New 4x4 options

pete4130

So I'm looking to buy a new (used) 4x4 here in Australia.

I've had an old 1994, 75 series Landcruiser Troopcarrier with 330,000km the past 5 years. It's set up as a camper and can pretty much go anywhere. It's not fast, it's underpowered, it's leaf springs all round so a bit of a bumpy ride. Despite that, I love it but its getting to the point where its getting to expensive for me to keep in good condition. It's due a service ($600), needs new hing pins for the rear door (letting water in, $120 each), possibly new viscous radiator fan, has some rust spots and possibly a new battery. These are things I can live with paying for if I knew nothing else would go wrong. I've learned there is no such thing as a trouble free, 23 year old Troopcarrier though. Last year was $800 electrical work, $5000 on rear main seal, new clutch, fuel pump reconditioned, injectors reconditioned and it had so much more power.

1) I've been looking at newer, 4.5L V8 turbo diesel Troopcarriers but decent ones with low KM's are in the range of $40K-$50K for what is effectively a sought after commercial vehicle (with a fantastic engine!). They have their problems though. Altenator and starter are situated quite low down and can cause problems when off roading, water crossings etc and the rear track is 100mm narrower than the front (front was widened to accommodate that awesome 4.5L V8...)



2) The slightly smaller, 5 door version, the 76 Series Landcruiser. These come in the $30K-$40K range. Same 4.5L V8, same altenator, starter motor and rear tracking issues but a 4 door, 5 seater with a 300mm shorter body.



3) 150 Series Prado. New, very comfortable, very capable, 5-7 seater depending, fantastic to drive. Only a 3.0L D4D engine, or the 4.0L V6 petrol. The petrol is much cheaper and not that much harder on fuel than my 2003 2.5L Subaru Forester (which has been expensive to maintain too).
These come in at around $38K-42K for diesel with low KM's and maybe $32K-37K for petrol.


4) I've also started to look at Landrover Discovery 4's. I was surprised how well spec'd they are compared to the Prado's and they are cheaper too. Similar year, similar KM's to a prado and they are $5k-$6k less for what seems to be a much better vehicle. I've done some research and from what I can gather, apart from the compressor going on the air suspension and the gearbox needing some attention every 80,000km there are no less reliable than a Prado, while being much more comfortable than all the others. I'm open to either petrol or diesel. The petrol models are cheaper of course but not as economical to run as a petrol Prado but the difference isn't huge.


I do actually go off road, sand dunes, state forest, out into the bush, camping, road trips, sleep in the vehicle.

Bascially...am I mad to even think about getting a Discovery 4 or stick with overpriced Toyota?

nu_90

Option 2. The 76 series. You get the extra seats ( If you need them) or remove them for storage. Back doors which will be very handy compared to toopcarrier. Slightly Shorter wheelbase for offroading .
Iv recently been watching this lad on YouTube ( 4xoverland ) who just bought a toopcarrier and he is spending a fair amount of money upgradeing it form stock ( fixing tracking issue too) which i think is mad considering it's unreal as standard really.

But main point really is if prices are as you say , and if u need rear seats or not , I'd take 76 series passenger , spend cash uv saved on bits for it.

Also the disco 4 is a fine machine but out where you are Toyota must outsell them 20 to 1 , and there is a reason for that.

Oafley Jones

I love the discovery 4, but they're not reliable. Just had the fuel pump replaced in our 141 last month and now the electronic parking brake is decided to play up. A few other small issues. It's great when it work though.

pete4130

I'm looking down the route of a 3.0 diesel patrol now. For what you pay, you get a much newer vehicle compared to Toyota.

I hear what you're saying with regards to the 76 with the rear doors and extra seats. After having a troopy for nearly 5 years, its so hard to move away from how much stuff it can take in the back.

The discovery 4 does worry me on reliability but then, my old troopy is costing a lot of money to keep running these days, probably less than a Discovery.

pete4130

Well, I didn't buy any of the above. I bought a brand new Toyota Fortuner GXL auto (Hilux based 5 door wagon) that was $4k cheaper than the base GX model.

Got a really good deal on a Toyota special. $51,500 drive away price. Got $1500 for my Subaru trade in and another $1500 discount. Drive away price included stamp duty (3% purchase cost of about $1500), 1 years registration (tax about $448) and 1 years Compulsory Third Party insurance (CTP about $600) worth about $2500. So all in it's $48,500 drive away.

I'm also saving about $2000 by not having to register/CTP my Subaru or old Landcruiser Troopcarrier later this year and probably saving another $1500 on repairs for the Subaru and maybe $2000 repairs due for the Landcruiser.

So all in, I'll probably saved $5500 on repairs, tax, insurance on my 2 vehicles by buying new at the minute. The old Landcruiser is for sale for about $10K as well with plenty of interest too. I'd be happy with $8k for it.

It's a 7 seater but to be honest, the 3rd row is a terrible fold away to the side set up. I'll be taking them out straight away and building some sliding drawers with a mechanism to fold over onto the 2nd row seats folded down for bush camping and sleeping.

It's got enough power, drives pretty well and will be really capable off road and touring.

Grueller

Would love to see them on sale here as a cheaper alternative to a land cruiser. Well wear.

colm_mcm

Nice! Are they coil springs in the back?

pete4130

Colm, yeah coils in the back, just like the 150 Prado's and discs all round too.