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Hi there

We are looking at getting a SUV/4x4 for mainly going away camping etc (although not hard 4x4 driving, just dirt and gravel tracks etc). The main use however will be just around town.
We were thinking of the Isuzu Wizard around a 2002 and going for the petrol as I have heard there are some problems with the diesel engines around this age. Could you shed any light on whether there is any common faults or issues with these vehicles.

Kind regards
Hannah

A petrol Wizard could be overkill for your lifestyle in my view. Why would you need something so heavy and fuel hungry as this?

It may prove to be a very frustrating vehicle to own dragging it around town day after day.

You don’t give your budget but a couple of options that may suit your needs better are; Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Nissan X-TRAIL, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Territory, Toyota Highlander, Mitsubishi Outlander.

Sorry I should have given a bit more information. Our budget is around $10k-$12k. We were looking at the larger SUVs as they generally are 4x4 and can hold a bit more gear, my husband also goes away hunting a few times a year hence the 4x4 aspect. We had initially looked at diesel, but was unsure whether it would pay off for the increase in servicing costs etc versus lower running costs of diesels, and therefore started looking at petrol. In your opinion would the diesel be a better option?

Thanks
Hannah

OK, you are getting into a price bracket where the vehicles will have travelled high km’s and risk levels start to climb especially with diesel vehicles. If things start to go wrong, the repair costs can head upwards very quickly in comparison to petrol so a good and proven past service history is vital for both, but especially so for diesel.

Petrol vehicles of this size are definitely going to be more expensive to run in regards to straight fuel costs however, by the time you take in Road User Charges (RUC), higher registration and general maintenance costs for the Diesel, the extra costs for petrol can be insignificant.

The further you travel the greater the benefits of owning a Diesel based on fuel costs alone.

A couple of other vehicles in your price range to consider then;

Petrol:

• AWD Ford Territory (not a great reputation for fuel consumption with the earlier models).
  Toyota Prado
  
• Mitsubishi Pajero (avoid the models with the 3.5 GDi engine)
  
• Mitsubishi Challenger Exceed (may be out of your price range but a good vehicle)
  
• Suzuki Grand Vitara (good all rounder)
  
• Kia Sorento

  Diesel:

• Holden Monterey (NZ new version of the Isuzu Bighorn. Were subjected to an engine related recall some years ago but should have been sorted by now)
  
• Toyota Prado
  
• Nissan Terrano (latest model possible)
  
• Hyundai Terracan

I read your response with interest. We are in a similar situation with a family of 5 and a dog and a boat (1.5 tons). We have just driven our petrol Pajero (1994) into the ground but what a great vehicle it has been for us for the past 12 years and 200,000kms! Alot of people are advising us to look at diesel but the cost of the vehicles are significantly higher for an older vehicle. We have been considering the Toyota Prado and can get a 1996 with 150.000kms for $18 - 20,000 or a 2000 Pajero with 80,000kms for $16-18,000. All are Japanese imports, although the Prado's have all had one NZ owner. The Pajero's are all new imports and all seem to be GDI's. We have spoken to the Mitsubushi dealers who have recommended a flush to the system to clear all the jets immediately after purchase and to run them on high octane fuel which pushes up running costs.
Our budget is $20,000. What would you recommend of the two vehicles? We only run the big vehicle out of town on holiday- all is hot running and usually towing. We do about 10,000kms per year.