Cherokee V's Defender

[Dan Salter]

Ok i will be on the market for a new 4wd pretty soon...

I had my heart set on a old diesel landrover defender 90 to replace my juicy 2.0i petrol Frontera

But everywhere i turn people tell me no matter what one you get Landrovers are very expensive to run even the diesels?

All i want is a 4x4 thats cheaper to run than my petrol frontera but is useable in countryside work?

Now i think Boddie or Eeyore turned me onto the JEEP Cherokee?

It seems you can get one hell of a lot of car (Cherokee) for not a lot of money on ebay ? a lot newer than any land rover i can afford but does anyone know? Would the Cherokee 2.5 td ( turbo diesel) be cheaper to run than a Denfender 90 2.5 TDi ?

i get the impression japanese 4x4 are cheapest to run but call me snobby but they just scream "Traveller" to me? the shogun/pajeiro's of the world? (No offence to any shogun/pajeiro owners here of course)

I still long for a defender? or a series 3 or even a series one landrover? is it possible to put a cheaper to run jap engine in one?

I know this isnt wildlife but i got the impression boddie or eeyore knew about this kind of thing?...

[Fourwings]

Ah the Jeep Cherokee, or to use its other name "the Chelsea tractor".

To be honest Dan it's not really a serious 4x4, they are most comfortable on the road or grass, show em some real mud and you've got problems mate, I've pulled a fair few of these out of situations where a Defender 90 would have had no problems at all.

Defender 90's may not be as flash looking or luxurious but they do the buisness when it comes to pure 4x4 performance plus they are built like a tank.

Yes, you may find that the older Landrover engines burn more fuel, but the new range of TDi engines are very fuel efficient given their size, and you wait until you have to buy any spares for a Jeep Cherokee, you will need to sit down when you see the price

I personally use a Daihatsu Fourtrak 2.4 TDL for work, it looks pretty much like a Defender 90, yes its a Jap 4x4 but its a real workhorse and can easily pull 3 tons and will cope with mud upto the axles and still be able to get out unaided, just a shame they dont make them anymore

My advice to you as a farmer is to go for the Defender 90 Dan, its still the best off-road performing 4x4 on the market.

[Boddie]

It wasnt me. I know little about vehicles apart from the luxury end of the market.

I would love a Land Rover though

[Dan Salter]

Cheers guys...if it wasnt you boddie then it was most definaely Eeyore.

I agree with you fourwings...i want a "working" vehicle which is why i always wanted the landy....i also like the optional open back, crew cab, enclosed back, ifor williams top...or enclosed county station wagon with rear seats options.

The cherokees do look comfy as hell, full leather, walnut...hard styling etc...but i couldnt see me pileing old logs into one or throwing my muddy boots in the back

Im still set on a defender regardless of the horror stories...unfortunately i want to work in the countryside sector so will NEVER be rich enough to afford one of your recent td5's

im on a very low budget...so older defender or well kept series 3? ....i just wondered if it would make sense to put a shogun or jap engine into one for cheaper running costs?

But yes...you CANNOT hands down beat a series landrover /defender for bomb proof countryside use ! and they are SOooooooo English too ! (well i bet they are not now but you know what i mean)

[Boddie]

Yep Pete drives things like this at work and is always covered in mud. I live in Operating Theatres so am not really up on 4 wheel drives. Should you want to talk Merc, Beemer etc I can come to the party. But on pure class alone I would go for the Landy.

[Paul mabbott]

I'm not a motor person but I don't see why people would object to a Japanese vehicle and then go for a USAmerican one?
Could someone tell me, purely for academic interest, what a 4x4 is? I know that they are those massive vehicles that fill our roads with commuting accountants but ...
4x4 suggests that they have sixteen wheels - I suspect not. What is their value (other than the price of a house for some people)?

[Dan Salter]

Ha ha...dont worry i dont do YANK anything really it just looked a lot of car for a tenth of what you pay for a landy?.....but clearly they are built more for the american highway than clay based uk muddy fields...i was just curious on the running cost?

i presume your question about 4x4 is sarcasm and a dig at the 4x4 school run brigade? but if you truly dont know it just means 4 wheel drive? a normal car is 2 wheel drive...(front or rear) and is prone to get stuck in muddy or wet conditions...4 wheel drive ( all wheel drive) i guess gives equal power and traction...and they have higher wheel clearance to get in and out of sticky situations...thats about it really?
You really dont need one to take your kids to school in chelsea i totally agree.
But then again.....my objection to the pajeiros and shoguns is pure snobbery and a class/ style issue i come from a very high gypsey?traveller filled part of kent and they ALL drive these jap 4x4's giving them a kind of stigma...i guess they too chosse them for cheaper running costs?

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Could someone tell me, purely for academic interest, what a 4x4 is?

4x4 refers to the fact that the car is 4-wheel drive i.e. all 4 wheels are powered by the engine. In most everyday cars the engine powers only the front wheels, although on some cars it is the rear wheels. Obviously, having 4 wheel drive improves the vehicle's traction.

Matt

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

But then again.....my objection to the pajeiros and shoguns is pure snobbery and a class/ style issue i come from a very high gypsey?traveller filled part of kent and they ALL drive these jap 4x4's giving them a kind of stigma...i guess they too chosse them for cheaper running costs?

I think travellers choose 4x4s to tow their caravans (which are often big twin axel jobs)

Matt

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I think travellers choose 4x4s to tow their caravans (which are often big twin axel jobs)

Matt

Oh i know WHY they use 4x4 its why they Choose the jap ones? Shogun/pajeiros etc...i think they are cheaper to run and cheaper parts...or easier to steal? tee hee