Advice on buying a 4x4 vehicle

melon_collie

I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a 4x4 vehicle. I've moved to a new house which is has the potential of being difficult to access during snowy periods. As a result I am considering buying some kind of 4x4 vehicle. However I am unsure as to what to buy. To be honest I don't want a huge diesel jeep that drinks fuel or is expensive to tax, I just want something that isn't too big, comfortable, good fuel economy and good in the snow. Over the past few weeks I have been looking online at Audi Quattros, however I don't know how good these are in the snow???? I have also been looking at Land Rover Freelanders, which aren't too big and seem to have good enough fuel economy, but are they any good?? I would really appreciate some advice on this matter as I just seem to be going around in circles!!.........

INEEDANID

In the same boat myself.

Would have to sell my 5 series first though

Anan1

Audi and Subaru are generally thought to have the best AWD systems for driving on-road in bad weather. Audi are more refined, Subaru cheaper and more reliable.

jmrc

for the couple of days a year that we may get snow how about a second car? a jeep low cost and just good enough to get you to the main road if needs be?
Or snow tyres on your existing car.... or a 20 quid shovel from hardware cut down and put in the car boot...!

I'd go with the Subaru or Audi car equipped with AWD.
I wouldn't spend decent money on a Freelander in a fit to be honest.

R.O.R

I had a 2.0d Freelander commercial during the snow winter 09/10 and it performed admirably. Fuel consumption was more or less the same as my Petrol Accord, so not great but not appaling either.

Had M&S tyres on, but I don't think they were full winters. Got me up and down the hills I needed to get up and down (hill descent is a very good system), with only 1 hairy moment on sheet ice, down an incline.

Feedback from a couple of driver's with quattro's is that they are very good in ice & snow, especially on winter tyres. The boss was driving an A3 quattro at the start of this year in pretty deep snow. That and the X-Trail I was in were the only 2 cars brave enough to go in to our car park (down a bit of hill) as the 2 wd cars were having trouble getting out before the heavy snow fell.

opinion guy

Audi quattros are pretty good in the snow.

But before you dismiss the jeep style thingies fully there is one thing to consider - ground clearance. If you are in a mountain-y area and say last two years you got deep snow on the road then you might well want a jeep simply as a car no matter how good may not be high enough off the ground to clear the snow and you end up snow ploughing until you get stuck.

That said - you might consider something likely an audi quattro all road which has a height adjustable suspension meaning you can raise it up by a few cm.

opinion guy

R.O.R wrote: »

Feedback from a couple of driver's with quattro's is that they are very good in ice & snow, especially on winter tyres. The boss was driving an A3 quattro at the start of this year in pretty deep snow. That and the X-Trail I was in were the only 2 cars brave enough to go in to our car park (down a bit of hill) as the 2 wd cars were having trouble getting out before the heavy snow fell.

Not many A3 quattro's around - he had winters on it or no ?

R.O.R

opinion guy wrote: »

Not many A3 quattro's around - he had winters on it or no ?

We didn't stick winters on, so I can only presume it was running summer tyres. Very impressive little machine in those conditions.

Eric Cartman

melon_collie wrote: »

I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a 4x4 vehicle. I've moved to a new house which is has the potential of being difficult to access during snowy periods. As a result I am considering buying some kind of 4x4 vehicle. However I am unsure as to what to buy. To be honest I don't want a huge diesel jeep that drinks fuel or is expensive to tax, I just want something that isn't too big, comfortable, good fuel economy and good in the snow. Over the past few weeks I have been looking online at Audi Quattros, however I don't know how good these are in the snow???? I have also been looking at Land Rover Freelanders, which aren't too big and seem to have good enough fuel economy, but are they any good?? I would really appreciate some advice on this matter as I just seem to be going around in circles!!.........

to be fair a subaru legacy or outback is your only job here really .

Id suggest something decent like a landcruiser or sorento but id assume you dont consider 27-29mpg decent. the subaru is the best balance.

Anan1

opinion guy wrote: »

Audi quattros are pretty good in the snow.

But before you dismiss the jeep style thingies fully there is one thing to consider - ground clearance. If you are in a mountain-y area and say last two years you got deep snow on the road then you might well want a jeep simply as a car no matter how good may not be high enough off the ground to clear the snow and you end up snow ploughing until you get stuck.

That said - you might consider something likely an audi quattro all road which has a height adjustable suspension meaning you can raise it up by a few cm.

Good point, although either a Subaru Outback or Forester will have 8" of ground clearance.

anthony4335

My Subaru Legacy did very well last year, bought it after I had to leave my car on a hill the previous year for 3 days, before I could get it off the ice. It performed as I hoped not issue at all. As for economy I have the 2.5 with an automatic transmission, and I get 29-30Mpg, although you should get around 35 for the 2.0 with manual tansmission, best of all they are a steal at the moment. Only came in diesel from 08 on, not sure what they are like. Another car you can look at is the x-type Jag, 2.0D has AWD and is basically a ford mondeo.

anthony4335

anthony4335 wrote: »

..... Another car you can look at is the x-type Jag, 2.0D has AWD and is basically a ford mondeo.

Iirc the 2.0 diesel x type was front wheel drive.

Lex Luthor

my legacy diesel was the business the last 2 winters....one day I was out in the snow it was just me and a few Subarus out as nobody else could get moving

Gophur

jmrc wrote: »

for the couple of days a year that we may get snow how about a second car? a jeep low cost and just good enough to get you to the main road if needs be?
Or snow tyres on your existing car.... or a 20 quid shovel from hardware cut down and put in the car boot...!

We had 8 weeks of snow in 2010!

Max Power1

RoverJames wrote: »

Iirc the 2.0 diesel x type was front wheel drive.

Wasnt it AWD with a 40:60 ratio?

Gophur

Max Power1 wrote: »

Wasnt it AWD with a 40:60 ratio?

The only AWD models were the 6-cyl petrols, 2.5l and 3.0l

Big Nasty

Another plus for the Legacy.

I live on the side of a mountain and the 7 was fcukin' useless in the snow. Picked up a Legacy mid december as the missus was going mental (she's still driving it now). Car had new winter tyres fitted and goes just about anywhere without a problem. Only difference between it and a jeep is that you don't have the clearance but then again we didn't want to go mud plugging anyhow.

If I had the money I would have bought an A6 Avant Quattro though!

coolbeans

It's insane to be buying a 4x4 for your needs. I have friends living near the Brenner Pass, the Alps like and they do get through serious, and I mean serious snow with a Citroen Xsara and decent snow tyres. Do you really need one as runnning costs will almost certainly increase in every respect.

opinion guy

coolbeans wrote: »

It's insane to be buying a 4x4 for your needs. I have friends living near the Brenner Pass, the Alps like and they do get through serious, and I mean serious snow with a Citroen Xsara and decent snow tyres. Do you really need one as runnning costs will almost certainly increase in every respect.

But thats not a fair comparison. In the alps roads are regularly ploughed after each snowfall. In Ireland they don't get ploughed all season

Gophur

AWD has all year round benefits.

And, whatever car one has there's always one cheaper somewhere else.

jmrc

Gophur wrote: »

We had 8 weeks of snow in 2010!

Jaysus, true enough alright.......

Are AWD cars harder on tyres? just wondering.

If we are to continue to get heavy snow for the coming winters; and the OP is in heavy county; something with a low range box and diff lock would then be called for.

fastrac

How about a Nissan X Trail.A lot more reliable than a Freelander and good on the slippy stuff.

sept09baby

Heard good things about the Xtrail and Rav4. Husband is currently looking to get rid of his beloved Golf TDI and will prob go for one of them

Anan1

An xtrail will be a bit of a doggy to drive compared to a Subaru.

noddyone2

I have a suzuki Vitara, brilliant in the snow for the last two winters, totally reliable also. Had a suzuki Jimny before that, smaller but just as good.

tossy

Gophur wrote: »

AWD has all year round benefits.

It certainly has.

quattro plus winter tyres equals go anywhere - the only limiting factor is ground clearance,not such an issue when the snow is soft but when its rock hard.... ouch

Lex Luthor

There's a 2.5xt Forester on carzone for about 6k with seriously low mileage...steal of a price

Anan1

Lex Luthor wrote: »

There's a 2.5xt Forester on carzone for about 6k with seriously low mileage...steal of a price

I've been watching that one for a while! Looks like a great car, and seriously quick, but it might be a bit hard on fuel for the OP?

sh1tstirrer

Gophur wrote: »

We had 8 weeks of snow in 2010!

What part of the country are you living in. I remember plenty frost and some snow but saying 8 weeks of snow is exaggerating.

Lex Luthor

Anan1 wrote: »

I've been watching that one for a while! Looks like a great car, and seriously quick, but it might be a bit hard on fuel for the OP?

tempted at all?

Don17

hey,

Suzuki and Fiat both do the same car with 4x4, fiat call it the sedici and suzuki the sx4??
can get with a 1.6 petrol so cheapish to tax
Fiat also do/did the panda in 4x4 mode and subaru impreza also comes in 1.6 l so cheap to tax too.

R.O.R

Don17 wrote: »

subaru impreza also comes in 1.6 l so cheap to tax too.

Pretty sure the 1.6 Impreza is only FWD - the only car that had trouble with the slight incline during the snow was an Impreza, which I think is pretty ironic..........

Anan1

Lex Luthor wrote: »

tempted at all?

I won't say I haven't considered it, but at the end of the day i'm just too lazy for manual.:D

barura

Anan1 wrote: »

I won't say I haven't considered it, but at the end of the day i'm just too lazy for manual.:D

I assume that once you go auto its hard to go back? As a mate of mine said "it's like driving a go kart" is that true? :P

opinion guy

barura wrote: »

I assume that once you go auto its hard to go back? As a mate of mine said "it's like driving a go kart" is that true? :P

Ugh sounds horrible!!

Anan1

barura wrote: »

I assume that once you go auto its hard to go back? As a mate of mine said "it's like driving a go kart" is that true? :P

Yes, in the sense that there's a go pedal and a stop pedal. Within that, though, you can change gears in a good auto either with the manual override or with the accelerator pedal. I'd look at going back to manual in much the same way as you might look at driving a car with manual ignition advance.:)

E39MSport

Fek that. I couldn't wait to get some performance back after my auto 530d. Manual all the way Looking to stick a manual in my 8er too maybe.

Marcusm

Having recently bought a 4x4 (RR Supercharged 4.2 L V8) I'm not expecting any snow fir the next 10 years - just my general luck.

Eric Cartman

Marcusm wrote: »

Having recently bought a 4x4 (RR Supercharged 4.2 L V8) I'm not expecting any snow fir the next 10 years - just my general luck.

id doesnt matter what the weather is , thats a beast of a machine anyway

wersal gummage

Lex Luthor wrote: »

There's a 2.5xt Forester on carzone for about 6k with seriously low mileage...steal of a price

I had a 2.0 xt and had to get rid of it after about 6 months. Loved it but it was shocking bad for fuel economy.

tweedledee

Freelander is a pile of Shyte,stay away from it,garbage.LR Disco on the other hand is SUPERB,fantastic kit.If you can afford the V8,super but V6 is fantastic too.

tu2j2

What are you driving at the moment? I would feel a good set of winter tyres would be a better investment. With proper tyres you won't need 4wd unless its a serious hill, and even at that 4wd won't be much good to you when you try to stop on the way back down.

And if you do buy something stay away for a freelander! I love landrover and even I wouldn't buy one

tweedledee

Skoda Yeti is excellent,i dunno if its 4 wheel drive though????????I'd buy one.

exador

tweedledee wrote: »

Freelander is a pile of Shyte,stay away from it,garbage.LR Disco on the other hand is SUPERB,fantastic kit.If you can afford the V8,super but V6 is fantastic too.

The newer model freelander 2.2 diesel are a far cry away from the older model so depends on budget ,,,I would highly recommend the new freelander.

David09

Why is everyone fearing the worst when it comes to bad weather and thinking in thousands??

During the last bad snow, I ordered a set of snow chains from e-bay at around €35 if I can remember correctly.

When attached to my Ford Focus, it was the only non 4x4 that could get out and about and traverse the steep hill I live on, much to the envy of my neighbours.
In fact, I can say that hands down, that inexpensive kit made it perform even better that 4x4's which were spinning about the place.
The downside? They were a royal p.i.t.a. to fit and remove at the side of the road, but they were well worth it.
I'd suggest to all who are concerned about bad weather to invest in some snow chains, snow socks or m+s tyres rather than throw a ball of money towards a big, decadent, heavy beast that you would have to fuel, tax and maintain for the unnecessary remaining 50 weeks of the year.

Just my 2c's...

coolbeans

Ya, snow socks or chains will do the job for you. I don't think you need a four by four.

Gophur

David09 wrote: »

........... rather than throw a ball of money towards a big, decadent, heavy beast that you would have to fuel, tax and maintain for the unnecessary remaining 50 weeks of the year.

Just my 2c's...

A gross over-simplification. Many AWD/4x4 are reasonably economical to run/own, and can be bought at good prices, especially with attitudes like that (in the quoted post) so prevalent.

tu2j2

But I like my "big, decadent, heavy beast" I wouldn't buy it just for the sake of a little snow though.

Hiace.

David09 wrote: »

Why is everyone fearing the worst when it comes to bad weather and thinking in thousands??

During the last bad snow, I ordered a set of snow chains from e-bay at around €35 if I can remember correctly.

When attached to my Ford Focus, it was the only non 4x4 that could get out and about and traverse the steep hill I live on, much to the envy of my neighbours.
In fact, I can say that hands down, that inexpensive kit made it perform even better that 4x4's which were spinning about the place.
The downside? They were a royal p.i.t.a. to fit and remove at the side of the road, but they were well worth it.
I'd suggest to all who are concerned about bad weather to invest in some snow chains, snow socks or m+s tyres rather than throw a ball of money towards a big, decadent, heavy beast that you would have to fuel, tax and maintain for the unnecessary remaining 50 weeks of the year.

Just my 2c's...

Your right of course, unless you need a 4x4 for towing or off road, you don't need one for driving on public roads with snow. A 2WD car with chains will be just as good as any 4x4 without special tyres, but groupthink always prevails in Ireland.

opinion guy

David09 wrote: »

Why is everyone fearing the worst when it comes to bad weather and thinking in thousands??

During the last bad snow, I ordered a set of snow chains from e-bay at around €35 if I can remember correctly.

When attached to my Ford Focus, it was the only non 4x4 that could get out and about and traverse the steep hill I live on, much to the envy of my neighbours.
In fact, I can say that hands down, that inexpensive kit made it perform even better that 4x4's which were spinning about the place.
The downside? They were a royal p.i.t.a. to fit and remove at the side of the road, but they were well worth it.
I'd suggest to all who are concerned about bad weather to invest in some snow chains, snow socks or m+s tyres rather than throw a ball of money towards a big, decadent, heavy beast that you would have to fuel, tax and maintain for the unnecessary remaining 50 weeks of the year.

Just my 2c's...

Had snow socks last year and they tore on first use (and yes I used them properly.

Waste of money