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Topic Date User

The Perfect Climbing 4x4 3-Feb-2008 At 8:09:52 PM cruxmag

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On 3/02/2008 IdratherbeclimbingM9 wrote:
>Any 'real' 4WD in a petrol version is worse for economy in my opinion.
>I drive various of them associated with my work from time to time and they
>suck juice big time!

Totally agree. I wouldn't even think about a petrol 'real 4Wd'. They suck down about 15l/100km as opposed to diesels that run about 10l/100km. Thats a $20 saving for a weekend Araps trip even with the difference in diesel vs petrol prices!

>The additional cost up front of a diesel engine (vs a petrol one), buys
>an awful lot of petrol in this part of the world (Vic/NSW border), too.

Yep, i agree. You ususally pay a few thousand more for diesel.

>That fact combined with the outrageous price of diesel since the govt subsidy
>ended would render most uneconomical for short periods of ownership, ie
>you would have to keep it for at least 8 years* + (total guess), to get
>your initial investment outlay back?... though petrol/diesel prices in
>Melb might be a different equation.

About 2 months ago diesel was actually cheaper than petrol at my local servo. It was $1.22/l for about a year. Then it jacked up to $1.42/l and hasn't moved since. Its about 8 to 10 cents more than petrol at the moment.

>The Holden Cross-Track is largely 'Australian'; roomy; well appointed;
>and strong enough to tow a large trailer if necessary.

I've driven one of these quite a bit, and I admit i enjoyed the power, speed and handling. But at 14L+ per litre for something which isn't very rubust in the 4WD departent you end up filling up with $90 of petrol every 400km. Not cheap at all! Thrash it and it really goes beserk!! There is a very good reason this model was a failure and scrapped from the Holden lineup. Petrol prices went up and no one could afford to fill it up. I've done advertising work for Holden and this is what they told me!

> Though I admit the
>'ideal 4wd' is horses for courses, personal preference and available $
>in the end.

Yep, the #1 thing to remember is that a real 4WD is mostly a waste of time for climbers unless you plan to travel through central Australia. You're paying for expensive parts, expensive servicing and loosing a great degree of handling and pleasure from driving due to the un-necessary weight of heavy parts. Buy what you actually need.

>