SUV that can be driven infrequently

[andy355]

I need a large SUV that can be kept at snowy holiday home. So want something decent in snow and big enough for baby seat. Would like a G63 Amg but in the real world thinking used q5 or Big Skoda or VW or Volvo. Not very piston heads. Any recommendations for something that is ok being left for 2-3 months undriven?

[Stuart70]

You already have a RR Vogue?

[Wooda80]

But that keeps bringing him its lead and standing by the door, barking :-)

[andy355]

Stuart70 said:

You already have a RR Vogue?

Yes but that’s in this country

[Stuart70]

andy355 said:

Stuart70 said:

You already have a RR Vogue?

Yes but that’s in this country

Apologies, I was not being sarcastic, my point was that you have already selected a large 4x4 and so presumably know a little about them?

I have run Volvo XC90s for the last 10 years and 140k miles (previous and current shapes). They are big, comfortable and, in my experience, unbreakable. A set of winter tyres and you would be done.

I wouldn’t see a Q5 as a “big” 4x4. Just an A4 on stilts.

And slight sarcasm, I am sure the RR can be taken to another country. Or is it too unreliable to travel?

[andy355]

I need a car I can leave there so it won’t get driven often. My place is in Scandinavia so would take far too long to drive there. Hence the question what can be left for a longish period without battery going flat etc

[Stuart70]

andy355 said:

I need a car I can leave there so it won’t get driven often. My place is in Scandinavia so would take far too long to drive there. Hence the question what can be left for a longish period without battery going flat etc

I have a Caterham and a motorbike which do not get nearly as much use as they should. Both sit in the garage on trickle chargers, which seems to work perfectly well, if you have access to power? Beyond that I would say buy a new battery every one to two years, that should do it.

[andy355]

No easy access to power

[ZX10R NIN]

Ford Edge

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Jeep Grand Cherokee

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

ML450cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I'd say a big N/A engined SUV would be the pick with less to go wrong drivetrain wise:

SRT8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

ML63 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

GL500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

FX50

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Carbon Sasquatch]

The battery will go flat in most cars - particularly in the cold - can you use a solar charger ?

Presumably you're buying locally with local insurance, MOT etc ?

[andy355]

Yes would be buying locally for ease and insurance etc. Not the most exciting purchase but with coronavirus want to limit exposure to taxis and would be useful anyhow

[andy355]

(Thanks for suggestions)

Quite like the look of the Ford Edge, never heard of that before

[sunbeam alpine]

Would it be worth considering something a bit older and just disconnecting the battery?

The reason I'm suggesting this is that modern stuff might have problems if left for longer periods without power, although the only experience I have of doing this are with classic cars which get infrequent use and only have basic electrical systems.

[andy355]

sunbeam alpine said:

Would it be worth considering something a bit older and just disconnecting the battery?

The reason I'm suggesting this is that modern stuff might have problems if left for longer periods without power, although the only experience I have of doing this are with classic cars which get infrequent use and only have basic electrical systems.

Yes that was something I was considering but weighing that versus presumed less reliable older car. Most of battery issues I have had have been tracker related or fancy electronics that don’t completely shut down

[joshleb]

Surely if it's Scandi based a Volvo has got to be the way to go?

I'd imagine must be a large market of them for sale and easy to get serviced etc.

[andy355]

Never had a Volvo but like the look of the xc40 and 60. All cars are available but don’t think realistically I will be there more than every 3 months hence the question.
I was planning on doing some showroom visits but then covid came along

[Walter Sobchak]

andy355 said:

Yes that was something I was considering but weighing that versus presumed less reliable older car. Most of battery issues I have had have been tracker related or fancy electronics that don’t completely shut down

Get an old Landcruiser, much more reliable than, well pretty much anything new.

[CABC]

Rav4. disconnect the battery at least to 3rd gen no problems.
have had 2 in the alps over last 15yrs. cliche, but i'd go japanese.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Edge is a good car nice size & reliable.

[andyleeds]

Put an isolation switch on it, that way you can get what you like ?