help me out: what car do I need?

racing_blue

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forgotmyname

50cm of floodwater a canoe.

Buy some winter/snow tyres.

Fiat Panda 4x4

racing_blue

LOVE that reply. In fact , I have an inflatable canoe. It is a Seyvlor 2 man thing and is great fun. Takes a bit of effort to blow up though. I don't fancy stopping at the floodwater, spending 20 mins inflating said canoe, walking 1 mile to see Mrs Smith, walking back, deflating canoe etc etc

Someone I spoke to said their Volvo XC90 was good in 50cm of water (and I believe them). Someone else said their Spanish 4x4 import was good in 3ft - not sure I believe them.

I can't afford to buy and service an XC90

Poor man's equivalent? I do;t know if yoou are joking about the fiat panda

rs65

I think the Freelander 2 will wade in 50cm of water. Don't think it (or anything else will go up an icy 1:6 hill though).

worried_jim

forgotmyname wrote: »

Fiat Panda 4x4

One of the best cars on the road.

racing_blue

worried_jim wrote: »

One of the best cars on the road.

On the basis that lightning never strikes twice, I'll check the Italian rickshaw out

Edit: genius! Looks just the ticket
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/fiat/panda-4x4/verdict

gilbert_and_sullivan

Hmm, on the face of it a small off roader such as a Suzi Jimny, Daihatsu Terios or Mitsi Pinin would be OK, but i'm none too sure they could cope with 50cm wading.
The wading depth of a Panda 4x4 i expect to be nowhere near your needs, but be interesting to check.

You might be better off finding a 3 door version of Landcruiser (Colorado), Nissan Patrol, Terrano/Maverick, Mitsi Shogun, Trooper/Monteray, the 3 door versions not in as much demand so usually cheaper and more agile.

These latter vehicles will all do the wading job you want, but expect 30 mpg dodging about at best, not as the petrol engined lighter vehicles will be any better.

Richard53

Bear in mind that Land Rover Defenders are only rated for 50 cm wading depth. If you are looking for something that will cope with those depths reliably, you need to look at serious vehicles.

I'm a big fan of the Defender, but I couldn't recommend one if a Ford Ka would do the job for the rest of the year. It would be overkill. Also remember that vehicles which are waded regularly need a lot of preventative maintenance.

I'd go for a Suzuki Jimny or a Panda 4x4, and be prepared to take your shoes off if the water got too deep. I have never owned either, but I have seen both (modified, to be sure) compete in off-road trials against heavily-modified V8s and win.

goonarmy

Richard53 wrote: »

Bear in mind that Land Rover Defenders are only rated for 50 cm wading depth. If you are looking for something that will cope with those depths reliably, you need to look at serious vehicles.

I'm a big fan of the Defender, but I couldn't recommend one if a Ford Ka would do the job for the rest of the year. It would be overkill. Also remember that vehicles which are waded regularly need a lot of preventative maintenance.

I'd go for a Suzuki Jimny or a Panda 4x4, and be prepared to take your shoes off if the water got too deep. I have never owned either, but I have seen both (modified, to be sure) compete in off-road trials against heavily-modified V8s and win.

Currently fenders have a wading depth of 60cm. Think a freelander might be the same too(and a range rover sport but that aint the car for the job) so id say one of them, but they aint very cheap currently.

Mankysteve

I would go for panda 4*4 class with winter tires and just accept that your never going to able to wade though 50 cm of water unless you buy a serious off roader with snorkel and associated engine water proofing

funkycoldribena

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434464
One of these?