Offroad-Express

Hi all.
I'm new to 4x4ing and thinking of making my first purchase. I've been doing a lot of research and have got a lot of different answers regarding what would be best suited for me. I have a budget of 5-8 grand and am looking for something that will last me a decent few years as an almost daily driver, as well as some light 4x4ing. So far I have it narrowed down to either a Toyota Hilux surf or double cab Hilux ute. So please, can anyone give me some pros and cons of utes and wagons on and off road as well as suggesting any other vehicles you think would be suitable for me.
Thankyou- Andrew

Hey dude,
I'm no expert by any means, but I just brought 2 wgns (sold the first one) to do the same as you (95% commuting to work and something to have a play in with the family - nothing extreme at all),
and these were my considerations. for a $5-6k vehicle.

Utes were way more practical for my use - messy tools etc, but for the price I could buy a way newer and less Km's wgn.

For the same year and model, wgns are alot nicer to live with because of the spec levels - again it came down to price.

Also I wanted a 4wd system that I could use on road, (Incase the misus was driving and wanted a play) - which narrowed the selection down a little. The part time systems most of the utes use and some wagons (in my price braket) couldn't be used on road.

One other thing that sucked was the $597 annual vehicle licencing fee for a diesel ute. For what I wanted, I ended up with a petrol wgn - but I reckon the petrol / diesel thing is a different discussion!

For the same money your going to get a much nicer vehicle in a surf, so unless you really need a deck for loading up with with crap then there is heaps of room in the back of a surf and it keeps everything nice and dry to. And for comfort a surf will run rings around a ute of that vintage.