Bangernomics - What car for a ski season?
Discussion
For me, it would have to be a Fiat Panda 4x4. Much more character than a Subaru, easy/fun to drive and extremely practical. Fits in well in the european resorts, and if something does go wrong, chances are that the village mechanic in any resort will know how to fix it and it won't cost you much either!
Here's one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Panda-1-2-4x4-/261213659319?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd18c20b7
Here's one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Panda-1-2-4x4-/261213659319?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cd18c20b7
Unfortunately that's correct.
With the V70s, any idea what issues crop up at which sort of mileages? Seems to be lots of cars in the classifieds with ~150k and I'm wondering why that mileage in particular. My gut feel is the cars are probably good for 250k+ with extra belts along the way?
With the V70s, any idea what issues crop up at which sort of mileages? Seems to be lots of cars in the classifieds with ~150k and I'm wondering why that mileage in particular. My gut feel is the cars are probably good for 250k+ with extra belts along the way?
How about some kind of s
tty French van-derived MPV?
Kangoo or Berlingo or something like that. Think they even did a 4WD Kangoo for a while.
Will be a bit noisy and clattery on the drive down from the UK, but once you're there, you'll blend in well with the locals, and repairs and spare parts will be cheap.
tty French van-derived MPV?Kangoo or Berlingo or something like that. Think they even did a 4WD Kangoo for a while.
Will be a bit noisy and clattery on the drive down from the UK, but once you're there, you'll blend in well with the locals, and repairs and spare parts will be cheap.
I've been in your situation.
A few things to consider;
Get proper snow tyres, not just winter tyres.
Not ones with studs, but ones with proper siping.
Do some research (if you haven't already).
I would always recomend awd or 4x4 if you are living in the alps.
Even with snow tyres it's just much easier.
Whatever you buy, consider getting a brand new battery.
Old batteries that don't hold a full charge have a habit of freezing to death in the cold.
£3k is a nice budget.
You could get a nice 4x4 for that, plus a 4x4 might already have decent tyres so that would save you a few ££.
And the extra luggage space makes things much easier.
The ground clearance in a 4x4 makes a huge difference in deep snow too.
Look at Hilux Surf, Trooper, etc.
A few things to consider;
Get proper snow tyres, not just winter tyres.
Not ones with studs, but ones with proper siping.
Do some research (if you haven't already).
I would always recomend awd or 4x4 if you are living in the alps.
Even with snow tyres it's just much easier.
Whatever you buy, consider getting a brand new battery.
Old batteries that don't hold a full charge have a habit of freezing to death in the cold.
£3k is a nice budget.
You could get a nice 4x4 for that, plus a 4x4 might already have decent tyres so that would save you a few ££.
And the extra luggage space makes things much easier.
The ground clearance in a 4x4 makes a huge difference in deep snow too.
Look at Hilux Surf, Trooper, etc.
Gruffy said:
Unfortunately that's correct.
With the V70s, any idea what issues crop up at which sort of mileages? Seems to be lots of cars in the classifieds with ~150k and I'm wondering why that mileage in particular. My gut feel is the cars are probably good for 250k+ with extra belts along the way?
Not a huge amount - engines are bulletproof and can handle BIG mileages if they have been looked after With the V70s, any idea what issues crop up at which sort of mileages? Seems to be lots of cars in the classifieds with ~150k and I'm wondering why that mileage in particular. My gut feel is the cars are probably good for 250k+ with extra belts along the way?
They are quite hard on their suspension so bushes, ball joints and drop links do wear but these are cheap and easy to replace. I'd personally opt for a manual - that said, the auto is quite good in the snow.
Check for uneven tyre wear esp on awd models
On manual cars the DMF can fail at very high mileage so having a new clutch and flywheel in the service history is good news
Can't go far wrong with what I did : Skoda Fabia estate, 1.9 TDI with 14" steel wheels.
Ticks all those boxes, 60mpg on the run down, narrow enough to park maneuver easily, practical enough to get boards and skis in etc, winter tyres are £40 a corner, steels wheels are dead cheap (and you can't kerb them) and loads of torque to get up the mountain.
Looks a bit 'grandad', but that doesn't matter.
Ticks all those boxes, 60mpg on the run down, narrow enough to park maneuver easily, practical enough to get boards and skis in etc, winter tyres are £40 a corner, steels wheels are dead cheap (and you can't kerb them) and loads of torque to get up the mountain.
Looks a bit 'grandad', but that doesn't matter.
CarlT said:
What a bizarre car...electrically adjustable passenger seat, for example.Not a Focus, but I did add this Mondeo estate to the shortlist. Heated screen, but sadly no heated seats. Just a guess but I'd have thought not quite as comfortable as the Vovlos for the big schleps.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff