Car for country roads.
Discussion
Hello fellow Piston Heads.
My question is I need to buy a strong car to drive on hilly rubbish potholed country roads.
My round trip is 12 miles to work 12 miles home so not probably best for a diesel engine.??
This trip takes just under 30 min, and max speed 50 miles an hour on a few spots. Dont want the dreaded DPF.
I have 12K to spend and love the look of the Audi TT quattro but at 12k Im getting an old car.
Id like a reliable newish car.
I will be putting under 10K miles on the clock per year so am not too bothered on fuel economy but would like a nippy, comfortable, controlled drive in a reliable car and 2 seats are fine I only ever have one passenger and dont need boot space as hate shopping !!!.
I feel that buying a big car is a waste of money as I dont need the space but with longer wheel base gives better stability. Fellow petrol heads Ive spoken to have said the short based cheap 4 weelers are unstable esp at high speed on the motorways. When I do get a chance to get on a motor way I do like to put the peddle down.
Advice very much appreciated.
My question is I need to buy a strong car to drive on hilly rubbish potholed country roads.
My round trip is 12 miles to work 12 miles home so not probably best for a diesel engine.??
This trip takes just under 30 min, and max speed 50 miles an hour on a few spots. Dont want the dreaded DPF.
I have 12K to spend and love the look of the Audi TT quattro but at 12k Im getting an old car.
Id like a reliable newish car.
I will be putting under 10K miles on the clock per year so am not too bothered on fuel economy but would like a nippy, comfortable, controlled drive in a reliable car and 2 seats are fine I only ever have one passenger and dont need boot space as hate shopping !!!.
I feel that buying a big car is a waste of money as I dont need the space but with longer wheel base gives better stability. Fellow petrol heads Ive spoken to have said the short based cheap 4 weelers are unstable esp at high speed on the motorways. When I do get a chance to get on a motor way I do like to put the peddle down.
Advice very much appreciated.
Well the obvious answer is an MX5.
I'm not sure what you mean by "strong car" - there aren't many piss weak ones, but wheel/tyre combinations, suspension travel and stiffness (and how much you care about ride) will inform choice a bit - as will how bad the roads actually are and whether you feel you need all wheel drive.
I'm not sure what you mean by "strong car" - there aren't many piss weak ones, but wheel/tyre combinations, suspension travel and stiffness (and how much you care about ride) will inform choice a bit - as will how bad the roads actually are and whether you feel you need all wheel drive.
Thanks V8forweekends for your input I will look into the Mazda. Strong was top of my list because of the potholes Ive had to cruse around a broken down car quiet often due to broken wish bones well car down on the road so low cant even get trolly jack under !! I carry a trolly jack. I used to have a 350Z
for the weekends !! Not quiet as good !!
Ok mazda research begins.
for the weekends !! Not quiet as good !!
Ok mazda research begins.
Might I sugget that if it is only a short and regular commute you just learn where the potholes are and buy whatever car you want?
I live in the country with a vast number of potholes. You can learn where they are. Obviously ones on corners you can have less options onavoiding, but generally you can avoid them.
I live in the country with a vast number of potholes. You can learn where they are. Obviously ones on corners you can have less options onavoiding, but generally you can avoid them.
Have to say I'd look more at the mileage rather than the year.
09 Mercedes 21000 Miles great spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
09 SLK 32000 miles good spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
09 Mercedes 21000 Miles great spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
09 SLK 32000 miles good spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Having a similar commute on poor roads too I ended up with a l322 diesel. Slightly further mileage though.
This would do the job nicely? Not remotely sporty, but incredibly comfy to hit all the pot holes in!
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161725895178?nav=SEARCH
This would do the job nicely? Not remotely sporty, but incredibly comfy to hit all the pot holes in!
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161725895178?nav=SEARCH
At last I can reply and thank you all for your advice very much appreciated.
Dirk01 : driving into the potholes is not avoidable actually the day after I wrote off my celica my work mate was dropping me home and he managed to puncture both front and rear tyres on a new ford focus I felt so bad for him but we bought 2 new tyres and fingers crossed the council will refund him. This pot hole was not deep at all and we were only doing 25 miles an hour max but there is a very sharp shale like rock that shredded both tyres so very unlucky.
So.
After a lot of internet research hours and hours where I looked and shortlisted stuff like the MX5 the Honda S2000 has really held its value over the years !!
Quhet: the Suzuki Jimny and 4 wheel Juke were on short list. (both good value for money).
ZX10R NIN: I love the Mercs and they will go forever and would have been very confy over the uneven roads.
Swisstoni : I disagree any old thing wont do !!!!!I dont want to be stuck on the side of the road with punctures and broken suspension parts.
I had a 2001 Celica from new with 96 K miles and it cruised the drive every day. Never a bother until I crashed it and now its dead. All my fault.
Slow : loved the range rover and the Evoque in particular again expensive if stuff were to start going wrong with it.
So Ive decided to buy a Volvo C30.
I have taken a 1.8 petrol for a test drive and it was a bit gutless.
So then went for the 2L petrol and its much better a lot more poke.
So tomorrow I going to test drive another 2L petrol C30 !! Its still got a few months Volvo warranty on its a private sale spoke to the owner its only got 12k miles on clock its fully loaded with all the gadgets electric seats dual climate control parking sensors sat nav and the other volvo stuff and he is asking 11,500 so not too bad at all !!!
If you have any comments on the volvo C30 let me know but I know it has limited boot space but its a dream to drive.
Dirk01 : driving into the potholes is not avoidable actually the day after I wrote off my celica my work mate was dropping me home and he managed to puncture both front and rear tyres on a new ford focus I felt so bad for him but we bought 2 new tyres and fingers crossed the council will refund him. This pot hole was not deep at all and we were only doing 25 miles an hour max but there is a very sharp shale like rock that shredded both tyres so very unlucky.
So.
After a lot of internet research hours and hours where I looked and shortlisted stuff like the MX5 the Honda S2000 has really held its value over the years !!
Quhet: the Suzuki Jimny and 4 wheel Juke were on short list. (both good value for money).
ZX10R NIN: I love the Mercs and they will go forever and would have been very confy over the uneven roads.
Swisstoni : I disagree any old thing wont do !!!!!I dont want to be stuck on the side of the road with punctures and broken suspension parts.
I had a 2001 Celica from new with 96 K miles and it cruised the drive every day. Never a bother until I crashed it and now its dead. All my fault.
Slow : loved the range rover and the Evoque in particular again expensive if stuff were to start going wrong with it.
So Ive decided to buy a Volvo C30.
I have taken a 1.8 petrol for a test drive and it was a bit gutless.
So then went for the 2L petrol and its much better a lot more poke.
So tomorrow I going to test drive another 2L petrol C30 !! Its still got a few months Volvo warranty on its a private sale spoke to the owner its only got 12k miles on clock its fully loaded with all the gadgets electric seats dual climate control parking sensors sat nav and the other volvo stuff and he is asking 11,500 so not too bad at all !!!
If you have any comments on the volvo C30 let me know but I know it has limited boot space but its a dream to drive.
No point starting a new thread. The lease is nearly up for our 320d X Drive. It’s been economical but what I struggled with is narrow roads.
Country lanes where we are now in Devon are a bit of a challenge. People have huge 4x4 cars and regularly cross over hazard lines. I assume not to ding their rental wheels - a lot of tourists. That was the struggle.
I’m not sure what to get next. All I know is it has to be smaller and just as powerful to deal with hills.
It seems like cars are getting bigger and wider but roads are smaller.
Country lanes where we are now in Devon are a bit of a challenge. People have huge 4x4 cars and regularly cross over hazard lines. I assume not to ding their rental wheels - a lot of tourists. That was the struggle.
I’m not sure what to get next. All I know is it has to be smaller and just as powerful to deal with hills.
It seems like cars are getting bigger and wider but roads are smaller.
Super_G said:
No point starting a new thread. The lease is nearly up for our 320d X Drive. It’s been economical but what I struggled with is narrow roads.
Country lanes where we are now in Devon are a bit of a challenge. People have huge 4x4 cars and regularly cross over hazard lines. I assume not to ding their rental wheels - a lot of tourists. That was the struggle.
I’m not sure what to get next. All I know is it has to be smaller and just as powerful to deal with hills.
It seems like cars are getting bigger and wider but roads are smaller.
The trouble is that if so many people are in huge cars and can't keep within their lane, if they cut a corner and hit your small car you'll probably come off a lot worse.Country lanes where we are now in Devon are a bit of a challenge. People have huge 4x4 cars and regularly cross over hazard lines. I assume not to ding their rental wheels - a lot of tourists. That was the struggle.
I’m not sure what to get next. All I know is it has to be smaller and just as powerful to deal with hills.
It seems like cars are getting bigger and wider but roads are smaller.
And if the other drivers are worried about dinging their rental wheels, won't they be just as worried about losing a wing mirror or crashing into an oncoming car?
I swear the standards of driving have dropped in the UK. I’m a lady driver and even I know to pull into a lay by where there is something huge travelling toward me on a narrow lane but sadly some drivers think they can muscle through or bully you off the road. Or worst case as it seems they don’t think at all - probably used to city driving.
I get your point about the smaller car. Someone treated a speed limit as a target last year on a narrow lane by us. The 435d crumpled at the front. I think if that was my 80’s Mini it would be a lot worse. Bumper, wing, headlight and, crumpled bonnet. Dash cam footage submitted. £8,000 worth of damage it was and not my fault.
I get your point about the smaller car. Someone treated a speed limit as a target last year on a narrow lane by us. The 435d crumpled at the front. I think if that was my 80’s Mini it would be a lot worse. Bumper, wing, headlight and, crumpled bonnet. Dash cam footage submitted. £8,000 worth of damage it was and not my fault.
Edited by Super_G on Thursday 20th August 10:15
Super_G said:
I swear the standards of driving have dropped in the UK.
Since the lockdown began to end at the start of June, the roads seem to be far busier and far more dangerous/dumb/quirky driving than ever before.On roads that I travel, I've never seen so many car-sized holes in fences, walls (occasionally houses!), bent/flattened road signs/lamp posts, cars in ditches and so on.
I live in Devon and I am well used to the lanes and road conditions.
I'd say that vehicle size is of less importance than a willingness to shove it in the hedge when needed, so any car where you're not too worried about the paintwork getting scuffed by brambles etc
Also, something that you can reverse - SUVs with tiny back windows are hopeless for navigating back to a passing place.
I'd say that vehicle size is of less importance than a willingness to shove it in the hedge when needed, so any car where you're not too worried about the paintwork getting scuffed by brambles etc
Also, something that you can reverse - SUVs with tiny back windows are hopeless for navigating back to a passing place.
boyse7en said:
Also, something that you can reverse - SUVs with tiny back windows are hopeless for navigating back to a passing place.
Yes, SUV rear visibility is terrible.Several years ago I was following an SUV round a car park looking for somewhere to park. He drives past an aisle with a space, stops, puts it in reverse and reverses briskly before I get a chance to do much. £3k of damage to teh front of my car, fortunately captured on dashcam.
He acknowledged that he simply didn't see me behind him; basically he had a huge blind spot behind his SUV where probably two normal cars could be and he wouldn't know they were there!
Rav4, of whichever vintage you can afford.
As someone above said, get a car which you're not too worried about shoving on to the verge/into the hedge if necessary to avoid incoming traffic. The 15-20cm in width difference isn't actually all that important. Something boxy and easy to place will give you far more confidence even if it's a bit wide, compared to a low, bulbous car that's technically narrower.
Despite the hate for SUV's, I find low cars much less easy/relaxing to drive on undulating single track country roads as it feels that the vanishing point is significantly closer than when I drive stuff that's higher up.
As someone above said, get a car which you're not too worried about shoving on to the verge/into the hedge if necessary to avoid incoming traffic. The 15-20cm in width difference isn't actually all that important. Something boxy and easy to place will give you far more confidence even if it's a bit wide, compared to a low, bulbous car that's technically narrower.
Despite the hate for SUV's, I find low cars much less easy/relaxing to drive on undulating single track country roads as it feels that the vanishing point is significantly closer than when I drive stuff that's higher up.
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