New Car

[Toddie]

Wife has a Jimny, does what she wants it too,

Gnole, what's the Jimny like for petrol? I'm looking for a small(ish) 4x4 that doesn't drink petrol like it's going out of fashion. The prices on them are pretty reasonable too.

[the-gnole]

It's only a little engine so I think it isn't too bad, I had a quick look for info.

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/carte ... 08102.html

SWMBO likes the ground clearance, but the downfall is the lack of boot space, but then she just drops the back seats and makes it a tewo seater with a big boot

[skippy]

for a small 4x4 consider the daihatsu terrios.

You can pick up one fairly cheap now and with the right tyres they provide suprisingly good off road ability. 1.5 engine means that you can actually drive past a petrol station without looking at the guage in terror.
I did think of buying one for the other half however spent the money on a vehicle for the business instead (my bad).


skippy

[Slimslim]

Cheap Vitara already sold but have managed to fix most of the problems with my current car with some help and a fraction of the cost...

So going to save up now, sell my car in a couple of months time then buy a new one

[swompy15]

I have only recently brought a suzuki jimny around 2 weeks ago so far very pleased with it very reliable on fuel and fairly good off road also they ar not constantly in 4 wheel drive which also save on fuel which many small 4x4 are. The only problem was geting cheep insrance as i have only left uni my self and didn't have much no claims. Aslo my mother has a vitara and they can be a bit heavy on the juce but still a very good small 4x4.

[TwoDo]

I have thought about this quite a bit from a prepping perspective. I would like a vehicle that has the capability of burning multiple fuel types (diesel, red-diesel, bio-diesel, heating oil, kerosine, chip fat etc), which will also have lots of parts available if supply lines get impacted, which is a 4x4, which is pretty tough, reliable, fixable without major techie tools and able to pull a trailer.

A pre-TD5 Diesel Land Rover Defender ticks all those boxes nicely. The only problem (besides that they are expensive) is that every car thief in the land seems to want to steal Defenders - even the old ones.

From a prepping perspective newer, modern, cars are not as desirable IHMO. The newer diesels are touchy regarding anything but standard fuel and they have so much electronics and pollution control systems that they cannot be readily fixed by the layman.

[Reservior]

Sorry to bump an old thread, know the OP's question has resolved itself, but I did want to add a few comments to the thread.

As I mentioned in my intro, I have a 4x4 and have had a few in the past, all with the green oval. Series vehicles and defenders. Never had a Discovery but have friends that have them and I like them. When I got rid of my last Defender, I nearly bought a Disco but then circumstances intervened and I currently have a Freelander. Much more capable off road than you might imagine, although the lack of low range means its nowhere near much of the competition if things get a bit serious. It's coped very well with the flooding etc we get around here and I actually really like it. Not my preferred choice of vehicle, that would be another Defender, probably 110 next time, but needs must at the moment so it's staying. I would recommend one though, for someone that wants a decent sized car with 4x4 capability, good sized boot etc.

[Lomast]

I got rid of my old series land rover and bought a 300tdi Disco. Overall i have been very impressed with it it drives well both on and off road and is very comfortable to drive without too many 'toys' to go wrong.Although this is not my daily drive car fuel economy is not as bad as i was expecting and there are a few simple things you can do to improve them without great cost (EGR valve removal for a start)

Although they are a bit prone to rust they are pretty straightforward to get welded and if you factor in the costs when you purchase it there are some real bargains out there.

I have a large crate of spares and they are easy to repair with basic diy skills and a heynes manual.

And the 300tdi engine will run quite happily on just about anything you put in it. ( i have bought several spare fuel filters in case i have to run it on questionable fuel).

When i bought mine i paid just over 1k with 10mths tax. I gave it a full service, removed EGR, flushed intercooler and inlet manifold, I am currently repairing all the rust spots.

[Optimystic]

Just bought a new car.. had planned on a 2nd hand 4x4 but as much as it might be useful in a shtf situ, right now i have more need of a cheaper way of getting around.. so we got an hyundai i10 with a 5yr warranty and 5yrs RAC cover..
if the SHTF and im in need of a 4x4 i reckon at some point id be able to just steal one!!..

For now i prefer money in my pocket to buy extra stores with!

[Salty]

Just bought a new car.. had planned on a 2nd hand 4x4 but as much as it might be useful in a shtf situ, right now i have more need of a cheaper way of getting around.. so we got an hyundai i10 with a 5yr warranty and 5yrs RAC cover..
if the SHTF and im in need of a 4x4 i reckon at some point id be able to just steal one!!..

For now i prefer money in my pocket to buy extra stores with!

Good point you're better off doing 60mpg while things are tough, and out the spare money to good use elsewhere!