Bangernomics - What car for a ski season?
Discussion
Gruffy said:
bulldong said:
Keep the mini and put winter tyres on it. It is VERY rare that the roads are impassable without 4WD. I live here.
I've done a half season with the Mini before, on regular summer tyres too. It's perfectly capable in the mountains but I need more space. I'd actually prefer not to have 4WD for the extra economy. The longer I spend looking the more I'm keen on the heated screen (and heated seats for the GF) as I think that'll make a real difference to daily life. Lots of interesting options but I think I've narrowed it down to a V70 with the winter pack. Leather seats. Manual. Ideally a diesel.
There aren't too many with the winter pack but I've shot off some enquiries. I shall report back as and when I buy one.
Mazda 6
Volvo V50/V70 - is this the one with winter pack you have seen? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Peugeot 407
Focus C-Max
OR Wild card: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...
That's one of them, but it's up in Scotland so probably not the first choice. Does look good though.
Older and tattier for £1,300 (untaxed)
Petrol auto for £1,450 - ideally looking for a manual diesel though
Diesel auto for £2k that looks like it might have the heated goodies I'm after
Diesel manual for £2.5k that has all the goodies I'm after. Waiting for the dealer to send photos though.
Older and tattier for £1,300 (untaxed)
Petrol auto for £1,450 - ideally looking for a manual diesel though
Diesel auto for £2k that looks like it might have the heated goodies I'm after
Diesel manual for £2.5k that has all the goodies I'm after. Waiting for the dealer to send photos though.
After viewing lots of V70s, 3-series, Focus/Mondeo estates and an A6, I've now gone and bought an 03 Subaru Legacy. It was by far the best of all the cars I've checked out.
2.5L Petrol Manual
4WD
Immaculate interior
FSH
Low miles
Enthusiast owned (and it shows)
Heated seats
Insanely powerful heater & AC
and hugely comfortable
Thank you to all for your contributions. I'll report back later this winter to follow up on how it performs.
2.5L Petrol Manual
4WD
Immaculate interior
FSH
Low miles
Enthusiast owned (and it shows)
Heated seats
Insanely powerful heater & AC
and hugely comfortable
Thank you to all for your contributions. I'll report back later this winter to follow up on how it performs.
Only the Autotrader listing. I'll pick it up next weekend.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
German said:
E30/E34 estate. If you are really lucky you might find a 4wd one about, there were a few in the LHD section a few months ago. I had the same plan and it was the best for me, bigger 6 cylinder car fuel consumption evens out when anything else needs a roofbox, at least for my skis. HTH 
Yes! There I was thinking I was the only seasonaire with an e34!And to the person who said whistler was flat. Yes that's true, unless you happen to live in an apartment in staff housing, which is halfway up the ski hill.
Absolutely frothing for the snow to start falling!
Good job dude, Subaru sounds like a good bet.. .. where you gonna be based, as I'm hoping to get out to 3 valleys working for a few week at some point..
(RWD is mostly fine, but FWD/AWD in reality is better, as I did get nearly stuck a few times in French & Austrian alps last season in a RWD transit with proper snow tyres and even chains at one point)
(RWD is mostly fine, but FWD/AWD in reality is better, as I did get nearly stuck a few times in French & Austrian alps last season in a RWD transit with proper snow tyres and even chains at one point)
Gruffy said:
Only the Autotrader listing. I'll pick it up next weekend.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
You will not regret the choice. The Volvo or Saab might be a bit better in a couple of areas, but when you need some traction on a snowy road you will be utterly amazed at what this car is capable of. I need not add it will never go wrong.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
I was ruminating on what car for my Mrs (a Vet) now she's graduated, bought a Legacy Outback - perfect for the job (heated seats were a requirement). Extra height is useful for her bouncing up farm tracks.
Only thing that troubles me is parts are a bit scarce, but it should be reliable enough.
Only thing that troubles me is parts are a bit scarce, but it should be reliable enough.
Krikkit said:
I was ruminating on what car for my Mrs (a Vet) now she's graduated, bought a Legacy Outback - perfect for the job (heated seats were a requirement). Extra height is useful for her bouncing up farm tracks.
Local vets down here (rural southern NZ) run a whole fleet of Outbacks, they love them. Pretty hard to beat as an all-rounder.Bjam99 said:
Top buying OP!
been following the suggestions with interest as planning a drive to Norway at the new year and current Leon snotter won't fair too well with that so looking at something a bit more rugged and comfy. Suggestions so far have been great!
Depending on budget I would suggest a Mk2 Subaru Forester XT preferably a 2.5. It has better ground clearance than the Legacy, and indeed the Mk1 Forester. It has a comfy driver's seat with a folding armrest welded onto an Impreza chassis and 220bhp. Would allow for a bit of sideways rally action been following the suggestions with interest as planning a drive to Norway at the new year and current Leon snotter won't fair too well with that so looking at something a bit more rugged and comfy. Suggestions so far have been great!
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