if not a truck , which 4x4 ?

[Dazb1967]

Does anyone know if the new Duster is available in 4X4 with Auto gearbox, I have searched but can't see a model with this spec though a google search says they are available but I can't find one.
My Hilux is too much of a lump now for what I use it for, dirt tracks and lots of miles to get to my stalking permission

 

[Jagare]

Does anyone know if the new Duster is available in 4X4 with Auto gearbox, I have searched but can't see a model with this spec though a google search says they are available but I can't find one.
My Hilux is too much of a lump now for what I use it for, dirt tracks and lots of miles to get to my stalking permission

Certainly, here in Sweden, the Dacia Duster can be had in 4x4 auto.

 

[Heym SR20]

I have put 50,000 miles on our VW Touareg Mk2 Escape over the last couple of years.

A very comfortable long distance, fast mile eater. But also very capable across fields, hill tracks etc. The escape does have a low box, and lifted suspension. But to be honest the big 3 litre V6 has enough grunt that low box is really not needed.

I would buy another, they stopped the Escape in the UK Shortly after mine. I would definitely have another but get with air suspension- lifts so you get the height when needed, and more comfortable on the potholed roads.

Tows very well - hardly feel a 3 tonne trailer behind it.

I am running Michelin Cross Climate 2 - seems like a very good all round compromise for me. Very good on road and perfectly good on tracks etc. After 30,000 miles they are nearly down to the wear marks and not as good as they were in mud. A more aggressive offroad tyre would perhaps be better if I was mud plugging all day long.

Fuel - 100 litre tank takes a while to fill, but 650 plus miles out of it. Computer shows 35 MpG. The ad Blue tank is below the boot floor. Its a pain to fill, but takes 15 litres so only needs doing every 10,000 miles or so. But LEZ compliant. Two large exhaust pipes so can provide homes for two Edinburgh City Councillors!!

Lots of rear leg room. Back seats slide forward and then you have huge boot capacity.

And they don’t to seem to command lots of money. They ate only a five seater, so yummy mummy Chelsea tractors don’t want them. The wannabe long distance off roaders all go for the Landcruisers and New Defenders - first is still very agricultural and great for Africa or Australia. New Defender- a good design and very capable but make sure you have a main dealer on hand. I really like the Grenadier, but for me its really too heavy, expensive to run etc for UK use unless you are needing it as a working vehicle - which is what it is. Now the 2nd hand market is developing nicely and they look to be the sort of truck that is strong enough to easily do a few hundred thousand miles. So one that is coming off a first contract, that hasn’t been shagged is probably a very good buy. But you are lugging 3 tonnes about and that will burn fuel.

 

[pob]

Anyone considered a Skoda Kodiaq L&K?

 

[Scotty99]

FL2 SD4 2.2 diesel auto. With the right tyres will get you most places you need to get to.

 

[Malxwal]

KGM/Ssanyong look to be doing some decent SUV. Certainly a lot of the pickups going around here since the local Mitsubishi dealers went over to them.

 

[Deerkeeper2]

I’m on my second Honda CRV as a stalking/work truck and I’m very happy with it. Back seats removed, winch installed in the back and decent tyres fitted. Only downside is that the best model/spec ceased production in 2007 so I need to keep this one running for as long as possible now.

 

[Malxwal]

I’m on my second Honda CRV as a stalking/work truck and I’m very happy with it. Back seats removed, winch installed in the back and decent tyres fitted. Only downside is that the best model/spec ceased production in 2007 so I need to keep this one running for as long as possible now.

It's a shame them and the RAV4 just continually lost ground clearance after their first generations.

 

[Deerkeeper2]

Park Ranger in Slovenia where we recently went chamois hunting was using a Dacia Duster with pretty average tyres and we went everywhere in it!

 

[Will the chippy]

What about a Kia Sportage with good tyres on. I would think a better bet than a duster. And near the top of the reliability tables for the last few years.

 

[Malxwal]

SSEN are using Duster commercials, must be good enough for a leisure stalker.

 

[JockStalk]

Be aware that Duster is 3 star NCAP rated, we dont buy anything in Europe that isn’t 5 star for work vehicles

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Be aware that Duster is 3 star NCAP rated, we dont buy anything in Europe that isn’t 5 star for work vehicles

Daewoo in 1995 did do a double spot welding on all the seams/joints for their NCAP crash test vehicles so take all NCAP with a large pinch of salt. If the sneaky Koreans did it then other makers will not be far behind.

 

[JockStalk]

Daewoo in 1995 did do a double spot welding on all the seams/joints for their NCAP crash test vehicles so take all NCAP with a large pinch of salt. If the sneaky Koreans did it then other makers will not be far behind.

NCAP does need care for sure - but a low rating seldom means production cars are better

 

[j500app]

I’m deciding at the moment Paul - current options are limited to Toyota and landrover products.
They’ve messed up the new land cruiser by adding a hybrid motor, which is a big impact on boot space and increases floor height. The ‘older’ straight diesels look ok.
Defender - limited access to back from side pillars. All the cool kids are buying them.
Disco 5 - run out models, proper diesel in it now, some good deals to be had. Does everything.
No idea what to go for at the moment / all are a compromise and all have their lovers and haters

I bought a new Land Cruiser 3 months ago,straight diesel very pleased with it.

 

[Chris Richardson]

I have put 50,000 miles on our VW Touareg Mk2 Escape over the last couple of years.

A very comfortable long distance, fast mile eater. But also very capable across fields, hill tracks etc. The escape does have a low box, and lifted suspension. But to be honest the big 3 litre V6 has enough grunt that low box is really not needed.

I would buy another, they stopped the Escape in the UK Shortly after mine. I would definitely have another but get with air suspension- lifts so you get the height when needed, and more comfortable on the potholed roads.

Tows very well - hardly feel a 3 tonne trailer behind it.

I am running Michelin Cross Climate 2 - seems like a very good all round compromise for me. Very good on road and perfectly good on tracks etc. After 30,000 miles they are nearly down to the wear marks and not as good as they were in mud. A more aggressive offroad tyre would perhaps be better if I was mud plugging all day long.

Fuel - 100 litre tank takes a while to fill, but 650 plus miles out of it. Computer shows 35 MpG. The ad Blue tank is below the boot floor. Its a pain to fill, but takes 15 litres so only needs doing every 10,000 miles or so. But LEZ compliant. Two large exhaust pipes so can provide homes for two Edinburgh City Councillors!!

Lots of rear leg room. Back seats slide forward and then you have huge boot capacity.

And they don’t to seem to command lots of money. They ate only a five seater, so yummy mummy Chelsea tractors don’t want them. The wannabe long distance off roaders all go for the Landcruisers and New Defenders - first is still very agricultural and great for Africa or Australia. New Defender- a good design and very capable but make sure you have a main dealer on hand. I really like the Grenadier, but for me its really too heavy, expensive to run etc for UK use unless you are needing it as a working vehicle - which is what it is. Now the 2nd hand market is developing nicely and they look to be the sort of truck that is strong enough to easily do a few hundred thousand miles. So one that is coming off a first contract, that hasn’t been shagged is probably a very good buy. But you are lugging 3 tonnes about and that will burn fuel.

a good friend of mine has the same very happy with his

 

[dryan]

It depends on the type of stalking you’re doing, roe and smaller don’t need a proper 4x4, larger fallow and reds definitely do.

Ive had lots of 4x4 over the years but in recent years I’ve had :

A petrol crv 2004 model- great for family, ok with seats down and plastic sheeting for animals up to fallow buck size. Ok on forest tracks and green solid fields.

Discovery 2 td5- awesome off road, lovely position to drive and feels like a shooting truck should, downside is they need regular repairs. Mine was a 2 seater commercial so was big enough to haul reds into the back.

Now moved into a KN26 Hilux as I need the extra seats and the truck bed will be useful for reds with a winch setup. It’s not as nice to drive as the discovery but will hopefully be more reliable.

I’ve a Yaris for my train station commute and school runs. I came to the realisation that you really won’t be able to get a vehicle to do both as a family car and a stalking vehicle.

If I was just shooting roe/fallow then I would probably got for a late freelander they’re capable off road and get reasonable rep for reliability.

 

[countrryboy]

Must admit my dads had a 65 plate duster since new.
Got plenty rural miles onit mainly towing quads or polaris.
Very few problems and stilk looks a tidy motor.
Pretty good on juice too.

Weve owned quite a few jimnys over the years.
Not bad but small inside and sore on juice, lucky to get 30mpg or 200 miles to a tank.
But unbelievably expensive now, used to buy them brand new pre reg for 7K for years and years.
Last 1 i had new was a 54 but deal went on a good bit longer.

We're lucky that we don't have too much mud. We do have thousands of miles of gravel roads and forest tracks. Gravel tracks have a nasty habit of turning into sheet ice long after tarmac has thawed.
They Duster may not be in the class of the big pick ups but it certainly a more than capable stalking vehicle for many. I do wonder if there are more than a few "stalkers" who buy a big truck more as a status symbol than any thing else.

Im like jagare, not a big fan of 'big' 4x4s in snow and ice.
Id far prefer to go downhilk in my wee 2wd van with winter tyres on than my pick up.
Surface area of tyres gripping wont be that much more yet pick up could wiegh 2 or even 3 times as much and generally less engine braking.
8 times out of 10 id chose my wee van in snow, had it in some queer bits too.

 

[sauer]

ok ... reason i started this thread was not because I'm looking for immediate change....
current set up id my motor a 15 plate ford ranger 3.2 auto with 65k on it and clean for age
wifes motor a 15 plate skoda octavia scout with 94k on it 2,0ltr auto

now if ranger was to suddenly go bang as I'm told by so many it will .... what would i go for?
also if our government elites decided to tax hell or change laws for pickups what would one go for ...it was to give others an idea also ...which some folks are considering too

realistically id get wife a newer motor and id take scout as i have towbar and 6x4.5ft trailer ..trailer has boat winch on front for hauling stuff in etc.

some good answers and covering many a price point from a duster to a new grenadier .....obviously some folks in here in a different tax bracket altogether


wish original xtrails and vitaras and subaru L series were still available with their 2H 4H 4L & diff lock if had em

keep answers coming


Paul

 

[JockStalk]

I’d put money on your ranger being fine with that chain drive engine and the government taxing everything to bu66ery including the air it takes in

Still some decent vitaras out there if you don’t mind a journey to get them.