[Closed] What 4x4 should we buy?

Nissan XTrail. 40mpg. Super car.

Panda 4x4 or older Audi Allroad... both on "winter" tyres all round....

I was surprised at where my diesel A3 quattro went on summer tyres... on winter tyres o road it would be even better. Depth of snow on the road would have been the major factor...

Depends on where you are and how serious the winter may be deep the snow may be, plus just metalled roads or proper off road.....

Do you need a full on Disco Landy or a Subaru type of thing?

as rick says, a fiat panda 4x4 on winter tyres will go anywhere.... plus nice and cheap to run... i had one a couple of years ago and the during bad snow we had in late '10/early '11 the car was unstoppable...

not my car btw : [img] [/img]

a yak sounds like an eco alternative, will cope with all weathers/terrain, pull a sled or cart, and provide much amusement.

- stands ready to be ridiculed by 4x4 enthusiasts -

I have a Toyota RAV4 from 2006, 56 plate. Basically a two wheel drive car but you can run in 4WD at low speeds, it's got me through foot deep snow around the Surrey hills without insident. If I lived in Scotland I'd probably have a set of wheels prepped with snow tyres for the winter.

I commute over 60 miles daily, it returns 40mpg+ and has been brilliantly reliable. Bought with 20k mileage and now just over 110k. You can pick up the same car for around £6-7k with 50k miles now.

Added bonus is my bike fits inside without removing wheels, seat post etc... 😀

I would recommend an X-Trail, but would avoid the 2.2 DCi as this engine is not the most reliable. I had a 2.2 di which did 37mpg and was nice to drive, sold it at 114K miles to someone on here who is very happy with it, but if I was buying another I would probably go for a 2.5 petrol as these do 30+ to the gallon and don't have the potential turbo issues of an older diesel. Go for the SE as this has leather, the cloth seats mark really easily (but clean up well). Something like [url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201235483190190/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/price-to/6000/model/x-trail/make/nissan/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/keywords/2.5/page/1/postcode/sy129js/radius/1501?logcode=p ]this[/url] ?

Bloody hell, that looks like a great buy

Proper Winter tyres on spare wheels and some snow chains. Otherwise you will just spin all 4 wheels in winter and trash the rubber through the summer.

What do your new neighbours drive?

Subaru Legacy/Forrester/Outback maybe.

Most 4x4s will manage the majority of snow / ice conditions. I'd echo the thoughts of investing in a second set of wheels and tyres that are winter only. Makes a big difference.

I'm a bit of a land rover fan personally and for that money I'd be going for a td5 disco, but they are the tpe of thing that needs a bit of upkeep, and return roughly 28 to 30 depending., but I don't mind that myself.

Chain- really Not required. Its scotland not the alps. Our roads are bad enough as it is

Winter tires a must - check the compound though as alot of agressive mud tires are sold as m and s and they are waaay too hard.

Just for the hell of it...

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Subaru Forester, had our '06 since new and its been excellent. We have winter and summer wheels, (as legal requirements), and I'd buy another tomorrow.
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December 7th

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My wife has just changed to a 3 door 04 Rav4 - she gets an average (on the computer) of 39.4 mpg.

My wife has a 56 plate Freelander td4, even on standard tyres its never had a problem with snow/conditions etc.

30mpg on auto and a 'lead' right foot.

But a new(ish) Panda 4x4 looks a laugh.

Ive got a Nissan Navara for sale, runs on 2WD for day to day use then you can switch to 4WD on the move.

Ive still got the Dakine pad for the rear tail gate so you just plop the bikes over the back and away you go.

Im in Scotland too...

[url= http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/nissan-navara-double-cab-06-d40/108970734 ]Nissan Navara HERE[/url]

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Dirtdiggler, out of interest what sort of MPG does that return?

My wife has a 56 plate Freelander td4, even on standard tyres its never had a problem with snow/conditions etc.

We run a Freelander 2 here and get over 40 mpg even with my lead right foot. Not had it in snow, but had it in pretty much any other non-tarmac condition without a peep!

EDIT: And unlike the Navara (which is about as unrefined as a tractor engine attached to a cart), it's just like a car when it wants to be.

Jimny stupidly capable little beast.

Id trial a jimny anyday over my landy if i wasnt addicted to v8 ... But as per my landy id neer run it as an only car - horrid place to be

Navaras not a bad place to be but ill never have leafers it the only time i get sea sick in car !

Walkinshaw l200 is why i want - koni coil overs all round and its a very car like place to be - had one in ukraine and really like it compared to hilux pieces of crap we usually get !

My freelander manual does 40 mpg and ever never had problems getting around in the lakes in the snow with Goodyear wranglers on,got up and down the struggle out of Ambleside in the snow

For snow capable my fwd lwb transit on std tyres through the last 3 winter's in the lakes never got stuck

You know ive never sat down and actually figured it out for myself. The guy i bought it from did allot of motorway miles and says he easily got high 30+mpg without issues and also around 30mpg around town.

Its a proper 5 seater so family and stuff fits in no worries with the added bonus of the pick-up bit at the rear.

More than welcome to come have a look, you local?, im in Fife

ask1974 - Member

Dirtdiggler, out of interest what sort of MPG does that return?

According to Autotrader, 45.6 mpg combined, which if accurate is quite amazing....

According to Pistonheads "[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=718541&nmt=Real%20World%20MPG%20Wiki%20%28M%20to%20Z%29&mid=23310 ]real world mpg[/url]" around 35 mpg on a run, 32 mpg on local runs

[i]According to Autotrader, 45.6 mpg combined, which if accurate is quite amazing.... [/i]

I've always found that the lowest mpg official figure is nearer real-world.

And I've got to agree with others, Freelanders and the other proper SUV's are car-like - double-cabs are not.

Also what about looking at Quattros, Subaru's and the like - or since its only a few days where the conditions are bad, just spend a grand on something for those days?

Double cabs have come along long way recently. If you dont buy poverty spec .

A good friend has a 2005 rav4 for sale. Its in great condition. They need to sell it due to very unforseen health reasons. Car is located in Leeds.

trail_rat - Member
Double cabs have come along long way recently. If you dont buy poverty spec .
POSTED 40 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

I drive a navara for work. It's an underpowered, rough, uncomfortable tractor. It's not even that great off road.

If you want something to lug a tonne of stuff down a gravel track then they're great, but if the primary use isn't load lugging, then buy something else

If that x trail linked above (Raindogs post) is for real I'be bee off buying that without hesitation. £4k for 46k miles with all of the bells and whistles. What a bargain!

Is it a poverty spec ?

The walkinshaw l200 i had was indistinguishable from the outlander the boss had inside !

Forester. You can pick them up dirt cheap. The only down side is high fuel consumption. But balanced against overall usability and reliability it's a no brainer.

Had an Isuzu Trooper a few years ago, 3.0 turbo diesel, an absolute beast....unstoppable, laughed in the face of snow and ploughed through it like a tank, superb but very thirsty.
Now have a Mitsi L200, good but the shape is long and thin so it does unfortunately 'swing' around in the snow (not much weight over the rear axle being a pick-up), better than non 4x4 but requires a little finesse.

Honda CRV. My mate will be selling his 52 plate auto 2 litre petrol sometime around end of October ( I have already got first dibs). We used it commuting in the deep snow last time we had some and all around us were falling off the road (well BMW's lol) but seriously the electronic 4 wheel drive was really impressive when it neeeded to kick in. that was on standard tyres too.
there is another face change of the CRV due out so the older will be going for slightly less money too and in your budget you may be able to afford a very early diesel version.

[i]For snow capable my fwd lwb transit[/i]

You must have a very light right foot when needed as the swb's I've driven are very spin happy, a greasy hill start at the lights can be quite interesting! And show it some wet grass...

I drive a rwd Transit now and that is much more capable on the slippy stuff, though it will still bog down on grass quite easily and needs a light foot in the snow.

My a4 avant on Goodyear winter tyres has been unstoppable but on 18" summer tyres it wouldn't make it off the driveway. Lack of ground clearence would probably rule it out for you tho.

Nowt wrong with a Navara if you buy the right one. Mine's 190bhp, returns 33mpg combined and has a low ratio box, cruise control, steering wheel controls, electric leather heated seats, power fold mirrors, electric sunroof, dual zone climate control, 7" touchscreen sat nav, with hard drive for music, DVD player, bluetooth, USB, reversing camera, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers etc.

The engine is a tad noisy and leafs can be a bit jittery, but I always carry a few hundred kilo, so aren't too bad.

Beyond your price range as stated above, but a basic 4x4 Dacia Duster looks amazing value at £11k. No a/c or even cd player, but £100 and a trip to Halfords could sought out the music and you might not need a/c in Scotland.

Just thought I would mention it, might be some finance deals available. I think they are for January 2013 delivery.

Hyundai santa fe (05) at this end, bought in 08 for 4.5k at 60,000miles. Still had 2 years warranty. Now done 130,000 and apart from putting a set of tyres on it ( BFG All terrain) and servicing it, we have had no problems at all. It returns 35/36mpg with the lead footed wife driving ( I get 42+ on a run). Fantastic in the snow with perminant 4wd does mis having a low box though. I also run a Landrover 90 as my daily driver and a Suzuki sj for winch competitions so have a good idea about 4wd's.

So for me as a daily driver a Hyundai has it ( and yes we will be getting another if and when this one goes!

Another option might be to look for an Octavia 4x4 estate and stick winter tyres on a spare set of wheels. Lots of space in the back, very comfy ride, a practical everyday car.
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/604100154/skoda-octavia-19-tdi-pd-4x4-5dr-estate.html

Hyundai Santa Fe is a good suggestion. We use them at work for farm cars. Buy 2nd hand petrol ones ( nobody wants them so cheap) gas convert them and run them hard, much better than the Mitsubishi Shogun Sports we used to use.

DD, sorry mate I'm about as far south from you as it gets. Just always been interested in that type of vehicle and was curious what sort of economy it returned. I do fairly high mileage. Cheers anyway.

OP. Plus one for Subaru Foresters they're great, I paid £4k for an S Turbo (90k) several years back which was a hoot but MPG was pretty awful as you'd expect. The non turbo versions will be better. My folks lived in the Alps for 14 years and pretty much everyone had Subaru's with winter tyres - never ever got stuck but most had minor alterations to the body work 😉

If you want an intuitive allrounder that you can slide accidentily and catch, a Forester.

I had mine sideways (and even once pendulum) numerous times.

A CRV or Xtrail have the words '4x4' yet the Forester is soooo much more. Its not a off riad enthuisasts car but neither are the formers.

Foresters are surefooted alrounders.

Get steel wheeled-Dueller 2.0x. You dont need a turbo. Its too fancy/townie for your needs.

X-trail is a different league compared to the crv and better than the forester off road too. By far the most capable of the small 4x4's. I've had one for 5 years now, just about to swap it for an XC 90 lpg as we could do with a 7 seater. Will be sad to see it go, 147k still drives brilliantly and returns 39mpg average

For snow capable my fwd lwb transitYou must have a very light right foot when needed as the swb's I've driven are very spin happy, a greasy hill start at the lights can be quite interesting! And show it some wet grass...

You can pull away in third on the flat if you need to. Much better than an empty rwd as they just go sideways.

Also suggest the op gets some winter driving skills or practice nothing worse than getting stuck in a capable car

Have had my 2006 '55 plate Santa Fe since March 2010 bought with 80,000miles on the clock, now at 150,000miles not had any major issues with it, but could see it needing some money spent on it in the near future!
Excellent car have used it for work(mobile phone sites), family holidays and everything else. Returns mid 30's mpg with the car fully loaded and with roofrack and occasionally a roofbox on!
In the winter of 2010/11 in Scotland never got stuck once. Also got peeped at by a snow plough as I passed him on the way up Shap!

Another vote for a Forester here (unfortunately fuel economy is rubbish if you buy an S - great to drive though...)

We spent all last winter in mrs peterfiles little daihatsu piece of metal which vaguely resembled a car.

Drive up on a friday night in falling snow, park up, leave the car until sunday evening, dig it out and then drive home.

No problems.

Winter tyres are your friend in the north of Scotland. A 4x4 isn't necessary (just have a look around any of the populated areas up north, they're not all driving 4x4s!), but winter tyres are.

NB: it does depend where you are though. If your house is 3 miles along a track which will never see a snow plough then it's a totally different proposition than being a couple of hundred yards from a main road.

Bear in mind winter tyres makes far more difference than 4wd in the snow - you can save tons of money on purchase and you don't have to put up with 30mpg the rest of the year.

As PF says - in Scandinavia there are no more 4x4s than they are here. They just get used for rough tracks etc as they would be in the summer. Drove over the Beacons last year in our Prius without a care.

If you've never had winter tyres, it's a completely different ball game. No messing about feathering throttle or gentle braking and all that. Just drive.

So daihatsu will stop selling cars in the uk next year due to the strength of the ¥ so will the non uk made Japanese cars rocket in price?
Not a driver myself but that's going to have an impact on prices?

i was in the ukraine in the -28 snow and ice storms over the start of the year where RWD is king but winter tires are mandatory.

some of the cars i saw had more agressive tires than my landrovers All terrains !

"NB: it does depend where you are though. If your house is 3 miles along a track which will never see a snow plough then it's a totally different proposition than being a couple of hundred yards from a main road."

this how ever was why i ended up with the land rover - although my winter tires had grip we had so much snow that the van even with its high clearance was riding up in the snow and its front wheels ended up off the ground uselessly spinning.

winter tires make a huge difference which ever option you go for.

If it's deep snow your anticipating then something with reasonable clearance (not too long either....)

for 95% of the time a panda 4X4 or octavia would make a lot of sense for the other 5%, stay at home look out of the window etc....

although for me if It was my other half I'd focus on reliability....having been stuck in finland when a new shape freelander ecu failed at -25 those kind of issues are more imporant to me.....(incidently the mechanic who appeared 1st was driving his wife's Prius.......)

for 95% of the time a panda 4X4 or octavia would make a lot of sense

I would say a 2WD would be fine for that 95%.

I'm sure you would.... the OP's neighbours recommended a 4X4 and I'm sure they have a better understanding of the conditions in that locality than anyone on here.....

Bear in mind winter tyres makes far more difference than 4wd in the snow - you can save tons of money on purchase and you don't have to put up with 30mpg the rest of the year.

My A3 Quattro did 52mpg on the run up to Norwich yesterday...

Two winters ago I drove a Peugeot 107 on Summer Eco tyres inthe worse weather possible. It was awesome.

the OP's neighbours recommended a 4X4 and I'm sure they have a better understanding of the conditions in that locality than anyone on here....

You'd be surprised how few people have ever tried 2WD on winter tyres.

Cheers chaps 🙂 That's a load of food for thought so far!

We live about 1/2 a mile up a road on a steep'ish hill, that has water running down it 50% of the time - so it'll get icy.

Apparently last winter when it snowed after a few cars went down the road the snow compacted down to ice.

I'd prefer to buy a standard 2WD car and stick winter tyres on it, as there's so much more to choose from vehicle wise - and we'll only need the 4x4 proper for at the very most 2 months, as was the year before last.

If 2WD is front or rear wheel drive best? I thought with the engine at the front FWD would be best due to traction?

Cheers everyone, you're really helping - and possibly saving me loads of money!

Fairly un controversial answer there. FWD is better than RWD 🙂

Xtrail have the words '4x4' yet the Forester is soooo much more. Its not a off riad enthuisasts car but neither are the formers

Cobblers Hora. I've had both.

{You'd be surprised how few people have ever tried 2WD on winter tyres. }

not really... been user of winter tyres for over 25yrs never ceases to amaze me

FWD however I'd recommend looking at the Panda 4x4 light economical far more capable than many far bigger vehicles

generally your better with a taller skinnier section tyre

{You'd be surprised how few people have ever tried 2WD on winter tyres. }

not really... been user of winter tyres for over 25yrs never ceases to amaze me

I think you will find the statement still holds true, unless you are the majority of the population.

Also make sure you either have a grit bin or a private supply for when it's needed.

Had a similar situation and saw the landlord going nearly sideways into a ditch in his Dodge RAM all 4 wheels spinning away on stupid tyres.

FWIW you could probably get an old tractor cheap and just leave you car at the end when it's bad.

no skoda shouts?

[i]and we'll only need the 4x4 proper for at the very most 2 months, as was the year before last.[/i]

So for 1/6 of the year you're happy to have a problem...

tbh I'd either buy a cheap 4x4 as a second car - and one where if you do bin it you don't care, or buy a proper 'light' 4x4.

And just put on 'winter' tyres when they need replacing - my Mum did this and has no problems (but she just doesn't drive if the road isn't ploughed - 3 weeks last year).

If you drive on winters in the summer they'll wear out really quickly. If you get a second set of wheels it costs more up front but you pay no more in tyres since each set only does half the mileage.

timc - Member

no skoda shouts?

My own experience - nothing more. I have a Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4, and it copes well with snow, mud etc. We need this big car for towing etc.

However, I have driven a VW Polo in very deep snow with winter tyres, and it was absolutely fantastic. I've also driven a big Saab in Sweden in snow/ice with spiked tyres, and that was even better (though illegal in this country).

define really quick molgrips.

we use fairly budget winter tires on jaynes golf all year round and they get 15k on the front and ive yet to replace the rears after 25k. Due to the hefty camber on the front wheels rotating the tires is not ideal either.

on my van i replaced the rears with another set of toyo winters in march after 25k of all year milage.(having been rotated off the front a couple of times)

if your doing high milage on the motorway at highspeed where they get alot of heat then maybe they will die quick.

Spikes are indeed amazing and the norm in Finland, but they do sound like driving over bubble wrap on clear tarmac!

15k is really quick in my book. Winter tyres are often scilica compound, my Nokians are, and they should be good for 40-50k.

Still got winters on the front of the Transporter and not showing much wear after 5,000 miles this year, given the weather this 'summer' in South Wales they've been quite nice to have on some days.
Saying that the van won't even spin it's front wheels unless it's on mud due to the v.low power engine 😉 (yes and I know torque is the 'turning' force before you 'pedant' me, anyone 😛 )