What Happened to all the 3 Door 4x4's?
2021 ж. 29 Нау.
115 260 Рет қаралды
If you're interested in getting into the used car industry, check out the website below for more information on my online course. It's only £27 per month with biweekly livestreams! There are nearly 100 videos covering a whole range of topics. Plus you can cancel at any time. Click below.
Visit www.highpeakautosacademy.com or click this link bit.ly/3rNtNhG
I'd be grateful if you could give the video a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe if you're new to the channel.
Check out my website: www.highpeakautosltd.co.uk
Check out the HIGH PEAK store: www.highpeakstore.co.uk
Follow Me:
Instagram - / highpeakautos
Facebook - / highpeakautos
Twitter - / highpeakautos
It's not just 3 door 4x4s that have gone. It's 3 door hatchbacks too: polo, golf, focus, astra etc. You used to get 3 door versions of the Sierra and cavalier too.
Owned a three door almera as an island car, (no mot) the doors were ridiculous nearly dislocated shoulder reaching for seat belt and carparking if anyone was selfish you could not get in.... Mitsu and Jimny are the only two I think that are OK...
پاکستانی گو پاجئرو٢٠٢٢
And I thought I was the only one!:) totally agree. I love old 3 door shoguns, land cruisers and patrols:)
As a Samurai owner I'm glad that at least Suzuki still produces basically one of the last real offroaders.
The Jimny is the heir apparent
I don't watch TV anymore and haven't for many years now because of people like you on KZhead and other platforms. Fair play to you man you make excellent content.
Thank you
I totally agree 🙏
Sooo much better
Loved the 3 door Shoguns, such a handy tool for everything except carrying a lot of people, fun to drive and great for work.
I have a 1997 3 door Shogun V6, use it for carrying tools and equipment and towing a welding generator down unpaved roads to wherever I'm working. My only complaint is that the 3 door had a smaller fuel tank than the 5 door, but it makes up for it by being a reliable and capable workhorse.
"I could go on ... so I will" ... made me laugh more than it probably ought to have.done.
It's almost a cringe moment, all the time when you see off-road channels, going straight for long wheel base 5 doors 4wd. Then complaining about the low of breakover angle.
Quite amazing, I was just thinking the very same! I was actually watching an old Harry's Garage video on a 3 door evoque & I get a notification for this one 😁
Totally agree with you Matt! Another thought provoking video! Keep up the good work!
You are so right ! Again a great video just pure honest information without childish behaviour. Keep them comming
Excellent content as always mate! I've been talking about this for a long time. I've been an Jeep/Suv fan since I can remember. And from experience in off road (and my personal taste), short wheelbased 3 door off roaders will always be better for me then those long giant behemoths. The large SUVs were probably more popular in open spaces like the dessert, savannah, steppe etc, but out here in the mountainous and thick forested Balkans 3 door SUVs ruled. The most used were Lada Nivas, Suzuki (Grand)Vitaras, Suzuki Jimnies, Mitusibshi (Pinin) Pajeros, and even 3 door Land Cruisers and Patrols. Why? BEcause they were more nimble and agile and perfectly suited the narrow forest "roads" and tight turns that one would often encounter in such places.
Picked up a 3 door Frontera a few months ago. I'm tidying it up gradually and going thro it like a dose of salts mechanically as it's really grown on me. Great to hear your appreciation of 3 door 4x4's as I agree, they look much more purposeful than their bigger brothers. You mentioned the Montery but forgot the Frontera.
As Paul Weller once wrote and sang "And the public wants what the public gets but I don't get what this society wants".
The public get,normally, what they're conditioned to want. Most Doctors smoke Camal.
A fine point well made Matthew! 👍
3 door Discovery was my personal favourite
Yet there was only one wheelbase for the Disco 1. I had a 3 door one for a while. We used it as a farm hack. It was a brilliant old vehicle. Even better it was bought cheap on a whim. I saw it parked at an auction site. When I enquired about it, they said it had been through the ring a few times but didn’t sell. The owner had put a reserve of £1700 on it, but the most it made was £1200. Feeling cheeky I said I’d offer a grand, thinking I’d never from them again. An hour later they rang back to say he’d take it. We hard it for about 3yrs. Part of me thinks we should never have sold it.
I found a girlfriend a 3-door Rav-4 back in 2002, as an upgrade from her old Ka. She loved it, but was a bit miffed when I insisted she learned how to check the (colour-coded) fluid levels in the engine bay, and I doubt she ever put it into low-ratio.
Have the little 2003 Rav4 3 door, and I ADORE it. In fact I got here by searching your channel to see if you'd done a vid after I watched your jimny vid. Drives so well even all these years later and it cost me 1500 on 90K
I love how he still respond and helps even though he have 100k subscribers !
Always
@@HighPeakAutos he's a good guy!
SECRETARY? LOL...
Spot on Matt. Loved this video. I’ve often wondered about these and had forgotten about some of these. 👌
Glad you enjoyed!
Great video as always my friend. Absolutely love my Mitsubishi Shogun sub, had it for 5 years, fantastic in the mud, great road manners, always being asked do I want to sell it, hard to find a good example these days. Is yours up for sale, I’m tempted to buy a slightly newer one. Great review by the way. Thanks for sharing mate.
Agreed. I daily drive a Range Rover Classic 2 door. I love it. Changed the seats and the dash to a more modern Disco soft because the vinyl was knackered. Lovely, capable and nimble.
I have a 93 Grand Vitara 5 door - might as well be three door due to the gaping holes in the middle row of seats (you can see the road in several places), it's begging for a chop shop to have made into the hot little three door rear wheel drive it could be! Love the video as usual Matt.
I so agree with you. One of my best cars was a 3 door rav. I’d have one in a heartbeat.
I worked for Mitsubishi back in the day and my Co car of choice was always the SWB Shogun for all the reasons you stated. Not the most fuel efficient things in the world compared to newer cars and also not the fastest thing in the world but in every other way an excellent thing to have.
Great vid Matt & totally agree with you about the coolness of the 3 door 4X4s. Back in the mid 1990's I nearly pulled the trigger on a 3 door M-B G-Wagon (way before these were cool & desirable) It was a D reg Black 3 door G230 4 pot Auto but the extensive rust (poorly disguised as bodywork) put me right off it and I walked away. BTW if you can find one, please do a full review of an Isuzu VehiCross which championed the 3 door 4X4 idea back in the late 1990's.
had a '05 3 door 2.7 Prado a few years ago, absolutely loved it. very comfortable, great off road and got so much more attention than the 5 door ones too, nobody looks at those twice. was a bit underpowered though, was my only complaint
great video as usual mate!!💪🏻🔥
My wife has been saying the same thing and reluctantly settled for a 5 door recently. I kind of see her point now having watched this. I hadn’t realised that so many brands once made 3 door versions and yes, they did look better.
You just spoke my mind!! Agree totally.
Love this, even 3 door hatchbacks are clearly going. When I was young, the 3 door of any car was the one to have but not so much now. The 3 door Range Rover looks awesome, lovely alternative to the Merc coupes.
Not forgetting the three door Freelander as well. I swear the rear seats had never been used in my old Range Rover p38! Really like your reviews. Keep up the good work.
Bloody love this channel. This and Harry's garage are the two for me.
Loved the look of these mitsubishis... But kids (read wife) stopped me buying one... Volvo 740 instead yawn...! There's one here lying in grass think it's an oil pump issue, which if I recall us inside engine.... Not a cheap fix.... Mmmm thinks Where's my tool box!
Iconic cars mentioned. Great video. Hr-v was so good but only with a roof spoiler tho.
Your videos are brilliant! Keep it up buddy!
Thanks
My first car was a 1981, 3 door hardtop Suzuki "Stockman" (LJ80) that I bought in 1985, and it was a brilliant, go anywhere, first car. I think there is a market for three door 4*4's as go anywhere adventure mobiles for a younger crowd, but just not at new car prices, hence, the premium they command used. Cheers, keep up the great video's, from a happy Australian subscriber.
On e again a very professional road test. 👍
And the 3-door Freelander 1 with removable rear roof section. We had a green one - a very attractive car.
I think the three-door Shogun you're driving looks wicked. It looks really purposeful.
My parents had 2 Daihatsu Sportraks growing up, a red one and a bright 90s green one. Both with soft and hard tops, they were fantastic and always felt special even though they were probably quite common back then, especially sitting in the back with the roof down on holiday!
You are absolutely right, bring back the 3 door 4x4 versions. Agree definitely a niche market
Your statement about the having a market for 3 door SUVs is actually true! In the Philippines, there's alot of demand for a 04-05 3-door Rav4. Especially the Matic ones.
Eish! Sorry Just Realized you hit 100k subs . Well done. Really enjoy your Reviews.
Totally agree. Great video.
Have to say I fully agree here, had a lightweight landrover that was a buzz, 2 seats and a whole lot of fun.
I remember asking you to review the 3 door Shogun ages ago. The 3.2 diesel seems like the perfect all-rounder.
My 1st Gen Freelander was a 3 door and I always thought it was the best option and looked better on larger rims and Black bodywork. I once got off the ferry in the Western Isles a place no stranger to a Land Rover and heard the local boys compliment my Landy. Made my day.
Loved the 3 door Vauxhall Frontera, thought it looked amazing....
A former girlfriend had one. She liked the solid chunky-monkey appearance and the high driving position, but then she wasn't a pink-and-fluffy type of girl.
I certainly agree, I have owned a Jimny & a couple of Riva's, good fun & practical and could get two in to the same space as a stupidly large 4x4. Stupidly I turned down a tidy mk1 2 door Rav 4 for £500 last year, but did not really want an auto....
The new Land Rover Defender 90 will be the one to have. More manageable size.
I thought the LADA Niva was so cool as a kid
Plenty in poland
It has always been
Luxury .....we dreamt of the Niva
I still think it is cool. Just something about it
I still think they are cool, & so is a Panda 4x4 🐼
Will you do a review of the Mitsubishi shogun 3swb ? please .love the honest and informative advice keep it up
Looks wise, love the new Jimny. Refreshing given the trend towards cross-overs. Not keen on 3 doors myself, but I know a lot are, certainly 4x4 wise it's more traditional. Like you say could well be a case of the manufacturers just telling people what they want, rather than trying to actually provide it.
3 door freelander as well. Loved that car when I had it. And the roof came off in true Land Rover fashion.
Yes that’s right
Agree with this, always had a preference for 3 door in any type of car. The front doors are usually bigger tho then the equivalent 5 door which can make carparks harder.
Love the look of those old 3dr shoguns
Another outstanding video 👍🏾
Enjoyed this video
I used to not understand why my dad bought a 2nd generation base spec 1.8 Rav4 FWD in 3 door. But when most of the time he used it for work only so it was only him and 1 colleague it makes sense now... I miss it now after watching this. Maybe I'll get a 4wd version if I see one for a good price just to relive those old days!
Just taken delivery of the new Defender 90 in green with a white roof, and yes I agree it looks better balanced than the 110. Not missing the added practicality the 110 offers so far.
Very nice! I’d love one
Probably should also note that the new Pretender 90 is as long/longer than a 5 door Discovery and has a longerwheel base too!
Just saw this pop up in my notifications. The Defender 90 is getting on for half a metre shorter than the Discovery. @@300bhpton
@@frednerk8366 Disco1 5dr = 178.7" long vs New Defender 90 = 180.4". Both including the spare wheel, so both shorter with the spare removed as they are both door mounted. Not sure where your half a metre is coming from.
Fair enough, you are correct. I was neglecting the spare wheel. I'm surprised though as the Disco looks to be the longer car, although half of the spare is within the overall length. @@300bhpton
Ttally agree. I love 3 door fbf s. Love the samurai and the land cruiser ones spesh.
I have had a 3000 Shogun (like your mums) A couple of Sportraks a 3 door Fourtrak and a Jimny. The common element though, is the rear luggage space falls into chocolate teapot territory unless you put the rear seats down. Currently have a new (4d) Vitara which I love.
I was just scrolling down to the comments to put Daihatsu Fourtrak when I saw your ending. I learned to drive in Dads Fourtrak!
Had a Trooper and Pajero in three door and would have a land cruiser but they’ve stopped importing them. All the benefits you mentioned are right and the reason I like them.
A lot of commercial drivers went to the double cab pick up. Tax perks and the load is separate to the passenger compartment helped 👍. Always like your reviews.
Agreed, Toyota changed it all when they launched the then new Mk6 Hilux around 2006, we bought a 3 litre auto Hilux in 2007, despite what the reviews might have said it was a delight to drive and did everyting asked of it, the only way to beat the top VED rates was by going commercial with Toyotas well deserved reputation led to depreciation being better than most cars.
@@lewlewis6511 I had the mk2 Nissan navara as my works vehicle, drug dealer black with the solid side rear cab. Best vehicle I ever had. I did 234 k miles on it no issues infact on original clutch , the new Ford ranger seems the one to have now , the 3.2 auto 👍👍.
@@keithmyerscough9900 Yes i too quite fancied a Ranger with the 3.2, however it appears when you change the oil you must complete the change within 15 mins or danger of the oil pump can't drag the oil up...no this isn't a joke and never heard anything so ridiculous in me life, its got some variable flow oil pump fitted which can't prime itself...now this may not cause any issues but for goodness sake these are supposed to be tough commercial vehicles not some toy that breaks if you look at it sideways, i've ruled them out for this reason. VW Amarok V6 looks interesting, i've been told chassis is galvanized which is most unusual in this class of vehicle, V6 Diesel too for the win. Not looking for a while, current Prado (LC5) shows no signs of giving up and could well see me out.
Interesting, same in America. 2 door trucks are a thing of the past now.
Completely agree really fancy a shogun swb but only a handful in my budget available
Good point, well presented
Totally agree 👌
Completely agree Matt. The original Range Rover was also in a three door version. And there’s the amazing Mercedes G wagen too.
Loved the older Mitsi Shogun V6 SWB 'grey import' they were sturdy well built machines with selective 4 x 4 , go anywhere.
Interesting thoughts Matt
Got the exact same car warrior with seats in back and 3.5 gdi petrol goes well but does it like a drink ! But still love it .
Bought a brand new 3 door Toyota 2.ltr NRG petrol Rav 4, in 2003. 2nd version newer looking one. Fantastic car. Would have bought another one but they do not make them anymore so we keep on running it. Still looks and drives great in silver Starts fist time every time!
Great vid matt, was thinking the same recently. They did a 3 door Nissan Patrol didn’t they, very rare now.
Another great video and I totally agree what your saying another 3 door 4x4 commercial is the Toyota land cruiser
True they look so much better! I want a Shogun Pinin at the moment
Totally with you. I used to buy fully prepared 3 door ravs straight off forecourts where the dealer didn’t know the premiums and put them on at the correct prices. A low mileage, automatic 55 plate can still fetch £8,000 😀
Good idea
My parents had a Daihatsu Fourtrak in the 80s, they went trough various 4X4s over the years gradually becoming more soft roader as they got older, they started with a V8 Land Rover in ‘83, a Shogun, a Fourtrack, 2 Vitaras, a CR-V and finally a CX-5. Only the Fourtrack was a 3 door though. The reason for 4X4s was their semi rural location and living on a 1 in 4 hill that steepened to 1 in 3 at the top, in winter we were the only people who could get up the hill.
Hi Matt, hope you are well. I think this is all down to the manufacturers, and nothing to do with marketing. I've always favoured the 'shorties' because I wouldn't need a big one and I think the 3doors have always been better tow vehicles. You could ask the same about the Skoda Yeti, another loss and nothing to do with marketing. Yet, here we are getting a new Niva from Lada - woohoo! Bring back the shorties!!! Thanks for sharing. stay safe and keep up the good work. :)
Great video. As always. I’d like to see more of them. Btw. Did you forget the 3 door LR Freelander? What about the 3 door Vauxhall Frontera? ;)
Thanks! I forgot loads
Been thinking about exactly this for the last few weeks as my 51 3dr Vitara just gave up after being flawless all winter up in the hills with regular snow. Yet to decide what to move onto now.
Absolutely agree. Love 3 door 4x4s
Totally agree with you Matt, I own a lwb shogun and I'd prefer the 3 door now that there's generally only two of us in the car. I tow a twin axle caravan and the swb would do the job, but as you say they fetch a premium for some reason. Landcruiser is offered in swb format still but it's what you'd describe as, fugly, I think. I may take a closer look at them though 🤔
An Aussie here who's been wonder the very same thing. I own a Mitsubishi Pajero (Samurai to you?) & if I wasn't using it to tow & camper (using space inside car too), then the SWB version would be fine for me. In fact there's a couple getting around near where I live & I still glance and admire. Mind you they're possibly getting a bit long in the tooth. But if the mileage is low enough, then I'd prefer a SWB Pajero over the Jimny any day of the week.
Firstly, I have secretly always liked that 3 door shogun, much better looking than the 5 door and if I were ever to defect from Land Rover, the 3dr Shogun would be a very strong contender. As far as other 3drs go, I suspect that, with the dwindling numbers, it may not be long before even Land Rover axe the 90. Time will tell
Another interesting video topic. I remember, realising after my daughter was born, that I couldn't think about buying anything but a four door car anymore because, you need back doors to look after your child in the back seat. This is probably one of the main reasons three doors were scrapped.
Wasn't the Freelander a three door (or the majority were)? Very interesting video Matt, it's something I had never really thought about, but now I am. 👍
Yes it was (and 5 door)
First and second generation were 3dr and 5dr, they also made a 3dr commercial van version of the MK1, my neighbour has one, great little vehicles.
My wife’s 2003 3 door RAV4 bought from new 183000 miles never skipped a beat full Toyota service history never needed anything apart from the usual tyres brakes and a one battery change some 5 years ago..still on the original clutch and makes regular 800 mile round trips to Scotland …absolutely brilliant little car and still running strong.
I recently bought a iszuzu trooper 3.0 5 door, I like the the look of the 3 door but I can’t imagine my 70 year old grandmother climbing in the back without breaking her hip lol, great videos btw
I loved my Grand Vitara soft-top. I owned it from 1 year old until it was 14 years old and I was sorry to see it go.... but it was that time when it was about to start getting expensive. There was simply no equivalent to replace it with, so the convertible I switched to for towing the caravan is a VW Eos (nearly as old as the Suzuki now!) - it's a far superior car in many ways - but I wouldn't want to be taking it off-road!
Perhaps most owners use their off roaders for towing, rather than going cross country. Longer wheelbase also means more stability / comfort.
Thanks for the feedback Matt. I'll get the boys on the production line to roll their sleeves up and start making another 3 door 4x4
The Land Cruiser is still available as a 3 door (Active grade) but your point is correct most have been withdrawn
Used to love the mini pajero in my teenage years . Always wanted one with supercharger
I live in the US and I had a 3 door Chevy blazer years ago and now I have a 3 door Ford Bronco on order
100% agree with Matt on this one- i just want a small SUV to lug my mountain bike around (quick release front wheel) not interested in rear seats.
Good point, well made.
Thanks!
The Toyota Landcruiser is still available brand new in the UK as a commercial vehicle too. I agree, big shame most manufacturers pulled out though.
I totally agree with you. I wonder why the 3 doors 4×4 have gone. I love a card like that. I like Mitsubishi Pajero/shogun so much. And they are not available in the market here in the U.S So I hoping to bring one used from Japan. I want that car so badly.
You are right . I also prefer SWB , I think , they are big enough . Though , my Vitara X90 is really small . 👍👍
Great idea & plenty of room for the batteries
You are so right. 2 door 4x4s look so right. I quite fancy an older Vitara.
couldn't agree more Matt - how many times does anyone use a car with more than 1 person on board - never mind 2! Plus styling is better - for example 2 door series landrovers are the ultimate in cool IMO