A boring "what car" - £6000 small automatic 4x4

[thetapeworm]

My OH would like a small automatic 4x4 to replace a modified Puma, it's main role will be a device for transporting a newborn but it will also be used for transporting general bulk and general days out plus the odd trek through snow as we live on top of a large hill with one frequently blocked way in and out.

My immediate thought was a MK2 RAV4 5 door but a look around the classified reveals a few choices I hadn't considered such as the Freelander but I have a feeling they aren't very well regarded?

It doesn't need to be a "jeep" but it does need decently capacity, can't be too big (so no V8 Landcruisers / Range Rovers unfortunately) and will ideally have isofix and be a generally OK to be on the inside.

Any input / suggestions would be appreciated as this isn't really a sector I've taken much notice of.

[Hugo a Gogo]

subaru forester?

[thetapeworm]

Hugo a Gogo said:

subaru forester?

I've been trying with these but she doesn't like the aesthetics, unfortunately this sees to apply to Subaru in general which rules out all the ones I'd generally think of first of all.

I had a Legacy a few years ago and that or the Forester seem like ideal options but it's just not going down very well.

I think her heart is set on a RAV and maybe that's not such a bad thing but I like to explore all the options.

[Lets Torque]

2005 (ish) Honda CRV?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Maybe not this specific one.

Executive is the best spec by the way.

[thetapeworm]

This is exactly why I started this one - I hadn't even considered the CRV, they look like good value, cheers

[jon-]

I realise OH's minds work in strange ways, but as we all understand a 2wd car with the correct tyres will be much better than a 4wd with the wrong tyres, perhaps you could talk her into dropping the 4wd and giving yourself a much wider range of cars?

[excel monkey]

Audi A3/A4 quattro of some kind?

Might take a while to find the combination of quattro and auto, but they are out there.

[thetapeworm]

Any thoughts on the Lexus RX300? They seem very reasonably priced for the spec and, awful MPG aside, seem to be worth a look.

The RAV and CRV seem to be winning for my OH at the moment (especially the brand new CRV which I can't afford) but I'm still trying to push for something slightly more "interesting".

I just wish I'd bought the RD6 Avant I wanted instead of a Focus, MPG would have been the same and room / 4WD would have been covered.