Spec me something with 4WD

Kitchster_uk

Kitchster_uk

Kitchster_uk

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
5,060
Location
The remittance desk
Yes, I feel dirty for doing this but it is required.

The missus has a 25 mile trip each way to work on some faily bad roads where winter snow regularly becomes a problem, coupled with big-ass hills and general poor conditions. Now, we currently have only one car - a BMW 528 auto which is not the most suitable car for the winter commute.

Problem lies in the fact I love the creature comforts and the reasonable power output - it's a great car for the money. I don't really fancy running about in a diesel landrover but don't know enough about them to commit to that statement fully.

So, here's the brief:

£2k max
4WD
Comfy/well-spec'd
Not stupid on fuel but not the biggest concern.
Manual if possible

Not asking much I know!
 
Are you expecting significant winter snow again this year then? I thought snow in the UK was comparativley rare, which is why we don't cope with it well when it does happen?

Although I hate to say it after my opinions in the winter tyre thread (Which I still stand by), in a simple 'Which car for snow' argument surely 2WD with the right tyres beats a 4wd car on the wrong ones..
 
Buy a plane ticket to Spain, stay a month, should see you through the worst of it. Cheaper and more fun than a Freelander or a Vitara.
 
Moeks said:
Buy a plane ticket to Spain, stay a month, should see you through the worst of it. Cheaper and more fun than a Freelander or a Vitara.
Click to expand...

Nothing to show at the end of the holiday though :(
 
Personally id pick a scooby, bar the fuel they are great cars and the classics have no electronic gubbins, making it ideal in the snow.

Mine in the snow last year was a hoot to drive.

Oh and they need to run on vpower or tesco 99 to remain happy
 
[TW]Fox;17498986 said:
Are you expecting significant winter snow again this year then? I thought snow in the UK was comparativley rare, which is why we don't cope with it well when it does happen?

Although I hate to say it after my opinions in the winter tyre thread (Which I still stand by), in a simple 'Which car for snow' argument surely 2WD with the right tyres beats a 4wd car on the wrong ones..
Click to expand...

Down south - its not nearly as rare up north. I do however believe we'll have the same kind of snow again this year.

I'd buy a 4WD car rather than a crap softroader, something like a 4x4 Octavia or similar?
 
Although I hate to say it after my opinions in the winter tyre thread (Which I still stand by), in a simple 'Which car for snow' argument surely 2WD with the right tyres beats a 4wd car on the wrong ones..
Click to expand...
But by the same logic a 4wd with the right tyres will beat a 2wd with the right tyres.
 
Its not just snow that a 4wd is better, I remember the really bad icy conditions last year. I took my wifes freelander to work and it was great. There were loads of 2wd cars stuck/couldnt make it up hills but with the freelander with traction control was perfect, also hill decent was useful too.
 
You could buy a Jeep as well but it'd most likely be an automatic and do about 20mpg at best, but fufill all the other criteria very well. Buying one for a grand would leave you a grand for petrol, so that'd go some distance....Best 'cheap' car for winter use, at any rate. You get cruise, A/C, central locking, ABS, PAS, a transfer case, most likely an LSD, electric windows, electric mirrors, electric leather seats, sometimes heated, that kind of jazz. Absolutely unstoppable and great fun towing people out :p

You can get diesel manuals but the diesel engine requires TLC to keep in fine form and is quite an agricultural engine. Likewise you can get petrol manual 2.5's but they're quite rough and ready, not overly powerful and not much better on fuel than the automatic 4.0 - plus they tend to be much lower spec.

If you'd like to know more, or see examples, just say.
 
JamesRJ said:
But by the same logic a 4wd with the right tyres will beat a 2wd with the right tyres.
Click to expand...

It might do, but if the car you already have (and like) is equipped with the right tyres at a price much lower than buying a whole new car just to get 4x4 then that doesn't matter. The right tyres have already stopped your crashing/got you up the hill, the 4x4 at that point still isn't needed. It's not the Rally GB!

I say get a Unimog, it's the only way to be sure...
 
[TW]Fox;17498986 said:
Are you expecting significant winter snow again this year then? I thought snow in the UK was comparativley rare, which is why we don't cope with it well when it does happen?

Although I hate to say it after my opinions in the winter tyre thread (Which I still stand by), in a simple 'Which car for snow' argument surely 2WD with the right tyres beats a 4wd car on the wrong ones..
Click to expand...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/e...ning-of-another-bitter-winter-86908-22592952/

We may not be the USA but we still have some variety in climate across the UK.

I'd suggest a Freelander (make sure its the TD4 if old shape) and put some snow tyres on. I'd expect you to get over most stuff short of snow plough weather.
 
Telescopi said:
I'd suggest a Freelander (make sure its the TD4 if old shape) and put some snow tyres on. I'd expect you to get over most stuff short of snow plough weather.
Click to expand...

How would this setup perform around town and on the motorway in more usual weather versus his existing setup?
 
[TW]Fox;17499341 said:
How would this setup perform around town and on the motorway in more usual weather versus his existing setup?
Click to expand...

It would be rubbish in anything but snow or mud.
 
[TW]Fox;17499341 said:
How would this setup perform around town and on the motorway in more usual weather versus his existing setup?
Click to expand...

I suggested Freelander because of it's reasonable road manners (based on reviews and 2nd hand reports)

If the OP thinks the Freelander is worth a shot I'd look at the various freelander/landrover forums for tyre advice.

If your 25 mile commute is up to the cairngorm ski school every morning perhaps the compromise on tyres should go more towards snow?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom