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Looking for advice on my next vehicle with off-road capability

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joecuba:
First post on here - sorry if it's a bit long winded!

I am looking for a new vehicle with off road capability at the moment, and was wondering if anyone can help with any suggestions?

Have at the moment an old '97 Subaru Legacy. It is good on the motorway, comfortable, and reasonably solid for it's age (although rust is starting to take hold). It is a bit overburdened when full of 4 blokes + bikes + camping gear (esp rear springs, there is just enough room!). However, It doesn't have the clearance to go through reasonably deep fords with fairly steep banks, or over boggy farmland. Poor fuel economy for it's size, but good safety rating!

I started looking at the Legacy Outback, it is great, but I am worried it still isn't enough for deep fording. I discovered the Delica, which looked exciting until I found out the safety rating. I have briefly considered various Land Rovers, but don't think that are good for long trips. Subaru Forester is a possibility, but a bit characterless and not sure it is really that much better than an Outback for what I need to do.

I am not a big fan of the 'Chelsea Tractor' style vehicles, it always strikes me there is way less room in them than in an estate car.

Anyone have any suggestions as to vehicles worth checking out?


USAGE:

General town trips 1-3 times weekly shopping etc

Monthly inter city trip (80 miles)

Mountain Bike trips with up to 4 people with bikes and tents etc (have a 3 bike towball bike rack)

Occasional long distance trips (say three times yearly Scotland to London and back)

Occasional camping holidays in Scottish Highland

Bi-monthly (for 6 months in a year) trips including fording approx 14 inch deep rivers with approx 40 degree exit banks

Occasional trips across farmland, including approx 6" ruts and mud

About 5000 miles a year total


REQUIREMENTS:

Carry two as comfortably as possible
Carry 4 in reasonable comfort for long trips (8 hours)
Carry 5 for short trips - any more is a bonus

As safe as possible

Reasonable security for city parking

Strong, long term proposition (good for project upgrades)

Fun and with character

Reasonable speed (not too slow) but with basic off road capability, good all rounder

Tow ball + electrics

Budget of around £3000 - less if possible


CONSIDERED:

Subaru Legacy Outback - a bit higher ground clearance than the standard Legacy I have, better featured, but otherwise the same car really. Questionable if it would be any better for the fords or with a full car + bikes.

Subaru Forester - Still questionable if it is enough for the fords and rough farmland. Shorter than the Legacy?

Land Rover mk2 - Too rough for anything other than short trips, but fun

Land Rover Defender 90 / 110 - Still hard work on long trips

Mitsubishi Delica L300 / L400 - Good clearance, good carrying capacity. Fuel economy not much worse than the Subaru, for it's size. However, serious worries about the 300s safety, and the 400's safety is still not nearly as good as the Subaru. Looks good fun and comfortable, bags of room. Good off road capability.

Toyota Hilux - Usual two seater not suitable, not sure of other versions?

Steyr Pinzgauer - Totally OTT, one for when I am rich :-)

pux:
land rover discovery just put a bike rack on.

boss:
agreed, the discovery will suite you perfectly. just put some knobbly tyres on it.

ben_haynes:
for comfort on motorway driving you want a discovery or range rover, or a Mitsubishi shogun/Pajero or Toyota Landcruiser

joecuba:
Thanks for the answers so far!

I have a Thule Ride-On tow hitch 3 bike carrier, so that isn't a problem http://www.roofrackcentre.com.au/assets/acc/bikes/rideon.jpg

I did look breifly at the Disco, but TBH it is the least exciting vehicle I can think of, the styling is really dated to me and they don't have the charm of series / defender land rovers. A Disco isn't a car I would buy to keep and be happy with, it would be purely utilitarian I think, and I am sure it would feel a step down from the Subaru on everything apart from the tricky off road sections :-(

Still, I can understand the logic behind the sugestion.

Oh, and my parents had a Disco a few years back, and I slagged it off rotten for being made out of old Austin Allergo parts :-)

Range Rover has a better look to me, hmmm....

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