Looking to buy a 4 wheel drive that runs on diesel, as a friend suggested diesel fuel has now been refined much better and less pollutant, as family has grown and would like some extra space to go for fishing drives, camping, etc. just had a look at the Isuzu one and wondering if it would be worth it? Other option is Toyota Rav 4 or Kluger, however doesn't have 7 seats
Buying a 4 Wheel Drive That Runs on Diesel
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Comments
anything from $50 thousand below
And the other questions?
yes to all, I'm happy with no room behind the 7 seater - as long as it's a bit spacey. Not really looking to fit too much luggage . A 7 seater 4 WD will do. How about Jeep or Landrover?
Buy a diesel Prado. Best reliability and resale and very capable 4wds
Personally I would avoid jeeps like the plague, the grand Cherokee constantly makes worst car lists.
I would back an 80 series landcruiser any day of the week, you can pick up one in brilliant nick for under 30k.Don't buy a Jeep what ever you do, the mechanical problems have been in the media a fair bit and Jeep have been forced to buy back some.
Stick with a Prado or Pajero.
Jeep's only got 5 seats don't they?
What sort of 4wd do you want/need? Beach, snow, rough tracks or just gravel roads? Somewhere in between? Will you be towing anything? If so, what sort of towing?
If you aren't going beach or tackling offroad, rough tracks you can get away with an AWD. If you aren't towing, or carrying lots of gear petrol isn't that bad, they only get really thirsty under load and are cheaper to buy and service.Do you only want 7 seats occasionally? Will you only need up to five when travelling with luggage? Seems this way if you aren't worried about space behind the rear row of seats while in use. A smaller vehcile like an Outlander may suit.
Do you want new? or are happy with slightly older? There are a range of differnet models available and some superceded that you might find suitable or not depending on your needs from the above questions and your budget.
We have a 2011 Pathfinder. Good capable 4wd, spacious, more space in the boot than a Prado and very happy with it. However it is a little truck like being based on the Navara chassis, but is still comfortable enough. We preferred it to the Prado based on space (and price)
Friends (who wanted a good tow vehicle) have just bought a runout Pajero over a Prado based on price. The Pajero is not long for this world as the Pajero Sport (Challenger replacement) is taking over.
I have 2013 7 seater diesel Mitsubishi outlander. Great car, excellent economy km vs ltr. Loads of space. Not a true 4wd eg. Is fine in snow or mud but not huge outback dunes / potholes.
If you want a real medium sized 4wd diesel these are the option:
Mitsubishi Challenger 2015 (superseded model)
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (new model)
Holden Colorado 7
Ford Everest
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota Prado (more expensive).
Jeep cherookee
These 4wd have a proper ladder frame and can do real off road.
Best value for money is probably the Challenger because they don't make it anymore and the Pajero Sport has replaced it.
Amongst the newer models the Holden Colorado 7 seems good value.
It would be interesting to have opinions from people that have already bought them.Isuzu Mu-x. Great car. Is that the one you looked at?
yes. it seems like a nice 4wd to buy and how good is the engine and maintenance?
isuzu, it will run forever
diesel fuel has now been refined much better and less pollutant
If you are buying diesel thinking its relatively clean you will be surprised
Its still a very polluting f\uel
As a result, Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, announced that the city would work to ban diesel-powered cars from the city by 2020
http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/are-diesel-fuels-days-…
Diesel works best for vechiles that are under load. Trucks, Buses, vans, cars that are towing, all can benefit from Diesel as the power to weight economy is better than petrol.
If you are in a rural area there are price benefits as well. Those on farms get rebates etc
If you are using it mainly in urban areas then savings are much less, plus the nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, ozone, and diesel particulate matter are still troublesome byproducts
Diesels cost more to buy, which offsets the savings you make, so if you are not driving much, the capital costs may not be worth it. (10-15% more plus depreciation - depending on who you read - may be more)
So summarising, if you travel a bit, on highways and tow or have heavy loads go diesel, unless you are concerned about helping the air quality where you live.
And in our family we have Petrol and Diesel vechiles
Hi,
Had petrol Disco, converted to gas.
Should have gone diesel.The main difference for me is if you are really going off road you really want every bit of extra range you can get.
Diesel takes you further.In terms of bran a good Toyota or Nissan would be a great 4wd they are solid and leave the others behind, except for the expensive Range Rover.
Cheers
Take a look at the Y61 Nissan Patrol.
Aren't they petrol only? Not that it is a bad thing, just doesn't meet the OP requirements.
Y61 is the older shape/style GU (still selling new) and is diesel only. The Y62 is the new shape/style and is petrol only.
Is the new Discovery Sport 4wd? I have a feeling it is. It is 7 seater and not too big. I have a Disco 4 and have been thrilled with it. Would also consider a Toyota if I was buying again bit only the land cruiser. The Kluger (as someone pointed out) isn't 4wd
Yes and it has the all terrain system
I have driven Nissan terrano 2.7l diesel for the last 18 years. These are no longer made but if you have limited budget a used one would be great for you. Economical, seven seat, proper 4x4. Smaller version of patrol. Diesel engines are great for longevity.
Word of warning with diesels. If you're using the car for shorter commutes and in start stop traffic I would avoid a diesel as the particulates block up and will seize the motor over time. Diesels generally need longer trips/runs to burn out the particulates.
Not a true 4WD but korean cars are good - Kia sorentos and Hyundai Santa Fes from 2008 onwards would be reliable and within your budget. The new ones have great reviews. The Koreans (both Kia and Hyundai are same company now) have the technology right so their diesels can handle the start stop commutes without particulate issues. They also have leading warranty periods for new cars.
Isnt it interesting, someone votes down your comment. But why?
Is it to do with the diesel comment or the Korean manufacturer.
It would be rather helpful if they at least meantioned why they voted it down. Some people have no class.
Maybe becuase not all diesels have a diesel particulate filter. Or maybe someone doesnt like korean cars..
Or someone doesnt like the verse john 316
Update to the list of "real" medium size 4wd:
Mitsubishi Challenger 2015 (superseded model)
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (new model)
Holden Colorado 7
Ford Everest
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota Prado (more expensive).
Jeep cherookee
Isuzu MU X
Nissan PathfinderIsn't the Jeep only 5 seats?
Current Pathfinder is not a real 4wd anymore. prior to about 2013 it was a real 4wd. There is a rumour that Nissan are bringing out a true 4wd based on the Navara sometime.
I have run a diesel Landcruiser for 4 years. All it has cost me is fuel, service, a new air filter and one set of tyres, (two months ago).
Performance is outstanding, the ride is smooth and it is incredibly spacious.
I have never calculated fuel consumption but a tank gives me about 1,000 kms, which suits me fine.
I look after it, so it still looks as good as new.friend has a kluger, I think its petrol but basically you wont fit anyone but small children in the back. Prob 12y/o max. I assume it is this way for all 7 seaters unless you are looking at a delica which will fit 7 adults comfortably
My old rugby coach had an older L300, fit half the team in it!
Were just in the same boat recently (but wanted a reasonably newish model with warranty). After 9 months of research and tyre kicking, ended up with a 2014 Pajero Exceed (2015 rego). Has 7 seats and full leather interior, 26k on the clock and 4 years warranty left, all for $46k. Has sky roof, tow bar, nudge bar and usual stuff top spec models have.
Have owned for 4 weeks and very happy. Drive it more than my twin turbo BMW M car.
Equivalent Prado was about 15-20k for same spec/year which I'm sure would be a good car.
Other options:
- isuzu - very unrefined
- Nissan - concern for gearbox problems, seemed to have many disgruntled owners
- Jeep - too many disgruntled owners but nice interiors
- Land Rover Discovery - too expensive for me but would have loved one
- Challenger - rough unrefined, basically a triton and just as solid
- Pajero Sport - better gadgetry than my Pajero but smaller and only 5 seats
- Full Landcruiser - even more expensive again than DiscoveryUtes weren't an option for me.
The sad part about the Pajero that has never changed is the 3rd row seats. Not split fold is the main kicker
And the rear door tyre with tow hitch has been a fun discovery too…
Still very happy to have 2.3 tonnes of metal around my other half and our little girl, the other half no longer gets morons tail gating her on the motorway, where she always had people inches from rear bumper in her small hatchback. For some reason people don't tail gate 4WD?
Yeah, having access to the cars on the lot I do see how people judge others cars. Interesting to see what they think they can get away with because of the car
I love tail gating 4wds, they have the best slip stream effect. So good you can be further back and still slip stream.
@wholesaleturbos: This makes me sad :(
If there's a sudden reason for the 4WD to break, you don't have reaction time to brake.I request that you don't drive the M1 north of Sydney.
@wholesaleturbos:
In order for you to have a benefit from "slip stream effect" tailgating a 4WD your car must be of a smallish size/weight.
There is no price for guessing who would end up worst off should you end up rear ending the 4WD you are tailgating…
Good luck…also too bad for the occupiers of the 4WD, mine carries a 10 week old baby in it. I don't want any w*nker deciding he can tailgate after them.
There is a tactic to it, since you cant see around them you have to sit off to the drivers side. Then you can see what they see. I am able to see problems the same time and react to it, not them or just brake lights. That would be stupid.
Often i react a lot faster then they do, but on a long drive it can be tiresome.
Its not for everyone, my mrs used to get nervous because all she could see was suv, but being told how to do it she now does it and it makes me a bit nervous when im a passenger, cos i cant see.
I dont actaully sit right behind tail gating, like i said no real advantage to sit so close. I know what its like to be tail gated and dont push that boundary, just a bit closer then the idiots on the m1 like to sit in a straight line in massive ques. M1 you cant really not sit on someones ass, its just so busy these days
@maxi: its the opposite actaully, the boxier your car the greater the difference.
My car is very low in comparison to a 4wd, but it has fat super sticky track tyres and other things so it can guzzle.
I dont bother doing it in the mrs car since its pretty good on the freeway at 4.1/100 or less.
There have been times where i have found someone who can sit on the speed limit and have sat behind them for 2 hours without a 2nd glance in the mirrors. Clearly they know what i am doing and arnt worried.
They can speed up or slow down and ill move onto the next 4wd that never sees dirt in its lifetime
@wholesaleturbos:
The few $ in fuel you may save are definitely not worth the risk you are taking and the risk you are imposing on the car you tailgate.
For about $46000 you can get a brand new Colorado 7. A bit smaller than the Pajero, but newer model and brand new.
Feature wise it's not the same as the Exceed, and womble's exceed has tow bar, nudge bar. Plus a Colorado 7 LTZ is around the $50k mark for a 2016 plate.
Should add to the list: Ford Everest - seems like a great 4WD but too expensive for leather appointed one
$44990 for a LT right now.
Not sure about the difference between LT and LTZ.
Do you know if it is a good car?Comparing against an Exceed, you'd definitely have to compare the LTZ model.
Depends what you want out of the car
A good reliable 4wd capable of real off road and beach use and capable of towing up to 2000kg without suffering.
Not too big (otherwise the landcruiser would be the choice) so it can be used everyday everywhere.
Not fancy "look at me" type useless gadget and extras.
In ozbargain spirit the cheapest one that will do the job.
And I do not rhink it would be worth to go 2nd hand just to save $4,000 or $5,000.The seller of my Exceed paid $69k 12 months earlier. Effectively a $23k drop, had a motivated seller at the right time, next nearest NX pajero exceed at the time was well $50k after strong negotiations. We have another exceed pajero in the family (parents) and just such a reliable car. Probably not the most stylish but I couldn't justify the 20% uplift for equivalent Toyota Prado which I'm sure I would have been happy with. Resale isn't a factor for me, plan to keep this for 10 years and by then both a Prado or Pajero would be worthless anyway (compared to original price).
Colarado seems interesting but couple of differences: Pajero has rear and centre locking diffs and full leather interior rather than appointed seats (important for me with lots of kid vomit in the future).
Can anyone comment on the Ssangyong Rexton?
2014 model low km can be bought quite cheap for $28000Don't expect any sort of resale value. No one looks at Ssangyong's, or goes searching for them I mean. That in itself results in low resale, not to mention parts not easily available when the warranty runs out
Hi Spackbace
Just taking advantage of your expertise.
Would you look at a vgc 2014 Rexton with 30000km for $18000? Seems quite a good deal.Have you sat in and driven any of the Ssangyongs, or just looked online?
@Spackbace:
Just looked at the reviews online and most seem good.
I mean for the money. Not compared to a Prado or a newer fancy model.
A 2014 Prado, Colorado 7, Pajero, Challenger or similar you would be looking at figures from 30000.
18000 for a rexton is A LOT less.
Never driven one. Just seen them on the road and it does not seem too bad.
Have you driven one?I'd say sit in it, play with things, test drive it. It's the only way of knowing if it suits you or not
@Spackbace: I suspect someone looking at a Rexton isn't really looking for a 4wd for off road, more an SUV for ride height and interior layout which then opens up the search a lot more.
@Euphemistic:
Reviews say that is a real rough and tough old school off roader and performs really well for that. Not very refined on road though.
I am not sure for towing with inly a 2000cc 4cyl turbo diesel engine@maxi: fair enough, might be ok for tackling local tracks but I'm not sold on the idea of taking a rare make/model outback on the rough stuff in case something goes bang. then, if that's the case might as well get a more common SUV, or a more common 4wd.
I had that impression too.
It is a pity as it looks like a reasonable no frills 4wd. And there are good reviews from people that have it.
Resale is probably not a big concern if you plan to keep it for say 10 years. But availability of parts is a big concern. And probably there are not enough around for after market parts manufacturers to be interested.
Rav4 isn't a proper 4wd, won't go on the beach as well as others. Kluger is petrol, no diesel option, also awd not 4wd.
So you want 7 seater 4wd? You fitting 7ppl? Most 7 seater don't have room behind the back row for anything really.
What's the budget?