Cheap winter 4x4
Discussion
I was sick of getting my Alfa’s stuck or parking miles away from my favoured fishing spots.
A decision was made to get a 4x4, foresters and crv type things were first on the list, blimey insurance was a bit steep.
Came across the ignis 4grip, saw what it can do on youtube, found one 50 miles away with an mot, viewed/drove, clunking from o/s front suspension, top mount was an advisory on the last mot, still drove fine.
Settled on £625, picked it up the next week, top mount ordered so I stripped the front on the drive.
While in there I cleaned up the surface corrosion on the brake pipes and painted them, couple of spots on the floorpan and rear diff housing, battery tray, nowt major.
Top mount arrived, fitted but I had to modify ( angle grinder) a 17mm swan neck ring spanner, front now does not clunk, being taxed at the end of Nov and then it’s my daily
A decision was made to get a 4x4, foresters and crv type things were first on the list, blimey insurance was a bit steep.
Came across the ignis 4grip, saw what it can do on youtube, found one 50 miles away with an mot, viewed/drove, clunking from o/s front suspension, top mount was an advisory on the last mot, still drove fine.
Settled on £625, picked it up the next week, top mount ordered so I stripped the front on the drive.
While in there I cleaned up the surface corrosion on the brake pipes and painted them, couple of spots on the floorpan and rear diff housing, battery tray, nowt major.
Top mount arrived, fitted but I had to modify ( angle grinder) a 17mm swan neck ring spanner, front now does not clunk, being taxed at the end of Nov and then it’s my daily
Blimey. That's good value isn't it?! It'll probably clog on forever.
I've got a lot of time for Suzuki stuff. We bought an S-Cross last year and whilst it's ugly and has the kind of dashboard plastic which would send an Audi driver into a suicidal state, it has an endearingly honest charm to it and a lot of little details which make you think "someone has thought about that". I'm not sure their rustproofing is top notch, so just keep an eye underneath it when the salt comes out.
I've got a lot of time for Suzuki stuff. We bought an S-Cross last year and whilst it's ugly and has the kind of dashboard plastic which would send an Audi driver into a suicidal state, it has an endearingly honest charm to it and a lot of little details which make you think "someone has thought about that". I'm not sure their rustproofing is top notch, so just keep an eye underneath it when the salt comes out.
Cracking little cars. Quite thirsty and rev high on a motorway. Slightly de-tuned from the Sport. Handling is decent. Interior is hard wearing but bland - but it all seems to work okay. Ours always smelt of dog, and I could quite blast that away! Bought it for £1500, used for six months, sold for £1500.
Great buy for the money.
Great buy for the money.
RicksAlfas said:
Blimey. That's good value isn't it?! It'll probably clog on forever.
I've got a lot of time for Suzuki stuff. We bought an S-Cross last year and whilst it's ugly and has the kind of dashboard plastic which would send an Audi driver into a suicidal state, it has an endearingly honest charm to it and a lot of little details which make you think "someone has thought about that". I'm not sure their rustproofing is top notch, so just keep an eye underneath it when the salt comes out.
I am on Alfa number 19, I am a god when it comes to sorting ‘underneath’ I suppose it’s almost become a hobbyI've got a lot of time for Suzuki stuff. We bought an S-Cross last year and whilst it's ugly and has the kind of dashboard plastic which would send an Audi driver into a suicidal state, it has an endearingly honest charm to it and a lot of little details which make you think "someone has thought about that". I'm not sure their rustproofing is top notch, so just keep an eye underneath it when the salt comes out.
littlebasher said:
I had one of these. The contents of the transfer box made a sudden and unexpected bid for freedom through the bottom of the casing!
That being said, on winter tyres it was an unstoppable monster in heavy snow.
Heard that from a few people about the transfer box, currently mine is bob on, so long as it gets me through a bit of mud and along really rutted tracks it will do for me.That being said, on winter tyres it was an unstoppable monster in heavy snow.
I too acquired an 05 4Grip Ignis in the same colour after moving on my Alfa (Brera Q4). It's done me proud for ~10k over the last year, though now my top mounts are also on their way out...
Mine was £900, but with only 58k (now 69k) on the clock, a £160 investment in new KYB shocks all-round to go in with the new top mounts should see it through plenty more miles. Drove it diagonally across the amber snow warning last December from rural Wales on un-plowed/gritted roads to Bucks without hitch, all on budget (Orium/Hankook) tyres to boot!
I wonder why the bloke digging his F-Pace out of the snow declined my offer to help as the Ignis floated on by?
Mine was £900, but with only 58k (now 69k) on the clock, a £160 investment in new KYB shocks all-round to go in with the new top mounts should see it through plenty more miles. Drove it diagonally across the amber snow warning last December from rural Wales on un-plowed/gritted roads to Bucks without hitch, all on budget (Orium/Hankook) tyres to boot!
I wonder why the bloke digging his F-Pace out of the snow declined my offer to help as the Ignis floated on by?
Might as well update, economy is not great but then the tank is small, track is narrow for square shaped speed bumps, top mount gone again, front brakes are a right pain.
Comes with 257mm front discs, everyone lists as 253mm, fitted ignis sport 257’s, all the pads listed for the car are too small, reminds me of Alfa parts bin specials.
Is it any good when the tarmac stops, it’s bloody brilliant and hilarious, to get out of our street there is a good slope, the snow the other month put a few inches down which froze and stayed for 5 days, no mater how fast I tried it just flew up.
Rutted, muddy track with huge potholes and lakes of water up to 12”, battered it all.
Did I mention it is chain driven.
You know what, it makes me smile.
Comes with 257mm front discs, everyone lists as 253mm, fitted ignis sport 257’s, all the pads listed for the car are too small, reminds me of Alfa parts bin specials.
Is it any good when the tarmac stops, it’s bloody brilliant and hilarious, to get out of our street there is a good slope, the snow the other month put a few inches down which froze and stayed for 5 days, no mater how fast I tried it just flew up.
Rutted, muddy track with huge potholes and lakes of water up to 12”, battered it all.
Did I mention it is chain driven.
You know what, it makes me smile.
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