Calling all 4x4 owners!!

[ChooZac]

Looking for a second hand 4x4/SUV for £5k or less. Automatic ideally but could do manual. Moving to a very rural location and will be often driving up verges to allow tractors past. Stayed there for 2 weeks recently and was awful in my fiesta. Need something reliable, doesn't need to be fancy. Anyone have any recommendations? No idea what I'm doing...

Depends on how big it needs to be......
But look at Suzuki Jimmy. I loved mine, but not practical at all if you have kids.

At that price point you're going old or a cheaper brand. The mark I Mitsubishi Outlander, a well used BMW X5 or a Honda CRV.

There's also the smaller SUVs like the Suzuki Jimny which is a formidable off roader.

Also consider the Subaru Forester

I don't mind cheap and cheerful! I do have a young baby so needs isofix.

I’m selling one of those! Where are you based? For that money, you’ll either need quite an old model or a less fashionable make I think.

You don't necessarily need a 4x4 just something with good ground clearance and not rear wheel drive.

So for example any secondhand SUV (qashquai, sorrento etc) would probably be fine. Also look out for Suzukis like the swifts or vitaras as they are often 4x4 but avoid jimneys as they are like go karts. Also look out for Toyota RAV4s or Honda CR-V.

If you don't mind basic and aren't fussy about brands it's really worth looking at a Dacia Sandero Stepway. You aren't far off being able to buy a new one on your budget so a secondhand one would definitely be within budget. One of our 'neighbours' (about 3 miles away ) had one and it goes anywhere.

You could look at an older model Kia Sportage or VW Tiguan or Toureg but be aware running costs will be higher on an older model and tyres (for kerb mounting) can be more costly in a 4x4. Good luck with the move!

I LOVED driving my parents’ Rav4 (until dad totalled it 🙄), it got me to the horses through snow and floods, it felt solid, but fun to drive. I’d have another in a heartbeat

Oh, I wouldn't bother op. 4x4 drivers never pull on to the verge to let other drivers past. . I live rurally in the Dales, and I'm forever driving up on the verges in my Corsa to let the 4x4's past!

The 4x4 pandas are supposed to be quite good and are inexpensive

Panda 4 x 4 twinair cross,
Small, tall, fab to drive, great ground clearance (but pricey compared to the standard Panda 4 x 4)

Don't worry about isofix, you don't need it. And the brackets can be retrofitted.

What about one of those dacias? Is it a sandero or something? Very basic but 4x4 and you might get a decent age mileage?

Our nissan x-trail was bomb proof

We have an old panda 4x4 crossjet for dragging DHs enduro trailer around muddy fields and up steep hills - paid about 3k for it and it goes anywhere! It's weird and quirky looking, easy to park and in the snow last year was amazing as we live on a really steep hill that none of our neighbours could get up and down but we could

My Landrover freelancer is 11 years old, worth 4 thousand, has 100,000 miles on clock.

It's great, reliable, comfy, has isofix. Love it

We have an 11 year old Volvo XC90 that we bought for £5k last year. Does the job well for us plus 4 kids.

I have a Santa Fe (Hyundai). Drives like a tank and good for getting through low floods, snow, mud.... It is quite big and I had to re-learn my parking skills.

Toyotas are bullet proof - the RAV4 is practical and cheap to run.

I have a Honda CRV, and I love it. You see loads of pretty old ones around (mine is 2004), and the mechanics tell me its easy to work on.