Does it still make sense to buy a new 4x4?

[Ricof4e]

Every golfer in the world has a "bliksem" iron in his bag - usually a seven iron from an old set which he/she uses to play from the rough. This, as the name suggests, means that his new set of Nike clubs aren't damaged when played from a rough terrain.

With that in mind, does it apply to 4x4's?

Take my vehicle for example: Navara 4x4 D/C. Today, there is at least an 80k difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 model. Over a period of 3-4 years, the depreciation on that additional 80k is very noticeable.

For whatever reason I have bought the Navara 4x4, would it not have made more sense, financially, to buy a 2x4 and use the 80k on an old 4x4 on which the depreciation has slowed down to negligible numbers?

Depending on your budget, this could be anywhere between 60k to 150k one would be prepared to fork out on such a 4x4.

I'll be honest, I basically use my 4x4 about every three months - when I go to the farm or when I go on holiday. 80k additional on a HP over five years, for just that, seems less and less feasible in the current economic climate. If I had, for instance an old '92 UNTAG cruiser, with a proper 4,0lt petrol engine, that also cost me 80k, I reckon that would be a better bet for my intended purpose.

What say you? Are we mad to pay for a new 4x4? Am I just cheap or has maturity gotten the best of me?

[Ricof4e]

For the Saffers, Namibians refer to old land cruisers as UNTAG cruisers - used by Untag during the war. Like this:

https://www.namcars.net/Toyota-Cruiser- ... 1400692623

[david bfreesani]

I see too many people happy to buy and mod a Disco5, and take it into the bush. I personally agree with you, but there are too many people wanting the luxury, and comfort, and nearly "vehicle self drive" experience, to make your view worthwhile. The 4x4er of today has gone soft. Can't get by without aircon and all the modcons. He may as well buy himself a good 4x4 simulation/game for his PlayStation or Xbox.

You and I will still "bash" it the old way. We know how the 4x4 works and can fix it next to the road or in the bush. We believe in solid axles and low range levers with locking hubs. The most advanced electronics being the radio, or the cigarette lighter.

I doubt you will get much support from the yuppies/sheeple.

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[Mad Manny]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

ONE:

Take my vehicle for example: Navara 4x4 D/C. Today, there is at least an 80k difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 model. Over a period of 3-4 years, the depreciation on that additional 80k is very noticeable.

Don't buy crap that depreciates so fast!!!

[Mad Manny]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

TWO:

I'll be honest, I basically use my 4x4 about every three months - when I go to the farm or when I go on holiday.

There's your problem right there - the financial argument you make is a result of poor usage, increase the usage & you'll feel better...

[Mad Manny]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

THREE:

If I had, for instance an old '92 UNTAG cruiser, with a proper 4,0lt petrol engine, that also cost me 80k, I reckon that would be a better bet for my intended purpose.

What say you? Are we mad to pay for a new 4x4? Am I just cheap or has maturity gotten the best of me?

Ahh the old "Two 4x4's or 'Two SUV's' debate...

Let me twll you why, for many people, the two vehicles instead of one system is NOT viable..

Disclaimer: For guys who, for example, live on a small holding or farm, who don't Insure & who live remotely, most of the points below don't apply.
But my points do apply to most people, most of the time...

1. You need to securely park the additional vehicle.
If you live in an Urban area & the wife has a car - that means parking for 3 vehicles & your Off Road Trailer - not easy for many.

2. You need to Insure the old 4x4, even an old SFA Hilux will be R400 bucks a month - that negates a lot of Ricoffy's financial penny pinching.

3. You have to license & maintain the 2nd vehicle.

4. You have to guard against some out of luck family member loser wanting to use it when they lose/crash/have repossessed/break their vehicle.

5. Practicality - so I have a lekker play Toy then a family SUV (say an X5) - I'm going on a long trip to Nam/Cape Town/Moz.
Makes sense to use the X5 - but when I get there I can't do the dunes/Trails/Beach driving because my toy is 1500km away.

Conclusion:

For some people the Two vehicle system works.
I know guys (like Bugger, Douw & others) who tow the toy along (there was a guy who did that with a stunning SJ).
But for most guys it's just not feasible - I've had 2 or 3 personal vehicles on a few occasions - you just don't get time to use that one vehicle, then, when you do, it won't start or something has packed up)...


My advice to Ricoffy: get a vehicle like a 1 year old MU-X, under R500k, won't depreciate rapidly in future (1st guy took the knock), its better at everything the Navara does & more capable off road...
Just fit a long Range tank & a Diff Lock...

[Rabbiddog RIP 7/6/21]

A lot of people are against keeping a vehicle out side of warranty or over 3 years, due to maintenance costs and trade in values.

I don't change my vehicle every 3 years, never have.
My D3 is 11 years old and has only had 1 breakdown. Had I traded it in for a newer model, it would have cost me over 3 times more than the breakdown.
The money saved on finance more than paid for the repair.

If my D3 were written off i'd get a D4 or 5 and kit it out, but until that happens, I will stay with my D3

[grips]

I come a long way with 4x4`s and owned several. In fact most of my vehicles are 4x4`s.

Few things to keep in mind is that over the years 4x4 priorities change. I started out with the Little G60 Patrol in the mid 80`s. Were young and the fun factor were high on the list. Shorty with a 5.0l v8. Were into dune climbing. Then got married and Bought the first of three Hilux SFA 4X4 DC as we drove around to unknown places and did a little overlanding.

Build several project 4x4 and owned stuff like Unimogs and Samils.
My current 4x4`s are aimed at overlanding with the kids out of the house.

Many of my friends does not 4x4 anymore as most owns more luxury 4x4`s. Those who still do have a second 4x4 for the more serious stuff.

If I need to do it all over again I will start off with something like a Buggy. Mod it till the wheels fall off. Stuff like 40 inch tyres and multi link suspension and yes of coarse a powerful v8 engine. Something proper to tow it with like a 76 V8 Cruiser.

[Reenen]

[BushWacker]

I dont think there’s any sense buying/owning a modern/expensive vehicle that you only use every coupe of months. Idle Capital ...

That said there is good logic to having an economic little traffic-weaver for work etc & urban run-around and then kit out a 4*4 with a permenent RTT and offroad mods for bushtime.

Another aspect is if you buy a newish 4 * 4 and mod it out for off-road at great cost it still pobably lessens its resale value.

[Ricof4e]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

ONE:

Yes, I know - I don't need three posts to explain myself

[Ricof4e]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

TWO:

I'll be honest, I basically use my 4x4 about every three months - when I go to the farm or when I go on holiday.

There's your problem right there - the financial argument you make is a result of poor usage, increase the usage & you'll feel better...

I disagree. Little usage is but part of the argument. The flip side of the coin is the more I use it as a 4x4, the more expensive the ownership will become.

[Ricof4e]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

THREE:

You make a good point here, and on the MUX.

[Ricof4e]

I see too many people happy to buy and mod a Disco5, and take it into the bush. I personally agree with you, but there are too many people wanting the luxury, and comfort, and nearly "vehicle self drive" experience, to make your view worthwhile. The 4x4er of today has gone soft. Can't get by without aircon and all the modcons. He may as well buy himself a good 4x4 simulation/game for his PlayStation or Xbox.

You and I will still "bash" it the old way. We know how the 4x4 works and can fix it next to the road or in the bush. We believe in solid axles and low range levers with locking hubs. The most advanced electronics being the radio, or the cigarette lighter.

I doubt you will get much support from the yuppies/sheeple.

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Sounds heavenly. Drive everywhere with little regret, something I cannot do with my Navara (but could do more of in my Hardbody). Probably why I miss it so much.

Ek wil myself bekak elke keer as ek plaas toe gaan en die bos lyne is nie gesny nie, want teen die tyd wat ek by die opstal kom, is dit net krapmerke op die Navara. Maar as dit iets soos 'n Untag Cruiser was, of selfs die Hardbody, het ek 'n veer gevoel.

The problem arises, as you point out, the moment we cannot get past certain luxuries. If the 4x4 is intended for trails only, then you have to be bonkers to look for a 4x4 with cruise control or even an aircon for that matter.

But, as in my neck of the woods where temperatures exceed 40degrees on a regular basis, you cannot do without an aircon. Some luxuries become necessities.

[cor123]

Yoh! Ricoffy, you said a lot in that first post, lets pick it to pieces...

THREE:

If I had, for instance an old '92 UNTAG cruiser, with a proper 4,0lt petrol engine, that also cost me 80k, I reckon that would be a better bet for my intended purpose.

What say you? Are we mad to pay for a new 4x4? Am I just cheap or has maturity gotten the best of me?

Ahh the old "Two 4x4's or 'Two SUV's' debate...

Let me twll you why, for many people, the two vehicles instead of one system is NOT viable..

Disclaimer: For guys who, for example, live on a small holding or farm, who don't Insure & who live remotely, most of the points below don't apply.
But my points do apply to most people, most of the time...

1. You need to securely park the additional vehicle.
If you live in an Urban area & the wife has a car - that means parking for 3 vehicles & your Off Road Trailer - not easy for many.

2. You need to Insure the old 4x4, even an old SFA Hilux will be R400 bucks a month - that negates a lot of Ricoffy's financial penny pinching.

3. You have to license & maintain the 2nd vehicle.

4. You have to guard against some out of luck family member loser wanting to use it when they lose/crash/have repossessed/break their vehicle.

5. Practicality - so I have a lekker play Toy then a family SUV (say an X5) - I'm going on a long trip to Nam/Cape Town/Moz.
Makes sense to use the X5 - but when I get there I can't do the dunes/Trails/Beach driving because my toy is 1500km away.

Conclusion:

For some people the Two vehicle system works.
I know guys (like Bugger, Douw & others) who tow the toy along (there was a guy who did that with a stunning SJ).
But for most guys it's just not feasible - I've had 2 or 3 personal vehicles on a few occasions - you just don't get time to use that one vehicle, then, when you do, it won't start or something has packed up)...


My advice to Ricoffy: get a vehicle like a 1 year old MU-X, under R500k, won't depreciate rapidly in future (1st guy took the knock), its better at everything the Navara does & more capable off road...
Just fit a long Range tank & a Diff Lock...

Dam Manny , when did you have a look in my garage , should have warned me before I bought the X5 ,now i,f got the exact problem , holiday in eastern cape , should I go with Bm,r( lighter on juice ) or the Disco ( heavy on juice but go anywhere )


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