Winter runabout
Discussion
Ideas please, for something to use during the winter in rural Wales. Small hatchback preferred but open to suggestions.
I'm thinking Panda 4x4 on steels with winters, but would also consider an EV if there's anything capable. Jimny is bonkers money and I don't want to spend more than £10k - less is better, if it's repairable/parts are cheap and available.
Your thoughts?
I'm thinking Panda 4x4 on steels with winters, but would also consider an EV if there's anything capable. Jimny is bonkers money and I don't want to spend more than £10k - less is better, if it's repairable/parts are cheap and available.
Your thoughts?
Depends where in Wales.
I live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
I live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 9th September 09:49
ashenfie said:
Just put all weather tyres on. We don't really have the weather for winters any more and can always works from home if needed.
The van has winters on, but apparently it can get quite snowy in the valley and the roads freeze and don’t get gritted regularly. Our lane is about a 20% gradient. Can’t work from home and don’t have any shops nearby, so a snotter to take out if the need arises is what I’m after.
Pica-Pica said:
Depends where in Wales.
I live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
Singletrack roads and tracks. The locals all have a beat up 4x4, but I don’t want one of those. Our posh car is a Volvo XC60 and has always worked well, but I don’t really want to bash its bodywork pulling into a ditch to let a tractor get by. Also, I just fancy a sI live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 9th September 09:49
tbox for tickling about in.A Panda 4x4 on Michelin Cross Climates will go virtually anywhere in any conditions in my experience. I had a 4x4 Cross for a few years and it was pretty invincible.
I only moved it on as i got a new Jimny. If I had room for both, the Panda would have stayed. I also got back virtually what I paid for it.
I only moved it on as i got a new Jimny. If I had room for both, the Panda would have stayed. I also got back virtually what I paid for it.
RizzoTheRat said:
There's also the SX4 if you want something a bit bigger than the Ignis.
This car was also badged as FIAT Sedici (16).Maybe a Skoda Yeti if you're happy with the size creep?
FIAT 500X had a 4x4 version https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607294...
Mazda CX-3 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603311...
Panda Cross 4x4 all the way for a winter run around. Winter tyres, rather than all-season, in my view if you’re in deepest Wales and expect proper snow and cold weather. If it is to be used all year, then the all-season probably the sensible choice.
I know most of the tyre fitters bang on about all-seasons doing the job, but having seen the consequences of multiple people using them in deep snow and crashing, I would only use a true winter tyre if the aim is getting over roads covered in snow.
I know most of the tyre fitters bang on about all-seasons doing the job, but having seen the consequences of multiple people using them in deep snow and crashing, I would only use a true winter tyre if the aim is getting over roads covered in snow.
Sideways Tim said:
Pica-Pica said:
Depends where in Wales.
I live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
Singletrack roads and tracks. The locals all have a beat up 4x4, but I don t want one of those. Our posh car is a Volvo XC60 and has always worked well, but I don t really want to bash its bodywork pulling into a ditch to let a tractor get by. Also, I just fancy a sI live in coastal NW Wales, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), and rain will be the most prevalent difficult weather, it rarely snows or freezes, so do not find all-season tyres necessary. But if you did venture onto isolated tracks then all-seasons or all-terrain tyres may help.
Farmers, of course, mostly use pick ups with All Terrain Tyres. Our local shepherd uses a battered old small van.
An EV would be a problem around me if you did not have home charging, public charging is woeful.
The question is what sort of roads will you be using, standard roads or tracks?
If you live there already, what do locals have? Most here have the same car all year round, and it is very mixed, but mostly small FWD hatchbacks. Like everywhere else, the trend is towards SUVs, but that is just fashion/taste, not necessity.
So, basically, any car you want and like.
ETA: we tried Vredestein all-seasons on our Fabia (excellent car for small lanes) but never needed them, and they developed circumferential cracks, replaced with Toyo Proxes Comfort. My 335d x-drive runs on Hankook Ventus run-flats. Both sets are 'summer' tyres with good rain performance.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Wednesday 9th September 09:49
tbox for tickling about in.A 4x4 is helpful when trying to get the car moving, but the right tyres and driving style will keep you out the ditches
AndrewIC said:
Panda Cross 4x4 all the way for a winter run around. Winter tyres, rather than all-season, in my view if you re in deepest Wales and expect proper snow and cold weather. If it is to be used all year, then the all-season probably the sensible choice.
I know most of the tyre fitters bang on about all-seasons doing the job, but having seen the consequences of multiple people using them in deep snow and crashing, I would only use a true winter tyre if the aim is getting over roads covered in snow.
Hmm. I'm around the south Pennines and I've run a few 2 wheel drive cars on winter tyres in deep snow but my Panda 4x4 Cross was better than any of them just on Cross Climates (and I'm not usually a Michelin fan).I know most of the tyre fitters bang on about all-seasons doing the job, but having seen the consequences of multiple people using them in deep snow and crashing, I would only use a true winter tyre if the aim is getting over roads covered in snow.
Agree though that a Panda 4x4 Cross is very hard to beat. Make sure you get the Winter Pack.
Sideways Tim said:
Singletrack roads and tracks. The locals all have a beat up 4x4, but I don t want one of those. Our posh car is a Volvo XC60 and has always worked well, but I don t really want to bash its bodywork pulling into a ditch to let a tractor get by. Also, I just fancy a stbox for tickling about in.
Ha! We meet these vehicles who 'won't pull over' in a AWD vehicle. Sorry, a sore point for me, they need at least a metre clear to the hedge!tbox for tickling about in.Sideways Tim said:
Ian_SW said:
What about a Suzuki Ignis AllGrip? It's a bit like the Panda 4x4 but with Suzuki reliability.
And that is what I love about Pistonheads. Excellent shout, I like the Ignis anyway, had no idea they did a 4x4. Thanks 
The one we have has the 16" wheels and tyre choice seems a bit restrictive but Kumho do an all season tyre. Might be more choice if you get the smaller wheels.
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