Stalking vehicles….

[tozzybum]

Renault n Nissan have the same owner. Peugeot n Citroën have the same owner ain't much independence left in the Automotive world.
You buy the big Nissan Navara you save 10k on buying the Mercedes version same production line different badge is all.

 

[Smellydog]

Well it works well whatever it is. At least the ash tray and heating knobs look like Renault one!! Quashqai & duster diesel 1.5 a Renault engine I think? The 1.2 in my duster is def Renault.

I have the 1.2. They go well don't they...

 

[hendrix's rifle]

And where do you have your rifle in this car? On the roof?
The Jimny is a pretty little car and very capable off road. But effectively it‘s just too small for this world.

I'm sure I've got a photo somewhere of my old jimny. It has 3 red hinds in the back, a dog on the passenger seat and my rifle squeezed in somewhere you can make them work and they're possibly the best off road vehicle after a couple of minor mods

 

[Essexsussex]

I have the 1.2. They go well don't they...

I’m very surprised how well it tows for a titchy little thing…

 

[Smellydog]

Renault n Nissan have the same owner. Peugeot n Citroën have the same owner ain't much independence left in the Automotive world.
You buy the big Nissan Navara you save 10k on buying the Mercedes version same production line different badge is all.

I think it's the same when you buy a fiat pick up. They are a mitsubishi underneath the badge.

 

[3red dogs]

Free lander 2 .
Never been stuck . 170k miles . She’s a Beauty. Going to get another for the missus.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Free lander 2 .
Never been stuck . 170k miles . She’s a Beauty. Going to get another for the missus.

That’s a great swop!

 

[Greenmist]

The real question is, do you need a 4wd, or just want one? If you can manage without one I would, you may be able to buy one as a new driver, but can you realistically afford to run it, tax (even the jimny) is expensive, fuel economy is never great and insurance will be high for you. If you have a big bit of ground to cover, a cheap quad left secure at the farm may be the better option

 

[Foxyboy43]

The real question is, do you need a 4wd, or just want one? If you can manage without one I would, you may be able to buy one as a new driver, but can you realistically afford to run it, tax (even the jimny) is expensive, fuel economy is never great and insurance will be high for you. If you have a big bit of ground to cover, a cheap quad left secure at the farm may be the better option

Catch yourself on man! Need? Of course he WANTS one - that’s the same league as Need another gun.
I don’t know, some people…..

 

[devon deer stalker]

I have been actively looking for a newer Hilux, but the only decent ones have been in dealers, and they aren't very flexible on price these days, they even focus on 'click and collect/deliver', I mean who on earth would buy without test driving/inspecting first?
And they hate people like me, cash buyers, they want to sell on finance.
Just like these 'Cinch' car sales, I like to haggle not buy something without seeing it first.

But now I'm thinking, how often do I actually go off road?, and it's not that often, although in the photo below a pickup is useful!
My deer cart or capstan winch can get them back to solid ground, so I'm thinking of selling the Hilux and looking at the AWD Rav4, I have a shapell tub, and with the seats down I think this could be the solution with some decent tyres, only issue, the bulk are automatics, I've never owned one before, but I'm sure I would get used to it.

Anyone have a RAV4?

 

[Tom_Ov]

@devon deer stalker I've got a Dacia Duster commercial, which is pretty much the same size as a Rav 4 with the seats down. No issues with where it goes but I wouldn't get a sled that size in the back alongside the dog box (plus various bags, rifle, sticks etc).

I only shoot muntjac, roe and fallow so no issue as I just use the Decathlon carcass bags and they fit in nicely, but if I was shooting Reds, I'd want a pick up. Maybe you could make it work without the dog box though.

I have been actively looking for a newer Hilux, but the only decent ones have been in dealers, and they aren't very flexible on price these days, they even focus on 'click and collect/deliver', I mean who on earth would buy without test driving/inspecting first?
And they hate people like me, cash buyers, they want to sell on finance.
Just like these 'Cinch' car sales, I like to haggle not buy something without seeing it first.

But now I'm thinking, how often do I actually go off road?, and it's not that often, although in the photo below a pickup is useful!
My deer cart or capstan winch can get them back to solid ground, so I'm thinking of selling the Hilux and looking at the AWD Rav4, I have a shapell tub, and with the seats down I think this could be the solution with some decent tyres, only issue, the bulk are automatics, I've never owned one before, but I'm sure I would get used to it.

Anyone have a RAV4?

 

[Howzat]

I have had a RAV4 AWD had it for eight years, never been stuck yet, does all I want, including sleeping in the back in the summer when fishing or stalking, would recomend one if you can find one, in manual.

 

[SussexSteve]

I run a Jimmy and Hilux

 

[takbok]

I run a Jimmy and Hilux

 

[Sandy25]

Thank you very much everyone for all the feedback and recommendations. It has given me a lot to think about!

I have been crunching some numbers over the past few days and have come up with some other options that have lower insurance ( which is the main killer for me).

Freelander 1

Toyota RAV4: what’s it like on the ground clearance?

Nissan Pathfinder


Anything that is a definite no from the list above?

Many thanks in advance

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

@Sandy25

I believe the Freelander 1 had an unreliable Rover engine. The freelander 2 was leagues above.

I have a jinny. Mine is a tidy one. But it is too small for regular use with reds IMO.

I did have a subaru outback for a while. Shocking on fuel but a beast and a beauty in all other ways. Mine was a 3.6L petrol.

Fourtrak is so old now and spare parts are rare and getting expensive.

I think people worry about ground clearance unnecessarily a lot of the time.

 

[Sandy25]

@Sandy25

I believe the Freelander 1 had an unreliable Rover engine. The freelander 2 was leagues above.

I have a jinny. Mine is a tidy one. But it is too small for regular use with reds IMO.

I did have a subaru outback for a while. Shocking on fuel but a beast and a beauty in all other ways. Mine was a 3.6L petrol.

Fourtrak is so old now and spare parts are rare and getting expensive.

I think people worry about ground clearance unnecessarily a lot of the time.

Ok, that’s definitely something to think about!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I had an idea last night for the really good mechanical types on here.
Imagine a small suv like the Opel Mokka as it seems to sit high enough but is only in FWD, now if the rear brake handbrake and wheel bearing units were to be replaced by two small electric motors on the ends of the suspension legs and then with an extra battery on board to power them up and some smart controllers talking to the front wheels for when they spin on mud it could kick in like a haldex unit to give a short range AWD capability.
Discuss.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I had an idea last night for the really good mechanical types on here.
Imagine a small suv like the Opel Mokka as it seems to sit high enough but is only in FWD, now if the rear brake handbrake and wheel bearing units were to be replaced by two small electric motors on the ends of the suspension legs and then with an extra battery on board to power them up and some smart controllers talking to the front wheels for when they spin on mud it could kick in like a haldex unit to give a short range AWD capability.
Discuss.

Excellent idea BB! Though you lost me right after “Mokka”…..
Anyhoo why should I worry - I have two Jimnys now or as someone who shall remain un-named (henceforth known as poopypants) on this site rather cruelly termed them “rollerskates”.
Sticks and stones…..

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Don’t touch the Freelander 1. Just saying.
Freelander 2 miles better.