What 4x4 would you recommend?

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SecretSquirrell379

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I am looking at changing my 4x4 (its a Shogun Pinin & a bit pants) I need something bigger and something that I can keep for a long while. I am not going to be able to buy another one for quite a time! I am looking at spending 14-15k, want to be able to tow with it (just one horse normally, 2 occasionally). I am looking at getting a Discovery but I am worried about the reliability as I've heard they can be unrealiable.

What are your experiences and recommendations?

Thanks very much
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I used to have a dihatsu fourtrak. It was brilliant for towing 2 big horses and I had the option of the 4x4 controls to switch to going up big hills etc.

They are basic, but I found it very reliable.
 
Have found that Shogun Sports (long wheel base) are very good. Have had two, towed two horses with both and never had a problem. Also never over heated, which is a problem we had very badly with our fourtrak.
 
I have a Landrover Defender. this is really good, especially for towing as you have the various gearbox changes enabling you to use low box and put it in diff lock which is useful when in fields with a trailer as you can usually get out of anywhere! With that budget you should be able to get a really nice one. Also the defender is made mostly of aluminum so doesnt rot easily, whereas the discovery's tend to be susceptible to rot. Also parts for defenders are generally cheaper than other vehicles as they are more basic. Mine tows 2 horses no problem.

I only know all this as my boyfriend is really into them! i really like mine, its really practical and it doesnt matter if it gets filthy as it scrubs up really well!
 
discovery's are quite unreliable (my boss had one-always in the garage!!). he now has a toyota (land cruiser), its pretty big (similar to discovery), nice looking and they are meant to be really reliable (never been in garage yet!). If i could afford to change to a 4X4, i'd def have a toyota. depending if you want brand new or used, a land cruiser or rav 4 (which also looks good) would be a good option i think. hope that helps!
 
I have a Landrover defender county 2006, previous concerns about reliability are the a thing of the past especially since Ford bought Land Rover. The defender series has the highest residule resale value of any 4x4. From experience, i have owned , seriers 2 series 3 defenders, discoveries and range rovers. The best for towing is defender 110 for your price range you would get one upto 2 years old still under manufacturers warranty.
 
You've heard stories about Dicovery's because there are far more of them than anything else - so there are going to be more stories as there is more chance of hearing the bad one's. I have a Discovery - it's 4 years old and TD5. I love it for towing and wouldn't recommedna anything else for towing with. With your budget you should get a decent 3-4 year old Disco TD5. The only drawback is that they are expensive to run and a very big vehicle for every day use. If I could tow 2 horses with a smaller 4x4 and be as safe as I feel in the Disco then I would opt for one, but I don't think you'd find something that feels so steady towing. I would consider looking at a Defender next time as I need something not as expensive to run, but equally something that will tow 2 horses and also preferably a LandRover as I love the engines in them for the job.
 
I have looked at the Land Cruiser but they are HUGE, a lot bigger than I need. A Defender is a bit too basic as it will be my everyday car too and I need to have clients in my car occasionally. I really like the look of the Disco but was worried about the reliability, hopefully as you say it is a thing of the past now and they are more reliable. Towing will only become applicable later in the year, by which time I will hopefully be confident/capable enough to start competing.

I don't think that I will notice too much of a difference in the cost of running it, my little Pinin does 23 to the gallon if I am lucky!!
 
We are on our second discovery and they are brill. Tow two horses without a struggle, good on fuel, reliable and easy to fix.
 
can have it with all the toys, then won't be to basic, my has eletric windows alloys, air con, remote control alarm and central locking,
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I should start a 'i love land rovers' clique
 
Just to be different

Defenders: Very cool, make me dribble because I still have a series III landie. However they are sooooo basic
If you want people to come with you to said horsey events its going to be harder with one of these, especially if you get a SWB with bench seats

How abot a 2 year old Kia Sorento? Which is around £14k
You get every bell and whistle, it drives and tows as well as a land cruiser.

I know as I have one (Kia), parents have land cruiser and friend deals in landies so have pimped up defenders on the drive occasionally!!
 
Well we got a second-hand Discovery and were obviously lucky .... doubled the mileage on the clock now (160,000 miles), and it goes on and one and on (touch wood). Ours has an LPG conversion which makes the cost of running it more feasible too.
 
Lots of yes's for the Disco then..... lots of choice of other makes though, I have always wanted a Disco though.... ooohhh I'll have to have a look at some and come back for some more opinions!
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Hi I have had 5 Daihatsu Fourtracks and every one was very reliable, never failed to start, they have a 3.5 ton towing capacity with a fairly short wheelbase which makes reversing that much easier. I would recomend a Fourtrak every time but they dont make them any more and you will struggle to find anything newer than X reg. i now have a Nissan Terrano, very very pleased with it, the towing is 2.8 tons which i think is still ok on a hb5 10 but dont quote me on it, it handles it no problems, put it like that. My dad has had 3 discoverys, just once have they had problems since 1991, they handle trailers very well but you need a runway to turn them around where the steering lock is so poor, this is maybe due to permanent four wheel drive. At the current time I would suggest a Terrano, could probably get a 2 year old one on your budget - if you can find one!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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