7 Seater options

[Ryanjury]

Not too sure where to post this so will try here!

I have decided to upgrade the (not so) trusty surf and get a new vehicle I have had to do so much work on the surf and it is still just an old 2.4l truck plus I need 7 seats now.

Must haves:
7 seats
Budget $20kish obviously would prefer less but can go a bit higher if needed to get something good. I am wary that you generally get what you pay for..
Reliability – obviously some engines/drivetrains/vehicles are rubbish.
Towing – I have an old 16ft fibreglass boat which I tow I currently only tow around town but would like the option to tow further.

Nices to haves:
Diesel – I am assuming most bigger vehicles that are petrol cost a ton to run.
Manual – I don’t like autos but again might have to take what I can get as manuals are harder to find.

Vehicles I have been considering:

Prado/land cruiser – obvious consideration. Seems to be conflicting things about reliability comments about gearbox issues and ball joints randomly failing 1kz blowing heads etc. These are also expensive for high k older versions.

Pajero – I have never owned a mitsi and have generally not heard good things but these are pretty cheap for what they are ie cheaper than the Toyotas and the rear seats fold in to boot to make space when not needed.

Ssangyong rexton - these are cheap are they any good?

Hyundai Terracan – unsure what the story is with these but they seem cheap as.

Santa fe – engine seems to be pretty small for what I would be towing with and looks like more of a toy than a 4wd.

Holden Captiva - again seems too small.

Big horn – again I don’t know much about these.

Any other options? I probably don’t even need a 4WD but doubt any FWD people movers would be suitable for towing.. Ideally I would just buy a ute but I need the 7 seats..

Basically I am hoping that people on here have owned or do own a selection of these vehicles or know something about them and can comment on their experiences.

[muddymatt1973]

Not too sure where to post this so will try here!

I have decided to upgrade the (not so) trusty surf and get a new vehicle I have had to do so much work on the surf and it is still just an old 2.4l truck plus I need 7 seats now.

Must haves:
7 seats
Budget $20kish obviously would prefer less but can go a bit higher if needed to get something good. I am wary that you generally get what you pay for..
Reliability – obviously some engines/drivetrains/vehicles are rubbish.
Towing – I have an old 16ft fibreglass boat which I tow I currently only tow around town but would like the option to tow further.

Nices to haves:
Diesel – I am assuming most bigger vehicles that are petrol cost a ton to run.
Manual – I don’t like autos but again might have to take what I can get as manuals are harder to find.

Vehicles I have been considering:

Prado/land cruiser – obvious consideration. Seems to be conflicting things about reliability comments about gearbox issues and ball joints randomly failing 1kz blowing heads etc. These are also expensive for high k older versions.
You will pay mega coin for even a buggered one.

Pajero – I have never owned a mitsi and have generally not heard good things but these are pretty cheap for what they are ie cheaper than the Toyotas and the rear seats fold in to boot to make space when not needed.
Not actually that bad and your budget will buy a good one. Never seen a manual diesel with the later 3.2 DId motor tho.

Ssangyong rexton - these are cheap are they any good?
Do the people you want to put in the rear seats have legs? If so then don't bother.

Hyundai Terracan – unsure what the story is with these but they seem cheap as.
Same underneath as the previous gen Pajero.

Santa fe – engine seems to be pretty small for what I would be towing with and looks like more of a toy than a 4wd.
Good power to weight but not a real 4x4. Again tiny rear seats

Holden Captiva - again seems too small.
Yep too small and a modified car SUV not a 4x4

Big horn – again I don’t know much about these.
Later 3.0 Diesel motors have injector issues. Never seen a manual either.

Any other options? I probably don’t even need a 4WD but doubt any FWD people movers would be suitable for towing.. Ideally I would just buy a ute but I need the 7 seats..

Nissan Patrol if you really like old school truck like driving.

My pic (I am biased) Landrover Discovery2 Td5. Your $20K would buy you the very best around. 2004 model year. You can get manuals but most are auto. Heaps of problems - yes but more solutions! There are endless mods you can do and what ever issue you encounter, someone will have had it before and knows how to fix it. Landy owners go out of their way to help other Landy owners. It's a sickness

Basically I am hoping that people on here have owned or do own a selection of these vehicles or know something about them and can comment on their experiences.

[mudlva]

Mid 2000.s 4ltr v6 prado

Strong as an ox motor
Strong ttransmission. Just needs a big ass extra cooler fitted.
Tows our 16' caravan like its not there
Dd driving my misses uses round 12 to 14ltr/100k 91fuel.
My wof man tells me that the only issue he see with them is the steering rake bushes wear out. Easy repair and thats about it.
He has replaced 1 front diff but suspects that owner was using 4x4 on tarseal reversing the horse float as the tyres showed signs off scrubbing as well

[mudlva]

Another option is 94 to 96 4.5ltr vx80 on lpg
Currently im using it as dd work wagon.
All urban work 20 to 23 ltrs per 100k. On rockgas card at $1.00/ltr its awsome
It has equelivient power out put as the old 350sbc in towing touring and std dd driving.
Dont sound as good. But. I have a plan......
I bought it last year for $8.5k. Serviced the tranmission. Installed a tranny cooler and now just beat the crap out of it
Pulls like a clidesdale and excellerates like a thourobred.

[BlakeNZ]

are you doing any 4wd stuff?

[BlakeNZ]

are you doing any 4wd stuff?

[olielux]

Diesel 80 series land cruiser

Comfortable, Good on fuel, plenty of torque for towing and a shit load of space,

Really capable off road and just as good on road

Just my 2 cents

[a80crewza]

Diesel 80 series land cruiser

Comfortable, Good on fuel, plenty of torque for towing and a shit load of space,

Really capable off road and just as good on road

Just my 2 cents

X2 should be able to a good late model 80 series for $20k.

[Ryanjury]

Thanks for everyones replies..

Well it pretty much seems that manual is out, unless I buy a really high k prado or disco, even talking to a mate who is a die hard land rover fan he has said the discos have a lot of issues.

I am not really doing any 4wd stuff, I would like to take the kids on some mild tracks or down the beach and stuff like that but the 4WD is really to get the weight in a vehicle for towing (and I don't really tow big loads) and rear wheel drive for getting the boat up wet slippery ramps.

It seems the prado has a cult following and that must be for a reason, I am still worried about the k's and age of these with all the maintenance required on diesel engines that have done k's.

Some other vehicles that have come up have been a 2010/2011 challenger or a 2005ish pathfinder. Has anyone had any experience with these 2? Seems the challenger has the same engine etc as the triton.

[Ant]

Seem to get allot of Pajero for your money.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 976043.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 010996.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 580142.htm

Can get an 80series manual but more money for high kms and older vehicle.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 550119.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 851385.htm

Pajero - On road comfort and power, new car features and safety. Will happily bounce its way round easier off road tracks, Should be able to get a mechanical warranty from a dealer if it would make you feel better too
Cruiser - Very good off road in standard form. Will hold its value better. Getting older

Both tow well, similar fuel (even petrol Pajeros).