Cheapest and most economical 4x4 - also considering LPG conversion?

SarahLou

I'm looking to get a new car around about March of next year (before my car needs its MOT doing in June). Anyway, the next car I'm after has to fit the following criteria:

4WD/AWD option
Must have 5 doors
Be as cheap as possible
Be as economical to run as possible
Ideally have as low a CO2 emission as possible

So everyons ideal 4x4 basically :rotfl:

Obviously I'd originally only been looking at getting a diesel but now I've been giving some thought towards getting a petrol engine and then getting it converted to LPG (anyone done this on a 4x4?)

Ones I've been contemplating include:

Fiat Sedici, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Jeep Patriot, Skoda Yeti (not sure I like the look of these though?) or the Fiat Panda 4x4 (again, not sure I like the look of this one yet either - but growing on me). Can you think of any others in this price bracket range (around about £11K - £18K)

Also, I really like the look of the Daihatsu Terios but am gutted to find it only comes in petrol and has a rather rubbish fuel economy but like the look and the price tag - if I was to convert it to LPG, how would the 34mpg (ish) fair if it was LPG? I don't know anyone who has had their vehicle changed to LPG so can't really ask anyone I know!

Hintza

So why do you need a 4x4 then? I'm slightly confused.

Do you tow?
Do you go off road?
Do you live in the wilds?
Do you have an abnormal weather problem?

SarahLou

We certainly had abnormal weather problems last winter - my main reason for wanting a 4x4! I was stranded in my street for 3 weeks (solid) in January!

However, in addition to this, I don't tow but I am horsey and do go off-road a fair bit.

Stephb1986_2

Sarah, I have a 58 plate Jeep patriot I can honestly say hand on heart that when we had that bad weather earlier in the year I was out in it and I was totally fine. I'm a very nervous driver since having a car crash 5 years ago so safety is a big thing to me. The snow was up to the bottom of the doors and I was out and about fine.

I've never been off road in it but I'm sure it would be fine. I've got the 2 litre diesel limited as it comes with leather as standard where as the sport doesn't tyres can be a little expensive about £140 for a continental but you get what you pay for I think.

It's a fantastic car never had any problems with it I did once get a flat tyre and was unable to change it myself I called jeep assist they said someone would be with me within 30 mins as I was on my own and I'm female. So thumbs up there too!

If you have any questions about the patriot I would be more than happy to answer them for you after having the patriot 12 months nearly I would never be without it or a 4x4. Road tax on it is £175 per year.

HTH

Steph xx

blued

You've got a fair mix of vehicles there from Panda right up to the Jeep which is the only one that will come close to being capable off road. If you wont be towing and the extent of your off road usage will be down an unsurfaced farm track I'd go for a car with 4x4 as you're more likely to get something economical. The only thing to take into consideration is do you need much ground clearance?

DKLS

V8 petrol Discovery or Range Rover with LPG conversion all the fun of a V8 with the running costs of a dull diesel.

Stephb1986_2

Do you tow? No I don't
Do you go off road? No
Do you live in the wilds? No
Do you have an abnormal weather problem? this is england so yes lol

You don't have to be doing any of them things to have a 4x4 they are comfortable to drive and a whole lot safer than a ford focus or any other small/meduim sized car. Safety is the main priority. I have never felt safer in my car I've had quite a few cars and I love my patriot I wouldn't be without it.

Hintza

Stephb1986 wrote: »

Do you tow? No I don't
Do you go off road? No
Do you live in the wilds? No
Do you have an abnormal weather problem? this is england so yes lol

You don't have to be doing any of them things to have a 4x4 they are comfortable to drive and a whole lot safer than a ford focus or any other small/meduim sized car. Safety is the main priority. I have never felt safer in my car I've had quite a few cars and I love my patriot I wouldn't be without it.

Well that is why they are called Chelea Tractors in your neck of the woods and the that is why those of us that need a 4x4 have to pay $425 in VED........:mad:

Hintza

If I could live with the small car then the Panda 4x4 would be a good bet.

If you want something funky then the new Nisan Juke might swing it for (I feel the design will be either a love or hate it...I love it)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/248140/nissan_juke.html

But what about a 2wd Quashquai? The MIL is an ex Pony Club DC and spends a lot of time jump judging so does go off road quite a lot (mildly though) and the money she saves in petrol and buying it in the first place far out weighs getting stuck on the odd occasion. In fact I don't recall her ever mentioning getting stuck.

Think very carefully before spending loads of money and remember the mpg will be a lot worse than quoted.

JQ.

Your list of potential cars are not really 4x4's in the traditional sense of the description and would struggle to really get you out of any major trouble - they are all "Lifestyle" vehicles. Your best bet if you are genuinely concerned it to buy a set of snow socks or good quality winter tyres, to put on your current car. It will save you a small fortune over the cost of buying one of those pretend 4x4's for the 3 weeks of serious snow we have every 5 years.

My experience of this being that I spend several weeks a year in Iceland, where people in the city all have two sets of tyres - one for the summer and one for the winter. Many of my relatives drive round in Toyota Yaris' and such vehicles, without any major problem in the middle of winter.

If you do genuinely do need a 4x4 I would not be looking at any of the cars on your list. I'd be thinking Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forrester and such vehicles, but I think you'd be wasting your cash.

Hammyman

SarahLou wrote: »

We certainly had abnormal weather problems last winter - my main reason for wanting a 4x4! I was stranded in my street for 3 weeks (solid) in January!

However, in addition to this, I don't tow but I am horsey and do go off-road a fair bit.

I don't think you need to buy a 4x4 because of the winter weather - last one was a bit of a one off.

How "off-road" do you go? Just asking because if its grass fields etc, a Subaru Legacy is a 4X4 Estate car that is quite economical.