Sigh, a 'what car?' - Best + Cheapest 4x4?

[crostonian]

I too would vote for a Pajero/Shogun for a full size 4x4, the Forester is a good alternative and with the flat four engine have a bit of character. For something newer, don't laugh now, how about a Panda 4x4, these things go anywhere!

[E55 Max]

I live in the depths of Northumberland and we got hit hard with the snow the last couple of years.
Everyone assumes that a rear wheel drive supercharged estate car will go no where in the snow, but stick on some snow tyres and I never once got stuck (except grounding it on the driveway!)
You don't need a new car, but do sneakily want one?!

[thinfourth2]

Vladimir said:

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.

.

if you must have a 4x4 then a jimmy will be fine

However my choice of winter steed is a 13 year old focus on snow tyres.

Last winter I encountered one road i couldn't make it along due to ground clearance otherwise no issues

[V88Dicky]

Vladimir said:

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.

This ^^^^^^^^^ or the Grand Vitara (don't assume by that name they are big, they're quite compact). 1.6, 2.0 and 2.5 V6 available along with 3 or 5 doors for practicality. Simple, reliable and built to last.

Almost got one myself, just couldn't find one near enough to me or within my budget.


2.0 5 door

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

1.6 3 door

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

2.5 V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[trickywoo]

Rav4.

Cheap to buy, reliable, OK to drive when its not snowing.

I had one last winter on cheap summer ditch finders and it was superb. It was possible to accelerate up hills and away from junctions that had anything 2wd stuck.

[Reedy156]

V88Dicky said:

This ^^^^^^^^^ or the Grand Vitara (don't assume by that name they are big, they're quite compact). 1.6, 2.0 and 2.5 V6 available along with 3 or 5 doors for practicality. Simple, reliable and built to last.

Almost got one myself, just couldn't find one near enough to me or within my budget.


2.0 5 door

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

1.6 3 door

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

2.5 V6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Just bought a 2.5 auto LWB one of these - love it! It is for the winter and the wife, but it is a hoot as is RWD when 4WD is not selected.... fairly nippy as well... 27-30mpg? they will go anywhere as well and are a civilised drive on the road... my 1998 "R" plate (same as the Green "W" in the photo) cost me £650! 75K on the clock and flew through its MOT last month....

[Vladimir]

95% of 4x4s wouldn't be able to get where ours was parked in this pic