What Car {{Sorry}} for the Alps
Discussion
Hi All
I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
NorthDave said:
Hi All
I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
Land Rover Defender would be cool and is quite reliable and perfect for the alps in winter but one thing it is not: Very Comfy.I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
900 mile commute is quite a task in it.
I would go for a Mercedes 4matic: reliable and most comfortable.
The Mercedes R-class is phantastic.
When you get one with the airmatic suspension you can even set the
suspension to fit the road condition perfectly on the button and you
can also lift it.
900 mile commute is a joke in the R, as you would not want to get
out of it any more.
Let me know if you need to know more.
Griffithy said:
Land Rover Defender would be cool and is quite reliable and perfect for the alps in winter but one thing it is not: Very Comfy.
900 mile commute is quite a task in it.
I would go for a Mercedes 4matic: reliable and most comfortable.
The Mercedes R-class is phantastic.
When you get one with the airmatic suspension you can even set the
suspension to fit the road condition perfectly on the button and you
can also lift it.
900 mile commute is a joke in the R, as you would not want to get
out of it any more.
Let me know if you need to know more.
I'm shocked that these are in budget! Just taking a look at the classifieds now.900 mile commute is quite a task in it.
I would go for a Mercedes 4matic: reliable and most comfortable.
The Mercedes R-class is phantastic.
When you get one with the airmatic suspension you can even set the
suspension to fit the road condition perfectly on the button and you
can also lift it.
900 mile commute is a joke in the R, as you would not want to get
out of it any more.
Let me know if you need to know more.
Are thet all 4 wheel drive? None of the ones in Classifieds seem to mention it?
Have you considered a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
They're quite wafty with lovely comfy seats - off-road is a given. I know my old one was built in Austria, was far better put together than the US ones and I never had any issues with it - I'd get another.
They're quite wafty with lovely comfy seats - off-road is a given. I know my old one was built in Austria, was far better put together than the US ones and I never had any issues with it - I'd get another.
Edited by Asterix on Sunday 13th July 10:06
Subaru Legacy Spec B. Inconspicuous sleeper, too. 3 litres of flat six yumminess!
Ticks most of your boxes (though maybe not the ground clearance one).
Fancy an auto estate version?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
....or a manual saloon, perhaps, with a minor mod to the exhaust? Low mileage and well within budget!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Ticks most of your boxes (though maybe not the ground clearance one).
Fancy an auto estate version?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
....or a manual saloon, perhaps, with a minor mod to the exhaust? Low mileage and well within budget!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Depthhoar said:
Subaru Legacy Spec B. Inconspicuous sleeper, too. 3 litres of flat six yumminess!
Ticks most of your boxes (though maybe not the ground clearance one).
Fancy an auto estate version?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
....or a manual saloon, perhaps, with a minor mod to the exhaust? Low mileage and well within budget!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
That's where my money would go. Winter tyres and you're away.Ticks most of your boxes (though maybe not the ground clearance one).
Fancy an auto estate version?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
....or a manual saloon, perhaps, with a minor mod to the exhaust? Low mileage and well within budget!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
NorthDave said:
Hi All
I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
Have spent a few winters out there.I'm in the market for a new car which will mainly be used in the Alps during winter. Ideally no more than about £10k. Wish list is:
- Very Comfy (for the 900 mile commute back and forth)
- Four wheel drive for the snow
- Possibly high up for ground clearance.
I've considered:
- Land Rover Defender (Cool but reliability worries me and the commute would be slow).
- Audi A6 Allroad
- Volvo XC70
I'm not too fussed about economy. I've never had a 4x4 so this could be a good excuse.
So - what have I missed? Nothing is jumping out at me at the moment.
Subaru Outback is the best answer, IMO. Wouldn't bother with a Defender, look cool but not much fun on the motorway.
Skoda Octavia 4x4 is good too. 10k might also get you into an A4 Allroad?
I've lived in a few winter resorts.
I can offer a generic answer.
4wd or awd makes a big difference.
But the BIGGEST difference is decent snow tyres.
Not just all seasons, but proper heavily siped snow tyres.
Do some research - buy good tyres.
Assuming you are skiing or snowboarding you'll want a van or estate style of car to put the boards and skis in the boot. Roofboxes are a pain in the arse.
You're also going to be filling the interior with snow and ice. So get some decent rubber floor mats and maybe some seat covers if you care about the cars condition.
Something with electric heated windscreen to clear ice is very useful.
Cold weather kills car batteries.
The less charge in the battery the easier they die. Consider buying a brand new heavy duty battery at the start of the season.
Do not turn on internal fans without clearing the air ducts outside.
Good ground clearance is usefull for getting over snowplough berms.
I can offer a generic answer.
4wd or awd makes a big difference.
But the BIGGEST difference is decent snow tyres.
Not just all seasons, but proper heavily siped snow tyres.
Do some research - buy good tyres.
Assuming you are skiing or snowboarding you'll want a van or estate style of car to put the boards and skis in the boot. Roofboxes are a pain in the arse.
You're also going to be filling the interior with snow and ice. So get some decent rubber floor mats and maybe some seat covers if you care about the cars condition.
Something with electric heated windscreen to clear ice is very useful.
Cold weather kills car batteries.
The less charge in the battery the easier they die. Consider buying a brand new heavy duty battery at the start of the season.
Do not turn on internal fans without clearing the air ducts outside.
Good ground clearance is usefull for getting over snowplough berms.
don't see many Mercs in the alps, i wonder whether the tyres are too wide? (obviously you could put more narrow winters on). Or maybe people who ski prefer Audi?BMW for their preferred German barge?
Suburu is the smart choice.
RR, Allroads and Volvos aren't noted for reliability either.
Nearly all crossovers on good tyres are good for the alps - extra clearance more useful than proper off-road ability.
Useful features in the mountains are keyless entry and auto. hands free for other faffing when cold and over-dressed.
Suburu is the smart choice.
RR, Allroads and Volvos aren't noted for reliability either.
Nearly all crossovers on good tyres are good for the alps - extra clearance more useful than proper off-road ability.
Useful features in the mountains are keyless entry and auto. hands free for other faffing when cold and over-dressed.
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