The best Soft Roader

[upstart]

Hi all,
In another thread (Derek's, re Fraser with his Suzuki Vitara towing a camper trailer) there has been some excellent discussion about the abilities of today's soft roaders. Yoot in particular is very confident in the/his abilities with his Forester.
So, in your opinion, which is the best soft roader for a bit of camping and beach driving?
Now to throw a variable into the works....are you able to comment on how they go with a few basic mods. For example, a 2" lift and better shocks and some decent off road tyres. Say BFG A/T. Yoot, how good would a turbo Forester go with some mods?
I'm looking forward to hearing your comments.
cheers, Ben.

[bdaearth]

I havn't driven one nor do I know anyone with one but being the owner of a grand vitara about 4 years ago I would say the diesel vitara that is out now would be a ball tearer of a little car/4x4. With how light these are and having a diesel in therte I think it would have to make a great 4x4

[snasman]

Mate the suzuki is a fantastic veh and has a proper 4x4 transfer case in it, unlike several others that claim to be able to leap tall buildings,the only problem with them(2001 model) was it required a 2'' lift kit ,after I fitted that she was unstoppable,If the oppurtunaty was to arise for me to get another and I couldnt afford a toyota I would not hesitate to get it.

[FNQCairns]

It's a catch 22, the belly of a soft roader is too low so you raise it then the angle of the propeller shaft's goes to pot and all that entails.

Personally the best idea is to keep the softroader for what it is best at like the muddy driveway on those days and have a cheap lux or wagon something as the dedicated fun vehicle (can double as the tow vehicle even), if a person has never owned a 4wd with low range, solid axles and clearance....the low fuss, low stress options they open up in real time when offroad is hard to put a price on.

cheers fnq

[chisel]

You are unlikely to be able to lift a new softroader 2 inches easily, nor find any decent offroad tyres in a suitable size to put on.
That said, most of them would be ok for the odd beach trip. I'd probably pick the forester as a mate has a new one which he has already done byfield and some of the other beaches up that way in.
I've sure the RAV4 and x-trail would be ok too.

[ozscott]

Mate - you posted this question under the 4WD thread also...here is my reply from yesterday on it:

You dont want to be going to 2 inch lifts on lightly constructed (ie chassis wise) independant suspension - bad for a number of reasons in terms of tyre angle problems and stress on components....but hey if you want to, go for it.

I would have thought for standard soft roaders the VW Toureg would be good (although my bet is you were not thinking in that category), but otherwise the best soft roader would easily be the new Freelander.

Cheers


Cheers

[Flex]

no offense here but I cannot see the point of these new all wheel drives?
I dont know why they are so popular? for the same money you can get yourself a proper 4x4 really.

I saw quite a few forresters and rav 4's on fraser last year. They do okish, but the difference is you have to flog the car alot harder due to lower clearance.

Also independant suspension is totally hopeless for offroad, might be great for pot holes, but other than that it really lets the vehicle down big time.

Also their running gear is no where near as tough as a standard 4x4.
You can do alot of damage trying to lift some all wheel drives, and if you are going to go to that effort, buy a real 4x4 IMO

[ozscott]

There is IFS and then there is IFS....the Disco 3 eats everything else standard off road and its IFS but its a long long way from soft roader IFS.

Cheers

[chisel]

Nothing really wrong with IFS (or IRS ... pajeros have irs and go perfectly well) unless you are into really serious offroad stuff.
Anyone who is talking about getting a softroader isn't wanting to go rock crawling.