[Closed] Cars, who makes what I'm looking for?

Subaru?

Audi A4 Quattro TDi?
Subaru wagon? (Not exactly economical)
Volvo Cross Country?
Toyota Avensis Wagon? (Think these are quite rare...)

subaru is hugely expensive to own but fast and fun - my mate has one and at 40 is still a boy racer

it's the 4wd bit that will be tricky. The economic estate is easy, same size(ish) as the Astra? Focus TDCi's seem to refuse to drink fuel, even our abused ones in work still return about 55mpg

I'd rather relaibale and economical than fast and fun! Its going to get scruffy due to dirty bikes and muddy bike kit.

I want something functional as opposed to a new toy.

I really want AWD as i live up in the mountians in north wales and after the past few years of snow and ice and no council gritting I want something that I can at least stand a chance of getting around in but which isn't a full on landrover or similar.

Panda 4 x 4?

Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5 non turbo.
Awesome car, bit juicy but not ridiculous. Servicing is not too bad apart from cambelt which is a £250 job.
I thoroughly enjoyed mine.

Is the Panda 4x4 excatly the same car as the regular panda just with 4 wheel drive??

Hmmmm. Seems to be a case of:
1) Estate
2) 4x4
3) Economical

Pick 2.

Or maybe a Toyota Hilux Surf?

Is the Skoda Fabia available in Scout format (if so, I think that might be 4wd - or most likely part-time 4wd)...

What about the Skoda octavia 4x4 estate or the scout version that has slightly more ground clearance?

I do like the octavia 4x4 and I think it does seem to be the one I would likely go for in the abscence of any other contenders.

the passat awd (4motion) estate was bloomin fantastic as well and had a decent load space

I'm in exactly the same position - and live in North Wales. I'm leaning towards a Land Rover Freelander but knowing nowt about cars I'll read this thread with interest!

I thought about one of them as I have driven one in the past and really liked it. I think an estate is what I want though.

Diesel Honda CRV. Start at around 5k 6.5 gets a decent one I'd expect.

I want something that I can at least stand a chance of getting around in but which isn't a full on landrover or similar.

Seriously - normal car and snow tyres/wheels will be better in the snow than 4wd with normal tyres and much cheaper, both to buy and run.

One of the small 4*4's?

1) Estate
2) 4x4
3) Economical

Pick 2.

Not neccessarily, something big and petrol (XC70 maybe?) with LPG conversion seems to give all three.

Mum lives out in the sticks and always had quattros, reliability had to be spot on as well.

I'd either be looking at the Audi quattro or the Skoda Octavia Scout or stepping up to a full on 4X4 in the guise of a Land Cruiser or Pathfinder.

What about a Seat Altea Freetrack 4, discontinued but only recently; I have a (FWD) Altea XL with the very economical VW 2.0 TDi engine and really like it.

Don't get 4x4 solely for snow reasons!

m8t the only choice is a Volvo XC70 with the 2.5 litre D5 diesel, powerfull and economical (plus when u put yr foot down it does actually ROAR 8)

This place is getting just like pistonheads.

An Audi A6 Allroad would be my choice, put on a set of winter tyres and it would get you around just fine, dunno about cheap tho.

You only need winter tyres on a regular car!

My mate is running a 02 plate 2 litre petrol auto Honda CRV, electronic auto activated 4 wheel drive was very very impressive in the recent snow and ice but obviosuly 99.9% of the time runs in front wheel drive. Very roomy very comfortable and has all the bells and whistles.
For proper in the mountain 4x4 thats economical you will need no larger than 2.2 litre diesel, the economy for the D5 engine Volvo is horrendous as its 2.5 and thirsty with it.
For car you have already mentioned Octavia Scout and others the Seat and VW options.
Personally if you do not need 4x4 but all wheel drive is more the ticket a set of winter tyres on an all wheel drive will cope with the majority of UK weather.

Well Ive got an Audi quattro and it will still slip and slide in the snow with normal tyres on.

I've got a Peugeot 206 with Vredestien SnowTracs and don't. I live in a village at 1.100m and leave before they clear the snow in the village, which is on quite a steep hill. I haven't had any problems and carry chains on the off chance there is a problem.

Superb 4x4 estate

subaru forester is your car

[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/mercedes-benz/r_class/postcode/sg85ef/radius/1500/quicksearch/true ]Mercedes R-Class[/url] is the wildcard choice "a luxo-six-seater 4x4 MPV thing that looks like it's been crushed by a truck?"

jaguar x type tourer?

I use verdestein snowtracs2's on my mondeo estate and didn't have a bother commuting to work in the wicklow mtn's.