Recommend a sensible auto 4 x 4?

[Cogcog]

I am moving from a semi rural location to a more rural spot where the nearest gritted road is a mile away and I need to have the ability to get to the medical services in the nearest town 5 miles away though ice and snow if need be for my mother in law's medical treatments. I have £10-12K to get a 4 x 4 with auto which I can also use on an occasional 250 mile motorway trek for work. Therefore fuel economy isn't top of the agenda but a reasonable level of comfort is.

Has to be under 5 years old, above all reliable and be a reasonable mid term buy in terms of the cost of servicing and parts.

My father in law who also uses the car needs an auto and a good wide drivers door as his knees don't bend beyond 90 degrees. Needs plenty of headroom as they are a family of 6 footers including the ladies (think Addams family).


The notion of a Defender appealed, until I realised it met none of the criteria!

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback would be perfect for you.

[Cogcog]

doogz said:

3 door SWB Shogun? Has nice long doors, making it easy for your old man to swing out. Cracking 4WD system, and a 200bhp 3.2 diesel engine.

Just took him to sit in the 5 door Shogun and he liked it. His leg swung in without the usual grunting and lifting and he liked the seat height and the comfort. Mind you he also liked the Dodge Nitro! Pimp my father in law.

[Veeayt]

Volvo XC70/90 2.4D

[Happy82]

Subaru Outback of Forester. Both are fantastic in all weather conditions

[ShaunTheSheep]

The shogun is good, my mums had various ones since around 95 (pulling horse boxes through fields and stuff) and won't entertain much else now. As with all japs, parts can be steep but if outside of warranty there's a good supply of 2nd hand to be had.

You could tick some off your list for those requirements:

Grand vitara
Rav4

Edited by ShaunTheSheep on Thursday 1st September 17:55

[stephen300o]

My dad's XC90 has been excellent, does it all and very reliable(well apart from the weak Volvo batteries).

[barky]

another vote for forester here. some 2007/8 cars are within that £12K

also there's the likes of honda crv, toyota rav4

Many folks up north of me don't bother with 4wd & just put winter/snow tyres on their front drive cars

[Matt UK]

Lexus RX300? You may have to stretch the budget a bit or go slighty older than 5yrs, but not by much.

Very comfy and ours was surprisingly good in snow with M&S tyres.

[Honk]

Lexus RX 350?

[Cogcog]

Just saw the Santana PS10. Now just need another 6 family members to fill the seats and make it work. Looks like dirty VFM but not very motorway friendly!

[milu]

Top spec Pathfinder?

[Swoxy]

Land Cruiser.

[Cogcog]

Popping over to the Mitsubushi dealer today to have sit and then to find a Suburu dealer with a Forester in stock.

[Matt UK]

Just a thought..

A friend runs a Nissan X-trail diesel.

He has found it faultless, 40+mpg, comfy-ish on the longhaul, tough enough to withstand family abuse and pretty good in mud and snow.

[Mars]

Scooby - Outback or Forester. Both a decent drive even in nice weather and won't let you down. Ever.

[sawman]

I'd go with the forester option, but as a left field choice have you considered the nissan murano. they are very comfortable on the road and easy to drive, with awd can probably manage ungritted roads, with appropriate tyres

[Cogcog]

sawman said:

I'd go with the forester option, but as a left field choice have you considered the nissan murano. they are very comfortable on the road and easy to drive, with awd can probably manage ungritted roads, with appropriate tyres

Looked at the Isuzu Rodeo on the recommendations of a local game keeper, but not sure I want a double cabn pick up, useful as they may be. I looked at the muruno once bfore but wil go back. X-trail has had a few votes from faimily to toom one up to the lakes in last years snow.

[excel monkey]

Audi A6 quattro. Plenty of engine choices, petrol or diesel both available with auto gearbox.