4X4 help and advice pls

[hellenback]

I give in - now truly a country gal and after 10 days of being snowed in - thinking of a 4x4. I don't really want to do the chelsea tractor bit what do you rec - have 2 kids, big dog and even bigger out-law to taxi.

I'd say no. Don't go for a huge petrol-guzzling monster just because of a week of snow a year. If you can afford a new car then have a look at the petrol efficiencies. Some are amazingly low - and some (4x4) are massive. Petrol prices are only going to go up and we need to cut down.

[steps off soapbox]

If you are truly a country girl you will have a rickety old VW golf or an ancient landrover.

I am also in sticks and just before Xmas my big old 4x4 Mitsubishi died. I am now running around the country lanes (and we really do live in the middle of a field) in my ford focus hatchback with 3 kids and dog. It is fab. Haven't been stuck in snow once, can park anywhere and even better, £40 gets me a full tank, not a quarter like it did before.

DH wants the ancient landrover - he has an ancient jeep and has had no problems. My VW is very brave but just not up to it . Really don't wanta guzzler but do need to get out... plumber just mentioned an audi allroader?!

audi allroadster are awesome we've been lookin at them we're currently in the market for a 4 x 4 after being snowed in lots and not being able to help dh's family who live in the middle of no were and its path cut out of a field for a drive and they've been stuck in for 2 weeks.

we're currently lookin at the bmw x5 as it's less of a guzzler than the ranger rover - also really like the new style discovery.

fairydust - our drive is also cut out field! My neighbours (in next field!) have bmwx5 - for some reason they suffer really badly with flat tyres. Don't know if they are just unlucky?

1. Fairydust: If you want a 4 wheel drive because you need more traction in mud/snow, Do NOT get an X5 under any circumstances (they are v. good on dry tarmac roads though)

2. BonzoDoodah: Words fail me. Please stand in the corner of the class wearing a pointy hat marked 'D'.

3. OP: "don't really want to do the chelsea tractor bit". There are now so many 4x4 cars the choice is huge. The Audi Allroad idea above is a good one, but get the diesel not the petrol version, and any Landrover Defender will trump most of the competition (can get 7 seat versions, 2.5 litre deisel, and will last a lifetime). But then, Skoda and VW make 4x4 estates as well. Not hugely useful, but in your position I'd go for a Defender.

Hellenback: I forgot to say that most front wheel drive cars using snow chains will be better in the snow than some 4x4s. Driving in the snow / ice is all about the tyres in most cases.

Subaru make some cars big enough for you (Forrester etc), they'll last a long time but they aren't very solidly built IME. Audi quattros are legendary, but again, don't assume 4x4 will perform well if you have normal summer tyres. VWs & Skodas are very well built these days and both have some decent small engined 4x4 versions of almost everything they make. Even the Fiat Panda 4x4 is excellent in snow & ice, but too small for you (shame because they're great little cars!).

Any way, as I said, I'd go with you DH's deas of an old LR Defender.

HTH

For very similar reasons we have just oprdered a Skoda Octavia 4x4. Looks pretty much like the ordinaty Octavia estate we have had for the last 4 years. Lease has run out (it is DH's company car) and he was going to order the same agian, but has goen for 4 x4 as we get snowed in for at least a coupel of weeks every winter and he spneds a lots of time on construction sites and was always grounding his car or skidding in mud/loose ground. He sold the extra cost to his boss by saying that his bodywork bill was bound to go down!

The ordinary Octavia (diesel) we have had is very fuel efficient and figures published for the 4x4 version don't seem too bad.

The Skoda is not a Chelsea tractor. Looks pretty normal really. They also do a "Scout" which is teh Skoda version of the Audi Quatro.

Mitsubishi Outlander with decent tyres is great. According to the cars emissions web site is the lowest carbon emitting 4X4, better than some estate cars.

The Freelander is pretty keenly priced at the moment. I would rate it.

We've got a Honda CR-V. Emissions aren't too hideous, it's not too enormous, but plenty of room in the back for car seats, and then loads of room for the two rotties in the back.

We're in the middle of nowhere and it has been amazing this week. Plus, it is ten years old, I've had it for four years, and the only problem I've had is having to replace the tyres.(touches wood)

You don't need a 4x4 - you just need a set of these

My little rear wheel drive sports car has not slipped once on the ice since.

Bought a Defender 6 months ago, and will never look back! Got 7 seats so always have room, really easy to drive and a dream in the snow!

Apart from Defenders, most other Landrovers are over priced dogmeat. They have really stupid little faults that end up costing a fortune to fix. People also seem to turn into twats when they drive them!

We've got a Audi S6 estate which is a 4x4 and handled brilliantly in the snow and ice. I defo noticed the difference between driving that and the A6 which isn't a 4x4.

Thankyou for all your rec's ladies DH over the moon