4WD estate for the old man?
Discussion
My old man currently drives a P reg Merc C220 estate with nearly 190k on the clock. He lives out in the countryside, and does a lot of walking and work on farms and local country estates etc - and the Merc is starting to become a bit of a burden as it simply can't get down the lanes. He's come close to getting stuck quite a few times. It feels like it's time to look into some kind of 4x4.
Problem is, as you can tell from his current car, he doesn't have a lot of money kicking around and could probably afford to get something in the region of 2-3k tops.
I think he'd prefer to keep something car like rather than a full blown 4x4, plus the estate is useful as he has a dog. It's not really an option for him to get like an old Daihatsu Jimney just for the offroad stuff as my folks can't really afford to run 2 cars so it would have to replace the Merc and also be a suitable car for doing the normal day-to-day things in as well.
Looking around I found surprisingly reasonably priced Volvo V70 Cross Country, and then Subaru Foresters. Are ALL V70 CC's 4WD? Are old Audi Allroads any good? Any other suggestions for capable cars in this segment? Thanks in advance
Problem is, as you can tell from his current car, he doesn't have a lot of money kicking around and could probably afford to get something in the region of 2-3k tops.
I think he'd prefer to keep something car like rather than a full blown 4x4, plus the estate is useful as he has a dog. It's not really an option for him to get like an old Daihatsu Jimney just for the offroad stuff as my folks can't really afford to run 2 cars so it would have to replace the Merc and also be a suitable car for doing the normal day-to-day things in as well.
Looking around I found surprisingly reasonably priced Volvo V70 Cross Country, and then Subaru Foresters. Are ALL V70 CC's 4WD? Are old Audi Allroads any good? Any other suggestions for capable cars in this segment? Thanks in advance
These look incredible value at present. Should tick all most peoples boxes for a nice 4/AWD estate car.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-X-Type-3-0-Sport-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-X-Type-3-0-Sport-...
Another vote for an AWD X type.Pistonheads has a few possibles
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
Subaru. Legacy if he needs the rear legroom and cavernous 'boot', otherwise Forester sounds perfect.
I'm sure you know this, but (simply put) there are two kinds of 'AWD' - permanent like the Subaru, and part-time where 'power' is only sent to some wheels after the primary driven wheels are already slipping.
If I was in the countryside, I'd make sure it was a proper AWD system.
I'm sure you know this, but (simply put) there are two kinds of 'AWD' - permanent like the Subaru, and part-time where 'power' is only sent to some wheels after the primary driven wheels are already slipping.
If I was in the countryside, I'd make sure it was a proper AWD system.
Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 26th February 17:07
V70XC in the "Classic" shape, the drive system can be affected by mismatched tyres or running a space saver, if I remember correctly!
Audi Allroads can have issues with air suspension pumps and bags, expensive fix!
The standard A4/A6's don't have a great deal of ground clearance, I'd expect this to be true with any "normal" car with AWD system, so might rule the Jag ect out.
The Subaru Outback is a good shout, as mentioned above.
Audi Allroads can have issues with air suspension pumps and bags, expensive fix!
The standard A4/A6's don't have a great deal of ground clearance, I'd expect this to be true with any "normal" car with AWD system, so might rule the Jag ect out.
The Subaru Outback is a good shout, as mentioned above.
Billyray911 said:
Another vote for an AWD X type.Pistonheads has a few possibles
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
Phew...close! now if that had of been a black one, there could be trouble a brewing, shame they don't do an AWD diseasel S Type.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I bought a Legacy 2.0R just before Christmas and it's a very good car. Along with the AWD it has a hi/low range setting on the gearbox to provide some extra torque when needed. Plenty of space in the back - even for the tallest of people.
It's actually a pretty good drive as well, even though it hasn't got the tweeked suspension from the Spec B.
Weekend before last, it was parked straddling a stream, in a muddy wood at the Wyedean Rally and had no issues with getting stuck.
Perhaps I should wash it - although muddy cars look far cooler...
It's actually a pretty good drive as well, even though it hasn't got the tweeked suspension from the Spec B.
Weekend before last, it was parked straddling a stream, in a muddy wood at the Wyedean Rally and had no issues with getting stuck.
Perhaps I should wash it - although muddy cars look far cooler...
mini1380cc said:
Legacy Outback, its a bit more rugged than a normal legacy and is higher off the ground.
ThisWe live in the country and Mrs B has one. It is very good off road for what is basically a car, ride is excellent, engine 6cyl 3.0 boxer is very smooooth, build quality is great.
In the snow 2 years ago, I used it to rescue a Volvo XC90 that was stuck - the difference between proper 4wd and pansy part time front biased systems is apparent when it gets slippery.
Downsides- thirsty at 25mpg average and expensive road tax. Servicing is more expensive than a regular Mondeo size car.
Here it is making short work of a little snow
Edited by blueg33 on Wednesday 26th February 18:04
blueg33 said:
In the snow 2 years ago, I used it to rescue a Volvo XC90 that was stuck - the difference between proper 4wd and pansy part time front biased systems is apparent when it gets slippery.
Exactly what I'm talking about.blueg33 said:
Downsides- thirsty at 25mpg average and expensive road tax. Servicing is more expensive than a regular Mondeo size car.
I just got my local Subaru dealership to change the six spark plugs and replace the oils in the gearbox/diff and rear lsd diff - 2 hours labour in total seemed very reasonable to me - and only needs doing every 60k miles. Rate was for 'older' cars, which the OP's dads' would be, so 59.95 GBP/hour?But the Subarus ain't rocket science, so there's no need to pay dealership prices for regular services.
Great photo.
blueg33 said:
Here it is making short work of a little snow
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