help me out: what car do I need?

Richard53

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Deep enough?

Great pic. He's using the correct technique with the bow wave, but there's no sign of a snorkel, and that vehicle is close to floating away. I'd be thinking of bailing out at that point in a standard vehicle. As retrogamer says above, the rope has probably been attached as a precaution. Far easier to do it on dry land than working underwater to attach it to a dead Landy.

My guess is Sarn Helen.

goonarmy

Richard53 wrote: »

Great pic. He's using the correct technique with the bow wave, but there's no sign of a snorkel, and that vehicle is close to floating away. I'd be thinking of bailing out at that point in a standard vehicle. As retrogamer says above, the rope has probably been attached as a precaution. Far easier to do it on dry land than working underwater to attach it to a dead Landy.

My guess is Sarn Helen.

You sure bout that bow wave?

Richard53

goonarmy wrote: »

You sure bout that bow wave?

Well, it's breaking over the bonnet, but I guess it was better before the water got deep. I reckon he would still have an air pocket behind the grille. Better still if he had disconnected the fan first.

I've been in water that deep and got away with it. Had wet feet, though.

Post_Saviour

I would say you're looking for a diesel, 4 wheel drive that is obviously high off the ground, and do anything you can to the airbox to prevent water going in it! I had a friend with a Suzuki Vitara who's engine became hydro locked from going through a puddle that many other people managed to get through so sometimes a car's looks can be deceiving!

westwood68

Old diesel Citroen...

Set the suspension to high and laugh at flood water...

Retrogamer

bigjl wrote: »

A Jimny is my vote.

Mainly because they are fairly cheap

Not sure what they do to the gallon though.

The Panda 4x4 is a nice little car.

But as has been said i don't know if it will wade 50cm

I think you can get a snorkel for a Jimny though.

Another thought is the Vitara. They do a diesel version that is apparently quite reliable.

I also have a soft spot for the Jeep Cherokee, the version from about 2002 onwards. They did a basic one with the 2.5 VM diesel engine with a manual box.

The biggest issue is you are compromising to cover a very small likelyhood of needing these capabilities. Which will only cost you money.

The Panda 4x4 in that video i posted looked like it was traveling through around 50cm of water no problem

I wouldn't go for the Jimny though. They're greedy on fuel, and very uncomfortable. Capable on off road though but unless you do it all the time i'd pass.

bigjl

I though the Jimny would be on on fuel. I read about them in a 4x4 mag and they raved about the economy! Likely relative to a V8 Defender.

Does seem like a Panda 4x4 is a serious contender

But is the new one as good as the old one?

Retrogamer

Not sure about long term reliability of the new Panda, but very capable little cars in all the videos i've seen of them.

Jimny averaged around 35mpg with mixed motorway / town driving. Probably good compared to landies and the other big 4x4's but not good for the average commuter

Herzlos

If you're only doing 5000 miles a year I wouldn't be worrying too much about fuel economy, as assuming you go from 10p/mile (~50mpg) to 20p/mile (25mpg) it's only costing you an extra £500 a year, which could be nothing compared to depreciation.

You really want a fairly tall 4x4 that you like driving and is in budget and you're sorted.

Captain_Flack.

bigjl wrote: »

I though the Jimny would be on on fuel. I read about them in a 4x4 mag and they raved about the economy! Likely relative to a V8 Defender.

Does seem like a Panda 4x4 is a serious contender

But is the new one as good as the old one?

Probably not, car giant haven't got any.