When choosing a serious SUV on the secondary market, you need to keep in mind two main reservations, because this market segment has long become specific throughout the world. Firstly, very often such cars have not only high cross-country ability, but also a high status – for which you have to overpay both during purchase and during maintenance. And secondly, since these cars are created for difficult conditions, the previous owners do not hesitate to load them with these difficult conditions. So the buyer of a new SUV has to maneuver between these two lights.
Toyota LC Prado J120 (2002 – 2009 g.)
One of the most popular “real” SUVs in Ukraine, and one of the most expensive. The 20 thousand dollars allotted by us only includes copies of the 3rd generation, the generation before last, but for this amount you can find a well-preserved car. Actually, all Prado generations known in the country have a similar design: a durable classic frame, a continuous rear axle, and an all-wheel drive transfer case. Thanks to the built-in differential (with automatic torque redistribution), the transfer case allows you to constantly drive in 4×4 mode, and on soft soils or in snow this “differential” can be locked. The locking of cross-axle differentials is simulated electronically (on powerful versions). But, probably, the main difference between the Prado and others is its reliability and durability, which is remarkable even compared to many other Toyota models.
The car is usually generously equipped, with most Prados having a petrol engine, 2.7- or 4.0-liter. Both, by the way, do not suffer from poor appetite. In nature, there is a short version of the J120 with a three-door body, and occasionally this can be found in Ukraine. In turn, “five-door” cars can be equipped with 8 seats, with a folding sofa in the trunk. In addition to high cross-country ability and reliability, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado appreciates the suspension that is comfortable on potholes.
LuAZ-969 (1967 – 2002)
A car for those who primarily need off-road transport, with comfort and prestige considerations in second place. The Lutsk-made all-terrain vehicle has phenomenal cross-country ability, which is easily explained by its design. Wheel gearboxes and ground clearance of 28 cm, huge travel of torsion bar suspension, rigid connection of all-wheel drive, locking rear differential, “creeping” transmission in the box and a low-speed, high-torque engine – this arsenal will be the envy of other army tractors. You don’t mind scratching the utilitarian body in nature, and the standard heater (when it’s working) creates a real “Africa” under the tarpaulin roof, even in cold weather. The Volynyanka has one drawback, but a significant one – for a variety of reasons, the car is not reliable. We advise you to look for a late modification of the model with a 53-horsepower engine from Tavria – LuAZ-1302. Thanks to the new generation unit, it is much more reliable than the -969 model with its V-shaped “air vent”. Although almost half of the cars on the market have “foreign” engines installed.
Nissan Patrol V Y61 (1997 – 2010)
Don’t be confused by the fact that your money can only buy Patrol, released at the turn of the century: firstly, “Patrols” are very durable, and secondly, all such vehicles have a long production cycle and in fact this is only the penultimate generation the legendary “rogue”. The most important thing that can be said about the Nissan Patrol of the fifth and previous generations is that it was most often chosen as a vehicle for conquering off-road conditions by all sorts of “service people”, both civilian travelers of harsh professions, and fans off-road. Because it combines Japanese technical excellence with high off-road qualities and does not require additional payment for some imaginary status, as is the case with its few classmates. Disadvantages compared to its main competitor – LC Prado – in a lower resource, but for with the exception of engines. More precisely, the “indestructible” multi-liter Patrol engines 4.2 liter diesel and 4.8 liter gasoline, which, unfortunately, are in the minority, are considered a model of durability. Another drawback of the model is the absence of an all-wheel drive driving mode on hard surfaces in the transmission. There is a choice on the market, but almost half of the cars are tuned for off-road conquest, and such examples need to be looked at with redoubled attention.
Suzuki Grand Vitara III (2005 – 2019)
Despite the almost glamorous appearance, this is a rather serious SUV – with a low gear in the transfer case and a locking center differential. Which, as you know, allows you to drive in all-wheel drive always and everywhere. On rich trim levels there is even an imitation of inter-wheel differential locking. True, the model does not have a separate frame and significant ground clearance, so you should not launch it into the same ruts where LuAZs and Patrols previously floundered. The engines are mostly gasoline; experts advise choosing the 2.7 liter V6 unit – the most powerful and durable. The car’s suspension is completely independent, so it handles better at speed than its tougher solid axle competitors. And, perhaps, the “urban” appearance is also worth adding to the Grand Vitara’s asset – along with its lower price.
Mitsubishi Pajero Wagon IV (2006 – 2021 гг.)
This is the last Pajero Wagon for today, and it’s gratifying that it easily falls into our price range – this model is generally known as the most affordable option among all high-status “rogues”. The Advanced Super Select II 4WD transmission used on the fourth Pajero is one of the best for this class of cars; its transfer case allows you to smoothly redistribute torque between the axles. All-wheel drive is permitted on any road, which reduces the likelihood of losing control, for example during icy conditions. The rear differential has a lock. The engines on the Mitsubishi Pajero Wagon IV in Ukraine are both diesel (3.2 l) and gasoline (3.0 and 3.8 l). There are 7-seater versions of the car on sale with a third row of seats hidden in the trunk floor. Most of the cars of this model on the secondary market are strictly family cars, some of which have never seen off-road.
In short
As you can understand from our selection, in the class of real SUVs there are cars, so to speak, of different orientations: some are more “city dwellers”, some are more “rogues”, some occupy a niche in the middle. We advise you to take a closer look at candidates for purchase from this angle, but first you need to correctly predict your mode of use of the machine you are going to buy.
2024-01-20 05:40:44
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