As said their not as bad as people make out, u get what u pay for!! spend 3k on one and you'll prob have problems and need to spend loads on it, spend circa the 5k mark (2wd anyway) and you'll get a good one that has probably had money spent on it and looked after. The main thing which is good is one that has loads of history as it shows the owners have cared for it, within reason anyway

Which one to go for is up to u mate, as said 4x4 is a good safe option but 2wd is more fun!! but as said 2wd deserves alot of respect and even when u get used 2 it can still catch u out if ur not paying attention!!