Golf sized 4x4

[cheddar]

bakerstreet said:

techguyone said:

Honda CRV, petrol is nippy as anything, loads of space for kids, biggish boot, part time 4wd
Typical jap reliability, can't go wrong.

On balance I'd go CRV if you don't need proper 4wd, and a rav 4 if you need the ability to diff lock etc

I don't think the Rav4 has a diff lock.

Mk1 manual's had a centre diff diff lock, Mk2's were viscous coupling.

[GravelBen]

bakerstreet said:

I don't think the Rav4 has a diff lock.

Some of the 90s ones had a push-button centre difflock, no idea about later versions though.

[brough74]

Like I said the x-trail “feels” big for her to drive, but ive told her its all in the mind lol

Still fancying a SX4 for her but then I thought of a juke I know it wont be 4wd as she wants a manual but it has the ground clearence.

So is the juke a good drive ? Even though its at the top of my budget or am I being stupid ?

Maybe means i might be on the look out for a 3dr 4x4 for under 2k

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

are you always this fast at making a decision?

I woke up & thought I'll but an SX4 today. Went to the first dealer & they wanted me to come back tomorrow for a test drive....too slow. I then went to the next dealer, drove around the block, paid for it on my card & home for elevenses.

mind you, I do make loads of mistakes in my rush to get on with it

[bakerstreet]

brough74 said:

Like I said the x-trail “feels” big for her to drive, but ive told her its all in the mind lol

Still fancying a SX4 for her but then I thought of a juke I know it wont be 4wd as she wants a manual but it has the ground clearence.

So is the juke a good drive ? Even though its at the top of my budget or am I being stupid ?

Maybe means i might be on the look out for a 3dr 4x4 for under 2k

You should just fit parking sensors on the X-Trail. I also had to deal with the 'its too big', but I just paid out for front and rear parking sensors and told her to get on with it! This was only a Ford C-Max but compared to her C3, it was like I was asking her to drive a limo!

£2k three door 4x4 would be Jimny or maybe a much older Shogun/Pajero. Both have their downsides. Jimney is tiny and Pajers will guzzl diesel at an alarming rate.

Suzuki Vitara might be worth a look. You might get a facelift three door petrol for £2k.

[TooMany2cvs]

bakerstreet said:

£2k three door 4x4 ... maybe a much older Shogun/Pajero. Both have their downsides.

You can have my LWB v6 Shog for a tenth of that, else it's getting weighed in.

[brough74]

The x-trail is a tekna so has a camera, but its all in her mind and still thinks it too big.

Drove a friends 14 plate Jimny today both on and off road and towing a trailer. It was great off road and i only lost traction once but it is woefully lacking in power on road and towing. Fair enough it was an auto but i could not believe how slow it was.

So i think if i change car it will be a 3dr shogun Di-D

[cheddar]

brough74 said:

The x-trail is a tekna so has a camera, but its all in her mind and still thinks it too big.

Drove a friends 14 plate Jimny today both on and off road and towing a trailer. It was great off road and i only lost traction once but it is woefully lacking in power on road and towing. Fair enough it was an auto but i could not believe how slow it was.

So i think if i change car it will be a 3dr shogun Di-D

Why not a Yeti?

[brough74]

She does not like the look of the yeti.

[agent006]

brough74 said:

She does not like the look of the yeti.

And anything decent is getting on for £2k over your budget.

[nickofh]

Impreza Hatch would easy come in under seven years old in your budget and fairly low miles. Plently under 6k. Proper AWD with dual range and solidly reliable

Perhaps a petrol Grand Vitara( for reliability) , again well under budget with good mileage.

[nickofh]

Some good M/S tyres will help in the situation too.