Sigh, a 'what car?' - Best + Cheapest 4x4?
Discussion
Background: Live in the city, drive a RWD saloon. Moving to a pretty remote place in farmland. This time of year is no problem, but when the weather inevitably turns testy later in the year I'll be stuck. I don't like being stuck.
Question: If I want to be able to communicate with the rest of the world when there's a bit o' ice, is there a good/cheapish 4x4 that can negotiate the terrain? Doesn't have to be massive or anything like that, just fairly reliable and able to get a bit of initial traction where the current car wouldn't. Or would Winter Tyres do me?
Yeah, unseasonal thread, I'll buy an MX-5 next week to make up for it!
Question: If I want to be able to communicate with the rest of the world when there's a bit o' ice, is there a good/cheapish 4x4 that can negotiate the terrain? Doesn't have to be massive or anything like that, just fairly reliable and able to get a bit of initial traction where the current car wouldn't. Or would Winter Tyres do me?
Yeah, unseasonal thread, I'll buy an MX-5 next week to make up for it!
Winter tyres would probably work as long as you get used to the difference in handling (no offence meant) - but if it's going to get mega bad I'd look at something like a Frontera. I bought one as a stopgap in the winter - cost me £800, wanted absolutely nothing except fuel, and I sold it later for £1200.
Alternatively I'd consider a series 3 Landie or perhaps even a Hilux. I've seen a decent amount of workhorse (for want of a better term) 4x4 owners and they'll be able to advise you further than my limited shed experience.
Alternatively I'd consider a series 3 Landie or perhaps even a Hilux. I've seen a decent amount of workhorse (for want of a better term) 4x4 owners and they'll be able to advise you further than my limited shed experience.
George H said:
He wants a car which is ever so slightly reliable!Nissan Patrol. Still miss mine. Engine's a touch agricultural but it'll go everywhere a land rover can and plenty of places they can't. Reliable, cheap to run, cheap to buy the older ones, lots of aftermarket bits available, and by christ they're comfortable for covering mileage - not quite range rover comfortable, but certainly more than a match for my Disco II.
Same Problem,
Live in rural Bedfordshire..lovely, Sheep opposite, Deer out the back. However, XJ8 (X350) wouldn't even get off the drive. I had to get to to London at least 4 times each week. The Mrs has a diesel Peugeot 306, no problem ..but not much fun. I bought a Mitsubushi Shogun, 1992 vintage for £1150 in November ast year, sold it for £1150 in Feb this year. Result !
I found driving a very cheap fwd was a revelation. Apart from 22MPG, the Jag is on LPG, the experience was great. And a 'Proper 4wd was a no compromise, 'get on with it' experience. I also did a couple of fwd days, and as a bonus didn't worry where it was parked. I will be doing the same again. September seems best buying time. At the moment people are looking for holiday/caravan towing stuff. Oct/Nov prices are rising. My plan is an Jeep (LPG), for about £1000, with decent tyres. I looked ate new shaped Fiat Panda 4x4 as a wild card, but a bit too pricey last year. If you fins a cheap one, I think it is a great alternative.
The Pajero I had (Spanish for w
ker), as it was affectionately known ..was painfully slow, but unstoppable. All the bits worked, it started everyday. Very happy with it.
Live in rural Bedfordshire..lovely, Sheep opposite, Deer out the back. However, XJ8 (X350) wouldn't even get off the drive. I had to get to to London at least 4 times each week. The Mrs has a diesel Peugeot 306, no problem ..but not much fun. I bought a Mitsubushi Shogun, 1992 vintage for £1150 in November ast year, sold it for £1150 in Feb this year. Result !
I found driving a very cheap fwd was a revelation. Apart from 22MPG, the Jag is on LPG, the experience was great. And a 'Proper 4wd was a no compromise, 'get on with it' experience. I also did a couple of fwd days, and as a bonus didn't worry where it was parked. I will be doing the same again. September seems best buying time. At the moment people are looking for holiday/caravan towing stuff. Oct/Nov prices are rising. My plan is an Jeep (LPG), for about £1000, with decent tyres. I looked ate new shaped Fiat Panda 4x4 as a wild card, but a bit too pricey last year. If you fins a cheap one, I think it is a great alternative.
The Pajero I had (Spanish for w
ker), as it was affectionately known ..was painfully slow, but unstoppable. All the bits worked, it started everyday. Very happy with it.Edited by rswift on Tuesday 10th May 01:10
Stu R said:
Nissan Patrol. Still miss mine. Engine's a touch agricultural but it'll go everywhere a land rover can and plenty of places they can't.
Oh stop it your killing me.But seriously if you want cheap and capable how about and early disco?
cheap as chips run on chip fat and can be fixed with a hammer and a 13mm spanner
(most of the time) lots to choose from just mind out for rust in the rear X-member
or rear floor.
What is your budget?
I would say something like a Subaru Legacy as you can buy then for bugger all and it will drive just as well as your normal rwd saloon but have the 4x4 for when it gets tricky.
I have to say sometimes winter tyres just wont cut it in the country side, around us when it snows you pretty much need either a 4x4 or a normal car with snow chains to get up the hills. My RWD would go along the straight of our drive but as soon as you had to turn to go up the incline it was buggered, but then I only have normal tyres.
I would say something like a Subaru Legacy as you can buy then for bugger all and it will drive just as well as your normal rwd saloon but have the 4x4 for when it gets tricky.
I have to say sometimes winter tyres just wont cut it in the country side, around us when it snows you pretty much need either a 4x4 or a normal car with snow chains to get up the hills. My RWD would go along the straight of our drive but as soon as you had to turn to go up the incline it was buggered, but then I only have normal tyres.
ShayneJ said:
Stu R said:
Nissan Patrol. Still miss mine. Engine's a touch agricultural but it'll go everywhere a land rover can and plenty of places they can't.
Oh stop it your killing me.Has anybody around here LPGed Subarus of any flavour?
When it gets towards winter I usually start thinking about a Legacy. I have no need for high ride height as I have never been off road, but the 4wd thing (with winter tyres probably) would see me right when the going gets white.
But... fuel prices inevitably get the better of me, and I bottle it (not the fuel). So, do they run nicely on LPG? I guess a conversion is a bit more expensive than a standard inline four, because you must have to have two banks of gubbins (look how technical I am) down each side of the engine?
Anyone running one got any horror stories/tales of heroics?
When it gets towards winter I usually start thinking about a Legacy. I have no need for high ride height as I have never been off road, but the 4wd thing (with winter tyres probably) would see me right when the going gets white.
But... fuel prices inevitably get the better of me, and I bottle it (not the fuel). So, do they run nicely on LPG? I guess a conversion is a bit more expensive than a standard inline four, because you must have to have two banks of gubbins (look how technical I am) down each side of the engine?
Anyone running one got any horror stories/tales of heroics?
georgejoshington said:
Cheers guys, I feel slightly ashamed of turning this into a winter tyre thread, but at least it's the only one on the first page!
Winter tyres geting the vote so far...
Winter tyres will work even better on an AWD. Also a 4x4 will have additional ground clearance which can be most handy in such situations.Winter tyres geting the vote so far...
Most LR's and Jeep's are good. Also like the Jimny if you want compact and small. And there are other good ones.
What sort of budget and what will you use it for though?
A classic Series II LR might do just as well and add novelty value as well as a practical workhorse type of vehicle.
Another vote for a Shogun/Pajero, you'll get a really good one for £3k.
I wouldn't put winter tyres on it, some decent all-terrains will be absolutely fine. I've had two cheapo LWB Shoguns, one with BFG mud terrains and another with Kumho KL71. Of the two, I'd go for the Kumhos every time.
I wouldn't put winter tyres on it, some decent all-terrains will be absolutely fine. I've had two cheapo LWB Shoguns, one with BFG mud terrains and another with Kumho KL71. Of the two, I'd go for the Kumhos every time.
Suzuki Jimny - go to Scandanavia and see what 4x4s they use.
Light, proper low range box, unbeatable approach/departure angles, bullet proof built, cheap to run.
Had one for three years (it was the wife's officially) and pushed it very hard - it never failed and was excellent in snow and ice.
Now have a much bigger Defender 110 which is excellent but costs a lot more to look after and run.
£3k will get you a decent one. Oh and it was the lowest depreciating car we've ever had although we did very low miles. Bought for £5k (55 plate softop) with 14k miles, sold for £4k with 23k miles. Issues? None.
Light, proper low range box, unbeatable approach/departure angles, bullet proof built, cheap to run.
Had one for three years (it was the wife's officially) and pushed it very hard - it never failed and was excellent in snow and ice.
Now have a much bigger Defender 110 which is excellent but costs a lot more to look after and run.
£3k will get you a decent one. Oh and it was the lowest depreciating car we've ever had although we did very low miles. Bought for £5k (55 plate softop) with 14k miles, sold for £4k with 23k miles. Issues? None.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff