Looking for an SUV at 1.6MM max

[Queen Victoria]

Help please!  :newbie:
Please find me an SUV within my budget of 1.6MM max.  Use of the vehicle would be out of town practically every weekend.  Terrain usually are rough roads, zigzag and inclined roads(my guess est 15degrees). Passengers would be 0-2, usually just driver but dive gears can weigh from 18kilos dry up to 20kilos wet each.  So driver and 2 passengers including dive gears could weigh up to 240 kilos.  My concern on weight is because of the incline of the terrain.  I have had problems with the 2006 Fortuner on a climb on wet roads.  Also, I'm looking for something that drives comfortably at 180kmh on a highway.  The fortuner starts shaking at 160kmh.  So I'm looking for one with good handling at this speed.

I hope you can give me a suggestion with safety as my primary motivation for buying.  I know, I know!  Safety is my motivation for buying but not my dogma in life.  Thank you for all the help!

[mr.blacktop]

X-trail CVT  :thumbsup:

[niky]

Buy new tires for your Fort. If the places you go give your Fort (is it 4WD?) problems, there aren't very many brand new SUVs that can do much better on their stock tires. Of course, tires for rough terrain won't be very happy at speeds of 180 km/h on the highway (expect some rumbling and vibration).

Not in the mood to buy a pick-up? Those should meet your needs more nicely, and will come in way under the budget if you're looking at something simple and rugged.

[Queen Victoria]

Yes, it's 4WD.   I'll have a look at these suggestions, isn't the x-trail like a sedan inside?  When you say pick-up, like an F150?  Would that perform better?  Thank you so much, Niky and Blacktop.  Take care, both!

[niky]

More like Hilux-Ranger-Navara-Strada... but if your Fortuner is having issues with the trails, modifying it would be better than buying another stock rig that will still have trouble finding traction on the loose roads you're driving on.

[DTNS]

More like Hilux-Ranger-Navara-Strada... but if your Fortuner is having issues with the trails, modifying it would be better than buying another stock rig that will still have trouble finding traction on the loose roads you're driving on.

+1 on this!  I think All-Terrain tires + suspension lift should do the trick for your Fortuner 4WD

[z_lynx]

off road capability + highspeed driving = lc200 v8/ or 2k10 patrol. = but its wayyyyyyyyyyy out of your budget.

[rt140se]

you can always do with the ever reliable LC80, may sukli ka pa. :thumbsup:

[benguet_buynsell]

LC80.. but for ride and comfort the pajero 3.2 yung palaka it fits your budget.

[Queen Victoria]

I'm sorry for my ignorance but what's an LC80?  If we're just throwing names of great cars I can't afford, the Lincoln Navigator is my all-time crush!  Hahaha!  
I really can't have an old car because I'm a small girl, I'd rather leave it on the side of the road than try to fix it.  Not in this lifetime.  So maybe I'll change all my tires as Niky said.  We'll see how that does but I guess I can't do anything about the stability with my budget.
Thank you all, for your advice.  You are so kind!
Special thanks to Niky and DTNS.  That's what I'll do first. Otherwise, I'll just put the Fortuner on fire.

[rt140se]

sorry madam, the LC80 is toyota's best ever SUV preceding no other models. until now, it is still preferred by people and families that want's value for money. it's famous for serving various purposes from all walks of life.

it is also the same vehicle used to traverse the polar regions of the earth with almost no breakdown.

reference pic:


this is the only SUV that stood up against the mighty land rover defender in terms of reliability, legacy and reputation..

[splerdu]

Off-road + 180kph  + P1.6M max is a tall order! Brand new SUVs that fit your criteria are typically in the 4M up range, think Porsche Cayenne / Land Rover Range Rover / Toyota LC200.

Your best best is really a second hand 3rd Gen Pajero. Tires will be a compromise between off-road ability and speed. Basically the more off-road capability you ask from your tires, the slower/less stable you'll be on-road.

Second hand LC100 might be achievable. It's just slightly over your budget, but if you can extend to 2M it will be a very good choice.

[cp9ayt]

how about the scubaru forester? hehe we're using this car every time we dive and can fit 4 gear crates at the back..no problems. i'm guessing you dive in anilao? well this car wont have any problems climbing up driveways of those resorts and can haul ass in star toll 

[R-A-Y]

I would go for Forester also. Stable, very versatile, and responsive. Hindi ka pa mabibitin sa hatak

It would have been cool to have pickups as options also. So far the new Navara has been great. I drive it to the province and it is quite stable at 160kph. And it has the payload capacity too!

[niky]

The LC80 is great... but the gasoline model is very tepid and the diesel isn't quite as good as what you've got in the Fort... (not as good meaning not as smooth or powerful... but the old school diesel will be able to survive off-road punishment and poor fuel better)... definitely more off-road potential, but unless the primary purpose of your car is off-roading, I'd stick with what you've got.

The Navara is a great truck. More comfortable than the Fort (ride/seats) and good legs. If I remember right, though, not as much ground clearance.

What's the problem with traction you're experiencing, by the way? Lack of grip on wet concrete? On slick asphalt? Or in mud? The AT off-road tires I suggested will help with mud, but for grip on wet boat ramps and asphalt inclines, a premium SUV tire (Advan ST, Wrangler HPAW, etcetera) would do you better... and it would ride better on the highway at 160 km/h, too.