What car to buy for use in the snow thread

[InvaderGIR]

does anyone actually realise that the wildcat is no longer in production?
the Nemesis is its replacement. it was even featured on TG during the Britain v Germany ep

Let them have the Wildcat, means more Nemesis available for the sensible people.

 

[fonzee]

Discos don't have diff locks, certainly not selectable ones like the Defenders.

some do, had a selectable one in the disco i used in an extreme 4x4 course thingy i did couple year back. saved me bacon a couple times.

i guess generally they don't have them then? ive never been in another since.

 

[Happy]

Makes no difference if it's being made any more really does it? It's a vehicle I'd like to own if I could afford it, I don't like the looks of the Nemesis

 

[Eliot]

Fiesta rs turbo with skinny ass winter
tyres

 

[geekyEd]

whilst the disco is capable, its no match for a defender.

On the cool wall

 

[Raymond Lin]

I'd get one of these to zoom around town.

 

[Sone]

a dodge viper and some slicks, i like a challenge

 

[Django x2]

this scooby!

Hmm, its not really pulling it out as its not stuck (the lorry). The lorry applies throttle too and once it had traction the Scooby was barely doing anything.

Still good to watch though

 

[griffo_001]

which would be better though the defender or something like the discovery with all the fancy hill descent control electronics etc..

For most people the disco 3's electronics will be a god-send, but its bling-spec road tyres won't help much

For those who understand the basic physics of what's going on underneath them it's got to be a 300 Tdi or TD5 90 on narrow mud-terrain 7.50's, not those boat-tyres in that picture. Team them with some ARB locking diff's and jobs a good'un

Interestingly for those slagging off the Disco, the leading idea for replacing the Defender [by 2013 when the EU will effectively outlaw it for safety reasons] is to base it on the Disco 3 body shell

EDIT: Bowler no longer make the Wildcat, but they sold the rights to QT http://www.qtservices.co.uk/ who DO still make them

P.S. Can you tell I trail land rovers?

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Well it will be the T5 platform frame rather than body

The Range Rover stuff will be moving over to the all ally PLA platform to kick 500kg off the cars.

Does the air suspension offer much for off road with variable corner ride heights?

 

[griffo_001]

Well it will be the T5 platform frame rather than body

The Range Rover stuff will be moving over to the all ally PLA platform to kick 500kg off the cars.

Does the air suspension offer much for off road with variable corner ride heights?

Sorry "body shell" was a bit ambiguous

On the D3 you can jack up the ride height by 125mm if you so choose [some of the terrain response settings may do it automatically] but as proved by the Land Rover Experience and the G4 Challenge its only the tyres holding them back, not the ride height.

iirc the G4's used the smallest standard fit alloys available [Some people go smaller still] on the D3 teamed with some all terrain tyres, and never had an issue, but then again the G4 never really tested the cars, more the people and teams

 

[Lashout_UK]

Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Limited High Output no doubt. Bear with me - but it does make sense.

Pros:
- They're cheap, so if you stove it in, it's no big loss
- They're tough, so you can bounce off things without worry
- XJs are well engineered and very reliable, so it won't strand you
- Panels and bumpers are cheap, so it doesn't matter if other road users stop on you
- They have big tires, so you can slide into curbs and not damage anything
- They have a proper Part/Full/Lo 4WD transfer case for unstoppable motion (even on sheet ice, as I found out)
- The rear axle has an LSD, so won't lose traction in poor conditions
- They're automatic, so deliver power very smoothly and as a result driving is less stressful - and it makes moving off on snow/ice a doddle
- The big 4.0 AMC mill will tow other cars out with ease, even on slippy surfaces
- The power steering is nicely weighted, and makes keeping it pointed in the right direction easy
- Ground clearance is excellent so you can trundle over things with ease
- All-round disc brakes and ABS stops the relatively light Jeep with ease
- They're very comfortable and importantly they demist, and get hot, quickly and they're designed for conditions a lot, lot worse than what we get
- Both front and rear screens have wash/wipe for maintaining visibility
- Lastly, there's plenty of room for carrying spades, shovels, shopping and winter gear

Cons:
- Running in full/part/4Lo mods does decrease the relatively poor fuel consumption - but then, on the flipside, how often are you driving slowly in heavy snow. Lets be honest, it is, after all, a big ol' powerful 4x4 and not a cheap European hatchback LPG it if you want, or do a few MPG increasing mods if it gets to you that much.
- Dipped lights aren't that powerful so I guess some upgrades could be useful there - main's fine though.

Mine:

Fantastic fun in this weather, really makes driving enjoyable as opposed to the nightmare it could be - even though it's just on road tires. You also get to play 'helpful 4x4 guy' who tows everyone out of their stranded spots

 

[griffo_001]

Is it just me or did the Cherokee look really dated just after it was released, but is now starting to look quite good in its old age, in a fit-for-purpose kind of way, especially in that dark blue?

 

[Moeks]

I like the Lashout, what sort of money would one need to pay for something as good as yours now?
Also, what sort of standard is the interior upto in yours?

 

[Lashout_UK]

Is it just me or did the Cherokee look really dated just after it was released, but is now starting to look quite good in its old age, in a fit-for-purpose kind of way, especially in that dark blue?

Yea - it's definitely one of those classless/timeless things now - doesn't look out of place parked up outside a country house, on a modern city street or in a multistory. It's a very simple, rugged design that doesn't really have any pretensions and just looks clean and simple

You can get a really nice pre-facelift one, like mine (later ones have a different interior that is much more modern, and rounder edges) for about 1000, or less if you dig around deep enough It can be hard to find a good one, but look at 3 or 4 and you'll find a really nice one with decent history, in good condition, that hasn't been abused The 4 litre is the one to go for if you can stomach the fuel costs, as the diesel can be troublesome but is also quite agricultural.

A good Jeep should be rattle free, not creak or groan, have a nice tight ride and precise steering - not vague and wallowy like many are. They should also pick up really well and feel very powerful.

All HO Limiteds have air con, PAS, ABS, electric windows, central locking, cruise, an LSD, the transfer case and so on - full leather with electric front seats as well, and other touches like a compass, external temperature display, dimmable vanity mirrors for both passenger and driver...

I bought one a long time ago, a black one with 80k, with T&T, for 350 quid Everything worked but it did have some slight external cosmetic issues, but it never gave any grief - and it's still going strong! It's now jacked up, on big tires, and gets abused all the time without any problems. Had a really nice interior too

When I had it:

Later:

 

[Moeks]

Hmm apparently to insure a 1998 4.0 Limited Jeep Cherokee with a munlti vehicle discount (sicne I insure my Jag with Direct Line) they want over £500 even with a limited 5k mile policy, I was hoping for more like £250.

I'm still thinking I'd like one anyway, I'd have quite a number of uses for it, not to mention I could invent a few new ones.

Edit: Argh the more pictures you post the more willing I am to rush out and spend money I don't need to spend

 

[Fantom]

It would have to be the Hilux 2, and kitted out as per top gear

 

[Lashout_UK]

Edit: Argh the more pictures you post the more willing I am to rush out and spend money I don't need to spend

Tough sons of a guns these

 

[EddScott]

Hmm apparently to insure a 1998 4.0 Limited Jeep Cherokee with a munlti vehicle discount (sicne I insure my Jag with Direct Line) they want over £500 even with a limited 5k mile policy, I was hoping for more like £250.

I'm still thinking I'd like one anyway, I'd have quite a number of uses for it, not to mention I could invent a few new ones.

Edit: Argh the more pictures you post the more willing I am to rush out and spend money I don't need to spend

Can you not shop around?

My Jeep was about £250 FC with RSA (32, Full NCB, good post code)

 

[Moeks]

Well I can yea, I just plugged it into DL first as I already insure a car with them and they always give me some of the best quotes anyway, have done for years. I havent bought a Jeep yet anyway so I don't need to worry about it just yet, I'm not gonna rush out and buy any old crap because it's snowing, I want to get into doing some off-roading, but I need to do more research first. Also it's finally the excuse I was looking for to buy another vehicle, I've not owned more than one at a time before