Spec me something with 4WD

Providing you have the later models ( k series ) with the better gaskets and remote thermostat they are a lot more reliable.
My wife has a 2003 model 1.8 which we have had for the last 4 years, the only thing apart from oil/filter that I have done to it is front pads, water pump/cam belt, clutch master cylinder as it was becoming sticky ( its a sealed system £50 for master and slave which took 30 minutes to fit ) and tyres.
 
Providing you have the later models ( k series ) with the better gaskets and remote thermostat they are a lot more reliable.
My wife has a 2003 model 1.8 which we have had for the last 4 years, the only thing apart from oil/filter that I have done to it is front pads, water pump/cam belt, clutch master cylinder as it was becoming sticky ( its a sealed system £50 for master and slave which took 30 minutes to fit ) and tyres.

This bloke has got 2k to spend including new tyres, so he wont be getting a later model.
 
He wont get a td4 either

I dont think he should get one full stop i think they are horrible rubbish little cars, but if you can put up with horrible and rubbish buy something horrible rubbish and Japanese so it dont break down.
 
I'd suggest something like a Forester, they cope with bad winter driving pretty well.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1887166.htm

I come from a small Scottish Island, I think sometimes people just don't realise how bad roads can get without snow and ice. I had the 330d up there in the middle of the summer this year, in slightly damp conditions I got absolutely no traction, it'd spin up in 3rd easy, 4th and about half throttle and the traction control light would blink the whole time. It's the crap road surfaces with mud/grit/grass/poo etc and any moisture. About the best you can do is a small hatchback with skinny tyres or some form of sensible 4x4 car. Chuck in the occasional bout of ice/frost/snow and my parents full 4x4 struggles to get down our track and they can get stuck in for days at a time. We get a lot of frost after like 6pm or early before the suns warmed up the roads.
 
How about an AWD V70 Lolvo? My landlord has one which cost him £1700 approx a year ago (R plate) and it's cost him £500 in bills so far. 2.4litre 5 cylinder lump, heated part leather seats (comfy comfy comfy!). Not exactly frugal (but then he has "saved" money by not having the engine tuned and I'm convinced it's running a tad lumpy).
Really can't comment on how good the AWD is as I've yet to have a go in the snow (so awhile to wait still) but it does manage nice 4 wheel drifts if you boot it at just the right time ;).

Now where are the lolvo experts to fill in all the horror stuff I must surely have missed? :D
 
my mate at school had a white one. 1.3 i think it was. he swore by it on the basis that it was 4 wheel drive. i was dubious i dont get why you'd opt for one but if you deffo need a cheap 4wd without the bill, (probably should say without the frills too) then a justy could be for you.
 
I've got some friends who have a house up a mountain in Wales. The only access is up a ridiculously steep and narrow road, with stone walls on either side.
In most weather conditions, their Panda 4x4 was the only car that could get up.
Crock of ****, but the perfect car for the job :p
 
Be careful of any Subarus you might be looking at which are at or around the big service interval. That's a biggie and can take a considerable amount of your budget due to replacing cambelt, waterpump, all fluids, filters etc etc.

I don't think you'll get a (good) Legacy for 2 grand that also has decent tyres but you might get a Forester.

The 4x4 Octavia also sounds like a good shout.
 
[FnG]magnolia;17510574 said:
Be careful of any Subarus you might be looking at which are at or around the big service interval. That's a biggie and can take a considerable amount of your budget due to replacing cambelt, waterpump, all fluids, filters etc etc.

I don't think you'll get a (good) Legacy for 2 grand that also has decent tyres but you might get a Forester.
Agreed on the Legacy, but for a Justy I think he'd be all right :p

What about old Audis? Should be a fair amount of 4wd A4s and A6s to investigate.

ala http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2061156.htm
 
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just put decent tyres on and you will be fine. Contrary to some people here saying get an impreza nearly all impreza owners I have spoken to about driving in snow say its useless.. why? probably because they had summer tyres ! 4x4 isn't what you need, its a set of scuffed up scabby wheels with winter tyres on for the 528.

My old S2000 + LSD + bridgestone Potenzas = impossible in snow
Nicks 318 track car + better tyres = driving like the snow wasn't there.
 
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