[Closed] Pickups, Land Rovers, Dusters...

I had a 2006- L200 for a while. Nicer place to sit than a works van, drove pretty well given it was technically an offroad vehicle, and the bikes went in the truck bed no problem with front wheels off. But they are not cheap to run. At all.

I'd be looking at something similar to what you already have but in 4x4 flavour. Skoda Yeti?

You used to be able to get 4x4 versions of the Renault Kangoo. Sounds like it would suit your needs, but may be a bit rare now.

Skoda Octavia scout

Subaru legacy estate or forester?. Plenty about, cheap, and if only for occasional use, the higher running costs shouldn't be an issue

Good points: get a long wheelbase van version and you can stick loads of bikes and gear in the back

Just to be clear. No you can't. Surprisingly small

Unless your talking hicaps but they don't come in vans

Just put some winter tyres on your doblo. I live in rural Scotland at a bit if altitude, on a private road beyond the reach or gritters and 2wd and good tyres is all you need. I can get up and down highland stalkers tracks, with a bit of ice and snow, no problem in both my berlingo and a 7m long sprinter so long as the tyres are good

if the doblo works for you there’s isn’t really a 4wd that gives you a package that is useful in the same way other that perhaps the 4 motion caddy. We’re just about to buy a caddy- but not a 4wd one there’s no point.

Landrover smaller than you’d think in the back. No chance of a bike easily in either a 90 or a 110 crew/station wagon. Maybe in a ‘van’ 110 but you’d still be taking front wheels off and there’s less than 800mm between the arch boxes so it’s quite narrow for threading them <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">in and out. They get stolen for fun too.
I’ve got a Navara for work with a rear canopy and my L 29er fs won’t fit unless both wheels are off, as I’ve got a drawer system in there that takes up the lower 1/3 height wise. Maybe if it was empty you’d have more success.
In your user case I’d get a small 4x4 like a Panda or Duster and use a rack for the bikes. </span>

What’s your bigger priority - 4wd or carrying ability. From what you’ve said I’d be tempted to get some cheap steelies with winters on for the Doblo.

As others have said, get winter tyres, you'll be surprised at just how far they will take you.

Don't get a Landrover, they are terrible to drive by any comparable modern standard. Old ones hold their value but are even worse to be in.

I'd just get any crew cab Ranger/L200/Navara/Hilux/etc that fits your budget. It's what my work replaced the Landrovers with and I have plenty of friends that rate this type of vehicle for what you want. Many different ways to secure stuff in the back too, just have a look about. My mate has bolted a couple of Thule racks to his for bike carrying duties, attached to the rear cover so it can easily be removed.

have plenty of friends that rate this type of vehicle

Pigs in lipstick

other than having all the toys inside. The ride quality manages to be worse than a land rover unless you run around with a few hundred kilos in the bed. Horrid things to drive. Get more sea sick in them than I do on boats.

Before we get onto the tiny bed and poor security on the fibreglass tops

I second the winter tires for the doblo.

Before we get onto the tiny bed and poor security on the fibreglass tops

Your forgot the downsides of folding your kids in half to get them in and them throwing up over every speedbump.

Your forgot the downsides of folding your kids in half to get them in and them throwing up over every speedbump.

Try being 5 adults up in them and sharing the space with an internal roll cage bouncing uncontrollably on cart springs across the desert

It's amazing how bad UK/euro pick ups are compared to ford f series /dodge ram etc

Old patrol / land cruiser? Big thirsty, good 4x4. Remove the seats in the boot and they have a large load capacity.

Don’t get a Landy (I have one old and one new), bikes go on carriers outside, and require endless maintenance (which I enjoy, so why I have them).
At work I use a Navarra it is much better to drive than Landy, used to have one for personal use too but it also small in the back for bikes and not v tall either, so they would go outside leaving plenty of room for stuff in the back.
Dusters are great to drive (used to do some work in Turkey where we had these so done some really long drives 3 adults up in one) people space is great but at a cost for storage. Would be your most cost effective option with a roof box and bike carrier.
My 2c!

Dare I suggest a 4 Motion Transporter? (although prices just now are even more ridiculous than normal)

TBH I agree with other who have said 4x4 is not needed 99% of the time. The right tires will get you where you want to go...

Unless of course you just want to scratch that 4x4 itch in which case just buy an old Hilux and start watching 4wd247;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs-vWZu3t2ky3oImX83S_2Q

We’ve had an Isuzu Rodeo for coming up 13 years. It got relegated to second car a couple of years ago but it’s still going strong. Great in snow and muddy fields.

We’ve got a removable back which makes it secure for bikes. That’s permanently off now it’s a second car though. Without the back it’s great for logs, cement mixers, bags of gravel, picking up chickens, doing the recycling run etc etc. I wouldn’t be without a pickup.

Probably the cheapest car to run I’ve had. Nothing more than service items and cheap service costs. Mid-30s mpg too.

I have to admit, I'd probably like tinkering with a Landy. Or maybe I like the idea of tinkering with a Landy but I'd get fed up with it after a while because it'd get in the way of family/outdoors/etc time.

Sounds like winter tyres are definitely worth a look. Hadn't considered those. The Doblo's a great all round vehicle and I expect we'd be able to do most of what we want. We have plenty of garage space so I could probably keep a spare set of wheels in the corner and just take them on/off as needed.

There probably is a bit of wanting to do the 4WD thing. Back in the 90s we had a Subaru and that went almost everywhere in all sorts of conditions. But it got stuck on a rutted farm track once so there are limits to what you can do even with plenty of traction. We could probably trade that off against some cargo capacity though. I did suggest a Unimog to the wife but a) she wasn't too keen and b) I was kidding really 🙂

For reliability an old Hilux is a good bet, I've just sold my 2001 MK4 but did 260,000 with only routine service, and a new clutch. I have a customer with a 2005 Mk5 thats on 430,000 miles. You just need to consider emissions, if you stay out of cities you'll be fine, but to take my old hilux into London it was £100/day!

I used to live in Oz. Everyone in the Outback drove Toyotas. I heard a story that it's hard to buy a 70-series Land Cruiser anywhere else in the world because the Aussies snap up the whole production output. No idea if it's true or not, but they were everywhere.

And yeah, my parents had a 4Runner (Hilux with boot on the back). They drove it across Australia. Twice. Once right through the middle. I'm definitely a believer in Toyota reliability.

Or maybe I could buy this 😀

For £4500, I reckon you’d be bloody daft not to! That’s obviously a custom job based on a 4x4 LWB Transit, but bloody heck it does tick every box! If I hadn’t just had to fork out £4k for my central heating I’d be tempted by that myself.

An elderly land rover is nothing like any of the other options to live with or drive - I'd suggest getting a go of one before you make a decision!

I'd also echo the comments about tyres - mskenneththecurtain's Yaris on winter tyres was epic in the snow. Ok, it wouldn't wade through feet of the stuff like a land rover, but how often do you really need that ability?

You'd better off with a disco than a landy but...

If its the m1k can you weld and can you mechanic? Cos whilst they're comfier they still have the same issues.

Caddy 4 motion as an option?

But I'd say tyres and socks/chains if it's really bad out there

For £4500, I reckon you’d be bloody daft not to! That’s obviously a custom job based on a 4×4 LWB Transit, but bloody heck it does tick every box

Slow noisy unsecure ?

Would have been more useful as a van

I love Landys. I have 4 of various vintages, BUT they are a labour of love, not really comparable to any other vehicle on your list. If it’s an itch you have to scratch then go for it, they don’t really depreciate any more (apart from the newer ones). You do need to be mechanically savvy, they can be uncomfortable, and you definitely need a good quality steering wheel lock and pedal lock or it WILL be nicked, but they are great fun, far more than any other vehicle I’ve owned, other than motorbikes...

Honda Stepwagon is available with 4WD (it’s the even model numbers eg RF8, RG2). Mechanically similar to a CRV of the same age but in a useful boxy MPV/van shape with sliding doors. They’re imports but quite a few about now.

Nissan Pathfinder? Basically a Navarra Estate, but with proper rear suspension. Lots of square space in the back, tho to be fair, I do still have to take the front wheel off, and seat down to roll a bike in the back - upright though, so acres of space still.

Nissan Pathfinder? Basically a Navarra Estate, but with proper rear suspension. Lots of square space in the back, tho to be fair, I do still have to take the front wheel off, and seat down to roll a bike in the back – upright though, so acres of space still.

And the same snappy chassis as the nav, steer clear.

You actually just NEED all season or winter tyres on the Kangoo. I have Bridgestone A005 weather controls year round on my RWD mercedes and it seems to go anywhere in snow and ice.

However it seems to me you WANT a Discovery or a Land Cruiser.

I have fantastic memories of my dads Mk1 discovery growing up, a superb family car for adventures. Fully loaded down through Spain to eurocamp, bit of light offroading in the Picos mountains and on beaches etc.

Just put proper rated all season (snowflake mountain symbol) tyres on it or it will be worse than the kangoo in snow.

And the same snappy chassis as the nav, steer clear.

only up to 2006 (i.e. 2 or three years) - anything after is fine, and also never seen a Pathfinder one go, just Navrras - and my 2005 is fine. Another good case of urban myth...

I did have some welding done on the chassis this summer though LOL - completely different spot mind.

Have you looked at RAV4s? Loads about and can be had for not much money.

Have you looked at RAV4s

and X-Trails too actually, bit bigger too.

I reckon you’d be bloody daft not to!

<b>RELISTED DUE TO YET ANOTHER MORON</b>

The bloody daft do seem to be struggling 🙂

the berlingo xtrs are raised (a little bit) compared to normal berlingos, and have brake-based lsd on the front, if you wanted something a little more capable than the doblo.

only up to 2006 (i.e. 2 or three years) – anything after is fine, and also never seen a Pathfinder one go, just Navrras – and my 2005 is fine. Another good case of urban myth…

My friends 11 plate cracked there and I know of a 57 and 10 plate that have all gone In the same place so I think after 06 still have the problems

Yeah, mate of mine at work had a Navarra of the correct vintage, heard all the stories and convinced himself it was going to snap. Used to check it all the time.

Then it did.

He has an Amarok now.

Also pathfinder is a different tax bracket to a navara as it's a car..... its taxamongus

It's a different rear end as its IRS.

Shitty 4x4 detent switches
Shitty clutches
Bad corrosion

They did do a vat free commercial version that was a normal one with trim removed and Money added to the screen price

skoda yeti or scout version of the octavia estate.

Subaru forester, good drive, reasonable off road, but not ‘that’ big.
Nissan x trail, good drive, slightly better off road (diff locks), bit bigger.
Everywhere in the world where you might expect people to use land rovers, they don’t. They use toyotas.
If you want a land rover that’s fine, they are iconic vehicles and definitely objects of desire.
But if you want practical reliable road/off road motoring, you want Japanese or korean.
My mate marshalls for a club that does off road trials, many of them use lightweight/modded landys or rangys. All road legal/mot’d etc.
But they get trailered to events, usually behind a land cruiser.

Landrovers are ****ing awful. Every single one of them.

Jimny is great off road but fragile and bloody expensive to run. Terrible on petrol.

Pickups are great , if you need one. Complete waste of time of you don't I ran big 4x4 for decades for stalking. Stopped stalking and bought a transit custom. Infinitely better.

Loads of other cars are great, but I have an XC70 which is , quite frankly, brilliant for everything you have mentioned.

Old Honda crv?

Freelander 2s are actually really great. Because they are Ford engineered....

Feel like a land rover to drive - you can see the corners of the bonnet, big glasshouse, big buttons on the interior drive in wellies.

Very capable off road too. Buy an auto.

But too small.

Freelander 2 are a nice little car but not much good for anyone with a need for any space.

brads
Full Member
Landrovers are **** awful. Every single one of them.

brads
Full Member

Freelander 2 are a nice little car but not much good for anyone with a need for any space.

Make your mind up.

Unsure why you want the costs of another vehicle, surely the Fiat will do exactly what you need?

Make your mind up

My mind is made up. They are all awful. The Freelander 2 is likely the best car they have made but I wouldn't take one for free.
They look lovely, and even seem well put together, but they are Landrover, so they will die expensively.

Clear enough for you ?

Freelander 2? Looks lovely? What planet are you on?!!

subaru outback has ground clearance, good 4wd system and a big boot. the duster, like any small suv, is not a big vehicle. golf estate sized.

and if you get really carried away with light off reading, there are lots of accessories like skid plates and lift kits.

the only reason i don’t have one is because when i tried to buy one the dealer refused to open the door of the car i was looking to buy!

Winter tyres on current car +1.

I recall nearly at the top of a 1000m quad track climb in Italy, it was as rough as ****, heard a chugging behind us, turns round and theres a citreon 2CV casually picking its way up the road behind us, it was amazing.

Another vote for the outback. Just not an early diesel...

Another vote for the outback.

If you’re going Subaru+space, go full bonkers and get a Legacy spec B. Had one when I lived in NZ where there are lots of gravel roads, most fun. Awful economy, tax and insurance, but you only live once. Not much bike space either, but that engine.
Sorry no help whatsoever

Nobeer - don’t let the 2CV fool you - they’ve always been very capable off road. A number were used by the Royal Marines in the 1960’s as off roaders 😳

Freelander 2? Looks lovely? What planet are you on?!!

Been in one then ? They do actually look great inside for a 4x4 but I can't defend them too much as you know that great looking interior will come away in your hand one day.

Anyway XC70 is still my choice if you don't just buy a Transit custom.

I had a Dacia Duster as a work car temporarily and found it not to be very useful at all. Narrow and high load bay - not really any more useful than my previous Focus estate. I like basic stuff in general so could appreciate the value but the SUV style of doing things just doesn’t seem to be practical to me.
However, as much as it pains me to say this, after having a weekend away in my mates old crew cab merc van (a LWB one) I am converted and would like one if I was using its capabilities often.

They look lovely, and even seem well put together, but they are Landrover, so they will die expensively.

@brads no they aren't. They are a lifted Ford Mondeo. They are Ford engineered, many many parts under the hood have a FoMoCo logo on them. They built a brand new factory for them at Halewood so weren't assembled by Land Rover old guard.

They are based on the Ford EUCD platform, the very same underpinnings as your choice the volvo XC70.

They are very good, but tarnished by the dire FL1 and general Land Rover rep.

Anyway OP, you just need all season tyres.

Nobeer – don’t let the 2CV fool you – they’ve always been very capable off road. A number were used by the Royal Marines in the 1960’s as off roaders

Yeah, they were originally designed to yomp across ploughed fields and the like, weren't they?