Does the Perfect Allrounder Exist
Discussion
Okay, let’s see if anyone can help. We had 3 cars, now down to 2, but I’d like to see if we can go down to one. What am I looking for? ICE manual car that is fun to drive and has enough oomph to handle overtaking where the driver in front is cooperative. Enough room in front for 2 tall adults, 2 seats in the rear and space for 2 dogs in the boot. Able to deal with farm and forest tracks - not a true off roader, but certainly capable of ‘soft roading’ and having adequate (200mm) ground clearance. Is there anything out there that might fit the bill?
Budget? ULEZ requirement?
Starter for 10:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411055...
May fail depending on answers to question above.
Starter for 10:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411055...
May fail depending on answers to question above.
We all have different tastes - and all prioritise different things - so as mentioned, what works for one person won't work for another.
Earlier this year, I sold my ancient Cayenne S. It would have ticked all the boxes you listed - it was pretty fast, comfortable, had plenty of space, fine for rough tracks etc.
It was far more fun to drive than it should have been - stick it in "sport" mode, with manual gear shifts and it would defy physics on a twisty road and was surprisingly fun.
It was a car I bought for a specific purpose - with every intention of selling 6 months later - and kept for 10 years. Still have fond memories of it.
Earlier this year, I sold my ancient Cayenne S. It would have ticked all the boxes you listed - it was pretty fast, comfortable, had plenty of space, fine for rough tracks etc.
It was far more fun to drive than it should have been - stick it in "sport" mode, with manual gear shifts and it would defy physics on a twisty road and was surprisingly fun.
It was a car I bought for a specific purpose - with every intention of selling 6 months later - and kept for 10 years. Still have fond memories of it.
Bonefish Blues said:
Fails on ground clearance - maybe a Yeti Outdoor would be better as it gets closer to 200mm (tho' still short)
Well, it's gonna come down to compromise on one of the OP's criteria, I fear. If 200mm is non-negotiable, then he's going to struggle with the "fun to drive" element I'd say, as that means SUVs only. Which, well, I'm sure some people find them fun to drive, but they're not my idea of fun.The answer to the thread title is always going to be "it depends" (on the OP's interpretations of the criteria).
I don't think there is a perfect all rounder.
I'm currently helping my BIL move house so the van is in use. We'll be driving to Spain in the new year so the big fast estate will be used. If a track day comes up, that will likely be the Elise.
Etc.
One size fits most might exist, I personally don't believe one size fits all does.
I'm currently helping my BIL move house so the van is in use. We'll be driving to Spain in the new year so the big fast estate will be used. If a track day comes up, that will likely be the Elise.
Etc.
One size fits most might exist, I personally don't believe one size fits all does.
Lefty said:
Old School Forester Turbo would have ticked the boxes. These days it’ll be some kind of “sporty” SUV I suppose.
That was my thoughts but without some more parameters... hard to call this one. A Urus might also suit the OP but not manual? I'd probably be going down the usual reasonably powered SUV route or a quick 4x4 BMW / Audi / VW / Volvo estate that isn't running on 19" alloys with 35 profile tyres. 335D X-Drive in wafty spec perhaps? A 3.0 A6 Allroad? P3 Volvo XC70 with the T6 and a Polestar map is 330bhp but automatic only. How crucial is a manual gearbox? We live up a forest track on a North facing hillside in Aberdeenshire and recently went through this exact same thought process. We'd been doing most of our running around in a Hilux which seemed a bit unnecessary most of the time.
Tried a Subaru Outback which I loved with the exception of the engine - it just wasn't powerful enough to justify the sub 30 mpg fuel economy.
Ended up with a Suzuki Across, a badge engineered Rav4 PHEV with different headlights. It's definitely not sporty and isn't manual so that probably rules it out for you but it does everything else brilliantly. It's fast - 306bhp and 60 in 5.5s, it's economical - 50+ mpg and 550 mile range even if you never plug it in, it does an easy 45m as a 240bhp EV, it has just about every gadget you could possibly want. Lots of interior space with big comfy heated leather seats.
it's even surprisingly competent off road for what it is. It's obviously not in the same league as the Hilux but it happily pulled a big Ifor Williams trailer out of a wet field and then dealt with knee deep snow a few weeks back without issue. As with anything, fit proper tyres on as small wheels as you can.
Got a 45k mile car with 5 years warranty remaining for £20k which seemed pretty fair and was significantly cheaper than the equivalent Rav4. It feels built very solidly and should prove pretty durable and cheap to own in the long term.
The fuel savings should also cover the running costs of my old 986 Boxster when I do want something sporty.
Tried a Subaru Outback which I loved with the exception of the engine - it just wasn't powerful enough to justify the sub 30 mpg fuel economy.
Ended up with a Suzuki Across, a badge engineered Rav4 PHEV with different headlights. It's definitely not sporty and isn't manual so that probably rules it out for you but it does everything else brilliantly. It's fast - 306bhp and 60 in 5.5s, it's economical - 50+ mpg and 550 mile range even if you never plug it in, it does an easy 45m as a 240bhp EV, it has just about every gadget you could possibly want. Lots of interior space with big comfy heated leather seats.
it's even surprisingly competent off road for what it is. It's obviously not in the same league as the Hilux but it happily pulled a big Ifor Williams trailer out of a wet field and then dealt with knee deep snow a few weeks back without issue. As with anything, fit proper tyres on as small wheels as you can.
Got a 45k mile car with 5 years warranty remaining for £20k which seemed pretty fair and was significantly cheaper than the equivalent Rav4. It feels built very solidly and should prove pretty durable and cheap to own in the long term.
The fuel savings should also cover the running costs of my old 986 Boxster when I do want something sporty.
EdMX5 said:
Okay, let’s see if anyone can help. We had 3 cars, now down to 2, but I’d like to see if we can go down to one. What am I looking for? ICE manual car that is fun to drive and has enough oomph to handle overtaking where the driver in front is cooperative. Enough room in front for 2 tall adults, 2 seats in the rear and space for 2 dogs in the boot. Able to deal with farm and forest tracks - not a true off roader, but certainly capable of ‘soft roading’ and having adequate (200mm) ground clearance. Is there anything out there that might fit the bill?
Requiring a manual box is the killer. If you can compromise on that it opens up a lot of options.Cambs_Stuart said:
Subaru do this kind of thing really well. The Legacy comes with a variety of engines and gearboxes. AWD, great to drive, lots of space, really helpful community. Shocking fuel economy though.
Spec B estate. https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11960272
Edited by skyebear on Thursday 12th December 13:10
EdMX5 said:
Okay, let’s see if anyone can help. We had 3 cars, now down to 2, but I’d like to see if we can go down to one. What am I looking for? ICE manual car that is fun to drive and has enough oomph to handle overtaking where the driver in front is cooperative. Enough room in front for 2 tall adults, 2 seats in the rear and space for 2 dogs in the boot. Able to deal with farm and forest tracks - not a true off roader, but certainly capable of ‘soft roading’ and having adequate (200mm) ground clearance. Is there anything out there that might fit the bill?
Yaris GR and drop the rear seats for dogs.I can't think of many single cars that would be my perfect all rounder. Probably something like a DC2 or Clio 200 Cup (Yaris for newer cars). It would need to get me around, occasional rear seats needed and engaging enough to get me out of bed early to just go for a drive.
Fluffsri said:
Having been on the off road experience in an Audi A6 all road, I'd go for one of those. I've always said that my ultimate 1 car would be an RS6, would really want to whizz that up a gravel road though.
Not sure how much fun an Allroad is to drive? Might as well get a SUV.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff