Sub 1K 4X4 Snotter for winter

[S70JPS]

Can you reccomend me a sub 1K 4x4 to use for the three weeks i can't get to work in winter? Never had one before wouldn't mind a doer uper or big monster. Your recomendations appreciated.

[Melvin Udall]

Well, a set of winters would be cheaper. However, a vitara, fourtrak, jimmy, SJ would fit the bill.

[Prof Prolapse]

As above.

The prices are already being pushed up by people panic buying because of the forecast so don't expect a good deal if you plan to resell in spring.

We get bad winters every year but it's just all year tyres and snow socks/chains for most of us. Do you really need them in the North West?

If it's the novelty then fair enough of course.

[wackojacko]

As said above a budget 4x4 would be good such as Jimny / Fourtrak ......


I'd go for a high mileage 4x4 Volvo estate.

[S70JPS]

Looking now at sub 2K range rovers. The wife likes them. I can see her usuing it as her daily drive. Me just for snow and dump it on the drive for 10 months per year. There seem to be some decnt ones on sale?

[Melvin Udall]

A lex said:

Im farily certain that unless you are very lucky a 2k RR is a 5k bill waiting to happen.

That's what I was thinking!

[Munter]

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/3230764.htm

1 billion farmers can't be wrong.

[soxboy]

In the winter of 2006/07 I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I thought it would be great in the snow, and it never snowed at all!!

[66comanche]

1994 SUBARU LEGACY GT 4X4 TWIN TURBO
5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Petrol, 74,000 miles,
£995

[Drive Blind]

no experience of this myself - but I'd be looking at a non-turbo Impreza + winter tyres.

kinda on topic, a friend of mine was looking for a spare set of steelies + winter tyres. Ebay had none, zero. If he wants them he's going to have to pay 6-700 quid. Everybody seems to be jumping on the winter tyres bandwagon this year.

[S70JPS]

The wife really wants a range rover. me just a practical snow plugger but i do have a slant for a big v8 rr. Anyone had one and what are the pitfalls?

[VB]

Subaru Justy

[60]

Melvin Udall said:

Well, a set of winters would be cheaper. However, a vitara, fourtrak, jimmy, SJ would fit the bill.

This, I saw a range rover classic and a pajero trying to get up a snow covered hill last winter, the only cars that made it were a micra with 4 people pushing it, and me in my fwd corrado with winter tyres, I couldn't believe how much grip they gave. Don't forget the 4x4 will need proper tyres to be any use is what I'm trying to say.

[Mars]

I will echo both the comments that suggest a sub £1K product from Land Rover is a huge bill in your future (or a lot of work on your behalf), and that an older non-turbo Legacy or Impreza on winter tyres will give you all the snow competence you need.

[odyssey2200]

Fiat Panda 4x4

[Melvin Udall]

Indeed. OP, remember that you will still have to shod it in decent tyres.

[P I Staker]

Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara or Fourtrak, you will get an alright Vitara or Fourtrak for that money or a possibly iffy Grand Vitara.

Edited by P I Staker on Sunday 2nd October 21:18

[Egbert Nobacon]

Thought about a Honda CRV ? They came as standard with Bridgestone M+S tyres.

I acquired a '99 one, purely by chance, this time last year for £900ish. When the snow came I went out that night trying to get stuck and was surprised how well it coped.

[S70JPS]

It's going to be max 2K miles over winter and i can spend the rest of the year polishing the turd. Are Range Rovers that bad? I would really like an old land rover to do up but they seem out of budget?

[230TE]

Just bought a '96 Impreza "Sport" (i.e. non-turbo with big foglights) as a winter hack. To be precise, this one:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3217676.htm

Did about 150 miles in it over the weekend and I am very impressed so far. Comfortable cruising at .85 leptons, everything works (except for a noisy rear wheel bearing) and it's actually rather fun on twisty roads. Has to be the cheapest 4x4 you would want to drive any distance in.