4WD / Family Car

A massive can of worms i'm sure, so please keep it civil :P.

Later this year i'll be looking for a 4WD that will also act as a family car and for family camping trips. It'll be used in town 90% of the time. So the requirements are:

1. Not too huge for wife/parking reasons.
2. 4WD capable enough for paddocks and tracks, sand, etc, but nothing extreme.
3. Large enough boot space to hold gear for camping trips with 2 adults and a couple of kids.
4. 7 seater option (not essential) with fold-up or removable chairs.
5. Decent towing capability. Trailer should be all it would need. We don't have a boat or caravan.
6. AUTOMATIC (edited this in. Wifey can't drive manual and it will be the end of us if I have to teach her to drive again, haha).

I'm resigned to the fact that we may eventually need a trailer to do the typical kiwi family camping trip with all of the usual crap. But is it possible with just a boot-load and maybe a roof rack or pod?

Thoughts on petrol vs diesel? Turbo diesel seems to be everyone's preference lately?

I know next to nothing about this stuff. Prado's and Patrol's are generally what i'm told when asking around. Thoughts on these? Or other suggestions. Would like to try keep it to a max of $30k.

Can get the whole family and camping gear plus two big dogs in my landcruiser, not really parking friendly tho. Delete the two dogs would get away with smaller.

I'll have a quick go... we have been looking around the $25K mark and so far have researched a Pajero and Pathfinder (around 2005) as more off road capable but probably really don't need a (big) 4wd... the other road type options were a Captiva and Kia Sorento... (2010). I have only really been looking for a little bit but the Sorento is winning so far and the 2.2l diesel has good engine specs... 145kw and 445nm... I heard the 2l diesel Captiva is no good. Haven't looked too much at petrol options yet. We will use it nearly 100% for road use though. Will be following the post to see what might help me too.

Yeah I think the cruisers are too big for us...seem to cost a lot more too.

I'm looking for a similar vehicle. But around 20k, I have been looking at smaller SUV like the Forrester since 90% driving to work

Mitsi outlander, bit small in the boot though. Not that high for off road, but so far ok with road tires. Does have 7 seats, but havent used the boot ones yet, have pulled a toyota out of the mud - but wouldnt rate it as a 4 wd, fuel at 8.4l per 100km driving average, stereo is rather good (both for the wiggles and kings of leon), Missis likes the heated seats( and rather nice if sore back...), towing for boat is good, auto with paddles are great - auto normal and paddles when you need/want to drive. Oh and ok around town(99% of time)

Nissan Terrano's very good value for vehicle. Not 7 seater though. But comfortable family wagon that can be used for hunting trips.
Toyota Surf's similar size etc just they hold their prices more.
Toyota Prado's might be the only realistic option if you want 7 seats and to fill the rest of your requirements.
Patrol's/Safari's big trucks like Landcruiser's. Not city centre car park friendly.

Turbo diesel Vs petrol another big issue to decide on.
Unless doing lots of K's or towing heaps, petrol might be cheaper in long run. Diesels also don't like short, round town school run, shopping trip type driving.
In the type of vehicle ranges you're looking at there are far more diesels available, and the petrols tend to be thirsty.

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Originally Posted by cambo

Nissan Terrano's very good value for vehicle. Not 7 seater though. But comfortable family wagon that can be used for hunting trips.

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Just avoid the 3.0 diesel ZD30 hand grenade motor eh! 2.7 and 3.2 solid though.

Split the budget between a town run about and a 4x4?

I am looking for something similar as an upgrade to my trusty 3.2 Terrano I have had for 10 yrs+. I have looked at the Hyundi/ Kia, Pajero, and pathfinder.

The Hyundi and Kia both have small boots. I liked the Pajero with the big 3.2 diesel in it. But as a 4wd that will spend most of its time on Highway, I have settled on the Pathfinder.

I would be interested to know though, how people get on with the high pressure common rail. I have been told that you must get it serviced every 100 000km ....at a cost of $5-6k....... Any info would be appreciated

Thanks for the comments everyone - keep em coming!

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Originally Posted by gadgetman

Split the budget between a town run about and a 4x4?

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We will probably need to get her something else too. We messed up a couple of years ago when we bought a Toyota Ist. Good little town car but just doesn't have the room for baby capsules in the back - we didn't think they'd use as much room as they do. One can't go behind wherever I sit, and only just fits behind my wife - she has to move her seat right forward and sit with her knees to the side.

We may be able to keep hers if I get something that suits all those other requirements. Then worst comes to worst she can just take the 4WD with the kids and I drive hers to work.

Need the family car 4WD for the family camping trips, so can't really go Ute or i'd be keen for a Hilux.

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Originally Posted by MattyP

Need the family car 4WD for the family camping trips, so can't really go Ute or i'd be keen for a D-Max.

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Fixed the spelling for you.

We have an SR5 with back pack, would that be too big? I think it was around the $27k mark, 2004. Fits four adults, dog, 4 guns and camping gear just fine.

Parking is a breeze compared to my ute, power steering for the win! Also has pump up seat thingy so I can see over the steering wheel.

Is diesel, good on gas. Speedo is faulty from time to time though....


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Suzuki Grand Vitara?? The 3ltr V6 model has plenty of grunt.

We have the top of the range 2011 2.4ltr version as our main family car and it ticks a lot of your boxes.

Here hear !!!

Skoda Superb Wagon.
Skoda Superb V6 4X4 Wagon 2011 | Trade Me
I have one and love it.

I do agree about 2nd hand Toyota prices being a bit insane. Almost everyone I speak too though still recommends them, by citing good resale value and the old reliability.

The appealing thing is that you might spend 30k, use it for a few years and then still get 15-20k for it.

How much cheaper is a similar year model Santa Fe or Territory compared to paying 30k for a Prado?

As far as reliability goes just about everything else is just as reliable, if not better, as Toyota nowadays. If you are buying second hand then everything tends to hold it's value compared to what you paid unless you paid too much in the first place. Realistically I would not say than the Safari and Landcuiser are physically much, if anything, bigger than the likes of the next tare down utes and wagons but they are heavier and tend to have a bigger turning circle due to the front axle set up.

If I was in your position I'd look at changing both vehicles to suit your current and foreseeable future needs. Can be handy if they can both handle the family requirements when one is away for service.

Pathfinder, Territory or Outlander..
Im in the same boat as you and as much as I want a dual cab Ute its just not practical with the wife, 2 kids (and one on the way) Plus spending 95% of its life driving on the road.

Yeah i'm not really a fan of Ute's luckily for me. Don't really like how they drive/feel even the nice ones we have at work. Not to mention so many of the ones for sale reek of dog something cronic even after being groomed.

If you are like 90% of the rest of us you will put it in 4WD about 2% of the time you have it.
By a pretend 4wD or something similar and keep Mum happy.
Then grab a trailer and a Quad for yourself.
There is something in the make up of a wife that they just don't embrace the smell of dead deer and wet dog in the family car and I are not sure why ?:o
That's my theory anyway .

I am like 90% of the rest of you :). Quad is an interesting idea....but still want a do-it-all and then the second car be the wee town one.

Which is why I don't need something crazily capable. I just need something with large boot space, preferably the option for 7 seats, and that is capable of 4WD.

Had a look at a couple of Toyota Vanguards (are they Kluger's?). They were ok except maybe want something slightly larger. Those 2 back seats are only gunna fit kids until they're about 7 or 8 by the looks of them, and when they're out you've got almost no boot space.

Everyone's thoughts on Nissan Patrol's? I've heard not much good for towing, but otherwise decent and tons of boot space.

What are Subaru's like? They mostly look pretty low, or are they AWD's and not 4WD's?

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Originally Posted by MattyP

Everyone's thoughts on Nissan Patrol's? I've heard not much good for towing, but otherwise decent and tons of boot space.

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Cough, cough, splutter. In the league you are looking at they will be great for towing and if you get service brakes can tow up to 4.5 tonne. The early ones with no hair drier are pretty sluggish but the others are all good.

Look for a GU model.

Nissan Safari 1999 | Trade Me

There is a nice one in Chch at the moment but it has a manual transmission.

Yep Patrols/Safaris are good trucks, just get the 4.2 not the 3.0. If a Patrol isn't good for towing then neither is a Landcruiser, they're pretty similar.

Subarus are really hard to beat as all-rounders, good 4wd systems just lacking the approach/departure angles for proper rough stuff. Outbacks and Foresters aren't bad for clearance at ~200mm though.

Ok here is my say on the matter. We are on a country block, 32h, with some nice hills, 70deg is the steepest, so 4wd is needed. We love camping and fishing and tow our caravan, and we also tow a duel axle 8x5 trailer, and no not at the same time :)
I have been in the Auto industry for the past 20years or so and know that you cant go past Toyota for 4wds, A) they are built strong, B) they are reliable, C) they are never under horse powered, D) they have a good resale value.
We went for the 2007 Hilux ute, manual, 5 seat, with a canopy, 3ltr Turbo Diesel. The turning circle is good for parking and doesn't drive like a tank, my mrs likes to drive it city or country roads, when in 4wd you do loose the tight turning circle.
The spare parts are readily available and these are the same units as sold in the Australia.

I think it was the 3.0 Patrol that the guys over here were bagging for towing. I don't really plan to tow though, and if I do it'll just be a trailer filled with camping stuff so nothing heavy.

Thinking Patrol or Prado at the moment....need to look at some Subaru's. They got enough clearance for basic river crossings and paddocks, etc? Don't plan to be doing sand dunes or anything really rough. They seem to have good boot space with those station wagon type models.

Thoughts on petrol vs diesel when it'll mostly be used as a to and from work car? So basically a drive in the morning, home again in evening and then the odd couple hundred km trip on weekends. Not huge mileage.

The 3.0 engine in nicknamed "The Grenade" on the Patrol forums so I'd avoid them. The 4.2 diesel is reasonably fuel efficient considering it's size and I liked mine, a lot of people that borrowed it were staggered by how cheap it was to run. Indications I've seen suggest the petrol is thirsty. The 4.2's are a pretty bomb proof and reliable donkey.

The grenade, huh? Well i'll be staying away from that sucker then! Thanks for the heads up :).

There are a couple about that should fit the bill. Just keep an eye out.

Nissan Patrol Ti T 2001 | Trade Me

Nissan Patrol Turbo 1999 | Trade Me

Nissan Safari 1999 | Trade Me

The above list & two more , good fuel economy & cheap price .

Easy get a Hyundai Santa Fe , a 2009 -2012 , price around 12-15k , they seem very reliable , brother has one so does my farmer mate , both swear my them , both have high Ks .

Available in 5 or 7 seat layouts .

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

Here's a startling comment, I'm sure to start something with this. There is utterly no reason I can think of, to pay the current second-hand car price for a clapped out crappy Toyota. They are about 4-years or so behind anything else comparable in the country in terms of model advancement, ride quality and noise and cockpit layout, and about the only reason I can see for the popularity and hence the higher prices for a used version is a decade or so of a seriously well thought out ad campaign.

They aren't any cheaper to fix than anything else (some models cost more than they should), and a lot of people have this attitude that they don't break so they don't need servicing. As I said, it was a bloody good ad campaign...

As far as that goes, if you decide that you want a Toyota great just buy the vehicle not the propaganda and the owner's BS stories.

If you're looking at 7 seats, you are in the market for a Santa Fe, Prado, Ford Terrortory, or something like that in the 'soft roader' class. A Patrol or Landcruiser size 4x4 won't be the car for your missus if she can't handle a manual - she's likely to be a 'jump in and it goes' kind of lady and the Patrol's and Landcruisers in the 7-seat versions are bloody big vehicles for car parking buildings and the like. It takes a little bit of touch parking to learn where the bits are at either end...

My wife is quite a good driver, I've seen her do some bloody good emergency and defensive driving and apart from sailing into an intersection and expecting to stop the vehicle in 2 feet, she is pretty good in normal driving too. She hates my Ford Ranger PX, and refused the LWB Safari I used to have just because of the size and the hassle and lack of visibility. It's not because she can't drive them, quite the opposite it's just she doesn't like the extra stress of the larger vehicles.

Her current car is a Tuscon/IX35 sized Hyundai, bloody good and underrated little softroader 4x4 and a great car for her with all the safety features - except the damn thing doesn't fit carseats either. You really need that next size up which in the Hyundai range is the Sante Fe, or similar...

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Yep never thought I'd own a Hyundai, but drove our new one from Tauranga to Masterton and back to Taupo the other Sat. Plenty of poke and enjoyed the drive, a little touchy in the steering but he'll it ain't a European! My wife love the bloody thing:cool: it's an XI35 diesel

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Originally Posted by MattyP

The grenade, huh? Well i'll be staying away from that sucker then! Thanks for the heads up :).

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I've heard (from a diesel mechanic) that the ZD30 melted pistons are generally caused by a dodgy earth on the MAF sensor, and can be avoided by wiring the earth better.

However the fuel pump will probably still give up around 160-180k, and its a $5k engine-out job to replace it.

father in law has a Hyundai santa fe, tows his boat with it and can't stop singing about the fuel mileage.... despite my protests it being a Hyundai ..... I now agree with his choice.
ended up buying a i30 diesel for the other half and intend upgrading it to an ix35 when the kids get bigger.
a lot of car or soft 4x4 for the money, dunno about the river crossings though lol.

I'd rather walk than drive one of those Hyundai things but that's just me[emoji106]


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IF I get a Hyundai , it may look very std & plain & ugly , BUT it will be cheap & reliable , and when I fill it with AI rifles & Bender scopes , IT will maybe raise the coolness factor a tad .

And not being European , IT will last a long time & not breakdown , or need a cam belt every 3000km like the bloddly Audi does ,

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Originally Posted by ChrisF

IF I get a Hyundai , it may look very std & plain & ugly , BUT it will be cheap & reliable , and when I fill it with AI rifles & Bender scopes , IT will maybe raise the coolness factor a tad .

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No it will be even gayer.


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Originally Posted by BRADS

I'd rather walk than drive one of those Hyundai things but that's just me[emoji106]


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Thems was my thoughts, it's as hard as changing your sexual preferences and that ain't gonna happen, but I did buy a Hyundai!

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Originally Posted by BRADS

No it will be even gayer.


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Spose ya own a Fiat tractor or something just as gay?:(

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Originally Posted by ChrisF

IF I get a Hyundai , it may look very std & plain & ugly , BUT it will be cheap & reliable , and when I fill it with AI rifles & Bender scopes , IT will maybe raise the coolness factor a tad .

And not being European , IT will last a long time & not breakdown , or need a cam belt every 3000km like the bloddly Audi does ,

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I still have my VW Golf and it would out drive the Hyundai 10 to 1 but my wife's still smiling, the Golf goes on the block this week. European cars are hard to beat as drivers cars, of course the cosy was well above everything I've every owned