Which 4X4?

I suppose this has been asked many times.

I'm down to choosing either a Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0 TD, Vauxhall Monterey or
there is local to me an S reg Grand Cherokee Jeep for £4999.

Other possibility is a Lotus Big Horn

Looking to spend about £5-6k.

So what do the panel think?

Ta very much.

"RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote in message news:437122df.0@entanet...
>I suppose this has been asked many times.
>
> I'm down to choosing either a Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0 TD, Vauxhall Monterey
> or there is local to me an S reg Grand Cherokee Jeep for £4999.
>
> Other possibility is a Lotus Big Horn
>
> Looking to spend about £5-6k.
>
> So what do the panel think?
>

If it were my cash, and considering that I am a Toyota fan, I would not be
spending on a Hilux. The Vauxhall is a badged Isuzu Trooper and is fairly
bomb proof. The Cherokee and Monty better be diesel if you are at all
concerned about running costs. Anyone having a petrol version of either will
try and hard sell and will probably dance for joy if they manage to get rid.
The Monty diesel is good and fairly refined. The Cherokee's VM diesel engine
is an enthusiasts delight but is less refined.
Your money should secure very nice top-of-the-range examples.

Huw

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote in message news:437122df.0@entanet...
>>I suppose this has been asked many times.
>>
>> I'm down to choosing either a Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0 TD, Vauxhall Monterey
>> or there is local to me an S reg Grand Cherokee Jeep for £4999.
>>
>> Other possibility is a Lotus Big Horn
>>
>> Looking to spend about £5-6k.
>>
>> So what do the panel think?
>>
>
> If it were my cash, and considering that I am a Toyota fan, I would not be
> spending on a Hilux. The Vauxhall is a badged Isuzu Trooper and is fairly
> bomb proof. The Cherokee and Monty better be diesel if you are at all
> concerned about running costs. Anyone having a petrol version of either
> will try and hard sell and will probably dance for joy if they manage to
> get rid.
> The Monty diesel is good and fairly refined. The Cherokee's VM diesel
> engine is an enthusiasts delight but is less refined.
> Your money should secure very nice top-of-the-range examples.
>
> Huw


Hi Huw,

Thanks for the reply.

Surprised that you don't rate the Surf, I must admit that was top of my
list, the Monterey I realised was/is a Trooper but I thought there were
turbo problems, mind you the prices of the Monterey seem to be better value
for money than the rest, but my local Jap imports dealer has a Lotus Bighorn
(Trooper), M reg for £4999 and it is imaculate so I might be tempted unless
anyone thinks for that price I could do better.

Oh and yes, Diesel is the only option even though I'm not a fan of the evil
smelly slippery stuff.

I'll be looking to get one this weekend, a friend of mine bought a Vitara
and I've been bitten by the 4X4 bug and as fun as it was I need 4 seats plus
room for two large dogs so the Vitara isn't on the list.

Cheers for now.

"RT" <noreply.com> wrote in message news:4371d1b3.0@entanet...
>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote in message news:437122df.0@entanet...
>>>I suppose this has been asked many times.
>>>
>>> I'm down to choosing either a Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0 TD, Vauxhall
>>> Monterey or there is local to me an S reg Grand Cherokee Jeep for £4999.
>>>
>>> Other possibility is a Lotus Big Horn
>>>
>>> Looking to spend about £5-6k.
>>>
>>> So what do the panel think?
>>>
>>
>> If it were my cash, and considering that I am a Toyota fan, I would not
>> be spending on a Hilux. The Vauxhall is a badged Isuzu Trooper and is
>> fairly bomb proof. The Cherokee and Monty better be diesel if you are at
>> all concerned about running costs. Anyone having a petrol version of
>> either will try and hard sell and will probably dance for joy if they
>> manage to get rid.
>> The Monty diesel is good and fairly refined. The Cherokee's VM diesel
>> engine is an enthusiasts delight but is less refined.
>> Your money should secure very nice top-of-the-range examples.
>>
>> Huw
>
>
> Hi Huw,
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> Surprised that you don't rate the Surf, I must admit that was top of my
> list,

I have never liked the low driving position compared to others. It is
similar to a Vauxhall Frontera or the Mitsu Shogun Sport. Not a genre that
appeals to me but don't let that stop you.

the Monterey I realised was/is a Trooper but I thought there were
> turbo problems,

No more than any other AFAIK. Certainly mine has had no major problems but
rear electric windows have failed and window switches replaced. The dash
lights are on the blink as well but these are all minor problems really for
a machine that is now 14 years old.

Huw

"RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote in news:437122df.0@entanet:

> I suppose this has been asked many times.
>
> I'm down to choosing either a Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0 TD, Vauxhall
> Monterey or there is local to me an S reg Grand Cherokee Jeep for
> œ4999.
>
> Other possibility is a Lotus Big Horn
>
> Looking to spend about œ5-6k.
>
> So what do the panel think?

I suspect that most would suggest what they've got if they're pleased
with their car. I'm no exception and I'm delighted with my 1995 Pajero
2.8 Exceed. So, my suggestions are imported Mitsubishi 4x4s - Pajero,
Challenger, and Delica.

You can get an M or N-reg 2.8 Pajero with all the toys and less than
50,000 miles on the clock for your budget. Because the Japanese don't use
salt and look after their cars better than we do in UK, a freshly-
imported Pajero has a better chance of being well-maintained and in
better condition than a 4Runner. Because Mitsubishi imports have full
main-dealer support, it'll also be better supported in this country than
a Surf.

Mitsubishi 4x4s also have an extensive peer network and social scene
(http://www.pocuk.com/ and http://www.pajerouk.co.uk/ are two of several)

If you want a low-roof, the Challenger might just fit the bill. At the
other end of the scale, the Delica is really a forward control Pajero and
is pretty good offroad.

HTH,

--
Geoff Lane
Cornwall, UK

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I have never liked the low driving position compared to others. It is
> similar to a Vauxhall Frontera or the Mitsu Shogun Sport. Not a genre that
> appeals to me but don't let that stop you.
>
> the Monterey I realised was/is a Trooper but I thought there were
>> turbo problems,
>
> No more than any other AFAIK. Certainly mine has had no major problems but
> rear electric windows have failed and window switches replaced. The dash
> lights are on the blink as well but these are all minor problems really
> for a machine that is now 14 years old.
>
> Huw

Hi again Huw,

So you have a Trooper, so tell me the pro's & con's because I'm having
trouble making a decision as to which 4X4 I should get.

What mpg do you get from yours ? and which insurance group are they in?

I must admit the Bighorn I saw last weekend and again today is tempting due
to it's condition, the spacious interior and the lowly 56k mile as well as
the Lotus badge on the side.

Cheers for now.

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 18:05:55 -0000, "RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I have never liked the low driving position compared to others. It is
>> similar to a Vauxhall Frontera or the Mitsu Shogun Sport. Not a genre that
>> appeals to me but don't let that stop you.
>>
>> the Monterey I realised was/is a Trooper but I thought there were
>>> turbo problems,
>>
>> No more than any other AFAIK. Certainly mine has had no major problems but
>> rear electric windows have failed and window switches replaced. The dash
>> lights are on the blink as well but these are all minor problems really
>> for a machine that is now 14 years old.
>>
>> Huw
>
>Hi again Huw,
>
>So you have a Trooper, so tell me the pro's & con's because I'm having
>trouble making a decision as to which 4X4 I should get.
>
>What mpg do you get from yours ? and which insurance group are they in?
>
>I must admit the Bighorn I saw last weekend and again today is tempting due
>to it's condition, the spacious interior and the lowly 56k mile as well as
>the Lotus badge on the side.
>
>Cheers for now.
>


When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
--

Paul Rooney

"RT" <noreply.co.uk> wrote in message news:43723d2b.0@entanet...
>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I have never liked the low driving position compared to others. It is
>> similar to a Vauxhall Frontera or the Mitsu Shogun Sport. Not a genre
>> that appeals to me but don't let that stop you.
>>
>> the Monterey I realised was/is a Trooper but I thought there were
>>> turbo problems,
>>
>> No more than any other AFAIK. Certainly mine has had no major problems
>> but rear electric windows have failed and window switches replaced. The
>> dash lights are on the blink as well but these are all minor problems
>> really for a machine that is now 14 years old.
>>
>> Huw
>
> Hi again Huw,
>
> So you have a Trooper, so tell me the pro's & con's because I'm having
> trouble making a decision as to which 4X4 I should get.

I also have one remaining Nissan Terrano and various others.
I must say that as a very comfortable and satisfying allrounder the Trooper
takes a lot of beating. It is roomy and the seats are nice although the dash
is rather plain whether you have the older dash version like mine or the
newer one.
The Trooper is not my daily drive [I can't drive them all at once] but I
would certainly not complain if it was. The Terrano is very similar but not
as comfortable but still nice all round.
The Trooper is not as economical in 3.1 guise as some but usually does about
25mpg. The tank is big and the gauge is pessimistic, showing near empty with
around a third of a tank left.
In common with most Japanese vehicles it is generally reliable but spares
can be expensive. Most parts can now be sourced at specialist breakers or
new at factors or specialists at lower cost.




>
> What mpg do you get from yours ? and which insurance group are they in?

I have no idea of the insurance as I have a fleet policy. To tell you the
truth I can only quote the mpg from distant memory because this vehicle has
not been filled from a metered pump in at least ten years. It has a near 500
mile range between fills.



>
> I must admit the Bighorn I saw last weekend and again today is tempting
> due to it's condition, the spacious interior and the lowly 56k mile as
> well as the Lotus badge on the side.
>

Don't be a badge snob. Buy the vehicle that really suits you. FWIW I think
that maybe the Bighorn is overpriced but you have seen it and I haven't and
I certainly don't claim to be an expert on used vehicle pricing [or anything
else].
Check out the Shogun/Pajero as well, especially the 2.8 version.

Huw

"Paul Rooney" <[email protected]> wrote >
>
> When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.


I have a Toyota and have had a couple of others and am associated with
another Colorado. While I am a big fan of them, they are not that much
better products than any other Japanese in many ways. Now if it were a Land
Cruiser [of any modern UK spec version] being compared to the other choices
and not a Hilux Surf then it would be a different kettle of fish. The near
bomb proof mechanicals combined with Land Rover-like full time four wheel
drive make a compelling combination all other things being equal. Beware of
imported Toyota as some have part time four wheel drive which was never
offered here, at least not on Colorado or Amazon.
The older indirect injection Toyota four cylinder diesel is nothing to shout
about, being equally thirsty compared to the Amazon 4.2.
My daily drive is an Amazon 4.2.

Huw

I'm a Surf owner so I'd go for one of them (not being at all biased!).

Look here for more info:

www.hiluxsurf.co.uk

excelent UK owners group

Nevillef

"nevillef" <F_CK@FF_SPAMMERS.COM> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> I'm a Surf owner so I'd go for one of them (not being at all biased!).
>
> Look here for more info:
>
> www.hiluxsurf.co.uk
>
> excelent UK owners group
>
> Nevillef


Yep, they were at the top of my list so I bought one yesterday but can't get
it until the middle of next week as it's still in customs and then it got to
go through MOT and registration etc which can take up to 10 days, but I know
the dealer will try his best to get done for me ASAP.

Also included is a full service and timing belt and coolant change.

It's an SSR-X

Looking forward to it.

Cheers for all replies.

Paul Rooney wrote:

> When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.

Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris, Corolla,
Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful car from Toyota.

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Paul Rooney wrote:
>
>> When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
>
> Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris, Corolla,
> Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful car from
> Toyota.

Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent and
very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which is not a
Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any list.

Huw

"Huw" >
> Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent
> and very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which is
> not a Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any list.
>

I would consider both OTHERS to be at the top of any list. Nothing wrong
with Yaris as a city car either.

Huw

Huw wrote:

>
> "Huw" >
>> Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are
>> competent and very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the
>> Carisma [which is not a Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at
>> the top of any list.
>>
>
> I would consider both OTHERS to be at the top of any list. Nothing
> wrong with Yaris as a city car either.
>

Other than being a nasty rattly little PoS with a big off-centre digital
dash that's so distracting that it nearly caused me to crash a couple
of times at night?

It's a **** poorly designed car IMO.

The fact that it was the loaner I got when I stuck a Series 2 Disco in
for service just made it worse.

P.

Huw wrote:
> "Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Paul Rooney wrote:
>>
>>
>>>When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
>>
>>Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris, Corolla,
>>Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful car from
>>Toyota.
>
>
> Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent and
> very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which is not a
> Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any list.

Yeah, people said similar things about Ladas as well, they were wrong
then. You're wrong now.

The LandCruiser is a competent 4x4, almost everything else that Toyota
do is bland crap.

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Huw wrote:
>> "Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>Paul Rooney wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
>>>
>>>Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris, Corolla,
>>>Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful car from
>>>Toyota.
>>
>>
>> Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent
>> and very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which is
>> not a Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any list.
>
> Yeah, people said similar things about Ladas as well, they were wrong
> then. You're wrong now.
>
> The LandCruiser is a competent 4x4, almost everything else that Toyota do
> is bland crap.
>

Bland maybe. Crap never. They are vying for the number one car manufacturer
in the World and not by selling at a loss either.

Huw

Huw wrote:
> "Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Huw wrote:
>>
>>>"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Paul Rooney wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
>>>>
>>>>Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris, Corolla,
>>>>Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful car from
>>>>Toyota.
>>>
>>>
>>>Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent
>>>and very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which is
>>>not a Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any list.
>>
>>Yeah, people said similar things about Ladas as well, they were wrong
>>then. You're wrong now.
>>
>>The LandCruiser is a competent 4x4, almost everything else that Toyota do
>>is bland crap.
>>
>
>
> Bland maybe. Crap never. They are vying for the number one car manufacturer
> in the World and not by selling at a loss either.

So you reckon that cow-pat is the best tasting, most nutritional meal
available? After all, flies choose it in their millions.

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Huw wrote:
>> "Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>Huw wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Paul Rooney wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>When faced with a choice, always opt for the Toyota.
>>>>>
>>>>>Not really, it would be poor advice to someone to take a Yaris,
>>>>>Corolla, Carisma, Avensis or any other equally, mind-numbingly awful
>>>>>car from Toyota.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Although I have never owned any of those, I know that they are competent
>>>>and very reliable cars and apart from the Yaris and the Carisma [which
>>>>is not a Toyota AFAIK] I would consider both to be at the top of any
>>>>list.
>>>
>>>Yeah, people said similar things about Ladas as well, they were wrong
>>>then. You're wrong now.
>>>
>>>The LandCruiser is a competent 4x4, almost everything else that Toyota do
>>>is bland crap.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Bland maybe. Crap never. They are vying for the number one car
>> manufacturer in the World and not by selling at a loss either.
>
> So you reckon that cow-pat is the best tasting, most nutritional meal
> available? After all, flies choose it in their millions.

So you reckon Toyota's are crap even though flies choose cowpats not
Toyota's? Hmmm.

Huw

> Yep, they were at the top of my list so I bought one yesterday but can't
> get it until the middle of next week as it's still in customs and then it
> got to go through MOT and registration etc which can take up to 10 days,
> but I know the dealer will try his best to get done for me ASAP.
>
> Also included is a full service and timing belt and coolant change.
>
> It's an SSR-X
>
> Looking forward to it.
>
> Cheers for all replies.
>
>
>
Congrats on your choice of car! I'm sure it will live up to your
expectations. See you on the Surf Forum then?

Nevillef