commercial (new fuel tank, new belts, custom wood floor inside, nice alloys, fully rust proofed under neath, custom rod racks in the roof and excellent condition and only looking for just over a grand if anyone is interested ).

He has just retired and has no use for such a big jeep now and he wont be working so the tax would be a bit too high now anyway.

So he is looking to sell the tropper and his avensis and get one vehicle to do the jobs he needs. We do tow a smallish boat + trailer (GVM 750kgs) so something with decent ground clearance and 4 x 4 or awd for ocassional launching on semi-slippy slipways is needed.

What we are looking for:

Something around 2 - 2.2 litre (would go to 2.5 for a really nice example)
Passenger
4 x 4 or AWD
Diesel ideally but would consider petrol
Budget up to around 3.5k
Would like to get a post 2000+ but 1999 or so is fine too once the mileage/condition is not too bad

The potential models I have been thinking of so far are the following:

Subaru Forrester
Opel Frontera
Hyundai Santa Fe
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Toyota Rav 4
Nissan x trail
Kia sportage
Honda CRV (are they AWD?)

I would really apprecite any thoughts on the above models or suggestions of others or any directions to nice examples?

Thanks

Adam

101sean

The Forrester will be only be available in petrol I think.
Forget the Frontera, awful vehicle and nearly as big as a Trooper
Honda CRV will a bit too much of a soft roader

The rest will all do the job for you. There are others, late Freelander Td4, Volvo XC and then like but they are all out of you budget.

Fishtits

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1540757

Looks like a bargain.

Bitten & Hisses

As seen on the Bangernomics thread:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1429004

tin79

Thanks for the replies. Heard the fronteras were not great, are they that bad.

Forester is an option as he wont be putting much mileage on it so petrol is ok.

101sean

Didn't realise there was a a 4wd version of the V70 estate, looks a bargain but parts could be expansive. The later XC70 4x4 models were what I was refering to.

The Subaru is very well regarded in the UK, great petrol engine which will have gone against it here, they've only recently started making diesels.

Fronteras are just plain horrible, a rebadged Isuzu throwback to the 80s and never updated

tin79

Yes I was wondering why they were so cheap. They are rebadged Isuzu MU`s arent they?

How are the 1998-2004 freelander diesels? I know the petrols tend to blow gaskets but are the diesels in anyway good. He could stretch the budget a little maybe if needed, I could throw in a bit too as might get use out of it.

101sean

Late production Td4 Freelanders are good but you have to be careful you don't get one with a damaged 4wd system due to owner ignorance (do a search on recent Freelander posts)

101sean

Yes, Frontera is a rebadged Isuzu Mu (Mysterious Utility in the strange Japanese way of naming vehicles!)

JohnBoy

I'm gonna step up and defend the frontera.

The post 99 B series is not a bad truck at all.

Parts prices are a bit high, but they're the smallest big truck you can get, are quite comfortable and refined, and I averaged 36mpg over 40k in mine.


The original was awful, but despite what 101sean says they were updated to a kinda mk 1.5 version which was better, and then the mk2 was better again.

Much nicer on road than a series 1 disco, havent spent much time driving a series 2 disco, but I'd say comparable from what I can remember.


However it's probably not ideal to his needs, something smaller would probably do. I'd say if he wants to stay in a jeep then get a vitara, if he wants a car then I'd definitely consider the subaru, but they are kinda thirsty. non turbo will struggle to make 30mpg, turbo might make 25 if grannied. but 22 is a more normal figure.

They're also pretty small inside, all of which is a pity as I've driven a few turbos and they're lovely yokes altogether

101sean

Was a bit harsh on the Frontera I suppose, still wouldn't be seen dead in one

urtooky

Grand Vitara .. Is just the job.. Bought a 99 one last week and it's brilliant. Had it in the mud wednesday night and not a bother to it. Only 2 ltr so tax is okish and it runs on the smell of diesel. Only thing to watch for is the clutch. Make sure it does not feel odd as the fork bends at about 100k - replacement is about 70 euro..

tin79

Thanks for all the advice

We have narrowed it down to a freelander TD4, Grand Vitara, Forester or Frontera (if he wants to go the cheap short term route). But the first three are most likley

Put the trooper on Donedeal last night at 10 and he had five calls by midnight so it should be gone soon.

tin79

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Its gone now so think I am ok to put the link in

http://www.donedeal.ie/sold/commercials/1565899

Just looking for the replacement now.

Slidey

Well done on the quick sale. I'm not surprised, it looks very clean and was cheap.