Hi all, I'm just interested in what people consider to be the best all-rounder 4x4, that is to tow with, fuel economy, repair costs etc. I know people have their favourites, but there must be one which comes out on top for all the above. To make things easier lets say towing a van with a weight of 1500kgs to 1800kgs, can either be off road or not. Diesel or petrol models, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders. It would be interesting to see what people like.
Regards
Steve
gst said
09:41 PM May 29, 2012
Ive driven land rover, Land cruisers, F350 now driving GU Patrols for the last 12 years and Ive had no worries, they are all great but they all cost when you need to service them or get parts to keep them going and they all do the same thing but as long as they can pull 2800kg upwards hope you find what you need but make sure you know what weight the vehicle will tow before you buy the van. hope this helps.
Sorry thats if you going to pull a large van and use the 4x4 alot I aways belvie in overkill still same thing for small van big vehicle saves replacing both when you up grade.
-- Edited by gst on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 09:42:35 PM
-- Edited by gst on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 09:49:08 PM
Scotty01 said
11:09 PM May 29, 2012
For long relaible goanywhere life the only choice would have to be a L/cruiser diesel. By that I mean a real cruiser ie troopy not the late model Toorak Tractors. OK not the most fuel efficient but in total runing cost would more than balance out. Personal Opinion!
dazren said
12:39 AM May 30, 2012
Gidday SUE - Steve Gazal, '' Are you trying to start world war 3 ??? lol
I reckon the Best Tow vehicle, would be the one you thought about ? then researched, then inspected, then decided it's the right vehicle to suit your requirements then purchased by you, because it suited your needs.
If there was A BEST VAN, and A BEST TUG, how boring we would all be driveing around in the same set-ups dazren
jimricho said
01:07 AM May 30, 2012
I've been very happy with my 2003 diesel manual Pajero. A Pajero or Prado would be more than adequate to tow a van in size range you have in mind.
johnq said
01:29 AM May 30, 2012
Hard to beat a LandCruiser 100 Series T/D (turbo diesel) automatic.
Gerty Dancer said
02:07 AM May 30, 2012
With that towing weight in mind, I have to say my partner absolutely LOVES his diesel Prado .
aussietraveller said
03:45 AM May 30, 2012
It absolutely has to be a Pajero far more reliable and comfortable than most and a Pajero tows my 21' Jayco with ease I have dual fuel and use around 26 litres per 100 KLM average on current trip having done around 2000 Klm using LPG.
Sue - Steve Gazel said
04:39 AM May 30, 2012
It looks like I have opened the can of worms, but great to see what peoples views are.
Keith19837 said
04:45 AM May 30, 2012
My father is in his eighties and over a period of 60+ years he's had a variety of vehicles in some 10 countries. Many of these (including new purchse this year) have been 4WDs of various makes. Any time the talk turns to cars He reckoned everyone of them was the best car he ever had depending on what car is under discussion at the time. Lol.
Cruising Granny said
05:02 AM May 30, 2012
You're looking for a tug to do the job you want it to do. Always buy more horses than you think you might need. It's better to have spare horses than to pull the guts out of the inadequate horses. Then it's about comfort vs practicality. Are you going to be black top cruisers, or off-road bush bashers? Do you want manual or auto, carpet, no carpet? I prefer the practical manual with no carpet. Much easier to keep clean. Decisions, decisions. Have fun.
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:53 AM May 30, 2012
Have a very close look at what people drive who LIVE in the bush. Have a good look at what the hire companies own.
You can argue about why, but the clear answer is diesel Toyota Landcruiser.
If you see something else in the bush it is 90% being driven by a tourist.
Cheers, Peter
EDIT... I have to disagree with the requirement for lots horsepower. Towing is about torque, not HP.
The OKA is a 4 cylinder 110HP diesel and it will happily drag a total load of 7 tonns anywhere.
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 06:58:51 AM
jimricho said
02:15 PM May 30, 2012
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
If you see something else in the bush it is 90% being driven by a tourist.
That may be because many tourists use their vehicles for purposes other than towing and "bush bashing". This broadens the selection criteria beyond just its bush capability.
Jim
sandsmere said
03:39 PM May 30, 2012
Toyota LC . 76 series .
Can't beat 'em .
Dunco said
03:55 PM May 30, 2012
The one you own....whatever it is
Landfall said
04:11 PM May 30, 2012
Agree with you Dunco.
We have owned Land Rover, Land Cruiser FJ45, Land Cruiser SWB, Prado 3lt Diesel, Nissan Patrol and now Mercedes Benz ML270.
The Prado was without a doubt the most disappointing, gutless.
The Land Rover was basic and fun, expensive to own.
FJ45 Land Cruiser indestructable, reliable and thrifty. I guess Toyota built there reputation on these.
Current Benz, 324,000km, very reliable, comfortable and thrifty.
What's the best? The one I currently own.
AS will be the next one.
Dusty
signwilson said
05:11 PM May 30, 2012
100 series 4.2 turbo landcruiser the only vehicle. Have had others but none come close good fuel consumption towing or not towing great to drive parts available all over australia
Hylda&Jon said
06:51 PM May 30, 2012
Landcruiser any day. Also Toyota parts are everywhere.
Popeye said
07:07 PM May 30, 2012
LandCruiser 100 Series T/D turbo diesel
-- Edited by Popeye on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 07:08:47 PM
dazren said
12:49 AM May 31, 2012
Hmmmmm ?? I don't know any more ??
Most of the threads say Toyota, because they are reliable, AND you can get spare parts everywhere ????
I think maybe go for '' Great Wall'' Because they are a quarter of the price, AND they must be a lot more reliable, Because they don't need to keep any spare parts anywhere ?????
*** now don't attack me *** I am only trying to be funny, after crap day at work, OK ***
Sue - Steve Gazel said
01:54 AM May 31, 2012
Yes it does seem Toyota has been the pick, I suppose because they were the work horse out in the bush, but very interested in seeing / hearing other makes are considered just as popular now days. I don't want to start a battle of vehicles etc, just some interest in what we all tow with.
Thanks again to everyone.
Regards
Sue & Steve
lizard said
05:54 AM May 31, 2012
GQ-GU Patrol - 4.2 Diesel , half the price of comparable landcruiser , and ever so reliable
johnq said
07:23 AM May 31, 2012
If anyone is interested, the US magazine Consumer Reports which is a respected source, makes an annual report on vehicle reliability based on reports by owners. You can compare the reports back through years with Google.
I can challenge that! I once owned a Ford Explorer! (not one of my better decisions)
deb-gary said
06:57 PM May 31, 2012
4.2 diesel patrols havent been made for a few years and are very hard to find(i am a motor dealer)i bought one last week a 2005 manual travelled 122000klms and it still fetched 38k whoelsale and the dealer reckons he will get around 47 for it great vehicle tho turbo diesel cruisers also hard to find and fetch a premium personally i am going to settle for a 100 series 4.5 petrol auto fitted with lpg.
jimricho said
02:44 AM Jun 1, 2012
Like most on this thread I believe diesel is the better tow vehicle for a number of reasons...BUT...don't leave petrol out of the equation as it may be possible to pick up a petrol for a price whereby the saving could buy a hell of a lot of petrol, possibly even moreso if considering the petrol/gas option alluded to by deb-gary.
pricey43 said
03:12 AM Jun 1, 2012
I agree with Deb-Gary.
It's a matter of finding these vehicles for sale.
About 12 months ago, we happened across a 100 series 4.2 diesel cruiser in a yard. Within 2 hours we had put a holding deposit on it.
There were 2 other lots of people thinking, in the yard. 3 others had gone away to get finance and 2 minutes after we committed, somebody else was there to buy it.
The car yard owner had to remove it totally from the lot for the3 days while they finalised the roadworthy because people would see it out the back and were going back there to check it out.
We were just in the right place at the right time.
Last week we had it fitted with Turbo.
Very Happy!!!!!
Dunco said
01:37 AM Jun 5, 2012
jimricho wrote:
Dunco wrote:
The one you own....whatever it is
I can challenge that! I once owned a Ford Explorer! (not one of my better decisions)
Yeah, but you don't own it anymore
rockylizard said
03:44 AM Jun 5, 2012
Gday...
The 4X4s I have owned -
Series III Land Rover - great bush vehicle, good ride, definitely not a good highway tourer or tow vehicle.
Toyota HiLux petrol - great bush vehicle, not good economy above 90kph, rough ride, not bad highway tourer, barely acceptable tow vehicle.
60 Series Landcruiser petrol - expensive to drive above 90kph. great bush vehicle, OK ride, OK highway tourer, good tow vehicle.
80 Series Landcruiser non-turbo diesel - great bush vehicle, OK ride, OK highway tourer, OK economy, OK tow vehicle.
HiLux non-turbo diesel - great bush vehicle, rough ride, not bad highway tourer, barely acceptable tow vehicle
100 Series Landcruiser non-turbo diesel - OK in the bush (too big), OK ride, good highway tourer, good economy, good tow vehicle.
Hyundai Terracan CRDi turbo-diesel - good in the bush, very good ride, excellent economy, excellent highway tourer, very good tow vehicle upto 2100kg.
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto - Excellent in the bush, excellent ride, excellent economy, excellent highway tourer, excellent tow vehicle of 2800kg van.
None of the above vehicles ever stopped me on the road with a problem. Each did more than 25,000km each year and were serviced to the manual - except for oils and filters which were changed twice as often as manufacturer stipulated.
Spare parts when travelling. Well, unless it is a standard 'scheduled service item' then be prepared to wait for it to be sent to where you are stuck. And that applies to Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep or Land Rover et al. Depending on the part required, it could be a couple of days or a week.
If you buy a 2nd hand unit - dependent on model year, cheaper etc, well tried perhaps, but how much 'work' has it done.
New vehicle - they are all so electronic now with all the 'mod cons'.
I guss the bottom line is - buy what you can afford, what you like, what meets most of your requirements and keep it well serviced and maintained.
Cheers - John
jack biggles said
05:32 AM Jun 8, 2012
My 79 series Landcruiser is the best thing since sliced bread. Everything else is second best. I just did the 20 thou service and each day I drive it it just keeps getting better and better. I'm gonna change my will because I want to be hurried in it !
Regards
Steve
Ive driven land rover, Land cruisers, F350 now driving GU Patrols for the last 12 years and Ive had no worries, they are all great but they all cost when you need to service them or get parts to keep them going and they all do the same thing but as long as they can pull 2800kg upwards hope you find what you need but make sure you know what weight the vehicle will tow before you buy the van. hope this helps.
Sorry thats if you going to pull a large van and use the 4x4 alot I aways belvie in overkill still same thing for small van big vehicle saves replacing both when you up grade.
-- Edited by gst on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 09:42:35 PM
-- Edited by gst on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 09:49:08 PM
For long relaible goanywhere life the only choice would have to be a L/cruiser diesel. By that I mean a real cruiser ie troopy not the late model Toorak Tractors. OK not the most fuel efficient but in total runing cost would more than balance out. Personal Opinion!
I reckon the Best Tow vehicle, would be the one you thought about ? then researched, then inspected, then decided it's the right vehicle to suit your requirements then purchased by you, because it suited your needs.
If there was A BEST VAN, and A BEST TUG, how boring we would all be driveing around in the same set-ups dazren
It looks like I have opened the can of worms, but great to see what peoples views are.
My father is in his eighties and over a period of 60+ years he's had a variety of vehicles in some 10 countries. Many of these (including new purchse this year) have been 4WDs of various makes. Any time the talk turns to cars He reckoned everyone of them was the best car he ever had depending on what car is under discussion at the time. Lol.
Then it's about comfort vs practicality. Are you going to be black top cruisers, or off-road bush bashers?
Do you want manual or auto, carpet, no carpet? I prefer the practical manual with no carpet. Much easier to keep clean.
Decisions, decisions. Have fun.
Have a very close look at what people drive who LIVE in the bush.
Have a good look at what the hire companies own.
You can argue about why, but the clear answer is diesel Toyota Landcruiser.
If you see something else in the bush it is 90% being driven by a tourist.
Cheers,
Peter
EDIT... I have to disagree with the requirement for lots horsepower. Towing is about torque, not HP.
The OKA is a 4 cylinder 110HP diesel and it will happily drag a total load of 7 tonns anywhere.
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 06:58:51 AM
That may be because many tourists use their vehicles for purposes other than towing and "bush bashing". This broadens the selection criteria beyond just its bush capability.
Jim
Toyota LC . 76 series .
Can't beat 'em .
Agree with you Dunco.
We have owned Land Rover, Land Cruiser FJ45, Land Cruiser SWB, Prado 3lt Diesel, Nissan Patrol and now Mercedes Benz ML270.
The Prado was without a doubt the most disappointing, gutless.
The Land Rover was basic and fun, expensive to own.
FJ45 Land Cruiser indestructable, reliable and thrifty. I guess Toyota built there reputation on these.
Current Benz, 324,000km, very reliable, comfortable and thrifty.
What's the best? The one I currently own.
AS will be the next one.
Dusty
Landcruiser any day. Also Toyota parts are everywhere.
LandCruiser 100 Series T/D turbo diesel
-- Edited by Popeye on Wednesday 30th of May 2012 07:08:47 PM
Most of the threads say Toyota, because they are reliable, AND you can get spare parts everywhere ????
I think maybe go for '' Great Wall'' Because they are a quarter of the price, AND they must be a lot more reliable, Because they don't need to keep any spare parts anywhere ?????
*** now don't attack me *** I am only trying to be funny, after crap day at work, OK ***
Thanks again to everyone.
Regards
Sue & Steve
If anyone is interested, the US magazine Consumer Reports which is a respected source, makes an annual report on vehicle reliability based on reports by owners. You can compare the reports back through years with Google.
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/revealed-the-most-reliable-cars-20111028-1mn7b.html
I can challenge that! I once owned a Ford Explorer! (not one of my better decisions)
I agree with Deb-Gary.
It's a matter of finding these vehicles for sale.
About 12 months ago, we happened across a 100 series 4.2 diesel cruiser in a yard. Within 2 hours we had put a holding deposit on it.
There were 2 other lots of people thinking, in the yard. 3 others had gone away to get finance and 2 minutes after we committed, somebody else was there to buy it.
The car yard owner had to remove it totally from the lot for the3 days while they finalised the roadworthy because people would see it out the back and were going back there to check it out.
We were just in the right place at the right time.
Last week we had it fitted with Turbo.
Very Happy!!!!!
Yeah, but you don't own it anymore
Gday...
The 4X4s I have owned -
Series III Land Rover - great bush vehicle, good ride, definitely not a good highway tourer or tow vehicle.
Toyota HiLux petrol - great bush vehicle, not good economy above 90kph, rough ride, not bad highway tourer, barely acceptable tow vehicle.
60 Series Landcruiser petrol - expensive to drive above 90kph. great bush vehicle, OK ride, OK highway tourer, good tow vehicle.
80 Series Landcruiser non-turbo diesel - great bush vehicle, OK ride, OK highway tourer, OK economy, OK tow vehicle.
HiLux non-turbo diesel - great bush vehicle, rough ride, not bad highway tourer, barely acceptable tow vehicle
100 Series Landcruiser non-turbo diesel - OK in the bush (too big), OK ride, good highway tourer, good economy, good tow vehicle.
Hyundai Terracan CRDi turbo-diesel - good in the bush, very good ride, excellent economy, excellent highway tourer, very good tow vehicle upto 2100kg.
Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto - Excellent in the bush, excellent ride, excellent economy, excellent highway tourer, excellent tow vehicle of 2800kg van.
None of the above vehicles ever stopped me on the road with a problem. Each did more than 25,000km each year and were serviced to the manual - except for oils and filters which were changed twice as often as manufacturer stipulated.
Spare parts when travelling. Well, unless it is a standard 'scheduled service item' then be prepared to wait for it to be sent to where you are stuck. And that applies to Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep or Land Rover et al. Depending on the part required, it could be a couple of days or a week.
If you buy a 2nd hand unit - dependent on model year, cheaper etc, well tried perhaps, but how much 'work' has it done.
New vehicle - they are all so electronic now with all the 'mod cons'.
I guss the bottom line is - buy what you can afford, what you like, what meets most of your requirements and keep it well serviced and maintained.
Cheers - John