help me out: what car do I need?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

racing_blue wrote: »

I need a vehicle which occasionally can get me up 1:6 hills in the ice; through 50cm of floodwater; but for 11 months of the year is as economical as possible. I only drive about 5000 miles per year.

Recommendations???

Most economical = Panda 4x4

Most capable = Defender 90

Most reliable = Toyota Land Cruiser or 4 door Hilux.

The Landy and Toyotas will do what you need done, 50cm water and deep snow not a problem, even unmodified.

The Panda will be most economical, but not as capable as the others.

Given how low your mileage is, I'd be spending 5K to 7K on a Defender or Hilux.

Maintain it well and it'll run for many years trouble free, and always get you home in bad weather.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Excellent post from Hamish McTavish, but if you are considering a Hilux or any other commercial, do check the insurance situation before taking the plunge, commercial policies had gone up a serious amount before i sold my Hilux and you are probably not covered for driving other vehicles on a third party basis as you would be with most private car policies.

The Hilux itself was typical Toyota industrial, dependable and indestructable.

sharnad

racing_blue wrote: »

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

is uour friend Spanish car an iveco massif

mattyprice4004

The problem with a Defender is that for the 11 months it's nice weather you're doing less than 30MPG and running on expensive tyres.

racing_blue

Thanks for all the posts- the Fiat Panda is my favourite. Hamish McTavish - particular thanks for those points.

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

How often do you get flooding on roads you have to use? Even if flooding is increasing in frequency couldn't the clients wait or just go on foot if safe? Just wondering if it really is worthwhile buying a Unimog?

Not very often. So maybe that is the sensible answer I have been looking for, thankyou. I'm wondering if the bangernomics approach is best... run an old car hard and wet, drive it until it breaks or drowns, and then get another...

I'll chew it over, thanks again all

gingerdad

Much better, good in floods.

but really you shouldnt be entering that depth of flood water, what about the manhole covers other issues..

tombcruse

force ranger 4wd

tombcruse

i think ford ranger is better

tombcruse

ford ranger may be better

tombcruse

ford ranger is the best