Decent Winter / Second Car

[anonymous-user]

Now before i get shot down in flames, the reason I ask is that i don't want to drive my MK1 Eunos in the snow / grit and it will rust apart in front of me and considering its lasted 21 years (mainly garaged - only on 84k!) I think it deserves to be hidden away in the bad weather- so please don't say put winter tyres on your car.

Now it may well go in the garage over winter so i need to have a think about what car i can get, my partner is also looking at getting a new car so I'm thinking of persuading her to purchase a nice little AWD / 4 x 4 or something.

Now we live in North Wales so we can get bad weather but the awkward part is actually getting out of where we live as its a one way road (one way in and out) that is appx 0.8miles and has (from our drive) 3 uphill and 2 downhill sections, one of which is quite steep and the reverse on the way home :P

Diesel isn't really worth the premium as i only commute 10 miles a day and she only does 14 on the days she works.

Budget of £1,000 - £3,000 as its her first car so ill probably get a few bumps and scrapes so not worth spending more.

So far;
X Trail
Free Lander (my dads was terrible)
Shogun / Pinin (awful looks - Pinin)
Forester (Experiances please - in terms of cost)
Jeep (Chereokee, i believe these can be quite expensive)
Rav 4
Skoda Octavia 4x4

[anonymous-user]

I'm meaning towards a Rav 4 / X trail or Grand V, anybody got much experience?

Thanks!

[akirk]

What was terrible about your father's freelander - the one I had was fine - a little underpowered compared against the other cars I had, but perfectly adequate... Check no head gasket issues if the standard petrol - but the v6 is quite nice - with leather etc.:
www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/land_rover/f...
several at cheap prices

[Hol]

If you get snow, the Forester is high off the ground and has 50:50 awd - so has perfect manners. I was towing loads of people out of trouble last year.
also, heated seats, cruise (depending on age) and heated lower windscreen (wipers)

But, the Turbo engines are a bit thirsty, if you were thinking more than 30mpg.

Less than 5000 miles PA, then forester, if over - look for something cheaper to run.

[loskie]

legacy, forester or outback?

Or if for the Mrs's first car what about a Fiat Sedici 4x4? Should be cheaper to run and insure than any of the above.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

The 4wd variant of SX4 is very capable & smaller than most

[Gruber]

From the original shortlist, I'd go for a mid-to-late 90s Cherokee XJ. But make sure it's the 4.0 (the 2.5 petrol and Diesel engines were crap) and that it has been properly maintained. They're comfortable, basically reliable if not abused / neglected, make a nice noise and are amusingly quick off the lights.

[Pablo68]

I've just picked up a 5 Door Pinin for £2k with 70,000 on the clock... It ma ynot have the best looks but it is a proper 4x4 with Locking Diff etc. Chucked some chunky tyres on and it will go anywhere...not too bothered about looking trendy if I am ploughing through snow ice and snot while all around are slithering into lamp posts and kerbs.

[billzeebub]

Forester definitely. I absolutely loved mine. At the time I also owned a 2009 Range Rover TDV8 and still usually opted for the Forester! That's how good they are. Like others have said the Turbos are thirsty (my XT was also an auto and if driving enthusiastically fuel economy was low 20s!). If that is a problem for you the non Turbo is the way to go with a Manual gearbox. Superbly built, talented, individual and well equipped vehicles.

[loskie]

SX4 and Sedici are one and the same.
Both were made in Hungary.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/suzuki/sx4

[anonymous-user]

That for all the replys.

MPG isn't an issue for me but it may be for MrsTrex, the AWD turbo sounds interesting but the insurance will be quite high i imagine for a first car unless i supplement .....

Will look into the SX4, anyone any experience with the Jimny or X-Trail?

Although at the moment it seems the forester is the best bet (in green of course).

[hamishg]

Another vote for the Forester. I have an XT and its been incredibly reliable. Heated seats, mirrors, screen; fairly comfy, good sized boot, quick, good ground clearance and rather good fun. Very good indeed in the snow. MPG not great but high 20s to low 30s I think is perfectly sensible for a small 4x4.

I also have a 2001 Santa Fe V6 which despite its hideous looks, is actually a very good car and a decent one can be bought for around £1500. Again, MPG is poor being mid to high 20s but it’s a reliable, well made, chunky family car with a huge boot, high driving position and easy to drive.

[jcelee]

If your main concerns are salted roads and having something new driver friendly, are you not better off with a basic FWD car with a set of winter tyres for the really low temp stuff? I'd suggest something like my mk1 1.6 petrol Focus will be much nicer and easier to drive 95%+ of the time and very cheap to buy / run too.

[Fattb]

MK4 Golf varient of your choice, i had the TDI, was well maintained never went wrong, not forgetting the above mentioned set of winters

[Sleepers]

Trexthedinosaur said:

That for all the replys.

MPG isn't an issue for me but it may be for MrsTrex, the AWD turbo sounds interesting but the insurance will be quite high i imagine for a first car unless i supplement .....

Will look into the SX4, anyone any experience with the Jimny or X-Trail?

Although at the moment it seems the forester is the best bet (in green of course).

I've had two Jimmy's, a V reg for 7 years and a 55 reg for 4 years. Both faultless and used on/off road. More so the V reg as it had quite a few mods on it. The downsides... Poor MPG, very small, noisy, slow, part time 4x4. Although they have great traction in snow, mud etc they are not clever at high[er] speed e.g. several times I ended up sliding sideways when doing 30-40mpg on slushy surfaces and that's with v good All Seasons! In the same conditions our old Passat on winter tyres, front only, was rock solid. Quite scary... They were as much fun as my old Landy but cheaper to run...

[anonymous-user]

jcelee said:

If your main concerns are salted roads and having something new driver friendly, are you not better off with a basic FWD car with a set of winter tyres for the really low temp stuff? I'd suggest something like my mk1 1.6 petrol Focus will be much nicer and easier to drive 95%+ of the time and very cheap to buy / run too.

Appreciate but i will probably be chipping in for the car and I don't want to be buying what i would class as something boring, at least with a 4x4 we can get up in through the hills to see the family etc (probably should of mentioned that).

Also no diesels as at this end of running cheap cars I would be expecting a massive bill at any time!

Forester seems to be the way forward .....

[andburg]

if insuracne is an issue with the forester, got the 2.0 non-turbo, also benefits form a low ratio gearbox

[siwil1]

Tyres are still important, I see plenty of x5's and RRS stuck in the snow on large summer tyres.

4x4 alone cant beat physics !

I run an old (1997) Mk1 petrol freelander for the dogs and that's fine around here in the snow, Has General Mud & Snow Tyres fitted

[anonymous-user]

siwil1 said:

Tyres are still important, I see plenty of x5's and RRS stuck in the snow on large summer tyres.

4x4 alone cant beat physics !

I run an old (1997) Mk1 petrol freelander for the dogs and that's fine around here in the snow, Has General Mud & Snow Tyres fitted

Yes i would be getting it fitted with M + S tyres, how do you find the freelander, as i mentioned my dad had one years ago and it broke down a fair bit but im sure it was a diesel, thats why i was thinking petrol.

[TVRJAS]

Noticed this one is not on your list..



Honda CR-V 2.0i Vtec SE

Picture here is from the classifieds 2003 66,500 up at £2749.

Maybe a bit big for your OH... only she or you can decide that bit.

I have nothing to do with the sale.