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Suggest a 4X4 / all wheel drive.

  • 14-02-2013 4:29pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I'm thinking of changing car and have been strongly contemplating getting a 4x4 or something with four wheel drive.

    I live in Dublin but do a lot of mountain biking meaning i have my current car (03 1.4 Golf) loaded up 2/3 times a week. My reasoning for wanting something with 4 wheel drive is that Im up in Wicklow all year round and the roads are getting worse all the time. I also love getting out on the bike in the snow, but wouldn't try taking the golf up towards roundwood etc when the weathers bad. The golf isn't that bad on snow/ice, but there's a bit too much 'winging it' when I'm using it in the mountains during snowy periods.

    Basically I'd be looking for something second hand and would budget around €8-10k. Big boot, petrol or diesel and probably not more that a 2L engine.

    Any suggestions?

    John


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,944 ✭✭✭pete4130


    You've got your softroader options like a santa fe, sorento etc...not a "real" 4wd system. They'll be cheaper than the likes of a Nissan Patrol, Landcruiser, Discovery/Defender but these will be more expensive to run (and outside your 2L engine size requirement). They won't be as nice to drive as a regular car either.

    One of the most underrated cars in Ireland is the Subaru Forester. You can get a 2.0 non turbo with a very clever AWD system and it has a low range gearbox too (albeit about a 15% reduction rather than a 50%). They can be got for very little with average mileage & good spec as people perceive them to be really expensive to run. They won't have the greatest mpg but no 4WD will have. Around town maybe 25-30mpg and out of town maybe 30-35mpg.

    They are basically a raised estate with 4WD, based on the Impreza platform (the older models anyway).

    Other similar options would be a Volvo XC70, an Audi Allroad but the engines are probably too big?

    Another good option is a Subaru Outback. Much more boot space but I don't think they come in smaller than a 2.5L engine size. No low range on the Outback but similar ride height to the forester.

    Take this one for example:

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4505348

    It's well under budget, its 2.0L, really good spec and a few years up on your current car. The mileage isn't even that high really, a little more than average I guess. You're getting a lot of car for the money.

    Or this one:

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4501088

    It's about half the mileage, a little bit more expensive and has NCT until next year. It's reasonable spec on it too. This one seems to be an older model/pre facelift by the looks of it so the black one might make better snese with resale value. Then its hard to ignore the older model has less than half the mileage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭CardinalJ


    pete4130 wrote: »
    You've got your softroader options like a santa fe, sorento etc...not a "real" 4wd system. They'll be cheaper than the likes of a Nissan Patrol, Landcruiser, Discovery/Defender but these will be more expensive to run (and outside your 2L engine size requirement). They won't be as nice to drive as a regular car either.

    One of the most underrated cars in Ireland is the Subaru Forester. You can get a 2.0 non turbo with a very clever AWD system and it has a low range gearbox too (albeit about a 15% reduction rather than a 50%). They can be got for very little with average mileage & good spec as people perceive them to be really expensive to run. They won't have the greatest mpg but no 4WD will have. Around town maybe 25-30mpg and out of town maybe 30-35mpg.

    They are basically a raised estate with 4WD, based on the Impreza platform (the older models anyway).

    Other similar options would be a Volvo XC70, an Audi Allroad but the engines are probably too big?

    Another good option is a Subaru Outback. Much more boot space but I don't think they come in smaller than a 2.5L engine size. No low range on the Outback but similar ride height to the forester.

    Take this one for example:

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4505348

    It's well under budget, its 2.0L, really good spec and a few years up on your current car. The mileage isn't even that high really, a little more than average I guess. You're getting a lot of car for the money.

    Or this one:

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4501088

    It's about half the mileage, a little bit more expensive and has NCT until next year. It's reasonable spec on it too. This one seems to be an older model/pre facelift by the looks of it so the black one might make better snese with resale value. Then its hard to ignore the older model has less than half the mileage.

    The 2L thing is mainly based on insurance. I'm 27 so insurance is currently €500, I previously checked for a 2.5L defender and think it was coming in around €800, slightly less if I put my girlfriend on in.

    Had looked into a forester before. Drove one on snow years ago and thought it was great. Ill have to look into the tax costs of the forester.

    Thanks for the suggestions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 405 ✭✭shooter88


    Why not keep the golf and get a classic land rover 150 to insure and 56e tax easy to pick a very clean one for half your budjet


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 487 ✭✭Cungi


    I'd go with a Legacy/Impreza estate

    But you could also have with those requirements:

    Toyota Rav4
    Honda HRV
    Land Rover Freelander
    Hyundai Santa Fe
    Kia Sportage


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,038 ✭✭✭kuro_man


    Golf R32?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 405 ✭✭shooter88


    The 2lt "4x4" won't be any good for what your looking for most don't have a decent 4wd system and won't really go much further than a car in snow or even in muck..basically if it doesn't have a low box don't bother


  • Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    4wd Vitara on suitable tyres would do the job.

    Defenders are looney money, was half thinking of getting one shortly but the premium on them is mad imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    shooter88 wrote: »
    The 2lt "4x4" won't be any good for what your looking for most don't have a decent 4wd system and won't really go much further than a car in snow or even in muck..basically if it doesn't have a low box don't bother

    Absolute rubbish. The low box is for total extremes and having owned a 2.0 Impreza with such box and a vitara I never ever had the need to use it. I now have a 2.0L Legacy saloon (BL5) which has diesnt have the hi/lo box and in the snow and ice 2 years ago I was able to get up and down to my house where my brothers Free lander failed. Tyres are a very big part of an AWD vehicles capabilities. I had winter tyres on my car and there was virtually no where it wouldn't go.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,058 ✭✭✭✭Abi


    shooter88 wrote: »
    Why not keep the golf and get a classic land rover 150 to insure and 56e tax easy to pick a very clean one for half your budjet
    ^ I like that idea.


    Also, maybe a Nissan X-trail. Grand big boot in them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭CardinalJ


    shooter88 wrote: »
    Why not keep the golf and get a classic land rover 150 to insure and 56e tax easy to pick a very clean one for half your budjet

    Interesting idea but running two cars is probably a bit much. I'd be using both the whole time so it would work out far too much.
    shooter88 wrote: »
    The 2lt "4x4" won't be any good for what your looking for most don't have a decent 4wd system and won't really go much further than a car in snow or even in muck..basically if it doesn't have a low box don't bother

    Don't know a lot about 4wd cars at all but I've driven on snow in FWD cars plenty and in a forester and the difference was huge.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 405 ✭✭shooter88


    CJC999 wrote: »

    Absolute rubbish. The low box is for total extremes and having owned a 2.0 Impreza with such box and a vitara I never ever had the need to use it. I now have a 2.0L Legacy saloon (BL5) which has diesnt have the hi/lo box and in the snow and ice 2 years ago I was able to get up and down to my house where my brothers Free lander failed. Tyres are a very big part of an AWD vehicles capabilities. I had winter tyres on my car and there was virtually no where it wouldn't go.
    The free lander is one of those "4x4" that are really cars and dont have a decent 4wd system..the low box is not for extremes it lowers gear ratio ultimately moving wheels slower eliminating wheel spin


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 556 ✭✭✭Carson10


    This car would be ideal for your bikes and has that upmarket/country feel.
    Volvo XC70 Estate 4x4 2002. Nows its 2.5 petrol, but maybe €4,995 you could see past the high tax rate and have money left over.

    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4561922


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 278 ✭✭comanche_cor


    CardinalJ wrote: »
    Hi,

    The golf isn't that bad on snow/ice, but there's a bit too much 'winging it' when I'm using it in the mountains during snowy periods.

    Any suggestions?

    John

    Yup - get a set of winter tyres for the car (& the bike). Sorry but getting a AWD / 4x4 is madness for your needs ... unless you want a 4x4 just for the sake of it.

    Simples... will save ya money in fuel, tax, upgrade costs etc ... use the savings to add more bikes to your arsenal :D

    Btw another thing to consider with some of the 4wd is that if you carry bikes on the back (I presume you won't be putting them in the back), because they are higher you bikes might catch on some of the lower gates for example the car park a Djouce - PITA.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,668 ✭✭✭walus


    If you are really into AWD cars then there aren't that many better than Subarus. I've Legacy and the grip and handling is superb. Check out the Forester as suggested earlier. Very understated car that can be had for a good money. On top of that the non turbo 2.0 petrol are very reliable.

    ”Where’s the revolution? Come on, people you’re letting me down!”



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,617 ✭✭✭ba_barabus


    I'm going to recommend something slightly different.

    A good roof rack placed on top of a Fiat Panda 4x4 with a set of M&S tyres fitted.

    I've seen them in use this week on heavy snow in the ski slopes in the Cairngorms national park in Scotland. All I can say is they are like a mountain goat with the amount of available grip. The snow was the worst I've ever been out in and these things just kept digging in and going.

    I'd imagine they are cheap to run also given they have a small enough engine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,314 ✭✭✭CardinalJ


    Some real interesting thoughts there. Ill have a look into them after work.

    Thanks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,336 ✭✭✭wendell borton


    CardinalJ wrote: »
    Some real interesting thoughts there. Ill have a look into them after work.

    Thanks.
    The low box makes a difference as the diff will be locked so power will be sent to all wheels, without it power will only go to spinning wheels.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    The low box makes a difference as the diff will be locked so power will be sent to all wheels, without it power will only go to spinning wheels.
    Low range and diff locks are two different things. Also, many awd cars will have limited slip differentials and/or ESP to help keep the car moving.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,496 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    Was going to suggest an Octavia Scout but they seem to be quite rare on the market.

    ETA found one,
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/SCOUT-2./201308212529496/advert?channel=CARS

    This too shall pass.



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