What 4x4 for the misses

[GriffG]

Hi guys

The wife wants a 4x4 as we will be moving to a pretty rural house soon, I have no idea of what's available out there and what to avoid

She has about 8 grand to spend, which is pretty tight for a 4x4 I know!

I also have no idea about lease type options and how they work?! All I see on the tv is a down payment of a couple of grand, couple of hundred a mount for a year or 2 then give the car back, seems a lot of money!

What do you think is the best option for us?

[MrAverage]

I am looking for an SUV (not necessarily a 4x4) for my OH.
I'd say £8k is a decent budget. I can't recommend any LR product as I don't have a good view of them.

However what I have been seeing on my own searches are the Korean brands and Japanese brands offer good value for money.

Our favourites so far: Hyundai santa Fe, lexus rx, Kia sorento for the bigger ones and CRV, RAV4 and sportage for the smaller ones.

[GriffG]

It's an awkward one with women, we are only just floating the idea around at the mo so looking at all options, although I'm sure when it gets down to it she would want something that looks half descent with 4x4 capabilities, doesn't have to be massive just be able to get out of a steep long drive in the snow!

[Pica-Pica]

Really rural equals Nissan Navara, or Mitsubishi L200 as a working vehicle. Otherwise Subaru Forester. In reality, any front wheel drive car with appropriate tyres will do, select height as suitable for vision, length as suitable for local car/street parking. Apart from farmers, country people usually have small FWDs.

[SantaBarbara]

GriffG said:

Hi guys

The wife wants a 4x4 as we will be moving to a pretty rural house soon, I have no idea of what's available out there and what to avoid

She has about 8 grand to spend, which is pretty tight for a 4x4 I know!

I also have no idea about lease type options and how they work?! All I see on the tv is a down payment of a couple of grand, couple of hundred a mount for a year or 2 then give the car back, seems a lot of money!

What do you think is the best option for us?

Which county is it, as that makes a difference

[Oilchange]

I would advisegoing intoNavara ownership with your eyes open...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nissan+navara+ru...

[Gareth1974]

Skoda Yeti?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Chozza]

GriffG said:

be able to get out of a steep long drive in the snow!

This is about tyres and ability rather more than whether the car has 4x4. What car does she currently drive?

[Pica-Pica]

Oilchange said:

I would advisegoing intoNavara ownership with your eyes open...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nissan+navara+ru...

Ha! However, with the steep drive and snow, Subaru Forester has my money. It will take some selling to a 'SUVs must be posh' mindset.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you need AWD then I'd say a Ford Kuga is more than capable.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Sportage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Hyundai IX35 (same car as the above but different clothes)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW X3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus RX350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Subaru Tribeca (usual Subaru hardware but in a posher frock)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 30th September 20:55

[SantaBarbara]

Land Rover Defender with Snow tyres then you will be able to help other people

[Bungleaio]

Panda 4x4?

[GriffG]

We are in Wales, and the house is on the side of a mountain, we have build I long concrete road but there is a very steep entrance to this and I spent my youth digging out snow because a normal car never could get out

My father bought an X5 which has never had an issue since lol

[Pica-Pica]

GriffG said:

We are in Wales, and the house is on the side of a mountain, we have build I long concrete road but there is a very steep entrance to this and I spent my youth digging out snow because a normal car never could get out

My father bought an X5 which has never had an issue since lol

XT Forester then!

[v8250]

Pica-Pica said:

GriffG said:

We are in Wales, and the house is on the side of a mountain, we have build I long concrete road but there is a very steep entrance to this and I spent my youth digging out snow because a normal car never could get out

My father bought an X5 which has never had an issue since lol

XT Forester then!

GriffG, a very well looked after low mileage XT Forester can be bought for £5-6k. They never fail, 0-60mpg in 6secs, will comfortably tow 2tonnes and are phenomenal in snow. Invest the £2k saved for a set of winter wheels/tyres and add a roof rack. Only problem you'll find is your wife finding her car's not on the driveway as you'll be driving it all the time




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mfe7artANE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7dVFY5CxT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLkvqsQEV2Q

[GriffG]

Love the forester! Not sure if the misses will agree! Haha, good options from everyone though, thanks guys!

[tonyb1968]

Foresters are great, their service costs are not!
Whilst at my local garage/tyre place last week, there was a Forester Turbo in for a basic oil change and cambelt plus 2 new tyres, now he's not that expensive but hey, that was £750 quid gone and £225 of that was just for the belt kit.
If you go for one, ensure its just had the cambelt done

Have a look at say a swb Shogun or a Toyota Landcruiser, both are good tough bits of kit, the L200 and Navara's can suffer engine issues so be aware of that.

Otherwise a fwd with winter tyres will do better than you expect so don't discount them either, but women normally like the Rav4, CR-V's because they look good rather than practical.

[PomBstard]

We had an 07 Forester from new and kept until recently. Ours had the NA 2.5 engine from the Legacy with 5-sp manual and hi/low range, and was one of the best non-performance cars out there - Mrs PB loved it.

Reliable and roomier than it looks. Servicing is not cheap, but keep it regular and frequent and there should be little need for other expenditure. Also capable off road, though limited ultimately by front and rear overhangs.

Worth a look, XT is also fun, as already mentioned.

[CaptainSlow]

I'd say avoid Land Rovers like the plague...however, we run the risk of your know who popping up claiming the opposite.

I'm not sure why £750 is considered expensive for a major service including a belt & tensioners change plus two new tyres... a modern 4x4 will be nearly £200 a corner for the rubber alone.

With the XT...be aware they hit the ~£500 a year tax band in March 2006...this affect most 2.5s. Which is where you'd be if spending £8k. I'd go for a low miles 2004/5 XT.

I had a 2004 XT and loved it...was bullet proof and great performance for the size.

[V8mate]

SantaBarbara said:

Land Rover Defender with Snow tyres then you will be able to help other people

It's rare enough for a woman to even wave in acknowledgement of being let into traffic. The idea they would go out of their way to stop and help someone is preposterous.