Soft roaders

[JulianHJ]

Whilst chatting with my mum about my plans to change cars, she kept suggesting a small 4x4. I enquired why she kept referring to them, and she told me she liked them. I was a little suprised, as all she's ever expressed an interest in or owned for the last 25 years are fast Fords. She's never fallen in love with her Focus ST as it's a 3dr (which is a bit more awkward for her in terms of practicality, her dog etc), she was in a hurry to find something after selling her Escort Cosworth, and it was a lot more interesting than the 5dr 2.0l Zetec she'd gone to see at the dealer. So, I was wondering whether I might be able to kill two birds with one stone (get the ST, trade my Focus to avoid a private sale, get her something she wants).

I know br-all about soft-roaders, in fact I'm struggling to name many. The budget would probably be around £6k (the value of her ST at a guess). Can anyone advise on what's good and what's not?

[Tickle]

No input to the soft roader topic but your Mum had an Escort Cosworth! Kudos!

[aka_kerrly]

Is your mum really sure she wants a faux offroader or is she a bit like my step mum who just wants whatever is "trendy"

[Number 5]

I'm not really interested in modern Fords or soft roaders but I do love classic fast Fords, especially of the Cosworth variety, have you any photos that you can post please?

[okie592]

kuga 2.5 turbo? same engine as the focus st.

eta - £6.5k wont get you a kuga,

suburu forester?

[JulianHJ]

She's definitely not 'trendy' (aside from her serial fast Ford purchases). I think she just wants something a little more practical, and the size/shape of small off-roaders appeals. I've so far looked at Hondas, Fords and Nissans on Auto Trader - the Qashqai is in budget and plentiful.

The Cosworth photos are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/julianhj/sets/721576...

[Tickle]

JulianHJ said:

She's definitely not 'trendy' (aside from her serial fast Ford purchases). I think she just wants something a little more practical, and the size/shape of small off-roaders appeals. I've so far looked at Hondas, Fords and Nissans on Auto Trader - the Qashqai is in budget and plentiful.

The Cosworth photos are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/julianhj/sets/721576...

A Monte Edition too !

[JulianHJ]

Yeah, she owned it from new and sold it about four years ago I think.

[Mr Classic]

Suzuki Ignis?

[JulianHJ]

Mr Classic said:

Suzuki Ignis?

I think that might be a little too small. I'm popping round my parents' today to install some loft insulation, so I'm have a proper chat with them about it.

[Number 5]

JulianHJ said:

The Cosworth photos are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/julianhj/sets/721576...

Nice, why did she get rid of that after having it for so long?

[JulianHJ]

It wasn't getting used, cosmetically it needed a refresh and servicing was getting expensive. She offered it to me, but I couldn't afford it at the time. Gutted.

[Shurv]

Tell her to have a look at the Toyota Rav 4 or a Honda CRV. They both come in petrol or drizzle versions. They are actually ok to drive and good all round transport.

[GravelBen]

Forester turbo if she doesn't want to sacrifice too much driving fun. Or the XV looks pretty good too.

Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 28th June 13:40

[skyrover]

Shurv said:

Tell her to have a look at the Toyota Rav 4 or a Honda CRV. They both come in petrol or drizzle versions. They are actually ok to drive and good all round transport.

these

[marctwo]

A Kuga seems the obvious choice but maybe out of budget. How about a Volkswagen Tiguan?