What's the most economical used 4x4/SUV

rxbren

Will you be doing any off road driving

|
|
|
\/

No

|
|
|
\/

you dont need a 4x4

naiomivixen

Will i be not be doing off roading no! But i do live in a rual location lots of hills and so, and who cares, I need the size of the car again dont want a van i have a 16weeks of baby and a teenager! Oh plus two huskys.

System

rxbren wrote: »

Will you be doing any off road driving

|
|
|
\/

No

|
|
|
\/

you dont need a 4x4

Advantages of 4x4 are more than just off road driving.

geoffky

Depends if you want a 4x4 that works or just a plastic one...go for a landrover...

Gloomendoom

geoffky wrote: »

Depends if you want a 4x4 that works or just a plastic one...go for a landrover...

We went for a plastic one. It doesn't even have 4x4.

I also have an old Land Rover but, if I understand Walcott's post correctly, that isn't a 4x4 because the four wheel drive is selectable. :huh:

skivenov

naiomivixen wrote: »

Will i be not be doing off roading no! But i do live in a rual location lots of hills and so, and who cares, I need the size of the car again dont want a van i have a 16weeks of baby and a teenager! Oh plus two huskys.

How about a people carrier with the 3rd row seats down? Again, generally cheaper to run than a 4x4, and loads of space for a couple of munchkins and the hounds.

Herzlos

GolfBravo wrote: »

You need a front wheel drive estate: Mondeo/Passat/A4/Golf, etc. Or a MPV: Smax/C4 Picasso, etc.

You don't need a 4x4 - there are no economical 4x4/SUVs because they are heavy and you end up paying for petrol/brakes/tyres/tax.

Exactly, or you can even look at smaller estates; Clio, 206, Fabia. Plenty of space for a small family, essentially a small van with the rear seats down. Clio and Fabia are both available in a 1.2Turbo which should give you low tax, insurance and decent performance.

There will be plenty of estates within your budget, you just need to pick one you like.

Slightly unusual option; if you like the bora and only occasionally need the extra space, you'd probably be much better off buying a small box van style trailer and a tow bar. It also means you can leave your stock in it and take the car with you, and you can probably upgrade for well under £1500 whilst keeping your existing car. On the downside you'll have a lot more fun turning and reversing :T

1886

I cant buy a van as i cant afford to run two cars and my youngest is 5months so need something cosy'ish again not a van!

There's alot of vans on the market now that have all the mod cons, you would be surprised how luxurious some are. Some vans will also have a rear bench i.e VW Transporter so you can seat your children no problem. Alot of vans also have a bench in the front too..

Failing that, a people carrier will give you alot of room with all the seats folded down. I used to have a Passat Estate car and with the rear bench folded down it was huge. I could fit a number of mountain bikes in the back without having to even remove the wheels..

Cheap 4x4 forget it, they all have big engines and the parts etc. will be expensive. None of them will be any good on fuel. I think a ppl carrier is what you need, loads of seats that can be folded away. Always buy German!!!

Lum

As others have said a front wheel drive estate or MPV would be a better option than a 4 wheel drive vehicle

4WD just adds extra weight, extra complexity, more things to go wrong and really doesn't help unless you live on the end of a mud track that goes up a 1:3 slope.

At least you didn't mention the possibility of snow or else this thread would now be discussing winter tyres

In any case the choices are pretty simple, Passat, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Zafira, Accord etc. etc. All of them will let you fold the seats down and let you use it as a van when you need to.

I too live in a rural area, until recently I was commuting on single track lanes every day. I manage just fine with a Mondeo.

System

Gloomendoom wrote: »

We went for a plastic one. It doesn't even have 4x4.

I also have an old Land Rover but, if I understand Walcott's post correctly, that isn't a 4x4 because the four wheel drive is selectable. :huh:

Sorry you have lost me. When did I say that?