Opinions on small 4x4 for shooting

Griffo13

Griffo13

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone

I currently have a 19 plate sportage which is awd, but I’m looking at getting something significantly cheaper and more capable off road. I’m not talking the need for rock crawling or fun days at local pits.

My permission list has grown, it’s becoming more off road/farmland”esk” for access. I have been looking at RAV4, xtrail and crv. Obviously like the old Jimny but all seem to suffer terrible rust issues and most have absolutely abused off road.
Ideally wanted to stick to Japanese for reliability sakes (As much as it will be solely used for shooting I still don’t want it to be a dog and no end of trouble)

If you have let’s say £4k to spend, what would you go for ?
 
Good luck - I see lots of contradictions in your post: significantly cheaper,more capable, reliable,not a dog and no end of trouble and all for £4K!!!

A pick up would probably suit but for that price you're looking at least 10 years plus in age and usually well over 100K miles. There are some Ford Rangers on ebay in your budget but they are 15 years old and high miles.
 
Griffo13 said:
Hello everyone

I currently have a 19 plate sportage which is awd, but I’m looking at getting something significantly cheaper and more capable off road. I’m not talking the need for rock crawling or fun days at local pits.

My permission list has grown, it’s becoming more off road/farmland”esk” for access. I have been looking at RAV4, xtrail and crv. Obviously like the old Jimny but all seem to suffer terrible rust issues and most have absolutely abused off road.
Ideally wanted to stick to Japanese for reliability sakes (As much as it will be solely used for shooting I still don’t want it to be a dog and no end of trouble)

If you have let’s say £4k to spend, what would you go for ?
Click to expand...
Have had two jimnys.
Neither ever let me down.The first was a 2001 which was written off in the lanes by a delivery driver who couldn't stop.
The second was a 2010 plate which I have only just traded for a Duster diesel 4x4 because I needed more room.
I removed the rear seats in both jimnys and made a plywood floor with rubber mat. Never had a problem with rust though they were regularly pressure washed and once a year waxoyled.
They are a very capable vehicle.
 
I run a 09 rav 4. Great motor. Capable enough. Powerful reliable engine, comfy. I don't hesitate when I need to do a long trip in it. It's my second one, I've had this one for years now and I'd get another in a heartbeat. I bought it for 5 grand and it's not a dog by any means, no rust etc, just had it's not last week and past with no advisories,
 
I've been running a SWB Suzuki Grand Vitara Mk1 for a few years now. A good set of all terrain tyres and it goes anywhere within reason. The rear seats also fold down flat so you get a pretty decent load area. Certainly big enough to get a plasterers bath in along with another human, a dog and some guns/kit etc.

Finding a good one is probably harder these days. Mine had about 70k on when i got it and it was in really good nick. Think I paid about 2 grand from memory. It has not missed a beat. Had a caliper, oil changes, some rear drum brake work and some work on the belts/steering pump as the steering got a bit weird a while back. Apart from that, it has been a brilliant little vehicle. If you are happy plodding along at 50mph on the road and you can stomach the insane road tax costs, they are hard to look past for a seriously capable off road truck with a proper ladder chassis and solid transfer box.

When/if it dies, I will probably look at getting one of the new Jimny's. Basically the same vehicle really but new. I would look to keep it for 15yrs. I use mine as a second vehicle alongside my daily driver. It takes the strain off the road car as I live in a rural area and the car would be broken in no time if I took it down the gated road to the golf course and to the farm for various shooting duties. For years I ran just one vehicle and although it is somewhat of a luxury, it is hard to look past the obvious benefits of having two vehicles, each suited to task. There is no way I would use the little Suzuki for a daily. It would drive me mad. Likewise, there is no way I would take the car through some of the crap I subject the Suzuki to.
 
Lever357 said:
Good luck - I see lots of contradictions in your post: significantly cheaper,more capable, reliable,not a dog and no end of trouble and all for £4K!!!

A pick up would probably suit but for that price you're looking at least 10 years plus in age and usually well over 100K miles. There are some Ford Rangers on ebay in your budget but they are 15 years old and high miles.
Click to expand...
I see your point, but I did have a Toyota iq for 5 years. Was a 2010 plate. Never had a single issue with it, was high mileage. I’m referring to the likes of a Land Rover etc in terms of reliability
 
Suzuki Grand vitara. My second one cost £3.6k.
It willbe difficult to find a decent one but well worth the effort.
Mines a 2ltr petrol. V reliable and has proper 4 wd box. Very rarely if ever need low 4wd.
With a good set of tres will do all you require and more.
D
 
Best of luck in your search, I was behind what I thought would have been an ideal vehicle I have not seen one of these for ages guess they all rusted away it was one of those little subaru pickups from the 70's I think... I think they were called Brat
 
Im using a 2008 honda CRV trying my best to kill it and it wont die. Its got decent clearance and with some off road tyres would be fine. i think anything japanese and you will be fine. Im used to driving a toyota hilux diesel and having a petrol honda I can rev past 6000rpm and do 60mph in 2nd gear is like a boy racer car. :rofl:
 
Jimny or duster
I have a jimny and it is a super little shooting wagon, leaves no footprint like a heavier truck,
If your after fallow or bigger get a little trailer and your made all I’ve added on the trailers are a slide down stabilisers on the back 2 sides and it stands rock steady if you wish a small winch as well
To be honest your all sorted and nothing goes in the motor, just a wash out and you’re all set again
 
One of our lot bought a SWB Grand Vitara for less than half your budget & from what I’ve seen it’ll do exactly what you need it to, albeit it’s petrol so may be a bit juicy if used a lot or as a daily driver. But then I run a 4.0 V8 Disco for stalking & the occasional trip to work & it’s worth every gallon 😎
 
Thanks for the replies, few cars on there I hadn’t even considered to be fair. Thanks for the input!
 
I think we have owned most 4x4 / pickup you can find in the UK for under 4k (I used to buy and sell)- that budget will get you what you want but You'll need to check whatever you choose with a fine toothcomb. We have a RAV4 now and it's been faultless and economical (and paid only 1750 for an 07 plate about 6 years back)- but underneath being prone to surface rust, you need to oil them if taking them offroad, especially. The Jimny gets another vote from me, but the heads are fragile and you need to be really vigilant with coolant and oil. Plus they are easy to sell if you change your mind or want to upgrade later
 
I went in a mate’s Jimny yesterday that he was given. It’s horrible IMO and his. Can’t do 60mph comfortably and feels like it will fall to bits at 55mph. If you live any distance from your permissions I would give it a wide berth.
 
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