Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) 4 x 4 and SUV Advice

Having spent the last two weeks trekking around some very rough B and minor roads I am taking the locals advice and looking for a 4 x 4 as the main vehicle in Portugal.

Question is what do people recommend? Needs to have 4 seats and a big boot and MUST be good on rough off roads.

Don't have a budget in mind but up to 5 years old.

Get what UN peace force use for their transport...Nissan Patrol.

Or what the icelandic or Autralian people use....Toyota Landcruiser

There are an awfull lot them around here...

friend of mine bought an old Ssangyong Musso 3.2 diesel. With an old Merc diesel engine and bullet proof build albeit mightily agricultural, it suited him as his Spanish runaround.

Cost a grand I believe!

Good idea as unbreakable capcious run around but wouldn't want to drove one every day up and down the A3.

BtG

the new Discovery is a nice vehicle and my friends has been very reliable

In many countries in Africa, the Disco and Range Rover range are regarded almost as urban vehicles being too fragile and unreliable, especially the R-R, for use in tough conditions. The Defender is a great workhorse, but does have some minor reliability issues too.

The weapon of choice amongst four-wheelers tends to be the Toyota Landcruiser, and I must declare a vested interest as I have a new in 1996 one with some 150,000+ miles on the clock. The popular choice is the Amazon model as I believe it is called the UK, but also the Prado is becoming acceptable as an alternative; though it is regarded as a bit more of a soft-roader.

My Landcruiser has been totally reliable, and whilst it is looking far from pristine (somewhat of an under-statement ) it has only been serviced and has never had a breakdown and only had wear parts replaced. I am a very satisfied customer. The other identical Landcruiser that we bought at the same time has given more trouble, though nothing major and no breakdowns, even though it has done a lesser mileage.

Prior to the Landcruiser, I had a Nissan Patrol which was also extremely reliable, but I sold it after three years as it was the most uncomfortable vehicle I have owned so far.

Personally, I would not touch a Korean off-roader as our experience with both a Kia and a Hyundai has been very poor.

Good luck Phil with your choice, maybe you should just buy the choice of terrorists everywhere and get a Toyota pick-up.

What about an Opel Kadett - that seemed to quite well in a trip across Africa?!

After what Top Gear put that poor Toyota pickup through, I think you're be hard pressed to find a more reliable and solid vehicle!

The Landcruiser Amazon (if you need a massive car) and the smaller version if you don't, would get my vote. (Or the Tacoma if you want a double cab pickup).

The Toyota double cab I like is the Tundra 6-speed automatic with a standard manual shift mode with the 5.7 litre engine, which gives it a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds, but then petrol is still less than a $1.00 a litre here - sorry guys.



I think when I replace the Landcruiser, this will be one of the vehicles on my shopping list.

Perfect for the local warlord to keep all of his militia in the back!