What's a good 4 x 4 for daughters 1st car up to $7k

[wartim]

Anyone got any suggestions for a 4 x 4 up to $7k for daughters 1st car.   Not sure its the right way to go for 1st car (she will only be 17) however she wants a 4 x 4 so she can go camping on the beach so cant hold that against her.  Just concerned about running costs and safety as I dont think for that sort of money she will get a car with a good ancap safety rating?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/thoughts.

Cheers

Wartim

[marvellous_matt]

Subaru Forester? I know is AWD not 4wd, but plenty of safety features and easy on the running costs, really light so does great in the sand.  Manual has hi and low range. I got rid of mine a little while ago for $6500, 10 years old and 220,000km, so in the price range.

[evolution]

go a Suzuki vitara!  Great first car and very reliable. 

Cheers
Evo

[feisty]

Rav4.  Cheap and cheerful.  Simple with low service costs.

[cyberess]

Maybe a Greatwall 2010 X240 petrol Hi/lo range -- parts cheap Air con should be still good -- came out with Ancap 4 rating

A quick search for ones under $7500 pulls a few up
http://www.carsales.com.au/cars/results?cpw=1&limit=12&q=%28%28%28Make%3D%5BGreat+Wall%5D%7B%26%7DModel%3D%5BX240%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCarsales%5D%29%26Price%3Drange%5B0..7575%5D%29

[muzza01]

go a Suzuki vitara!  Great first car and very reliable. 

Cheers
Evo

X2 plus they look pretty trendy for the girls.

[LuckyDog]

X3 for the Suzuki

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[Vitara_JaycoSwift_Outback]

Go a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Took mine stock as a rock around Fraser with about 10 ton of gear taking up the boot and on the roof. I only got stuck trying to snatch out a 200 series. Handled towing the camper well and never let me down.

Being a manual model with a run down the highway each day to work I would consistently get 560km out of the tank. I bought mine with 180k on the clock and replaced the original clutch just after 200. Wasn't slipping or anything but the pedal was quite firm. Only ever replaced a wheel bearing and serviced it a couple of times a year. Mine was a 2003 and had  twin air bags and was nice and comfy for long trips. Traded it late last year for a Kluger for the wife before our boy was born and now drive her Kia around. Miss Suzi every day

[DaveR]

Not a Jackaroo with the troublesome 4JX1 engine.

another vote for the Vitara

[camper48]

hi all.Go a Suzuki Grand Vitara a great  4b

[geopaj]

Subaru Forester? I know is AWD not 4wd, but plenty of safety features and easy on the running costs, really light so does great in the sand.  Manual has hi and low range. I got rid of mine a little while ago for $6500, 10 years old and 220,000km, so in the price range.

I too was going to suggest a Suzuki but the Forester is a great idea. We've got a Forester for a 2nd car. Cheap to run and maintain and has ABS, front & side airbags, and is runt to drive 

[DaveR]

We had the forester, and I agree with the positive comments about it, but as a first car, something which is quite powerful and easy to hoon around in may not be a good choose for a 17 yr old.

[paceman]

as others have said, the vitara is a great choice.

my wife had a 3 door 4wd.  reliable and would drive through a brick wall, if you wanted too...

excellent value for money....

[rotor138]

Suzuki Jimny something like this one:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kardinya/cars-vans-utes/suzuki-jimny-1-3l-vvt-2005/1070515087

[tk421]

For that money you could get Jeep Cherokees/Toytoa Prados/ Older land cruisers and pootrols, but the running costs are going to be big. The Jimny and Vitara are a great option -They are great little cars and surprisingly good off road. They're no rock crawlers in std form but more than fine for the beach. The Jimny's power to weight ratio is similar to a V6 4wd and they weigh bugger all.  - Small engines so fuel costs are low, but I think the post 2005 Jimny needs 95 Premium (could be wrong)? If you go the Jimny - get the manual. Its bullet proof.

Vitara is slightly bigger so more luggage space, but also more room for friends to ride along...

You could also look at a Toyota Rav4.  Its not a dual range 4x4, but because its so light, with the right tire pressures it should be fine on the beach.

Another option is the 2003 and earlier Kia Sportage - same body on chassis design  and with dual range - but bigger engine (2.0L) and less gizmos. Early models has some electrical gremlins. The later ones are softroaders. But they may not meet with your daughter's sense of style.

For that cash you aren't going to get the latest and greatest safety features either - I think Vitara's were 3 star EuroNcap until 2007. 4 stars after.

[jk]

"Another option is the 2003 and earlier Kia Sportage - same body on chassis design  and with dual range - but bigger engine (2.0L) and less gizmos. Early models has some electrical gremlins. The later ones are softroaders. But they may not meet with your daughter's sense of style"


Our son has a Kia Sportage and for the money it's been a brilliant little 4x4, he's a muso so it gets little to no maintenance but just keeps on going.
It's been on a few 4x4 camping weekends with a FULL car load of gear and freeloaders and has handled it's duties with ease !
Bang For buck it would be hard to do better !!.............................if the styling suites her that is 

[edz]

90's RAV [ later type seems lower clearance], Suzuk Jimmy and vitara would be good options,  have seen  KIA'S  and Subaru's though they are a bit on the low side and struggle on beach entry / exits .. my 2c worth .

[Jakster1]

If she is going to take it up the beach at least get her a proper 4wd not a softroader AWD that you will be constantly getting called to snatch her out, especially for an inexperienced driver. No rav4s or subys
Suzukis would be a good choice or you could pick up a half decent Pajero for that kinda money.

[slydar]

she would probably want to take friends so the vitara is a good option. tough call against a mid-range 4wd like a pajero or prado with storage/carrying capacity though - as its females they'll all want to take half their wardrobe...

[Green rv]

this little suzuki just come on gumtree

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/point-vernon/campervan/suzuki-tow-vehicle-hitch-n-go/1071297581


ads

[Elky]

My 95 series prado!

Yea we have decided to sell it due to not being used much these days

[broncos11]

.

[Suncruise]

We had the forester, and I agree with the positive comments about it, but as a first car, something which is quite powerful and easy to hoon around in may not be a good choose for a 17 yr old.

You must have had an enhanced one as ours is pretty gutless.

I reckon a Forester would be ok for first car however if you purchase high km's (say 170000km plus)  and it is a manual you will definitely  be looking at a new clutch if it hasn't already been done.

[Alan Loy]

I know its not a real 4WD but have you seen a Suzuki X90.  Very cute and will go anywhere but very little carrying capacity.  I think that they would be very attractive to a girl that liked off road and beaches.  You wouldn't have to worry about her carrying to many friends arround. 

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-asian/curbside-classic-suzuki-x-90-barbie-would-drive-one-of-these/

[speewa158]

Get her a Rangie , Cheap, Safe as they wont go far if at all & she will get to meet a nice mechanic that can try to keep it going . At least he can drive her