What car - 4x4 please

[Landlord]

Hi

Can I get opinions on what car I should consider? Criteria being;

4x4
Diesel/fuel efficient/low road tax
Preferably automatic - but by no means essential
Not too old/too high mileage/reliable - we want to keep it for ages

Budget is up to £10k

The more toys the better but the above are the major requirements.

Thanks!

[Caulkhead]

The intended usage will be the greatest influence on what I suggest.

For example, is it for:

The school run?

Towing a horsebox?

Entering AWDC RTV trials?

Modifying into a champion rock-crawler?

[Landlord]

It'll be used mostly for the school-run, I guess, but the school run is across poorly maintained minor b-roads that aren't treated to gritting during winter, for example. Think "in the sticks". We live in the Chiltern Valleys too so plenty of hills to negotiate.

Thanks.

[KrazyIvan]

You gonna struggle to fit ALL your criteria but how about an Audi All Road for a start

http://beta.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Landlord]

Thanks.

What's the common opinion on the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD? Whilst I'm not that fussed about handling and interior, I don't want to shudder every time I drive it.

[sawman]

Not too sure how tax on diesels plays out, but most pre 2006 petrol 4x4's only attract 270 quid in tax.

We have a 2003 cherokee (3.7 petrol) which does pretty much all that you are requiring, although it is a bit thirsty, we used to get 20ish mpg with the sort of use you are talking about, it now mainly lives in town and struggles to get btter than 15mpg, I would recommend one highly.

Alternatively, have a look for a subaru tribeca, which you should be able to get within budget and comes pretty well loaded in SE guise, it would be alot better on the road, but may not fare so well off it, with typically more road based tyres

[Agrispeed]

Shall I do the 'you don't need a 4x4' comment?

I mean... you don't (IMO)

but TBH with modern 4x4s being so efficient, it's not actually more expensive on fuel. (just don't crash into me)

however, one thing to watch out for is some are FWD changing into 4WD, rather than RWD into 4WD... apparently they are less effective, but I've only driven RWD-4WD. also, Difflocks that work would help.

Basically though, 4x4s don't help in snow, they just mean you can drive into that crash quicker, as they stop slower, and once your sliding there isn't anything you can do. as long as you have something with some weight and decent rubber you would be fine. (now start the winter tyre debate)

[Landlord]

To be honest - the ground clearance is a relatively big factor... I should have said in my OP (sorry)

I've heard the 4WD vs. Winter tyre argument before and my opinion is that both have their merits and the two together are the best option. But, anyway, I digress.

The reviews of the Grand Cherokee are mixed online - but bang-for-buck it seems a great deal. Any experience of the '06 model, anyone?

[richardxjr]

Landlord said:

Any experience of the '06 model, anyone?

Not directly, but a mate has a remapped 3.0CRD. I think it's 06, perhaps 07. He's a Merc man through and through, wasn't expecting to like it very much but he's ended up more than impressed with it. He paid the finance balloon and is keeping it as his daily driver for the forseeable.

Mapping made a helluva difference apparently.


At <10k, I'd look at these and CR-Vs.

[V88Dicky]

To give you an idea of 'fuel efficiency' in a modern 4x4, my BIL has just bought a 3 year old Vauxhall Antara (effectively a Daewoo) with the 2.0 Fiat diesel iirc. Admittedly it's an auto, but it is averaging low 20s mpg, and that's when he's NOT towing the caravan. It's fuel consumption makes my Monaro look positively frugal!

[jonny70]

Honda CRV

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback.

[ruff'n'smov]

Laugh I nearly pissed my pants.
Needs a 4x4 because I live in the Chilterns,

Just say I want a 4x4 because I want to be higher up and look superior if I can.

rant over ...good luck with the search mate, go for an x-trail if you can find one <10k

[cptsideways]

Luke. said:

Subaru Outback.

+1

Far more capable than many will ever imagine in the 4wd stakes. Just the diesel factor will be out unless you look at newish ones. If you don't need to tow than its a far better option than any 4x4.


& I'm a VX Landcruiser owner but I have owned several Outbacks in the past

[TheD]

Rav 4? Very much like a car to drive but comes with 4 x 4 option you need. X-Trail in this league also as is the Crv. The Jeep is a really good car to have but make sure it is a good one with FSH. I loved mine. Now I have a Terrano.

[Caulkhead]

Landlord said:

It'll be used mostly for the school-run, I guess, but the school run is across poorly maintained minor b-roads that aren't treated to gritting during winter, for example. Think "in the sticks". We live in the Chiltern Valleys too so plenty of hills to negotiate.

Thanks.

So, bumpy B-roads and a couple of days ice a year?

This:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

With a set of these:

http://www.vredestein.co.uk/car-tyres/all-season/q...

[Landlord]

ruff'n'smov said:

Laugh I nearly pissed my pants.
Needs a 4x4 because I live in the Chilterns

No. I said I wanted it because we drive on ungritted, poorly maintained, minor b-roads.

I mentioned the Chiltern Valleys because of the hills.

Read it properly, eh?

[Landlord]

Caulkhead said:

So, bumpy B-roads and a couple of days ice a year?

Yeah - plenty of flooded roads and muddy, slippery run-off water too.

Sheesh. Why pillory people because you don't agree with their personal choice. Nothing better to do?

[valverguy]

Didn't you know, that the pistonhead few are always right, they point and waggle there finger because your needs are "wrong".

Ignore the idiots, only you know the conditions of the areas you venture, if you believe you need or infact want a 4x4 for the school run then that's up to you.

With the above said, i really would suggest the landrover disco td5 or similar, Yes they have there problems but in all seriousness in there standard guise they are utterly epic in adverse weather conditions.

I can honestly say that 3 years back on a January morning in Scotland (talking deep Scotland here)me and the family where out hunting with the birds and would have be stranded without the landrover, 4wd activated and in 1st low gear and we went through 3ft of snow like it wasn't there, on inclines the lot. Certainly the most capable of the 4x4 in my opinion. Not quite as equipped perhaps though.

Good Luck either way

[Landlord]

valverguy said:

Didn't you know, that the pistonhead few are always right, they point and waggle there finger because your needs are "wrong".

Ignore the idiots, only you know the conditions of the areas you venture, if you believe you need or infact want a 4x4 for the school run then that's up to you.

With the above said, i really would suggest the landrover disco td5 or similar, Yes they have there problems but in all seriousness in there standard guise they are utterly epic in adverse weather conditions.

I can honestly say that 3 years back on a January morning in Scotland (talking deep Scotland here)me and the family where out hunting with the birds and would have be stranded without the landrover, 4wd activated and in 1st low gear and we went through 3ft of snow like it wasn't there, on inclines the lot. Certainly the most capable of the 4x4 in my opinion. Not quite as equipped perhaps though.

Good Luck either way

Thanks, chum. I'm just a bit grumpy this morning, I guess.

Diso on the list then... my concern is my budget and, what with them being popular cars, what I could get for the money.

Off to browse the classifieds...