Whats everyones opinions on new 4wd vehicles.

Come on guys, the D3/D4 is the most awarded 4x4 ever.

You're just not the sort of client that LR is going to make money on.

I once read on a forum that LRs had not improved since the series 2 came out. I think that some of you might agree if the criteria for a good 4x4 is as many here have expressed on this thread. However I don't see us all trading in our economical turbo diesels to go back to the 2.25 ltr petrol engine.

People speak of engineering problems out! Yes, engineering is about tackling the things that will give you the greatest return. Engineers works for the business types who are charged with keeping the business going and making a return for the investers money. All you blokes that want to be able to repair your vehicle with a bit of fencing wire are not where the future of any company is other than the maker of fencing wire. People have moved on from where Len Beadell was in the 50's.

The OKA is a great truck but horrendously priced new...$125k plus plus plus. I seriously looked at the Mitsubishi short wheel based Canter 4X4.

A compnay sells them with modified suspension, new suspension seats, tray and offroad tyres...singles on rear and these things will go anywhere. Size is like 50mm longer than a Landcruiser ute but obviously taller..priced at $75k I was sold..unfortunately the boss wasn't.

It is a 6.5T truck that they change the badge on to make it a 4T which can be driven on a standard licence. The great advantage is that even fully loaded for say a Simpson trip, chassis, suspension etc it is only operating at a low percentage of its capability as it is really a 6.5T.

Most standard 4WD are either way over their GVM or right on the limit on such a trip, with no safety margin. Chassis, suspension, axles are all maxed out and surprise surprise, stuff breaks.

I am still working on mrs nugget who was ready for a "small" truck but not yet ready for a "big" truck:D

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Originally Posted by nugge t

The OKA is a great truck but horrendously priced new...$125k plus plus plus. I seriously looked at the Mitsubishi short wheel based Canter 4X4.

A compnay sells them with modified suspension, new suspension seats, tray and offroad tyres...singles on rear and these things will go anywhere. Size is like 50mm longer than a Landcruiser ute but obviously taller..priced at $75k I was sold..unfortunately the boss wasn't.

It is a 6.5T truck that they change the badge on to make it a 4T which can be driven on a standard licence. The great advantage is that even fully loaded for say a Simpson trip, chassis, suspension etc it is only operating at a low percentage of its capability as it is really a 6.5T.

Most standard 4WD are either way over their GVM or right on the limit on such a trip, with no safety margin. Chassis, suspension, axles are all maxed out and surprise surprise, stuff breaks.

I am still working on mrs nugget who was ready for a "small" truck but not yet ready for a "big" truck:D

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Well said, they ARE a great rig the Canter. Fireys are very happy with them, as the Hino becomes more popular it too will be more available, another excellent 'small' truck. Best thing is the price. A customer of mine sold his P38a as he bought a trailer boat over 4 tons, and bought a 4x4 Scitec Isuzu dual cab trayback, dealer had a special going, cost him $3k LESS than a LC200, on the road:eek:!!!

Have thought of these myself, but still to many$$ for me:(

JC

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

As far as Landrover is concerned, this market is now filled by the Freelander, although it is not generally considered as suitable for thisw role in Australia.

But then, Australia is a very small market for Landrover! Not like 1950!

John

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A freelander will do the job of a D1/2?

If that's what they think,tell em their dreamin.

And also don't let em waste R&D producing what we & i am sure other markets would like,as that market is already full,with Prado's,pajero's,made in Korea things,numerous brands of dual cab utes,etc.

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Originally Posted by Hymie

Where did hear that?
I'd put an order in if I could.

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hope the driving position is the same as the disco.....will be a real winner.

I am deeply suspicious and mistrusting of pretty much all new vehicles on the market tbh. There is far too much reliance on technology, and this is killing reliability and ownership costs. This technology is being used frequently to compensate for laziness...turning on headlights and wipers for you, heads-up displays, seat memories, multi-zone climate control, adjustable suspension, blah blah.

All of these sound nice, but at some point (often sooner than later), these items and their computer modules will die. The customer comes in screaming because their $40k or $250k vehicle isn't working and has not met their expectations. The response when seeing a quote for replacement can be enough to make you cower under your desk!

No vehicle will be 100% perfect, but having worked on tools and been in parts for a number of marques over the years, I have seen a steady rise in recalls, failures, and horror stories. I can safely say that there is no way I'll buy a new car.

Link: Defender2 - View topic - Would you trade your Puma for an Iveco Massif?
other links:
Defender2 - View topic - IVECO MASSIF :)
Quote:
Before bought my defender I tried for 3 days the Massif...................



I bought the Defender!!!!!



My Iveco light truck (same engine and gerabox of Massif) i two Years:

3 turbos
2 gearboxes
1 engine
6 (yes six) EGR valve
3 High pressure fuel pump
2 Vacuum servo
1 Instrument cluster

and....

- brakes still blocked (3 Iveco investigations w/o results)
- Gearbox absolutely not hard, more than hard when changing from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd
- when empty +/- 5 - 6 km/l, when fully charged ...........................
- Electrical circuits: always problem
- ............
_________________

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Originally Posted by slug_burner

Come on guys, the D3/D4 is the most awarded 4x4 ever.

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Maybe so. But who in their right mind would take one seriously off road. Electronic bloody everything, if you managed to drown one crossing a creek, hells bells you'd never get the thing going again.....ever. You'd toss in a match and claim the insurance.
And for 19" wheels, you've got to be joking. About as off road capable as a Toyota Starlet!

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Originally Posted by slug_burner

Yes, engineering is about tackling the things that will give you the greatest return

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No. Engineering is about tackling problems and coming up with practical cost effective solutions. The D4's about as practical off road as an XJ-12 Jaguar, but great for taking the kids to school.

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Originally Posted by slug_burner

All you blokes that want to be able to repair your vehicle with a bit of fencing wire ................... People have moved on from where Len Beadell was in the 50's.

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Nothing to do with Len Beadell or fencing wire. As the engineers play with themselves (or their I-pods) 4WD's have become more complex not more reliable. Making hairdressers cars is not engineering it's marketing.


Met a group of off roaders at Dalhousie Springs a couple of years ago, they were heading North towards Jervois. 60 series Land Cruisers and Troopys, 1H and 2H engines and split rims with 7.50X16's. Not flash but probably the most reliable 4WD's ever built. Try taking your 4WD of the year through this lot and see how far you'll get.
4WD 'engineering' may have become more about how many electronic do-hickys can be sold to a gullible prospective buyer than real off road capability and that may be where the main market is, but don't confuse this crap with real off road engineering or capability.

Deano:(

Sorry Deano, but I know several. D3/D4 owners who have done just that and more without any issues.
2 of which were towing campers.

Dads D3 has had zero issues from new. Tows my boat when available and gets offroad often climbing rock tracks. It's brilliant.

Sorry Guys, there are just too many people drinking their own bathwater on this thread and many other threads....which a few of you have been flamed for already. :(

If you listened to their crap you'd never fly in a plane....once apon a time they probably had to lick the engine block to check the temp....

Same old.... "I knew I guy who knew a guy". Have any of you ever actually been off-road in a D3/4?...or even know somebody who owns one? Or are you too scared to move forward? If it comes down to just a truck that you can dent and scratch, you can easily buy something for a lot less than a late model deefer or puma...so what is the point exactly? I can go out and spend bugger all and build up....but it will never be a D3/4...and I suspect it would never be a new Deefer or derivative either...but it will probably do the "man-up job"!

Outside the "electronics reliability" garbage issues and all the other pooh...Where are the facts on 19" rims?.....I'm open to the fact that they may not be the best....but not once have I had solid evidence....and I've asked on this forum over and over again.....produce facts....not "same old". Best that has been suggested was probably nothing more than lack of tyre strength, due to availability of decent tyres. I'm willing to look into the 18" hybrid wheels that are being looked into....but god it would be nice to get some solid facts from people who actually operate these cars and tyres!

I drove down Bribie beach today, wallowing through the soft, dry sand in my D4 with 19s (OEM)...just like everybody else...looking at all the Maxxis Bighorns and all these other freakin huge tyres on Toyotas and others, wondering who was the victim of advertising?????

I also loved the fact that when I got back on the bitumen and aired up, my over-priced, unreliable (which has never stopped running in 12 months....no need for me to look at my extensive tool-kit or expertise).....(even after falling into a washout at an uncomfortable speed about 8 months ago) just roared away like a car.............a very economical car I might add...

Geez....people stop talking rubbish....