i need advice about a 4x4

[flopflip]

We are soon to be moving to a very rural, moorland, exposed, cold and ruggedy part of west yorkshire/east lancs and will need to get a 4x4. Does anybody have any advice on what to get. We are not really into the whole big car thing but this will be a nessecity in winter. Any tips would be welcome.

We've got a Freelander and it's OK. Very comfortable, loads of head/ legroom, decent boot. Not economical, though (petrol model), and next time I get a car I am DEFINITELY getting one with Aircon- dh's Golf is MUCH more comfortable in the summer. We got it because we imagined that where we live we would need it in the winter- probably have needed the 4WD once in the last 4 years! What do your neighbours drive?

Have a look at Subaru Foresters they are not as massive but are AWD and Subarus are great cars.

tissy, we have a golf now, with A/C. We haven't moved yet but next time we go I will have a look. My parents live about 5 miles away and they do get a lot of snow, and they are a little further down the valley. May pluck up the courage to knock on someones door and ask them if they think we really need one. Thanks.

Fiat Panda 4x4 supposed to be pretty good (and small)

Probably a bit late - but I live up on the west Yorkshire moors - near where the sign on the M62 says "highest motorway in England"! Snowfall has been a bit light the last 4-5 years - the East coast seems to have got the most - but prior to that we got a lot. DH has a Discovery and I have a trusty old Defender - its getting on now but I wouldnt be without on these steep, narrow and cobbled roads. Defender saved my dad's life one snowy night when we finally found him - plus had loads of fun towing other stranded motorists over the years! Oh, and defenders develop natural air-conditioning with age .

I've been in a Subaru Forester and it had the most uncomfortable backseats I have EVER sat on. Flat as a board. But yes, my blacksmith has a subaru pick-up and its fine. With reasonable ground clearance most 4x4's would do the job if you were just sticking to the roads - a lot of whether they are any use or not depends on what tyres you have on them - I know somebody who had a discovery and couldnt get out of her drive in the snow - its wasnt the car it was the road tyres she had on. You need something with a bit of grip!

You can always buy snow chains to keep in the boot if you are worried.

I retired my Series III Landrover which was too unreliable for children and bought an automatic Range Rover. It is incredibly easy to drive, park and manoeuvre and I can fit 3 second stage car seats along the back seat. The boot is huge and can fit our vast dog and a pushchair at the same time. It's very thirsty on petrol but the insurance isn't bad. It easily drives through mud about 2ft deep and I've been out in ice and 1ft snow without a problem (but that's not very deep), I haven't been through deep water in this one because I've never had a car with carpets before and although they are pretty dirty I still don't want to grow mushrooms on them

I'd prefer a diesel Landrover Defender as I can run it on vegetable oil and be super-green whilst still driving a car I can fit everything into - and those extra seats will be really useful when the kids' friends are staying.

audi a6 quattro (dh's car - a good solid tank)
or a subaru ,ythol must have been in an old one great spec for the right price

those things on stilts - hmmmmmmmm