Toyspeed.org.nz Message Board

by **BZG Wagon** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:40 pm

I had a couple SUV's as rental cars while in the states and completely fell in love with them. Knowing very little about SUV's; what would everyone recommend if I were to spend arond $15k?

The first SUV I rented in the US was a Santa Fe and it was, hands down, the best vehicle I have driven in a very long time. I couldn't have been more impressed with it - but they sell for around $25k here so to that's out of the question.
The second was a Jeep Liberty (aka Cherokee) and it was terrible. I managed to get it stuck on some very soft sand on the beach and found out the hard way it was actually 2wd. Our suitcases also didn't quite fit in the boot and it had no storage. It looked and sounded awesome though, with acceleration to match.

Reasons why I loved the santa fe:
1) Diff lock
2) Cruise control
3) Sooooo comfortable
4) Great stereo, interior, loads of storage
5) Great fuel economical - 24mpg (10km/L)
6) Quick enough to pass without having to stress or get a major run up
7) Loads of storage
8.) Looked cool, wasn't girly (I'm sure at least one person will try to debate this)

Based on the above, does anyone have recommendations on what could tick a lot of those boxes within my price range (circa $15k)?

by **DXROLLA** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:26 pm

The only thing i can think of in that price range would be a lateish model surf

by **fj40cruzapete** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:36 pm

80 series landcriuser

by **FST4RD** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:12 pm

Whole idea of an SUV is to buy the biggest one money can buy right?

What about a proper 4WD:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 999623.htm

or

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 920747.htm

by **FST4RD** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:17 pm

Then again... a very cool proper 4wd! None of your sissy, wheels fall off when they see a gravel driveway SUV

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 922992.htm

by **Quint** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:47 pm

If my 4runner got destroyed / eaten by mothra, I'd buy a 1kzte surf. Save the rest of the money. Or win and get a winch.

They are great vehicles.

by **Looonie** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:07 pm

Probably the only thing in "SUV" type you'll get for the 15k mark is a Hyundai Tucson or one of the first Ford Territories with some k's on it.

Could also consider Rav4/CRV etc but they're horrible.

Best bet might be a 95-98 Hilux Surf, won't ride as nice as an SUV though.

80's series landcruisers are high 30's unless they're mega miles.

Don't buy a Captiva.

Perhaps a Prado is best for you? 80 series might just squeak into budget...

by **strx7** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:43 am

Looonie wrote:
80's series landcruisers are high 30's unless they're mega miles.

Not on planet earth.

by **Leon** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:18 am

I think you don't have enough money to get something you will be happy with.

by **Quint** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:00 pm

Looonie wrote:Hyundai Tucson

Used to drive one for work. I hated it.

by **rhardgrave** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:46 pm

do you want it for town or off road? and is fuel economy an issue?

if it was me id go for a landcruiser fj40/70, 80 series landcruiser or a suzuki haha

by **~SlideWays~** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:00 pm

70 series is close to indestructible offroad (except panel damage

) but far from a comfortable daily driver, mainly because of leafspring not being progressive like coils.

Also 70 series is pretty under braked unfortunately, I ended up with 'performance' brake pads and brand new discs and hoses etc. Its pretty good now but still could be better.

I'd like an 80 series for modernish comfort and coilsprings but I'd never use it for the offroad stuff I put my 70 series through. :lol:

by **BZG Wagon** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:44 pm

LOL - love the suggestions; but looking for a replacement for my GTT rather then a serious 4wd. So per the list a mix of fuel economy (around 10L / 100kms), something easy to get around the city in and comfortable on long trips would be ideal (which the Santa Fe seemed to be).

Realistically it will be 95% town, 4% gravel, 0.9% beaches 0.1% mud. Nothing too serious offroad - I wouldn't have the money to fix it or the time to keep swapping tyres.

Prado's & Surf's are probably a bit big, but I might take one for a drive to get a better idea.
My sister had a 2003 4-door Rav4 which was cool, but massively lacking in power (and a bit girly).

Sounds like I don't have too many options in my price bracket but I'll take a few of the mentioned for a test to see anyway.

Plan B could be a $5k hack for the beach but it's not really what I was after (something more of an all-rounder is what I was thinking of).

by **Leon** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:47 pm

That being the case, you're probably stuck with a 4 cylinder Escudo / Vitara. I don't think anything else will get that sort of economy, without being a normal car with 4x4.

by **Looonie** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:50 pm

strx7 wrote:
Looonie wrote:
80's series landcruisers are high 30's unless they're mega miles.

Not on planet earth.

Oops, typo... high 20s

by **S T E A L T H** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:35 pm

You can get an 80-series for your budget, though it would most probably be a 12-valve (pre-95). Otherwise you can get a tidy Prado :idea:

A Santa Fe?... F%$K you might as well spend 1 grand on an i-phone and the other 14 on a whole lot of man-ass.

by **DXROLLA** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:37 pm

What about a mid to late 90s Terrano/Pathfinder, probably abit cheaper than what you are budgeting for and seem to be quite a good truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 280061.htm

by **BZG Wagon** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:18 pm

S T E A L T H wrote:You can get an 80-series for your budget, though it would most probably be a 12-valve (pre-95). Otherwise you can get a tidy Prado

A Santa Fe?... F%$K you might as well spend 1 grand on an i-phone and the other 14 on a whole lot of man-ass.

The older ones... yes.

I reckon the new shape looks awesome:

Also a highly rated vehicle by the sounds of things.

Not interested in a land cruiser - I want something that'll blend around work. Think parking buildings, functions at the Hilton / Langham / Rydges etc. and nice resturants on the outskirts of auckland. Rocking up in my GTT is bad enough as it is.

What are Ford Escapes like? (Not a big Ford fan - sounds like the older SUV's were terrible too).

Pathfinders look quite cool - will add that to the list of things to check out.

Website · by **Bling** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:42 pm

Click it and hit buy now for a cool 1500

Have driven a couple of pathfinders a bit, and they are pretty sweet. They are still miles in the air though so corners aren't all that much fun at speed. That goes without saying I guess haha. Would own one though if I had a boat or some other reason for towing etc.

by **rollaholic** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:11 am

do not buy an escape under any circumstances (goes for most fords tbh)

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