Hi Graham
I own and love my 2000 Toyota Prado (Diesel). I do agree that for most
people a Subaru Forester or Outback would be adequate. I however do like to
get further off the beaten track when possible to places such as Fraser
Island, Simpson Desert, Victorian High Country, Cape York QLD , Kimberley
region Western Australia etc. It has much greater ability in true off road
situations obviously, and with the diesel returns 11 or 12 L/100km. It has
heaps of space for longer camping trips (fridge etc) and has been
exceptionally reliable. I also have a snorkel for deeper creek crossings
(Cape York/Kimberley). As far as the big 4WDs go I don't need the even
bigger size of a Landcruiser or Patrol. If you wanted one of these a diesel
is again going to be far more economical. Patrols are great but the 3.0L
diesel (the pick of the engines) has a bad reputation for expiring much
earlier than it should. The new Cruiser diesels are magnificent but very
expensive - if you were buying new the extra cost of the diesel engine would
take along time to overcome with the petrel's worse economy.
But as everyone is aware, car choice is a very personal one and you are the
one that needs to be happy. If you don't think you will use the off road
ability then a Subaru would be a much better compromise.
Cheers
David
Sydney
PS - Laurie -Did you get up to the tip along the telegraph road or the
development road in your Subaru? How about Iron Range?
Cheers
DAve
On 23/2/06 9:35 PM, "Graham Etherington" <> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> I'm expecting to move from the UK to Brisbane at the end of March or
> the beginning of April. I'm planning of spending a lot of time
> birding, probably going away for birding trips every other weekend, by
> car.
> My question is this - do you really need 4x4 to fully enjoy the best
> of QLD/NWS birding? I know I'll need something with plenty of space
> for camping gear and the like, but I'd be interested to see how many
> Australian birders use 4WD vehicles (and where you use them).
> I've visited Queensland once before and thought that a good off-road
> vehicle would have been handy sometimes, especially at places such as
> Noosa Plain and Lamington.
> Also, what about the various different types of 4x4. I know about the
> usual Nissan Patrols and Toyota Landcruisers, but what about the
> 'station wagon' type 4x4. Anyone use one of them?
> So, what I'm really after is comments from birders about what they
> drive (4x4 or other), how they think their vehicle copes with birding
> terrain, how necessary they consider a 4x4 to be, and where they spend
> most of their time birding.
>
> Looking forward to joining you all in Oz and meeting up with some of
> the local birders in Queensland.
> Best wishes,
> Graham Etherington
> Norwich, UK
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> Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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> birding-aus.blogspot.com
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