Help and advice with buying a 4 wheel drive please

Lemonade_Pockets

Winter tyres will make more difference than 4wheel drive.

Never fails to amuse me in the alps when the locals are whizzing about in their kangoo's (admittedly some are 4x4), twingo's et all and there's a ruddy great range over sport sliding backwards down the hill.

Left field choice would be a panda 4x4. Otherwise subaru is a good shout or any of the other japs. But there are few good 4x4 estates which will keep purchase and running costs down: Octavia, impreza, A4 etc etc.

DaveMacD

The only small 4x4 I've driven was a Suzuki Jimny. It was a lot of fun, although spares cost a fair bit. Is only a 2 door though

L200 Warrior is a LOT of fun, especially with the chunky tyres on, but that is probably overkill for you, and it ain't the easiest thing to see out of for parking in tight spaces.

harveybobbles

Audi Allroad? Like an A6, but higher.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Forester is a good car, but not economical...you'll be lucky to get 30mpg general running round and more like 25...this is true of most petrol engined 4x4's in reality, no doubt someone will be along in a minute who gets nearly 40 from theirs.

If it's only the snow/ice causing the problem i'd be more inclined to get a decent normal 2WD car and invest some money in a good set of all weather tyres...eg Vredestein Quatrac 3 (tread is part winter part summer), unless you are prepared to fork out for a spare set of wheels and a full set of pukka winter tyres...eg Nokian WR or similar.

A 4WD on summer tyres will only be as good as a 2WD on winter tyres in ice or snow.

If you really want a 4WD anyway try Hyundai Tucson Diesel or Toyota Rav 4.

bigoggy2007

forester or panda 4x4

vaio

I’ve got a 4WD Audi and agree with the people who say get winter tyres

We do trips to Germany & France in the winter and the difference between summer & winter tyres is scary. I’ve got a spare set of wheels with winter tyres and swap them over in December & march. Winter tyres are not just for snow & ice, they grip better than summer ones in the cold (think the changeover point is 7 degrees)

Remember though that whilst 4WD grip will get you going in most circumstances but when you are trying to change direction or stop the normal rules of physics apply.

wuckfit

It might be worth investigating advanced driving courses, that sort of thing, to see if you can gain any addtiional knowledge/skills for driving in poor conditions.
Winter tyres or Snow chains might prove to be an economical solution.

MrsE_2

wuckfit wrote: »

It might be worth investigating advanced driving courses, that sort of thing, to see if you can gain any addtiional knowledge/skills for driving in poor conditions.
Winter tyres or Snow chains might prove to be an economical solution.

I would like to do one of those. I developed a fear of winter roads after writing my car off two years ago on ice/ditch.

I got a 4x4 (the new shape Suzuki Grand Vitaria, I like it, but will be over the OPs budget) & I feel really safe in the very wet semi flooded roads, the muddy verges, etc. But I still dread the frozen icy roads:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

shown73

If there is room to keep it off to one side somewhere, how about an ex-WD Landrover, for when you need it. Cheap, tough as old boots, withstands neglect...

biscuitdunker

I like the Panda 4x4.