Suggest a replacement for a Daihatsu Terios

team teri on 24/07/2020 - 12:24
Last edited 24/07/2020 - 12:52

My trusty old Daihatsu Terios is nearing the end of its service life after 17 years and 270' km. Noises from the transmission, still driving, but who knows for how much longer - repair cost ~$2000. Probably time to move on and change my username here.

But: I am struggling to find anything in the market (new or used <5 years) that ticks all the boxes. What have I missed? What do you suggest?

What I need:

  • cheap to buy, fuel efficient (rules out Prado/Landcrusier and similar)
  • can tow 500kg unbraked (rules out Suzuki Jimny, which also is a tad too small overall)
  • can go sandy tracks / beaches without getting stuck (i.e. 4WD with diff lock option)
  • reliable, low maintenance (rules out older used models)
  • comfortably seats a tall driver

What I like:

  • high ground clearance
  • high seating position

Any ideas?

Update:

Yes, I now realise a budget needs to be set. Ok, aiming for $25k when looking at young used, could push it to $30k for new.

Reasoning behind that:
Jimny at $25 is pretty close, just a tad too small.
Hyundai Kona could be the right size, $31k with AWD, but does that give me the sand performance I need? Anyone drive one?

Automotive

Comments

  • EightImmortals on 24/07/2020 - 12:27
    +1

    RAV 4?

  • thrillho on 24/07/2020 - 12:28

    Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

  • netjock on 24/07/2020 - 12:33

    What is the budget?

    For $2k to keep it running you might want to spend that if everything else is fine. You're not going to get much for $2k.

    • silo on 25/07/2020 - 09:03

      I used to have a terios… I couldn't have been happier to get rid of it

      • netjock on 25/07/2020 - 14:14

        Some people say that about BMWs too. I don't see one person's opinion representing whole of the population. Too bad.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2020 - 12:38
    -4

    Well, the closest thing to a Terios is a Captiva but…

    You really need to spec a budget. Cheaper than a Prado doesn't really give enough info as it could be a second hand Prado, brand new…

    Maybe a Colorado?
    (No factory diff lock but your $2k repair would pay for a e lock)

    • Jetstream on 24/07/2020 - 12:54
      +3

      Closest thing in terms of crapness?

      One thing is for sure OP, even if you absolutely stuff this decision up, it will still be better than the Terios

    • Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 14:19
      +3

      How, in any way, is a Captiva close to a Terios? Both have 4 wheels?

      Then you live in to a Colorado which is a huge ute. Again similarity limited to number of wheels.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2020 - 14:35

        How, in any way, is a Captiva close to a Terios? Both have 4 wheels?

        Both are made by the budget division of a big company, ie Daihatsu and Daewoo.

        Neither one has a good reputation. (It was also clearly a tongue in cheek comparison hence why it trails off…)

        Colorado which is a huge ute.

        It's a Ute but it isn't huge. It's just a standard mid size pick up.

        OP has a list of requirements. Towing, high ride and a 4WD (not AWD) with options for a diff locker. Also fairly low budget to achieve all of the above.

  • brendanm on 24/07/2020 - 12:51
    +15

    Grand Vitara.

    • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 14:56

      This.

      Nothing else comes close to the needs/wants/budget, unless it's a Jeep, and you don't want a Jeep

    • team teri on 24/07/2020 - 17:07

      Surprised to see they state a towing capacity of only 400kg unbraked. Why would that be?

      • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 17:23
        +2

        What year? 2018 Grand Vitara Sport Auto 4x4 is 750kg unbraked, 1700kg braked

        3-door does 550kg/1600kg if you don't need the size of the 5-door

        • team teri on 24/07/2020 - 17:43
          -1

          My mistake, I looked at the Subaru website, seems they don't sell Grand Vitara any more, only Vitara?

          The fuel consumption is a deal breaker though, 9.9l for the 5-door, 9.6l for the 3-door.

          How come Mitsubishi Outlander are so relatively cheap (used)? 2018 model for $24k at the same dealer who wants $21k for a 2015 Grand Vitara.

          • brendanm on 24/07/2020 - 17:49
            +1

            @team teri: What fuel economy do you expect from an actual 4wd with a petrol engine? Do the maths as to how many $$ difference you are going to pay, compared to actually having a car that fits your requirements and isn't rubbish.

            Outlanders are cheap as they are crap, and not a 4wd.

          • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 17:51
            +2

            @team teri: An outlander isn't a 4x4…

            Grand Vitara has very strong resale

            And yes of course it'll use more fuel, it's putting power down to all 4 wheels at once.

            Put it this way, you can't have everything you want without sacrifice somewhere. You can't have a proper 4x4 and expect good fuel economy. You can get an awd, get good economy, but it can't go as far off-road as a 4x4.

            So, what can you do without?

          • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 19:59

            @team teri: Oh and an Outlander AWD is rated to 7.2L/100km

            So let's not make it out like the ~3L/100km difference is drastic, when they suit different purposes. On your driving amounts on your current car, that's 480L/yr, or less than 10L/week.
            You'd rule out a car for ~$15/week in the fuel usage?

            • team teri on 24/07/2020 - 20:10
              -1

              @spackbace: It's not just the $, it's the feel good factor from lower carbon emissions too.

              How about a Nissan X-trail as a compromise? I see one advertised for $22k for a 2018 model. 8.3l/100km

              • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 20:21

                @team teri:

                it's the feel good factor from lower carbon emissions too.

                You mean, you've suddenly grown a conscience after polluting the air with a 17yo Terios? Seriously?

                • team teri on 24/07/2020 - 21:13
                  +1

                  @spackbace: Not sure where that comes from. The Terios runs in real life on 7.2l/100km, with permanent all wheel drive. The catalytic converter works, that means pollution levels (CO2 and others) are comparable to any other car with similar fuel consumption.

                  Back then it was an easy decision to buy this instead of say a Hyundai Accent. Sticker price was perhaps 10% more, same small difference with fuel consumption.

                  It is a shame that these days there appears to be no option that fills that market niche. I might get the Terios repaired after all.

                  • netjock on 25/07/2020 - 14:18

                    @team teri: You are correct, getting it repaired would do the earth a favor.

                    I'm sure there will be a few Terios in the wreckers yards with parts that can keep yours going.

                  • Euphemistic on 25/07/2020 - 16:09

                    @team teri:

                    It is a shame that these days there appears to be no option that fills that market niche.

                    There is: the Jimny.

                    There isn’t a lot of competition because there isn’t a big market. Many of the people that used to buy them have moved onto compact SUVs because they are more comfortable in the city. High riding, fun looking etc.

                  • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2020 - 16:10
                    +1

                    @team teri: Why don't you get a low-kms 10-15 yr old Subaru Outback or Forester? Similar fuel economy, will have another ten years left in it, more comfortable, more creature comforts, cheap af?

                    We have a 2006 Outback that's been bulletproof (aside from exploding an input shaft but the specialist Subie mechanic we took it to said he had literally never seen that happen before… lucky me). Leather & electric seats, 7.2L/100km on the highway, cost us $6k a few years ago, can sleep in the back if you're not over 6ft, has a dual range transmission.

                    What more do you want?

  • Zachary on 24/07/2020 - 13:24
    -1

    Monster truck

  • Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 14:21
    +1

    If you want off road ability a Jimny is probably where it is at, or the Grand Vitara. Otherwise a Subaru might do the job. Perhaps the old shape Nissan X trail?

    There isn’t much market for off road ability in compact vehicles. They are really only soft roaders.

  • tmcn85 on 24/07/2020 - 14:43

    Diesel pajero?

  • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2020 - 14:44

    Curious, towing 500kg and sand performance..

    What do you mean sand performance? Are you doing beach driving or your just sand launching a tinnie off a trailer?

    4WD with diff locker(s) for a small distance is seriously overkill for that even though it is awesome to have.

    • team teri on 24/07/2020 - 17:13

      towing is for a camper trailer,

      sand driving is to get to nice fishing spots, might go 10 or 20km on soft sand, don't want to get bogged,

      advertising makes it sound like some AWD can electronically control torque to each wheel to stop one from spinning/digging in, if that works as promised I wouldn't need diff lock

      • brendanm on 24/07/2020 - 17:52
        +2

        That doesn't work very well in sand. You need something with a least a full time AWD with torque biasing centre diff, not the rubbish "on demand" 4wd that will have you bogged before it sends power to the rear wheels.

      • spackbace on 24/07/2020 - 17:52

        For soft sand, I wouldn't use an awd

        • Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 18:58

          While it’s not ideal to use AWD, some systems are far better than others. Many current AWD are front wheel drive unless the rear is needed and can’t cope with soft sand. Some will try to fix that with electrickery.

          At least Subaru AWD is full time AWD.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/07/2020 - 11:07

        AWD is great but… (Yeah, there's that but.)

        It improves traction by sending power to the correct wheel when it feels loss of traction but it is reactive. This means if you're already bogged, the AWD will not know where to send the power to next as the grippy wheel changes with every rotation, ie. digging a rut.

        Also, the amount of torque you can transfer is much less on anything but some supremely expensive AWD systems. Lack of low range also means your transmission may cook before you finish anything but the easiest off-road climbs.

        My road cars are currently all AWD, so I do like them but I wouldn't put them through anything more than some light and flat mud.

        (PS. Any closer or change to your shortlist?)

        • Euphemistic on 26/07/2020 - 12:55

          What AWD vehicles do you have? I heard the Honda system in the older CRVs was all but useless as it took too long to engage the rear drive. Others would be similar.

          • [Deactivated] on 26/07/2020 - 13:15

            @Euphemistic: Golf R and Tiggy at the moment both are AWD on demand. Had a few full time AWD.

            Haldex is quick to engage the rear but not quick enough for serious off-road.

            The Amarok and a mates Cayenne did okay but was never put in any real drama. Sand launching kayaks as per my above scenario. Not even soft sand. We have a PCOR LC200 for backup so we were more daring.

            Upgraded from those vehicles since but neither are AWD anymore.

  • brad1-8tsi on 24/07/2020 - 15:03
    +1

    Subaru Forester - I think the non-turbo manuals still had a hi/low until a few years back

    Skoda Octavia Scout with the 1.8

    • Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 15:51

      I think the non-turbo manuals still had a hi/low

      I had a forester manual with the dual range gearbox. Low range was only a reduction of about 0.8. Not enough for real off road work. Forester forum members recommended the auto without dual range for off road work because of this. That recommendation may have changed with the current CVT though.

  • dazeet on 24/07/2020 - 20:50
    +1

    Short wheelbase Pajero or Prado. New or used - as long as you don’t miss the doors for the second row.

  • 82norm on 25/07/2020 - 09:40

    Suzuki Jimny.

  • Speckled Jim on 25/07/2020 - 10:20

    FJ Cruiser at Midland dealer.

    Hell of an upgrade over a Terios. Thirsty too.

  • HeWhoKnows on 25/07/2020 - 19:45

    Is there anything as bad as a Terios around these days?

    • team teri on 25/07/2020 - 20:00
      +1

      One person's bad is another person's good I guess. ;-)

      No frills, sure, but very solid build quality with the only repairs so far a rusted exhaust and a split CV boot.

      I have driven numerous new cars as rentals over the years. Sure they added new gadgets, cruise control and the like, and improved safety, but when it comes down to the mechanics of driving, I wouldn't swap for most of them.

  • team teri on 26/07/2020 - 13:17
    +1

    Thanks everyone for their input. All the helpful comments are very much appreciated, and even the snarky ones added some giggles.

    Here's the result:
    I found a used gearbox with relatively low km, tested and with warranty. Supply and install will set me back ~$1300, a lot less than the $1800-$2500 I was first quoted for a transmission rebuild. I'll get the clutch done at the same time for an extra ~$300.

    That will buy me time to look for a replacement and opens up a lot of options.

    During that time I will try to learn more about Grand Vitara, Forester and X-Trail. I.e. ask around if any friend of a friend might have one and lets me come along / drive it a bit.

    My hope is that the Forester is capable enough for my needs and if I can push the purchase out by a year or two I will be able to get one that still has years of manufacturer's warranty left without breaking the bank (unfortunately they only went to 5 years warranty in 2019).

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