A what winter car question
Discussion
OK, so it's early days and the summer is barely even begun, let alone finished, but I'm thinking ahead.
I'm thinking about which car to get in winter to keep my MG B off the roads. In the past, we've used my missus' volvo with winter tyres on, but it's doubtful whether it will make it through the next MOT and she has plans to get some sort of funky hatch to replace it.
While I still fancy the idea of a monaro / jag S type R, jag XJR, it's a car that will sit on the driveway half the time and won't be the best idea in Scottish ice / snow / surplus water. So I'm starting to think about something with 4 wheel drive but not an off roader - I really don't need the ground clearance and would like something quick-ish to drive and pleasurable on the roads.
My immediate thought was a 3 litre X type Jag - 4 wheel drive, 0-60 in under 7 seconds and comfortable. Which then brought me on to think about Audi TTs and Golf R32s. Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evolutions are out, as the roads round here are way too pot holed for something with that hard a ride. I know that you can get a 4 wheel drive octavia, but don't know what engines are available and I know BMW used to do a 5 series with 4 wd.
Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
I'm thinking about which car to get in winter to keep my MG B off the roads. In the past, we've used my missus' volvo with winter tyres on, but it's doubtful whether it will make it through the next MOT and she has plans to get some sort of funky hatch to replace it.
While I still fancy the idea of a monaro / jag S type R, jag XJR, it's a car that will sit on the driveway half the time and won't be the best idea in Scottish ice / snow / surplus water. So I'm starting to think about something with 4 wheel drive but not an off roader - I really don't need the ground clearance and would like something quick-ish to drive and pleasurable on the roads.
My immediate thought was a 3 litre X type Jag - 4 wheel drive, 0-60 in under 7 seconds and comfortable. Which then brought me on to think about Audi TTs and Golf R32s. Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evolutions are out, as the roads round here are way too pot holed for something with that hard a ride. I know that you can get a 4 wheel drive octavia, but don't know what engines are available and I know BMW used to do a 5 series with 4 wd.
Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
Buy the car you want. Put the right tyres on for the season. Laugh at all the people in 4x4s not going anywhere as they're on summer tyres.alfa pint said:
as the roads round here are way too pot holed for something with that hard a ride. I know that you can get a 4 wheel drive octavia, but don't know what engines are available and I know BMW used to do a 5 series with 4 wd.
Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
If car #1 is an MG B, then it might be worth making car#2 a bigger estate sort of thing for some load carrying capacity on the house.Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
With the potholes and the snow a bit of ground clearance isn’t a bad thing.
You’ll have further suspension travel and clearance over drifted snow.
If I was in your situation I’d be looking at on older 4x4 or SUV.
Something like a Discovery or a X3/X5 should be in your budget.
Maybe a CRV, M Class Merc, Volvo XC???
Take a few test drives and see which one floats your boat.
Put on some decent M&S tyres and you’ll be good all year round.
alfa pint said:
OK, so it's early days and the summer is barely even begun, let alone finished, but I'm thinking ahead.
I'm thinking about which car to get in winter to keep my MG B off the roads. In the past, we've used my missus' volvo with winter tyres on, but it's doubtful whether it will make it through the next MOT and she has plans to get some sort of funky hatch to replace it.
While I still fancy the idea of a monaro / jag S type R, jag XJR, it's a car that will sit on the driveway half the time and won't be the best idea in Scottish ice / snow / surplus water. So I'm starting to think about something with 4 wheel drive but not an off roader - I really don't need the ground clearance and would like something quick-ish to drive and pleasurable on the roads.
My immediate thought was a 3 litre X type Jag - 4 wheel drive, 0-60 in under 7 seconds and comfortable. Which then brought me on to think about Audi TTs and Golf R32s. Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evolutions are out, as the roads round here are way too pot holed for something with that hard a ride. I know that you can get a 4 wheel drive octavia, but don't know what engines are available and I know BMW used to do a 5 series with 4 wd.
Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
I like Jag X-Types and a 3.0 one would be nice IMO. Slap some decent winter tyres on it and it'll be unbeatable and far superior to ANY 2wd car in the same conditions.I'm thinking about which car to get in winter to keep my MG B off the roads. In the past, we've used my missus' volvo with winter tyres on, but it's doubtful whether it will make it through the next MOT and she has plans to get some sort of funky hatch to replace it.
While I still fancy the idea of a monaro / jag S type R, jag XJR, it's a car that will sit on the driveway half the time and won't be the best idea in Scottish ice / snow / surplus water. So I'm starting to think about something with 4 wheel drive but not an off roader - I really don't need the ground clearance and would like something quick-ish to drive and pleasurable on the roads.
My immediate thought was a 3 litre X type Jag - 4 wheel drive, 0-60 in under 7 seconds and comfortable. Which then brought me on to think about Audi TTs and Golf R32s. Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evolutions are out, as the roads round here are way too pot holed for something with that hard a ride. I know that you can get a 4 wheel drive octavia, but don't know what engines are available and I know BMW used to do a 5 series with 4 wd.
Am I missing anything else obvious? Budget is likely to be about 7 grand, no more than 10.
That said you need a pre 2003 example (check the dates). Early X-Types had a limited slip centre diff, latter ones had an open centre diff. This makes a HUGE difference in the AWD systems ability to actually send power to more than one wheel. With 3 open diffs (centre and axles) and AWD car can actually very easily become 1wd!
Other cars you might want to consider:
ST205 Toyota Celica GT-Four, proper rally pedigree and more comfy than an Evo/Impreza. They look fab too and I daresay will become collectible too. They have a TorSen centre diff and would work very well in the snow.
Mitsubishi 3000GT vr4. Personally love the looks of these and despite some internet folk lore and myths, I reckon they could be a good car if you buy wise. Turbo power, good looks and I daresay more than enough fun for the duties you are talking about.
And of course the less know and usually forgotten Volvo.... yes I did say Volvo
and it has a V8 
The wonderful 4.4 DOHC unit can be found in the 2006-2010 AWD S80, complete with 311hp
There's a 40,000 mile 07 plate one on Autotrader for just over £7k (suspect you could haggle it under tbh).
Very Q car IMO.
FreeLitres said:
The 3.0 X-Type has a real, permanent AWD system with 60% of torque to the rear wheels.
Those AWD VAG cars have a Haldex system which is mainly FWD.
Plus, the Jag will be a fraction of the cost!
That does sound perfect. Not a big fan of audis, having owned an A3 before and been in more than a few A4s and A6s. Any of the off roader type 4x4s are just too slow. The legacy 3.0l is interesting and one of my mates raves about his, although I've yet to be in it, let alone drive it.Those AWD VAG cars have a Haldex system which is mainly FWD.
Plus, the Jag will be a fraction of the cost!
Room isn't important as long as I can get some skis on the roof. The missus has a practical car; my winter car just has to suit me, which means something with traction, a decent heater, possibly heated seats to blast round the lochs to my father in laws, therefore sub 8 second 0-60 times and decent torque for overtaking.
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