4 x 4 car

[swebb]

I'm looking at getting a new car shortly. I'm considering a 4x4, but don't know much about them. I need an estate minimum, but would consider a range rover size. I'm looking around 16kish to spend.

What's the fuel consumption like on 4x4s? Servicing? (would need a diesel). Other running costs e.g. tyres? Should I go for a 4x4 instead of say a Mondeo or Croma??

[hawkwinddotcom]

Are you planning to go off roading or just be a bully boy in the chelsea tractor?

If not why do you need a 4x4 ?

[swebb]

Main reason - snow! I live off a small country road down a slight bank. Half an inch of snow and I'm stuffed. Takes ages to clear it as well.

I mainly drive on the motorway/A roads.

[Lady E]

If you are looking for info and reviews try www.whatcar.co.uk .We have found it very useful and I think it also gives relevant emissions and other techie adive . Good luck and enjoy . hth x

[highguyuk]

Maybe this would be better on the Motoring Forum?

[Viz]

Not sure of the prices, but what about an Audi Allroad. Its 4x4 and has adjustable suspension, has a higher ground clearance than some jeeps.

[Pink-winged]

Hi swebb,

I have moved your thread over to the motoring board where you should get more replies.

Pink

[trigger_mike]

Have a look also in honestjohn.co.uk website, looks of helpful info on there,

[hollie.weimeraner]

With 16K to spend you will be able to afford a reasonable 4x4. If you look on the mptorpoint website you will find new Freelanders and new Nissan X Trails at around that money. Another option for the money would be the Honda CRV. Landrover only offer a diesel variant now but if you decide on second hand DO NOT go for the petrol version as it is the same engine as the MG and Rover engine that will blow headgaskets.

I own a 2001 Honda CRV (old model) and can say that it has been extremely reliable (I have only ever incurred service costs in 4 years). The only drawback is the 25mpg fuel consumption but Honda didn't offer a diesel version in 2001. Diesel Nissan X Trail and the new CRV both get very good reviews wherever you look as does the TD4 Freelander.

As far as the CRV is concerned it drives like a car and has a sensor that only provides all wheel drive when the front wheels slip. I haven't driven the others so can't comment but would definitely say the CRV is excellent.

[gizmos]

I've got a Nissan XTrail which I bought new in 2002 and it is excellent - itss just the 2.0 litre petrol version but is great. Not too much of a gas guzzler however the new 2.5DCI is great too. Nissan always have offers on this free Sat Nav at the moment and I believe 0% IFC.

No problems with it and if I was changing vehicles would get another no problem

[Huggins]

You could get an Audi A4 or A6 TDi Estate - so long as it's a 'Quattro' (4wd) - if you aren't particularly fussed about real 'off roading'. These would be much more fun to drive on the motorways and a-roads than a 'full on 4x4'.

[Chris_VRS]

I'd seriously consider a Skoda Octavia 4x4 estate!.....absolutely superb!....all the benefits of a normal octavia estate but with a slightly higher ride height and obviously 4wd! :D

[boatman]

Lexus RX..

[basill]

Subaru? Even the estates can be closely related to the scooby turbo fast ones, could be worth a look!

The top gear boys seem to rate them highly.

B

[tomstickland]

A 4x4 estate like the Subura / Octavia etc would fit the bill. The "redneck truck" type 4x4s combine the extra drive train losses of the 4wd system with extra weight and size, so on mways and A roads they're inefficient.

[SVM]

Just picked up a brand new Nissan X-Trail for £21k. It's fantastic value for money plus you can drive it on 2wd to save on fuel in normal conditions. There are loads of good deals out there and you could easily pick up an 05 (diesel) for £16k, inc sat nav, cruise control etc.

MPG for diesels are generally around 40 - depends on how you drive it though!

[FirstClassMale]

A couple of people have mentioned Subaru. I live in rural Aberdeenshire and am on my fourth Subaru! Now the downside is that they do not do a diesel variant but the fuel economy is comparable for a petrol to that of some diesel land rovers.

My first was the original estate (L series) ugly as hell but when I towed a stuck nissan Sunny two miles through deep snow, it came into its own.

Second was a coupe (the predecessor of the Impreza) lets not speak about that one, it was cheap!

I have just replaced my Impreza which I ran for three years with a Legacy estate and it allows me to sail past all the other cars crawling along the dual carriageway when the snow falls.

I have just bought a cement mixer which fitted no problem into the back of the legacy.

None of the bad handling of a typical 4x4 either. They have a rally pedigree and I just cannot speak highly enough of them.

[rrockettman]

I agree about the Legacy, we've got two now.
Believe it or not, a council snow plough got stuck in a dip at the bottom of the hill on our little back lane. My partner, on her way to work, turned round and drove back up the steep ungritted section, no problem. Don't know how the gritter got out though!
Our 2004, 2.5 R estate averages 32 mpg. The older, 2001, 2.5 estate averages 27mpg, but I drive that one!

[Murphy_The_Cat]

If I had the same driveway as this guy, I'd have a 4 X 4 as well.

If anyones curious, it's a Chrysler 300C estate with a 5.7 Lt V8 and 4WD.

enjoy the vid (http://jeep.cfasp.de/upload/63168.mp4)

MTC http://ofuabduction.com/images/alex/HissyClaw.gif

[catkins]

Be aware that the government are going to introduce a new tax for 4x4 or vehicles that exceed a stated co2 emission.

[bunking_off]

..or why not try a Jaguar X-Type estate? Anything 2.5L and above will be 4x4. You'd get a used one for £16-17k at a main dealer, considerably less elsewhere.

[stumpjumper]

I'd go for a subaru legacy too - all the snow handling you need and none of the awful top heavy handling of a landrover-type ones.