4x4 Advice - I've been told I wouldn't be able to afford to run one?

SkScotchegg

SkScotchegg

SkScotchegg

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Hi there, please don't flame me as I've read news articles today about how the British public hate 4x4 and hate anyone that drives them because they're apparently gas guzzlers lol.

Am just looking for some advice, the jist of it is I dont even drive yet but I'm ordering my provisonal this month and going to start my lessons straight away and for motivation I've been looking at what cars I might like to buy.

The only car I've ever liked is a 4x4, for example today I was looking at the BMW X5 in black at £3,600. I've also been looking at that Nisan X-Trail too.

I dont know anything about cars, and I understand that everyone says the bigger the car the more expense but my friends, family and work coleagues are all telling me its impossible for me to run this car on my wage.

I'm on approx 21k a year working at o2 and my girlfriend works for leeds city council eanring the same 21k, she doesn't drive either.

The reasons I want a 4x4 is because I like the look of them, apparently they're safe, and safey is important to me because we're planning on having kids, and I dont really like the look or shape of most other cars. I've always had my heart set on this being my first car and driving 4x4 for life.

What do you guys reckon? And can you point me in the direction of a good cheap 4x4? And the best fuel efficent one?

Thanks a lot! :D
 
If you want a safe, family car (especially if its your first car) and taking your sub average wage into account, get a Mondeo.
 
Fuel Efficient and 4x4 are rarely in the same sentence.

You also don't find 'cheap to run' '4x4' and 'BMW" in the same sentence.

Oh sorry, I tell a lie. You do find all those words in a sentence, but it has the phrase 'These are absolutely not' included too.

People used to annoyingly say 'if you have to ask, you can't afford it' I call nonsense on that. You need to know how much things cost.

I can tell you that the 4.4 V8 Petrol in my Land Rover isn't cheap to fuel. I average about 16.5MPG on day to day use, and I've ONCE got 26.8 MPG when I did a reasonable length motorway journey. Most "Extra Urban" use at 70 is just about into the low 20's.

I don't know much about early X5's, I believe they are basically 'big' e39 5 Series parts. They are not cars that are cheap to run, and if there are issues, they will be expensive.

Sorry this won't read as you want... I think you can probably afford it, but it will eat a lot of cash.
 
Look at the price of tyres. That's enough to put people off and is exactly why I guess my neighbours 56 plate Q7 has some comedy budget tyres.... What's safe about that?
 
Conanius said:
Fuel Efficient and 4x4 are rarely in the same sentence.

You also don't find 'cheap to run' '4x4' and 'BMW" in the same sentence.

Oh sorry, I tell a lie. You do find all those words in a sentence, but it has the phrase 'These are absolutely not' included too.

People used to annoyingly say 'if you have to ask, you can't afford it' I call nonsense on that. You need to know how much things cost.

I can tell you that the 4.4 V8 Petrol in my Land Rover isn't cheap to fuel. I average about 16.5MPG on day to day use, and I've ONCE got 26.8 MPG when I did a reasonable length motorway journey. Most "Extra Urban" use at 70 is just about into the low 20's.

I don't know much about early X5's, I believe they are basically 'big' e39 5 Series parts. They are not cars that are cheap to run, and if there are issues, they will be expensive.

Sorry this won't read as you want... I think you can probably afford it, but it will eat a lot of cash.
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How much do you reckon it would cost me each week in petrol? Like £50? Just going to work and to gym and then home etc?
 
Even for somone earning megabucks a 3.5K X5 WILL throw big bills. It will end up consuming all your disposable income and you will hate it.

I'm guessing you are young-ish? Buy a cheap sensible car for ~£1-2k, and save your money. Then as you get pay rises - move up the employment ladder you can reward yourself with a vechicle you want.

But whatever you do, dont blow £3.5k on an X5.

Good luck :)
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Look at the price of tyres. That's enough to put people off and is exactly why I guess my neighbours 56 plate Q7 has some comedy budget tyres.... What's safe about that?
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Well it seems like you guys agree with my family and friends! Oh nooo! My dreams of owning a 4x4 are slowly being shattered!! lol
 
If you're concerned about safety then check this site out:

http://www.euroncap.com/home.aspx

Basically these are the people who crash cars on purpose in various different ways then give them a safety score based on how the cars do. You can search for different cars on their website that you might want to buy. 4x4s don't always necessarily do well, even small cars can score well depending on how they're designed.

After you do pass your test, being a new driver, I'd guess something like a BMW X5 would cripple you on insurance. Have a look into insurance quotes and see how much you'd be prepared to pay.
 
SkScotchegg said:
I dont drive yet mate, I just really wanted to get a 4x4 when I pass my test.
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In which case buy a battered old Land Rover. You can fix them with a spanner and a hammer and they pretty much don't depreciate.

£3.5k Bimmer X5 as a first car. Best laugh I've had all day!
 
MagicBoy said:
In which case buy a battered old Land Rover. You can fix them with a spanner and a hammer and they pretty much don't depreciate.

£3.5k Bimmer X5 as a first car. Best laugh I've had all day!
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Am not 18 though mate, I'm 30, if I was 18 I'd probably get a rubbish car that cost like £800-£1000 but I'm 30 and planning on getting married, having kids etc. So my outlook on this is different to someone that would be 18 I think.

I think because I'm older its kind of different, I really want to skip doing the whole building myself up from an £800 car and just get the car I want. I thought if you have the money and can afford the insurance and car then why not?

That just leaves me to try to understand how much it would cost to run and the petrol etc.
 
Yeah, and a 3.5k BMW X5 won't be rubbish?

A quick look on Pistonheads as them starting at £3k for a 14 year old V8 model. It's a 14 year old car with complex electronics and expensive parts.
 
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