Cheap 4wd- Leones any good?

nzhunter · Post by **nzhunter** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:04 pm

Hello,
I have just sold my SWB Pajero and out to buy another 4wd

. I have been looking at everything but most 4wds are absolutely knacked in my price range (around $1500) . I need something that will be damn reliable, be able to drive nicely over 100km/h and be able to do a bit of 4wding now and then.
I have been looking at Subaru Leones and they seem like good value but they just lack ground clearence. Anyone owned one? Are they any good? Or are they far to car-like? :roll:

Cheers

wopass · Post by **wopass** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:50 pm

like a legasy with less power

SOOPAPOOO

SupraLux · Post by **SupraLux** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:28 pm

I've had three subaru utes in the past, and think they are a nice wee truck. 4WD on the fly at any speed, low ratio 4WD as well, comfy, quickish, and not too thirsty.

However, they are a lifted car, not a lowered 4WD. There are lift kits for them out of OZ, but they are monocoque so lifting the body puts more stress on the drivetrain... think carefully about what you want it for before you buy one.

My first one did around 450,000km on two engines when I sold it. Parts are cheap, they are reliable and fun offroad within limits...

Steve

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:17 pm

What??
Its a car, designed for coping with icy or snowy conditions.
If thats what your into, then go for it, but they won't go where a Rav4 of a CRV will go on road tyres :wink:

You can pick up a 2dr Zook Vitara or Escudo for around $1500 if you go to the auctions!!!

Conan · Post by **Conan** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:14 pm

hahah yeah go the leone used to own a couple few years back, was a barrel o fun man

put the second one face first into a massive hole in the upukoroa river thrid period in school once, after standing waist deep holding the front end up for bout an hour we towed it out and drove home :lol:

good times cept for the hours wetluxin the interior out

in the end though it was still a car , limits!!!!! $1500 shouldnt be to hard to spend on a 4wd as dieselboy said hunt round

nzhunter · Post by **nzhunter** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:46 pm

Amazing wot ppl do with these leones have a jack-noi at dis site.
http://www.alliedarmament.homestead.com/

Only the Americans!

mumad · Post by **mumad** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:46 pm

Like you said, Only in America. There are a couple of guy's running round down here with them and they have been into macetown, and over the old man range. Bashed the shit out of them though. Good tires and they can go places as long as you don't need much clearance or articulation, And they are that light you can usually push them when you get stuck. As all ways it depends on what you want. You can pick up some good bush bashers for $1500 though.

nzhunter · Post by **nzhunter** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 4:10 pm

Yeh jst bort 1 th other day its an '89 for $650

gos real well. But jst need sum decent tyres or something. Wondering what other mods I can do to make it go harder any ideas?

Altho as soon as the piggy bank lets me sell the car and ill get another real 4x4! :twisted:

mumad · Post by **mumad** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 4:59 pm

Bash plates!!! get the vitals protected so then at least you can't stuff it too much. Apart from tires and suspension you can't do much else without some big dollars! Have fun in it

speedfreak · Post by **speedfreak** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:41 pm

hey there, im new to this 4wding stuff but ive had lots of experience getting cars where they arent meant too... i run a mk1 cortina mudbash car which i can get lots of places 4wds can. i sujest tow points and a big run up and you will get through fine. :>

nzhunter · Post by **nzhunter** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:56 pm

Yeh i got anutha set of mud/snow tyres plus sum coil spacers

. It does pretty well but it is still a car
Im keen to go and have a play at the waimak which i havent done yet.
the subi still wont go down worsleys like the pajero could on a rainy day. But the leone is still wwwwaaaaayyyyyyy beta than that crapper of a pajero and nearly half the price!

Still holding out 4 a surf tho!!! But that maybe a couple of years away yet specially me being at school still. :roll:

Check out that link above it is rediculous that lift kit and with our dollar being so strong it costs just over $600 for the kit incl postage!!!

nzhunter · Post by **nzhunter** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:25 pm

Oh yeh the zuk is my grandads (hes in whakatane) its his farm truck (heaps cheaper than a 4wheeler). He bought new tyres same as wot the WWII jeeps had and I couldnt find anywhere to get stuck as they had huge amounts of traction so off into the creek I drove did pretty well until I found I couldnt get up the otherside so I managed to kind of half turn around when all traction was lost mud and water were coming in the doors. So a with a huge grin I had to go and get the tractor!
awesome! (still trying it buy off him)

Petemcc · Post by **Petemcc** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:21 pm

yea i had a leone b4 i got my surf. was an 86 rx coupe 1.8turbo. went bloody hard traction wise it had more than the surf as had a realy tight lsd on the back and centre difflock. had rally tires on it. it jst didnt like the ruts and you had to get a big run at hills cos of the high gearing. best fun you can have for $850 and still go well on the road.