Guidance For First Time Buying a 4x4

[sinnan]

Respected Pak Wheelers, I want this Topic to be helpful to every wheeler (now and in coming future) who wants to buy his/her first 4x4 off road vehicle under a budget.

I have chased this dream so long over a decade long! In age early 30s I wished banda northern areas jae to apni 4x4 par and I am now 40s and Alhamdullilah willing to execute my first trip to rocky mountains and I want you to help me making this dream true!

Few years back when I saw latest shape reviews of Fortuner I was excited that we have now option to buy brand new zero meter off road vehicle. but the way prices went up from 5M to almost touching 9M. I really do not want to wait another 10 years saving every penny for a brand new purchase One day I am gonna buy that too I am not giving up on fortuner.

So I have decided I will gonna buy some classic Toyota Off Road Jeep. Big thanks to Sunil bahi whose video review I saw couple of weeks back https://youtu.be/5j3EtHMJU9g

I am considering following 3

1. Toyota Prado TZ 3.0D (1997 to 2001, Also 2002 for its beige leather interior )
2. Toyota Surf - Any Variant - 1997 to 2004 - 13 lacks to 35 lacks
3. Toyota Land Cruiser - Any variant - 1995 to 2000 (Currently 4 pages of search on PakWheels from 19 lack to 40 lacks)
   .

Which Vehicle to Choose?

Toyota Surf is only attracting me because of its price. And I heard some people say that Small vehicle size makes it a good off roader and moreover it is really good in pricing. On other side I am considering that 7 seats will really be advantage to move with more fellows / family members. Though first I started searching Prados when I found that there is not much variety.. like Sunil bahi luckily got in 13lacks and then he spend on top of it. I have roughtly estimated he spend easily 6 to 7 lacks (https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/adopted-toyota-land-cruiser-prado/240276/136)

Why not Land Cruiser?

In last I was looking at 90s Land Cruisers and I was amazed that at that time they were equipped with electrical seats, heated seats, Cool box etc. I can see that there are some really good vehicles available on PakWheels at this time, especially 98 Land Cruisers with genuine lather beige color interior dual ac, electric seats and features like cool box are available around 3M. Olders ones are more cheap

How I set the Budget?

Should I keep 5 lack a must budget to get end of the day something really cool. Or it will be wrong thinking that after buying and doing the documentation done and having a month ride test I can leave to Northern Areas. People who says not a penny work required just buy and enjoy is this true?? If thats true I can be setting up 25lacks to buy if I must have some thing to spend after purchase then I should set something 20-21 for purchase and then spend rest of my budget?

Thanks for reading till this point.
I have some more question I will be asking once I am able to shortlist vehicle that I should buy! I have also concerns about Land Cruiser 4.7 4.5 L petrol engines vs. 3.0 or 4.2D. I have so far learned that from off road performance point of view Diesel is go go and it is also easily available. It also work well on high altitudes and low air pressure atmosphere.

so in short..
Dil ko Land Cruiser pasand aa rahi hai
Jaib ko Surf or
Demagh ko Prado

Aaap kia kehte hein

[mshoaib432722]

7 seater prado... 1996 onwards model... 1Kz intercooled diesel engine... never the 1kd engine.

Surf is a bit too uncomfortable drive-wise.

Land cruiser is going to rip you off in case u need any repair or maintenance. Tooooo expensive parts.

[sinnan]

Thank you Shoaib for the first response.
IA I am willing to keep this thread going on so that in coming time more entry off road buyers can have benefits. You have given me some good piece of information

1KZ is better than 1KD ... InshaAllah now I will be researching on this and finding pros and cons of 1KZ on 1KD.
I will be trying to get estimates on 90 Land Cruiser maintenance. they way you mentions seems really expensive. I will be glad if you or any other bro can give us here a price comparison of any part of a Land Cruiser and a Prado.

Looking forward for hear more. Guys please do post.

And I will IA soon share my findings about 1KZ and 1KD engines.

[consigliori]

Even though I am the proud owner of a beautiful 80 series Allhumdulillah I suggest you first read this https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/80-series-discussions/1009970/3312

[consigliori]

Agreed a 100% Shaiby

[consigliori]

@sinnan jao Murshadon ka muft mashwara hai, buy a vigo 2010 onwards thai or if you have the money the England model "invincible ". Do not but 1kd prior to 2010. You will cry. 80 series if you have deep pockets, good mechanic and can sit in the workshop yourself. If surf, buy a 99-2000 3400 V6. Stay away from old diesels as again, Murshadon wala mashwara hai​

[consigliori]

@tintin1. Bhai please comment and help sinan avoid jumping from the cliff...

[waqasch1]

below thread has some good discussion and the vehicles remain the same in both budgets but the model gets older. If a non Toyota, can be considered, look into Pajero Gen 3 (2000-07) as well.

Best value for money SUV in new/used car market under 5 million?

Hello everyone Having travelled all my life in Sedans and hatchbacks, I'm now considering switching to a 7 seater SUV to cater to my large family size. However, I don't have much info regarding ownership and maintenance requirements or hassles of petrol or diesel SUVs. My budget is under 50 lacs. So after some search I came across the following options: Prado - 2005-07 model (between 4 to 5 million) and earlier models (all less than 2.5 million) Surf - 2002-05 models (between 3 to 4.5 milli…

Do not buy any SUV/4x4 without a proper Pre Purchase Inspection from a workshop/mechanic which specializes in SUV/4x4 repairs. It will cost you 1-2k and save you loads of cash.

in case you want more on Prado vs Surf, https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/toyota-hilux-surf-vs-toyota-land-cruiser-prado/236157

Best of Luck!

[mshoaib432722]

Comparison? Ok. How about this:
Land cruiser kabli engine cost 5.5 to 6.5 lakh.
Prado 1Kz engine costs 1.8 lakh.
U will find similar ratio of parts prices in almost every part of prado vs land cruiser.
Petrol prado 5vz engine is around 2.2 lakhs (with gear). Don't know without gear price since never bought 1 without gear but shud be of course cheaper than 2.2 lakh.
1kd engine (make 2009 or earlier) will make u cry. It has serious injector problems and according to Murphy's Law, the injectors usually malfunction when u r on a tour in the middle of nowhere somewhere in the mountains.
And a new 1kd engine with gear costs 4.5 lakh.

[tintin1]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[suhaibayaz]

In the same vein as this, since experts have gathered here, is it easy to get an 1980s cruiser and restore it? They seem to be all the rage these days.

[sinnan]

Arshad Bahi, Reading your thread right from the start. Very informative.. story of passion and dedication. More interesting than any fiction or romance.

IA will be macking a call but after going through responses in detail from my PC..

Tons of thanks for sharing your contact.
Jazak Allah.

[waqasch1]

Easy - No

Possible - Yes, if you are patient while buying one, discuss issues and approach before starting work, have time to invest, go to a reputed suv/4x4 expert (read expensive) mechanic, have the right parts sources and willing to spend on trial and errors.

Also depends on which series you want to restore, 40, 60 or 70?
Happy to help with any specific questions.

[qwertypoiu]

Oh bhai itna zulm

[qwertypoiu]

You have 4 million in hand.
Since you plan to buy an suv there is nothing like which suv you should buy.
You should just be looking for a 4x4 vehicle, now which ever you come across in unmolested state you should buy it instantly if it's a 100,90,80 cruiser or a surf or a hilux. Condition is key.

In recent years suv become popular and if you are in market to buy one you will see many people who are selling theirs and what they have done is purchase price + 10lac and keeping driving till they some someone to rip off.

I have seen many people demand 2.5 million for a junk 80 series which they acquired for 1.5-1.8 m
And I have seen 1.8 m rides too which are only worth 1-1.2 million.

In short you would want to have an experienced person to inspect and judge the vehicle in all aspect before you buy one.

These are old vehicle driven thousands of miles and meter reversed and in hands of investors/dealers looking to make a quick buck from them.

Find a fresh un registered 2013-14 hilux the one with 5speed auto that is best choice.
Second best option clean prado 2006+ but it's difficult to find in 4m range that at least 4.5-5m
Last but not least 90 series 1kz prado for 2.6 or even 2.9 m and you can comfortably spend money on it to make it to your liking.

I am saying by experience that in market from 100 suvs only 1 is worth buying and that guy is demanding 0.5-1 million above market price for it.

[dayrider]

Lets begin with a different approach to this, what will be the utility of said vehicle, how frequently will it be used? What city are you located in? How much do you know about cars? Have you ever been off roading?
Define Off roading, do you plan to go katcha areas or proper river crossing and mud bashing?
Lots of things need to be known in order to provide a detailed suggestion.
As for the money bit, 500k in reserve in is a must.
100k for fluids, belts filters etc
100k for tires
300k for back up

[tintin1]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[sinnan]

You have asked the important aspects that I should have shared earlier.

This will certainly help who are trying their best to guide me. It will also help others in future who are willing to buy to compare their situation with mine.

》 My job is online and I have flexible hours to work. I can adjust my work in a way that I spend my day in workshops. But of course not all life

》I am based in Islamabad (DHA) and am a born Islamabadi so thats my only home town. I don't have to travel to any off road long distant areas for a need. Whatever trips I will be planning will be limited (weekends) and for only leasure & outing. Every year would like to visit some northern destinations. Rest it will remain parked.

》 My current ride is Suzuki Swift Automatic it has done 60000 KMs in last 6+ years. 3 trips to Lahore. So you guys can have idea of my running.

》But don't forget that purpose of buying 4x4 is specially to be able to went nothern areas and be able to go to areas where I cannot go if visiting in any good sedan. I am kind of a person who will be having camping / inflatable boats etc. Loaded on my 4x4 and I will be willing to go to that side of a jheel where there is no rush. Hope you got my point.

》Never planned to do any hardcore off roading stunts which we see on youtube.

》I can spend half million to bring it to nice appreciating condition... no issues! and I can spend easily on high end expensive liquids and filters for on going maintenance. But important thing is that I do not wanted to get robbed in intial purchase. Or by Mechanics.

So in short I have time and money to spend gradually. And intentions to do normal off road trips with absolutely no need for daily running.

[sinnan]

Lolz... I will be reading it ... though its a very long long thread.

[mshoaib432722]

Then go for either 90 series Prado with 1kz-te inter-cooled / 90 series with 5vz (3400cc) petrol engine
OR
Hilux model 2012 on-wards with D4D engine.

Good luck.