New member, Advice on a new 4WD

[matt91112011]

Hi guys,

I'm a new member of the forum, and I'm thinking of buying a 4WD again, so I'm after a few tips. I used to own a 4Runner, went away alot in it, and then I got rid of it and bought a MX5, great car but I missed the bush badly, and a recent trip through the Simpson in a Patrol made me want another 4WD.

Basically what I'm after is a 4WD that will be used as a daily driver, but taken into the bush for 4WDing quite regularly, and I used to do anything from basic 4WDing to fairly difficult, so I'd like something thats capable, can do reasonably long trips, economical, easy to maintain/fix and carry adequate gear for 2 weeks away at a time.

Now this is where you guys come in, , I want to know what the best model is based on my needs (I don't care if its old or new), that I can buy for a maximum of $10000, and what modifications I would need to fit to it to make it bush worthy.

Thanks guys, sorry for all the questions straight up

[andrew_wale]

Hi guys,

I'm a new member of the forum, and I'm thinking of buying a 4WD again, so I'm after a few tips. I used to own a 4Runner, went away alot in it, and then I got rid of it and bought a MX5, great car but I missed the bush badly, and a recent trip through the Simpson in a Patrol made me want another 4WD.

Basically what I'm after is a 4WD that will be used as a daily driver, but taken into the bush for 4WDing quite regularly, and I used to do anything from basic 4WDing to fairly difficult, so I'd like something thats capable, can do reasonably long trips, economical, easy to maintain/fix and carry adequate gear for 2 weeks away at a time.

Now this is where you guys come in, , I want to know what the best model is based on my needs (I don't care if its old or new), that I can buy for a maximum of $10000, and what modifications I would need to fit to it to make it bush worthy.

Thanks guys, sorry for all the questions straight up

G'day Matt

Just to add my 2 cents worth.
When I joined the Suzuki Club I had a 1999 V6 (Manual) Grand Vitara.
All I basically did to it was added OME suppension, and BFG Mud Terrains.
From what I needed, it was a very capable 4WD and a Daily driver.

You may be able to pick up a Vitara fairly cheaply. A few members in the club have Vitara's and they are great cars. But they are not as big as an X5 or 4Runner though.
I suppose you need to decide on the size of car you need.

The Suzuki class the Vitara & old model Grand Vitara as a small 4WD.

Andrew Wale

[matt91112011]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your quick reply. I like the idea of the V6, I assume it'd be quite zippy compared with the older models. I forgot to add before that I'd like a vehicle with good aftermarket support. How good is the aftermarket support for the Vitara? Also how was it on fuel?

Cheers

[andrew_wale]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your quick reply. I like the idea of the V6, I assume it'd be quite zippy compared with the older models. I forgot to add before that I'd like a vehicle with good aftermarket support. How good is the aftermarket support for the Vitara? Also how was it on fuel?

Cheers

When I got the GV, there was next to no aftermarket accessories.
There probably is now for the older 1999 - 2005 models. From 2006, Suzuki changed the body etc, so I can not comment on these.
But there are a few members with the newer versions who should be able to add some comments.

I know there are a number of companies making suspension kits and alloy bull bars for them.
ARB Old Man Emu have a 50mm Spring & Shock kit which I personally would recommend.
TJM made a Allow bar for it. Not sure about a winch bar though.

I was getting around 10L per 100Km around town and 4WDing trips around 14-16L.
It really depends on what you want to add to the car.

Suzi World did a snorkel for the V6 GV which is a must if taking it off road.

Andrew Wale

Andrew Wale

[matt91112011]

Thanks very much for your help Andrew, fuel ecomnomy seems good for a V6

[andrew_wale]

Thanks very much for your help Andrew, fuel ecomnomy seems good for a V6

The older GV's were 2.5L V6 engines. I think the newer ones are 2.7L.
My Jeep is a V6, but a 3.7L and the economy on that is about 14L per 100Km
When I am off road, forget about economy it gets something like 19-21L per 100.

Andrew Wale

[gwagensteve]

I'd shop a GV against a 3.0 litre hilux surf (import 4 door 4 runner), a LR discovery, or maybe an early Prado or even a pajero

GV's have a fairly low GVM and whilst they can do it, 2 week trips and "fairly difficult" 4WDing aren't what their best at.

Like most modern "urban" 4WD's, they have fairly small guards, so, from memory, a 225 75 16 is the absolute limit for tyre size. I can vouch that Andrews car was reliable and quite capable, (and we have had members go on extended trips) you'd find a slightly larger/heavier duty vehicle better suited, especially as the three I have mentioned are available as turbodiesel automatics - a match made in on and off road heaven.

I'd drive a V6 auto grand vitara, and try some of the cars I've mentioned. You might well prefer the feel of the GV, and if so, go for it, there's no real problems other than the requirement for a steel front diff housing if the one you buy isn't equipped with one.

Just my 2C. I'm not anti GV or anything, but finding the right car for the job can take some work and it might not be a suzuki based answer

PS I joined the club with a hilux, and still own a non-suzuki 4WD along with my sierra. Non suzuki ownership is no barrier to club membership.

Steve.

[matt91112011]

Thanks for your advice, there was a red sierra for sale on carsales, someone snapped it up before I could get it....damn, but i'll definetly look into the Surf's, the 4Runner I had was quite reliable, it just chewed through the juice.


Cheers

[andrew_wale]

Thanks for your advice, there was a red sierra for sale on carsales, someone snapped it up before I could get it....damn, but i'll definetly look into the Surf's, the 4Runner I had was quite reliable, it just chewed through the juice.


Cheers

A 4runner is a lot larger than a Sierra.
You can not compare the 2.
But the Sierra is a lot more economical
Not sure If I would have a Sierra as my daily driver though. Although there are lots of people that do.

Andrew Wale

[gwagensteve]

I didn't really consider that you'd be looking at a Sierra based on the requirement for road use and long trips/2 weeks of gear at a time.

If you have a sense of humor and pack light, they can be fine for both daily driving and longer trips, but most would say you'd be better with a vitara/GV (or another off-suzuki product) based on the requirement for room and longer trips.

A 3.0litre turbo diesel surf will consume around 10l/100km, as will a diesel prado or discovery. That's about the same as a sierra or 1.6 EFI vitara.

Steve.