To 4x4 or not to 4x4 ? For 8.5k quid...

threedee

threedee

threedee

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Ok, heres the big Q, worth about 8.5k quid - do i get a used 4x4 ? Small one, automatic.

Thing is, alternative to this is a VW Polo E 1.1 petrol (new). But due to certain doubts i have atm i'm thinking going big and used (i definitely cant afford a new RAV4)

Some points to my doubts.

1) Lots of people try to persuade me to diss any small engine car, due to inability to escape potentially hazardous situations. Meaning, engine is too weak to accellerate fast enough to avoid possible collissions and such. Good point.

2) The person who will drive the car is fairly short and hates low cars. I too love high seats :D

3) The person is a lady, so - "automatic for the people".

4) No overclocking for that one :D Shopping runs, daily commute (short distance).

Now, i really wanted to get me a brand spanking new car due to presence of all sorts of warranties and all that, since i am a guest in UK and really dont have any acquaintances who do auto repairs. Also new means possible trade-in 3 years later (after warranty expires.) Must warn you - i dont know squat about cars beyond general knowledge. That means, that if i break down in the middle of nowhere i'm ****ed. :D I could change a wheel, i guess :D

At the moment i'm thinking of either new small car or used small 4x4 (2door RAV4 ?). Ok, i'm a bit stuck on RAV4 since its the only brand i am actually familiar with. Point out small 4x4s for me, please, knowing, that budget is VERY limited, plus that will be a first car i buy in UK.

I'm a bit confused in general with all this car buying cr@p, not everyday i need to make a decision to splash out 8k...
Meh... Dorothy, call me n00b... :D

P.S. Financing is not an option at the moment - i'm not a sentient existence until i lived here for three years. No finance institutions will even speak to me about loans after i mention i'm here only for 2 years... Advice on this situation also appreciated...
 
If it's for shopping etc why get a 4x4, if you need a higher seating position go for something like a mercedes A-class, focus c-max (think thats it) etc.
 
Well, i'd go for 4x4 for its form factor, not because its actually 4x4. Lemme into small high car and i'll be happy. I'm not going to go mud swimming with it. As long as it is capable performing on the hard road i'll be happy.

As for small car, well, i'm buying new. And Mcds A-Class is wayyyyy out of my budget, and i'm more or less willing to get Polo E (though i need to add some dough for phatter engine)...

Small car new, 4x4 used and as small as possible... does it make any sense ?
 
Ford Fusion perhaps?

My Dad has just bought one, and while its not my cup of tea it seems a nice enough car with a higher seating position than your typical small hatch.
 
If you absolutely must buy a brand new Polo type thing, please get a Skoda Fabia instead. Almost the same car, different badge.

My grandparents paid £8000 for a 1.2 (65PS) Ambiente, which actually has some kit (Air con, CD player, remote locking), rather than absolutely nothing.

However, buying used will get you an awful lot more.
 
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How about a Fiat Panda?

I've got to say that they are not the prettiest, but I drove a 1.3 diesel all round Italy and I found it to be pretty nippy, relatively quiet, OK on the autostrada and ultra economical.

The seat position is pretty high and it comes in a 4x4 variant which you can get a 2nd hand 06 plate in your budget.
 
A Daihatsu Terios would fit the bill for you if you insist on a 4x4, or even the new fiat 4x4.I'm not sure how high they are but consider the Citroen Bellingo if it's van like cars you want.
 
£8.5k will probably *just* get you a brand new Suzuki Jimny (ok its small, but its a 4x4 ;))

/Edit : How about a Honda Jazz ?
 
honda jazz's are lovely, we got rid of ours, after honda said, we want your car, and they offered us a new civic, the jazz was lovely, but we need to sell the civic now, had it 3 years, the jazz's are only 1.4, but they are great things in town :D
 
threedee said:
Well, i'd go for 4x4 for its form factor, not because its actually 4x4. Lemme into small high car and i'll be happy. I'm not going to go mud swimming with it. As long as it is capable performing on the hard road i'll be happy.
Click to expand...

Hard Roads as in Bumpy Dirt roads with biggish rocks on it?

Or hard Roads as in Asphalt.

If its the Latter then get an Actual car with a high seating position
 
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There's not much in your budget new with a high driving position but look at the Ford Fusion

If you don't need the high driving position then look at a new Clio. The 1.2 16V clio has 75bhp so it's fine for your average needs and a fair bit quicker than a basic 55bhp Polo
 
Phil W said:
£8.5k will probably *just* get you a brand new Suzuki Jimny (ok its small, but its a 4x4 ;))

/Edit : How about a Honda Jazz ?
Click to expand...

Don't buy a Jimny. Please. I've had to cram myself in one before, and it wasn't pleasant by any means.
 
Have a look at a 3 door Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0TD. You'll probably get an almost new (old model) one for that budget. They are great cars. My brother had a 2004 model one and he wishes he had of kept it after trading it in for an Audi TT.
 
bet a late 90's range rover with LPG


save a couple of K over for any unexpecteds and your laughing

*** has to be black on big rims with tints :)
 
Because i can afford small new, but cant afford anything bigger new... hence 4x4 form factor must be used...

Dug up some sites and i start to lose hope of getting any 4x4ish... size wize. big lumps for sale, and cheap too, but no smallish 4x4 goodness... or too dear...
 
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