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Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:01 am
by Oppies3800
As per the subject.
What did you buy and what made you buy it?
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:44 am
by Mike Nel
Ranger. Bought back in 2012. Love the space and it’s fairly capable without being brilliant. Absolutely love this vehicle.
FJ. Miss this vehicle tremendously.
200Cruiser. Mostly for towing. Not to bad when going off road.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:23 am
by AndreasR
Pajero 3.8 LWB bought as a stop gap. While looking for a nice clean 100 series Cruiser I came across this Pajero. Was in good nick mechanically, suited my need and was dirt cheap(seller was from overseas and his contract had ended).
Finally after a very long search I found my Cruiser. Was always looking for a late model 100 Series V8, so 2005 to 2007 model. Then I came across a 1999 Cygnus, which is basically a 100 series with a few added bells and whistles. It had proven low mileage, 154000km, immaculate service record and had a ton of extras fitted which made it perfect for overlanding. That was that. Bought on the spot. I think I even took the seller by surprise.
At some stage I also bought myself a toy. 1962 Land Rover 88”. Again, looked for ages. By ages I mean about three years. Finally found one in good nick, original, well looked after and pulled the trigger. It keeps me amused and busy with all its little quirks. Love going for drives in it.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:42 am
by Hedgehog
Land Cruiser 70 series V8 d4d, because I have wanted one for a very long time.
I was first looking to get a single cab 79.. But then I drove the 76, and it was just so much more comfortable, and more versatile.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:00 pm
by XJ Junkie
Renault Duster, as my everyday platkar softie.
I bought it just to piss my mates off.
But the other reason is that if Romanians & Russians can’t break it then neither can I.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:34 pm
by ThysleRoux
I bought the WJ Grand to tow my onroad shed, as the W124 E280 was getting a little long in the tooth for the job and I thought the V8 would do well. My Boet took me on an off-road weekend trip "to check that everything works" and I was hooked. I never camped in the Jurgens again and old RooiTjiep and I are now attached at the hip
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:18 pm
by Crips
I had a Discovery II V8
Eventually got fed up with the Tupperware always falling off when 4x4'ing and with the horrible fuel consumption of 4km/l I couldn't go more than 200km from home.
So I bought the Defender almost 7years ago and it still fits our needs, nothing on the market that is a suitable replacement anyway.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 5:20 pm
by Prof
Daihatsu Rocky
Like the boxy shape, love the diesel engine.
And easy to work on.
..and then I now have two....one in process of getting on the road.
Wife annexed the running one

Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 5:31 pm
by KurtG
I started out with an automatic 2.5 XS (non-turbo) Forester. I bought this after my Audi A4 Avant 3.0TDI - this Audi was a beast but I got concerned with reliability after a few issues.
The Forester was just that much more reliable and it got us hooked on the outdoor lifestyle.
I then needed a more capable off-roader with low range and then got hold of a Pajero 2008 LWB. It had 180,000km on the clock with FSH. I got it for a very good price. I was also looking for a 120 Prado but the prices we’re just too high for me and the fuel consumption scared the shit out of me, I still believe it to be an awesome off-roader though.
Then after 4 years the off-road bug bit even more and I wanted to have a more capable 4x4 so I went for a SWB Pajero. Somehow the Pajero just felt “right”, it isn’t the most capable so it makes you work a little bit harder off-road to avoid damage or getting stuck, that appealed to me.
Surprisingly the 3 doors and smaller boot haven’t been a problem for us because we have the Metalian for camping trips and the old Ventertjie for extra luggage space for normal trips.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 7:14 pm
by BushWacker
1981 Range Rover Classic was my first ‘owned’ 4*4
( . .. during early years, as a geo,I always had
company vehicles: Land Rovers, Toyotas
and even a Nomad)
The Classic was bought on a whim after my
Ford Lazer Sport got stolen and after about 1-2 yrs
of tinkering and fixing it settled down into
a reliable go-anywhere car
- and we toured around much of SA. Theyre dead simple and fixable with A1 flex and soft as silk as far as suspension comfort ... probly the greatest Landy.
Defender 130 DC HCPU TD5 was bought about 2002
as fuel prices had made my V8 too expensive ...
also bought withview to adapting it to sleep in back
(but bin is only 1.68m sq!) and in v. heavy pours
and when lions roar too close , still do, diagonally!
TD5 is well powered under Turbo and can easily
cruise 120-130 so Kruger weekends etc possible.
Also its a commanding/relaxing drive ...
even the Taxis give way.
1975 Series 3 SWB 88” with somewhat rusted
chassis was bought as project car when I was due to retire last year ... but now Im still working on extn
till May ‘19 ...
Everyone has to have a Series ...
and the 3 with 2.25L petrol engine
can actually be made into practical transport ... !?
... ... so I now have 3 4*4 s ... so to speak ...
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 9:36 pm
by Johannes
Oppies3800 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:01 am
As per the subject.
What did you buy and what made you buy it?
Price at the time

Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:35 pm
by Paul#25
First a Suzuki SJ 410 that needed to be be rebuild. Half way there but lost momentum.
Next we got a 2004 Discovery 2 Td5. Loving every minute of ownership.
With both of them I needed to find someone affordable but capable of getting us away from the rat race. The SJ wasn't going to be up to the job even after the rebuild so we started looking once again. After lots of research the Disco 2 Td5 seemed it would do the job at an affordable price. After Reach for a Dream and the passes tour I'm convinced that the Disco can do a lot more than I though it could and will give us great service for quit a while.
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 9:40 am
by Mad Manny
Hedgehog wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:42 am
Land Cruiser 70 series V8 d4d, because I have wanted one for a very long time.
I was first looking to get a single cab 79.. But then I drove the 76, and it was just so much more comfortable, and more versatile.
Glad you saw the light.
You used to be as loyal to Datsun as Reenen! 
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 9:48 am
by Mad Manny
I bought a Fortuner.
I wanted new.
I wanted an SUV.
I wanted the dumbest 'luxury' 4x4 on the market.
It has exceeded my expectations, I've taken it where no one thought a Mommy's Mall Crawler could go.
It has been from Atlantis Dunes in Cape Town, through Brakkenduine in the Eastern Cape to Waterford in the Northern Cape.
It has been through Zim from Masvingo to Mutare, up then Tete Corridor to Malawi & through Blantyre & parked @ the waters edge of Lake Malawi.
I have done almost every single trail within 300km of home,
All in all, well over 100 Off Road/4x4/Overland trips.
I love it!
Re: Which 4x4 and why?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 8:55 pm
by Martin de Jager
Manny,
This is my fifth 4x4, first mistake a Freelander, got rid of it quickly, then drove a Hilux Legend 35 4x4 d/c, awesome beast, very special. Had to change to an Pajero3.2 GLS, bought another one, and then my own Fortuner d4d, 2nd owner.
its been been transformed, one awesome vehicle, I use it every day.
show me another 4x4 SUV, that can match the fortuner, my day to day average consumption averages 9.5 km/l .
its a most capable 4x4 , willing , reliable and awesome value for money.