Which AWD car, max 2 years old for my Nan?

[TheHeretic]

She is after a newish car, and wants it to be AWD, (it snows a lot here), but she doesn't like the '4x4 look'. I have suggested a few cars, but frankly I don't really know much about the segment. Has to be reliable, frugal, and comfortable.

So, any thoughts on these, or any other suggestions?
Fiat Panda 4x4
Suzuki SX4
Skoda Yeti
Suzuki Ignis awd
Honda CR-V
Dacia Duster as a side-bet.

Any more for any more?

Budget not been decided yet, but she wants max 2 years old, (no idea why, but she has that in here head)

[ben5732]

Take it she wants something smallish mate?

[TheHeretic]

ben5732 said:

Take it she wants something smallish mate?

Yup. Suggested a Rav-4, or a Grand Vitara, and she doesn't like those bulky, (to her), cars. She is not keen on the 4x4 look either. She is 181 years old, so getting in and out is easier in a smaller sort of car, than climbing up into something. She is about the size of Yoda as well, but without the martial arts skills.

On that note, why did Yoda need a walking stick if he was a ninja type Jedi thingy?

[CraigyMc]

I don't accept the premise of this question.

Go back to her and get rid of the 2-year-old parameter. It's redundant.

Also - give us a budget guide.

Your current criteria would have her happily in a GTR or an Audi TTRS - depending on the meaning of "frugal", but somehow I suspect these might not be suitable (well, a TT-Diesel might be actually ?).

C

Edited by CraigyMc on Wednesday 26th September 23:49

[CraigyMc]

TheHeretic said:

On that note, why did Yoda need a walking stick if he was a ninja type Jedi thingy?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gimer_stick

[TheHeretic]

CraigyMc said:

I don't accept the premise of this question.

Go back to her and get rid of the 2-year-old parameter. It's redundant.

Also - give us a budget guide.

Your current criteria would have her happily in a GTR or an Audi TTRS - depending on the meaning of "frugal", but somehow I suspect these might not be suitable (well, a TT-Diesel might be actually ?).

C

Edited by CraigyMc on Wednesday 26th September 23:49

Never mind. It is not rocket science. Look at the 'types' of car I have given as an example. Would s GTR or a TTRS fit in with those really, for an 81 year old?

The 2 year old thing is not redundant. Which of those cars would anyone recommend, and it there anything else 'similar', (is a panda 4x4 similar to a GTR?), that could be added to the list?

[Grenoble]

Subaru Forester auto?

[TheHeretic]

Grenoble said:

Subaru Forester auto?

Already suggested to her. Too big apparently.

[Grenoble]

Would she consider an FWD with kick ass snow/winter tyres? Will she accept a view that most of the cars you see in the Alps are regular FWDs but with amazing tyres?

[WeirdNeville]

Skoda Yeti's aren't small, but they are nice. My in laws have one and love it. They command a premium though as supply is limited.

Most dacia dusters will be 2WD because 4WD is a cost option and their tarrget market is the lowest common denominator.

Get your nan out to a car supermarket and see if she can have a sit or a look around some of the cars.

A 2WD hatch and winter tyres might actually be a better solution if she'll accept it.

and I'd also go for 3 year old cars which will be at the end of their first lease period.

[TheHeretic]

Grenoble said:

Would she consider an FWD with kick ass snow/winter tyres? Will she accept a view that most of the cars you see in the Alps are regular FWDs but with amazing tyres?

Been there, done it. We don't get a few inches of snow here, we've had a foot or 2 overnight. Road may or may not be ploughed, so she wants something that will be able to, with good winter tyres, get about. I have already told her that clearance is a good idea, but she just plain doesn't like big cars, hence my list). We all live in the foothills of the Balkan range, so a few hills, steepish roads, and rural unplowed roads to deal with.

[Grenoble]

TheHeretic said:

Been there, done it. We don't get a few inches of snow here, we've had a foot or 2 overnight. Road may or may not be ploughed, so she wants something that will be able to, with good winter tyres, get about. I have already told her that clearance is a good idea, but she just plain doesn't like big cars, hence my list). We all live in the foothills of the Balkan range, so a few hills, steepish roads, and rural unplowed roads to deal with.

Ahhhhh. Proper snow... Any models available that aren't about in the UK?

[TheHeretic]

Grenoble said:

Ahhhhh. Proper snow... Any models available that aren't about in the UK?

Not that I can think of. I tried to sneak a Duster in there as it has decent clearance, but doesn't look too big on a picture, and she was OK with that. Not sure if she will like it up close.

Personally, I would have gone for the Yeti, using her criteria, but no idea about reliability, etc. I had an A4 B5 when I was in the states, and it was not the most reliable bastid at all.

[cptsideways]

Suzuki SX4 4Grip & a Fiat Version of it available too, is small & often appears to to be the new Panda 4x4 in ski resorts.

[TheHeretic]

cptsideways said:

Suzuki SX4 4Grip & a Fiat Version of it available too, is small & often appears to to be the new Panda 4x4 in ski resorts.

Is the 4grip any different to the regular AWD SX4?

[telecat]

Should still be a few Daihatsu Terios around. I gather they are pretty bullet proof. Also isn't the Subaru Justy 4WD as well. Looking it up the latest Justy is based on a Daihatsu with 4WD.

[TheHeretic]

telecat said:

Should still be a few Daihatsu Terios around. I gather they are pretty bullet proof. Also isn't the Subaru Justy 4WD as well. Looking it up the latest Justy is based on a Daihatsu with 4WD.

Cheers. Justy and Terios added to the list.

[cptsideways]

TheHeretic said:

cptsideways said:

Suzuki SX4 4Grip & a Fiat Version of it available too, is small & often appears to to be the new Panda 4x4 in ski resorts.

Is the 4grip any different to the regular AWD SX4?

I think they are one & the same depending on year/model manufacturer but probably worth googling to be sure

[George7]

I'd personally go for a Panda 4x4 with the Twinair engine.

[CraigyMc]

cptsideways said:

TheHeretic said:

cptsideways said:

Suzuki SX4 4Grip & a Fiat Version of it available too, is small & often appears to to be the new Panda 4x4 in ski resorts.

Is the 4grip any different to the regular AWD SX4?

I think they are one & the same depending on year/model manufacturer but probably worth googling to be sure

My missus has an Ingnis 4Grip - that's the car that preceded the SX4.

With the SX4 anything above a certain trim level comes with 4wd, anything below it doesn't - Trim levels SZ3 and SZ4 are fwd only, SZ5 and above have iAWD (and a nice button for selecting which drive mode you want).

C