being a toyota it will be very reliable.

 

Thats what i was thinking....I was looking at X5`s and Range rovers too......but X5`s are nice but not over big inside, and range rovers seem a bit of a gamble.

 

prefer the 80 series myself, 4.2 on an auto you are looking 22-25 mpg Get an amazon & a 7 seater, easier to move them on when you are done, look for full toyota history

like this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201122388601851/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/13000/transmission/automatic/price-to/15000/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/model/landcruiser/make/toyota/page/1/postcode/sy148qh/radius/1500?logcode=p

hold their value a touch don't they

edit, this one seems better deal though http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201218467822175/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/13000/transmission/automatic/price-to/15000/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/model/landcruiser/make/toyota/page/1/postcode/sy148qh/radius/1500?logcode=p

 

i almost got a l/cruiser 80 series before i got my first shogun....but all the ones i looked at had lived a hard life n looked tired inside. tho the engines seem to run for ever. i think the 80s ended in 1998/99 and i`m looking for a newer car. the amazon seems like the one to go for.

 

for that sort of money you could get a top spec landrover defender 110.... all the mod cons and the rugged of road capabilites..... and still would get around 26mpg around town

( i may be biased but i wouldnt have any other 4x4!)

 

Old man has the 1990 4.6TD Amazon Auto with full leather trim etc. Very nice truck (seems the best description), puts up with a lot of abuse.

 

I bought a 2 year old shogun 3.0 petrol in 98' with all the bells and whistles still going strong lwb job ,the newer ones are very smart

 

I was looking at prices recently incidently. If you want high spec, it's the LC5 you want without a doubt (even the LC4 is pretty poor).

An average mileage 2006 LC5 is going for about ?16,000 so nearer the higher end of your budget (private sale, not dealer). So you could probably get one a couple years older with higher mileage within budget.

Few things to note: Toyota have had a few callbacks on them for things like fuel injectors, engine maintenance and prematurely rusting wheels. Just take a look around the internet and make sure the car has either had the recall items fixed or doesn't suffer from them.

Top cars Land Cruisers and get (almost!) 30mpg too.

 

Reliability wise the engines and drive train are bullet proof if serviced. The GX is popular as it doesn't have the air suspension which is ???? when it goes wrong.
25-30mpg on average.
Pre 2001 lower tax bracket cars are very popular and hold there money well esp the GX as above.

As they say, if you want to go into the desert buy a landrover but if you want to come back again buy a Toyota.
After all, 500'000 terrorists can't be wrong

Personally I'd spend 6k and get a really nice pre 2001 GX with all the trimmings.

 

My boss swears by his Arctic Trucks Land Cruiser 100