Viable alternative to a Range Rover?

[XplusYplusZ]

So, a good friend of mine is to retire to rural italy, where he's built a lovely abode for his family. He'll be ditching the company car and will need something to waft down to the pizzeria in.
He's got 15k, wants something with less than 80,000miles, is accustomed to good quality vehicles, and needs 4x4 when his driveway turns from dust to snow..

The range rover / range rover sport appear to be the natural choice.
I'm struggling to suggest alternatives and reasons why they might be better.

Your thoughts please..

[Gruber]

Fiat Panda 4x4. That's what his neighbours will be driving.

[sunbeam alpine]

Toyota Landcuiser. Not wanting to start a "What's the better 4x4" discussion, but once you get out of the UK, parts and servicing for LR products are very expensive, and not always very accessible. Everywhere has a Toyota garage.

ETA: Good shout Gruber (and good taste). Met you at the Mini SS a couple of years back. Lovely 6 series BMW!

[Steve H]

Forrester.

[bqf]

Lambo LM002. Only Italian 4x4 with the same 'image' as the RR/RRS. :-)

Or, sensibly, a 4WD 3-series estate.

[XplusYplusZ]

Thanks all, no Q7s?

[hadenough!]

Cayenne turbo?

[DocArbathnot]

Gruber said:

Fiat Panda 4x4. That's what his neighbours will be driving.

This

Or a Daihatsu Terios. Took my A6 to the Italian Lakes far too big to be comfortable on hairpin bends parking etc. Local fuzz driving Daihatsus

[tr7v8]

Grand Cherokee, now owned by FIAT anyway!

[crostonian]

I have lots of family and friends in rural Italy and the last thing you need is a large 4x4 for pottering about in. The roads around the villages are tiny and parking is a nightmare. Fair enough have one for longer journeys but do the Italian thing and buy a stter for everyday use - so a smallish 4x4 or a regular car with a set of winter tyres would be my recommendation.

[Dog Star]

"Viable"? In all seriousness just about anything compared to a 15k RR in rural Italy.

What's the vehicle tax/vignette cost for something like that? I personally have no idea, but lots of our European neighbours have different ways of mulcting the maximum from the car driver. There may be something like that to consider (assuming it'll be locally registered); the UK is a cheap place to own a big car, Italy may be different.

[crostonian]

In the case of the OP's pal I would keep my main car registered in the UK, the Italian authorities don't seem to care too much, and have a small car registered locally.

[crostonian]

Had the transfer box replaced at the LR dealer in Genova earlier this year on a RR TDV8 for cheaper than it would have cost at an AD in the UK, job completed in 3 days. Plenty of LR product in Italy, Carabinieri use Defenders and Freelanders.

[Bonefish Blues]

Steve H said:

Forrester.

...or Outback for a little extra style.

[458carbon]

For wafting, you can't beat a full size RR.

[300bhp/ton]

XplusYplusZ said:

So, a good friend of mine is to retire to rural italy, where he's built a lovely abode for his family. He'll be ditching the company car and will need something to waft down to the pizzeria in.
He's got 15k, wants something with less than 80,000miles, is accustomed to good quality vehicles, and needs 4x4 when his driveway turns from dust to snow..

The range rover / range rover sport appear to be the natural choice.
I'm struggling to suggest alternatives and reasons why they might be better.

Your thoughts please..

Jeep. LC. Touareg. Cayenne. Sure there isn't a shortage tbh.

[dibblecorse]

XplusYplusZ said:

Thanks all, no Q7s?

This is actually just about image isn't ?? he doesn't want the best car for the job, he wants the most impressive badge for the neighbours ....

4x4 Panda is best shout so far ....

[Fittster]

Considering BMW, Merc, Audi and Lexus all make 4x4 that will deal with a drive with a bit of snow, just buy the badge he likes the most.

[Tuvra]

G Wagon

[AudiWurst]

Fittster said:

Considering BMW, Merc, Audi and Lexus all make 4x4 that will deal with a drive with a bit of snow, just buy the badge he likes the most.

Do BMW, Merc, Audi and Lexus all have dealership support in rural Italy for parts and servicing?

tr7v8 said:

Grand Cherokee, now owned by FIAT anyway!

I think this is a good shout. Fiat is pushing the Jeep brand quite heavily in Italy, and at the very least you'd be able to find a dealer more easily for parts/service.

If the OP's friend is a masochist wants to endear himself to the locals and ground clearance is not an issue, he could consider a 4WD Alfa of some sort.

Edited by AudiWurst on Tuesday 17th September 10:23