Small 4x4

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Friend of mine looking for a new car. She only needs a hatchback (single, no DC) and is interested in a 4 wheel drive as she visits patients in rural locations up farm tracks and got stuck a few times last winter.

She quite likes the Mini Clubman, but they are quite ££££ . Her budget is £200/month.

Something where she could get insurance included would be handy.

Any suggestions?

Anyone?

Fiat Panda 4x4.
Dacia Duster (a bit bigger, but very cheap new).
Skoda Yeti.
You can get 4WD Audi A3s and VW Golfs, but they're usually on the sportier models which will cost quite a bit more to run.

Should have said (as I've mentioned it on another thread) the tyres used will make a big difference as well; some proper Mud & Snow tyres may well be enough for a 2WD car to make it up these lanes.

There's no point getting a 4x4/4WD/AWD and then putting cheap, rubbish tyres on it.

Well aware of the tyres issue Mittens, she is a country girl herself, but now has peripatetic job in Yorkshire Dales.

My sis is a vet and has a brand new suzuki jimny SLX loves it.
She had a BMW 1 before and was skidding everywhere

Hello,

If you're friend is going to shell out £200 a month for a new car perhaps she should consider the alternative of a private loan to finance a nearly new motor instead. She'll get a better range of cars, and make tidy saving into the bargain.

She can borrow £7500 at about £175 a month over 48 months.

moneyfacts.co.uk/compare/loans/loan-calculator/

This makes sense because you are getting a car on which the bulk of the depreciation has been paid - and you get a fantastic choice of small 4X4's for that money. All of which fit the bill perfectly. If you run this search...

www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/buy/-/price/to-8000/type-4x4s/fuel-diesel/maxcc-2000/order-price+high+to+low/show-all/

The Qashqai is an obvious choice. It's tough and reliable and the 4WD versions can go anywhere.

A great Fiat 4X4 can be found in the form of the somewhat forgotten Sedici - built by Suzuki and extremely tough and reliable.

www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/buy/fiat/sedici/order-price+high+to+low/show-all/

Or if you live near a Suzuki dealer...

www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/buy/suzuki/sx4/price/to-8000/order-price+high+to+low/show-all/

I'd would also agree that the Vitara is a great choice - small enough and very capable in rough going.

www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/buy/suzuki/grand-vitara/d-69/id-7430675/

Wish her good luck with it!

Dave

The Qashqai is an obvious choice. It's tough and reliable and the 4WD versions can go anywhere.

Obvious? A quick search of autotrader shows no 4wd qashqais in the uk under £8000, and a quick search of youtube shows it's rubbish off road. I've been trying to find details of differentials it uses, but can't find any using my phone. I can't see that it has locking or limited slip differentials, off road performance is on the poor side of mediocre.

The 4wd only appears to have been added as a nod to the style of car it has copied. Go anywhere it certainly won't.