Advice on buying 4wd estate

GarMani

I am looking to buy a Turbodiesel 4x4 estate and am looking for advice on which one to buy. My current favourites are the new Skoda Octavia 4x4 Combi, but that's not available yet, or a second-hand Audi A6 Allroad.

I would also consider a Skoda Superb, BMW X1, Subaru Legacy, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 508 RXH or Citroen DS5 if it was good enough value. Lowish running costs and low mileage would be a bonus. All advice appreciated.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

volvo xc70

Matthewjohn

Passat 4 motion?

GarMani

XC70 is an old design and quite expensive. The same can be said for the Passat over €42k new

paddy147

Subaru Forester perhaps.

paddy147

Mitsi Legnum VR4...if petrol engine is an option for you.

Neilw

Octavia scout or would a 4x4 yeti suit?

GarMani

The Legnum/Mitsubishi Galant estate is a bit on the old side for me. For me the Subaru Forester is like the Skoda Yeti, Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Citroen C-Crosser, Peugeot 4007, Kia Sportage, Hyundai ix35 too tall and unstable on bends for my liking and, in most cases, I could get a 4wd estate for similar money.

ihavethepower

Heard there was awful problems with the 4x4 combi, recalls on the early ones. 6 speeds were thirsty

ihavethepower

paddy147 wrote: »

Subaru Forester perhaps.

outback or legacy tourer are nice too

colm_mcm

What about an Evoque? You might get a 12 for about 35k?

GarMani

ihavethepower wrote: »

Heard there was awful problems with the 4x4 combi, recalls on the early ones. 6 speeds were thirsty

Please elaborate...this could be very useful. Are you talking about Octavia or Superb?

GarMani

For those who are interested in that sort of thing:
bargain Hyundai iX35 2.0 diesel 4wd at Keary's of Cork
contact Liam Heddeman, nice guy
new, mid-spec..limited number available through head office.
€28500 cash including 3 services, 5 year UNLIMITED mileage warranty and guaranteed minimum value €9366 resale value after 3 years based on you doing 30,000km per annum, but he said it could be worth nearly twice that.

bazz26

GarMani wrote: »

For those who are interested in that sort of thing:
bargain Hyundai iX35 2.0 diesel 4wd at Keary's of Cork
contact Liam Heddeman, nice guy
new, mid-spec..limited number available through head office.
€28500 cash including 3 services, 5 year UNLIMITED mileage warranty and guaranteed minimum value €9366 resale value after 3 years based on you doing 30,000km per annum, but he said it could be worth nearly twice that.

Lol, he must work for a charity then?

That model retails at under €34k when you include delivery and metallic paint, hardly nearly twice the cash price. Also might have something to do with the fact that the i35x is getting a mid life facelift in the next few months so Hyundai are eager to shift existing stock. It's a good cash price but it's not the giveaway being claimed.

GarMani

His price included metallic and delivery too.

Terrontress

bazz26 wrote: »

Lol, he must work for a charity then?

That model retails at under €34k when you include delivery and metallic paint, hardly nearly twice the cash price. Also might have something to do with the fact that the i35x is getting a mid life facelift in the next few months so Hyundai are eager to shift existing stock. It's a good cash price but it's not the giveaway being claimed.

Does he not mean that they'll definitely give you 9.5k for it in a few years but you'll easily get 19k?

Either way an iffy claim.

R.O.R

3yr 90k - probably worth well over €9.5k in my professional opinion.

I'd be sticking about €12,500 in the back end at that term / mileage, and making profit off that as well.

dh0011

28500 for the car 9366 after 3 years meaning that iw will be depreciation of over 19K in 3 years. That is not great for a car which will still have 2 years warranty left

Rightwing

I'd go for the Volvo XC60, extremely comfortable and great storage, with every extra.

bazz26

Rightwing wrote: »

I'd go for the Volvo XC60, extremely comfortable and great storage, with every extra.

A lot more expensive to buy though.

GarMani

Terrontress wrote: »

Does he not mean that they'll definitely give you 9.5k for it in a few years but you'll easily get 19k?

Either way an iffy claim.

Hyundai guarantee a minimum of €9366 at the end of 3 years and 90k kms but he predicted you'd be daft to take that and that you could get €13-17 for it.

GarMani

I just noticed yesterday that the Volvo V60 is available in 2.4 TurboDiesel 4x4 guise in the UK. I incorrectly assumed that, like so many cars it was unavailable in RHD 4x4. Does anyone know if it is available in Ireland. An Italian ski instructor friend has one and it goes well in the ice. He calls it "the monster". Its luggage capacity is on the smaller end of what I'd be looking for but if the deal was good enough...

GarMani

Rightwing wrote: »

I'd go for the Volvo XC60, extremely comfortable and great storage, with every extra.

How's it on icy bends with a full load? Skiing in Alps and Pyrenees is my reason for seeking 4x4.

Rightwing

GarMani wrote: »

How's it on icy bends with a full load? Skiing in Alps and Pyrenees is my reason for seeking 4x4.

Handles very well overall, but there hasnt been many icy roads since I got my one a year ago, so I can't really judge what it would be like on the Alps etc

GarMani

Thanks again for all the advice. I should have updated you all about what I bought in the end (late summer).

I was told that Subaru Legacy and Outback models are rare second hand, as they are rare and reliable and those who buy them tend to keep them a long time.


I rang a Skoda dealer in Northern Ireland and the salesperson there told me that the new model Octavia 4wd estate was not available yet. I told her it was, and she had to do research to confirm I was right. It could have been worth buying alright.

I had a very tempting offer of a new Skoda Superb (pre-facelift model) 2.0 TDI 170hp 4WD estate from Liam Lynch in Farranfore in Kerry of €34500 for cash with no trade-in. The salesman was going to order this and more cars from the distributor and was going to get back to me with an even more reduced price as a result. I was awaiting an offer I couldn't refuse. I also asked him and 2 other Skoda main dealers to get me prices on the new model Skoda Octavia 4wd estate which was not yet available in the Republic but to get one from a dealer in the North or the distributor in Britain. None of them got back to me. It even took me 5 attempts to get an answer from a receptionist in one of these dealers who took a message for the salesman to get back to me...he didn't.

You would think in a recession that some sales people would make a few phone calls for someone willing to pay nearly €35000 for a car.

While I was awaiting answers, I spotted a 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105bhp 4WD with 30000km for €16750 private sale. I had it checked over by a mechanic. It was in perfect condition and I bought it. Happy so far. I hope it goes well in the Alps this spring. I am confident that the new model Octavia would be a better car, but hardly twice the car for twice the money. This one is probably the cheapest 4x4 estate to run.

Thanks for the advice again.

biko

Sound, thanks for the update OP.

Scartbeg

Good choice.
I have a 2006 Octavia 4x4 1.9 TDi, brought over from UK. Excellent performance in the snow with Vredestein winter tyres. FWIW, no car can grip on "icy roads" unless with studs or chains.

Getting a steady 50+mpg on most short local runs, 55+mpg on long motorway runs. Shocks are suffering on the lumpy rural roads though, replaced front shocks twice in 4 years.

GarMani

My next car, I hope in a few years will be the Volvo V60 PHEV 4WD. It has the 215BHP 2.4 TurboDiesel plus another 70BHP from an electric motor (285 is a lot of horses...especially seeing as the electric motor's response should be so rapid). It is a plug-in-hybrid, so it should be largely unaffected by whatever part of the Middle-East blows up next (or gets blown up by USA). And if you want to do a long journey give it a trickle of diesel for when the batteries run out. It costs £43000 in the UK after a £5000 government grant. I rang Johnson and Perrott Volvo dealers in Cork and they researched it and said it is not coming to Ireland as it would probably cost over €70000. A car worth importing in the future possibly.

650Ginge

GarMani wrote: »

While I was awaiting answers, I spotted a 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105bhp 4WD with 30000km for €16750 private sale. I had it checked over by a mechanic. It was in perfect condition and I bought it. Happy so far. I hope it goes well in the Alps this spring. I am confident that the new model Octavia would be a better car, but hardly twice the car for twice the money. This one is probably the cheapest 4x4

Is the such a car. Parkers don't think so. 4x4 only comes on the 2.0tdi and 1.8tsi.

Certainly not on the bargain basement model you ending up buying. Very disappointing purchase in the end after talking about some very nice cars. Was it all just bluff.

glic71rods46t0

GarMani wrote: »

Thanks again for all the advice. I should have updated you all about what I bought in the end (late summer).

I was told that Subaru Legacy and Outback models are rare second hand, as they are rare and reliable and those who buy them tend to keep them a long time.


I rang a Skoda dealer in Northern Ireland and the salesperson there told me that the new model Octavia 4wd estate was not available yet. I told her it was, and she had to do research to confirm I was right. It could have been worth buying alright.

I had a very tempting offer of a new Skoda Superb (pre-facelift model) 2.0 TDI 170hp 4WD estate from Liam Lynch in Farranfore in Kerry of €34500 for cash with no trade-in. The salesman was going to order this and more cars from the distributor and was going to get back to me with an even more reduced price as a result. I was awaiting an offer I couldn't refuse. I also asked him and 2 other Skoda main dealers to get me prices on the new model Skoda Octavia 4wd estate which was not yet available in the Republic but to get one from a dealer in the North or the distributor in Britain. None of them got back to me. It even took me 5 attempts to get an answer from a receptionist in one of these dealers who took a message for the salesman to get back to me...he didn't.

You would think in a recession that some sales people would make a few phone calls for someone willing to pay nearly €35000 for a car.

While I was awaiting answers, I spotted a 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105bhp 4WD with 30000km for €16750 private sale. I had it checked over by a mechanic. It was in perfect condition and I bought it. Happy so far. I hope it goes well in the Alps this spring. I am confident that the new model Octavia would be a better car, but hardly twice the car for twice the money. This one is probably the cheapest 4x4 estate to run.

Thanks for the advice again.

Disappointing buy- bargain basement as another poster said. I doubt the salesmen who didn't return your call lost any business!
The biggest worry I would have for your purchase is that u went for diesel but plan on using it in the alps and other such places. I think the serious skiers use petrol as its much more suited to the conditions during skiing season

skibum

stu48dk9blxg0a wrote: »

Disappointing buy- bargain basement as another poster said. I doubt the salesmen who didn't return your call lost any business!
The biggest worry I would have for your purchase is that u went for diesel but plan on using it in the alps and other such places. I think the serious skiers use petrol as its much more suited to the conditions during skiing season

What a load of bollix

Stella Virgo

GarMani wrote: »

I am looking to buy a Turbodiesel 4x4 estate and am looking for advice on which one to buy. My current favourites are the new Skoda Octavia 4x4 Combi, but that's not available yet, or a second-hand Audi A6 Allroad.

I would also consider a Skoda Superb, BMW X1, Subaru Legacy, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 508 RXH or Citroen DS5 if it was good enough value. Lowish running costs and low mileage would be a bonus. All advice appreciated.

no such thing exists....if want 4x4, be prepared to pay for it...we would all be driving massive 4x4 if they were cheap to run.

Marcusm

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about an Evoque? You might get a 12 for about 35k?

Less room than aFiesta (exaggeration) so not really estate comparable.

glic71rods46t0

skibum wrote: »

What a load of bollix

Nice helpful reply! Ever hear of freezing diesel?

skibum

stu48dk9blxg0a wrote: »

Nice helpful reply! Ever hear of freezing diesel?

You are welcome!
Not only have i heard of freezing diesel, i have experienced it first hand in Livigno, the tank was filled in bergamo with standard diesel. Once we filled it with diesel sold in there ( which has an antifreeze additive), it was grand.
So according to your post all the locals running diesels in ski resorts are a little bit foolish for buying non petrol cars?

glic71rods46t0

skibum wrote: »

You are welcome!
Not only have i heard of freezing diesel, i have experienced it first hand in Livigno, the tank was filled in bergamo with standard diesel. Once we filled it with diesel sold in there ( which has an antifreeze additive), it was grand.
So according to your post all the locals running diesels in ski resorts are a little bit foolish for buying non petrol cars?

Petrol is a far superior choice for the conditions. I didn't refer to anyone as foolish- away with your strawman on Christmas Day

skibum

stu48dk9blxg0a wrote: »

Petrol is a far superior choice for the conditions. I didn't refer to anyone as foolish- away with your strawman on Christmas Day

Jesus.

I must admit to being a bit deflated when I got to what you ended up buying when you compare it to the Motors in your OP!

My sister has the 1.6 TDI and its a grand aul car to drive although I didn't think it came in 4WD.

I also wonder will it lack a bit of punch for the Alps?

Jesus.

I'm also wondering is this a wind up?

JJJJNR

Jesus. wrote: »

I must admit to being a bit deflated when I got to what you ended up buying when you compare it to the Motors in your OP!

My sister has the 1.6 TDI and its a grand aul car to drive although I didn't think it came in 4WD.

I also wonder will it lack a bit of punch for the Alps?

think the speed limit in the alps is 80kph, how much power do u need.

Sobanek

Should have bought a Range Rover Sport

Jesus.

JJJJNR wrote: »

think the speed limit in the alps is 80kph, how much power do u need.

Yes and its not the most mountainous region in Europe - flat as a billiard table in fact. Hell, the terrain's so hospitable he'd have all the power he needs in a two cylinder Panda. And going on a skiing trip, he ain't even going to have the car packed full of gear either. Feck it, why doesn't he just do without an engine altogether and fit a sail to the roof!

Only in Ireland would questioning the suitability of a 1.6 daysul heading off on an alpine adventure attract derision. Shure my Fiat Uno goes like lightening and its aysy on the tax too! :rolleyes:

Mate, you're lucky you ain't in some Countries where that sized motor wouldn't look out of place on a lawnmower, never mind a Continent-traversing estate car :pac:

JJJJNR

the panda ia available in a 4x4 version also, and very capable. Im no expert but with proper alpine studded winter tyres, why wouldnt the 105bhp 1.6tdi be fine for those conditions.

veetwin

Jesus. wrote: »

Only in Ireland would questioning the suitability of a 1.6 daysul heading off on an alpine adventure attract derision. Shure my Fiat Uno goes like lightening and its aysy on the tax too! :rolleyes:

Mate, you're lucky you ain't in some Countries where that sized motor wouldn't look out of place on a lawnmower, never mind a Continent-traversing estate car :pac:

What are you talking about? If you go to France you'll find the roads are pretty much full of 1.6 diesel Pugeots, Citroens and Renaults. In fact you will be hard pressed to find anything above 2 litre on the road.

Similar story in Spain. Both mountainous countries.

Scartbeg

Jesus. wrote: »

Yes and its not the most mountainous region in Europe - flat as a billiard table in fact. Hell, the terrain's so hospitable he'd have all the power he needs in a two cylinder Panda. And going on a skiing trip, he ain't even going to have the car packed full of gear either. Feck it, why doesn't he just do without an engine altogether and fit a sail to the roof!

Only in Ireland would questioning the suitability of a 1.6 daysul heading off on an alpine adventure attract derision. Shure my Fiat Uno goes like lightening and its aysy on the tax too! :rolleyes:

Mate, you're lucky you ain't in some Countries where that sized motor wouldn't look out of place on a lawnmower, never mind a Continent-traversing estate car :pac:

Oddly enough, the Panda 4x4 was one of the best cars I have experienced in the snow. On a trip to Verbier in the 90's we carried on merrily up the hill while others were having to stop and put on chains.

Lived for 2 years in the Swiss Jura, temps regularly down to the -20's and never had a problem with my diesel Golf.

650Ginge

JJJJNR wrote: »

the panda ia available in a 4x4 version also, and very capable. Im no expert but with proper alpine studded winter tyres, why wouldnt the 105bhp 1.6tdi be fine for those conditions.

Because the 1.6tdi in 4x4 doesn't exist. So it is impossible to judge how well it would do?

I like the idea of a 4x4 panda. They seem very useable in snow. Cheapest option but hardly a comparable car to the 60k new cars that the op led us to believe he might purchase.

Jesus.

JJJJNR wrote: »

the panda ia available in a 4x4 version also, and very capable..

A two-cylinder 4-wheel drive? I've heard it all now.

Is it able to go on grass?

veetwin wrote: »

What are you talking about? If you go to France you'll find the roads are pretty much full of 1.6 diesel Pugeots, Citroens and Renaults. In fact you will be hard pressed to find anything above 2 litre on the road.Similar story in Spain. Both mountainous countries.

Well I suppose it comes down to what you consider "plenty of power". Considering the OP started talking about getting a 4-wheel drive which included an A6, Superb, Legacy and the new AWD Octy (which I presume will have a decent sized engine in it), yet settled on a 105bhp 1.6 TDI, I think it amply demonstrates the Irish penchant for small engines with even smaller power.

If I was deciding on a car for a cross-Continent trek, I would have stuck with the initial suggestions instead of talking big and then bottling it!

BTW, I'm still not 100% convinced that this thread isn't a wind-up. It seems a bit far-fetched to be honest.

TireeTerror

How dare a man dream......

JJJJNR

Scartbeg wrote: »

Oddly enough, the Panda 4x4 was one of the best cars I have experienced in the snow. On a trip to Verbier in the 90's we carried on merrily up the hill while others were having to stop and put on chains. Lived for 2 years in the Swiss Jura, temps regularly down to the -20's and never had a problem with my diesel Golf.

how do you find the octavia, im torn between the xc90 and the low running costs of the octavia. i know they are opposites in regards to spec etc but have heard nightmares about the volvo.

Jesus.

Scartbeg wrote: »

Oddly enough, the Panda 4x4 was one of the best cars I have experienced in the snow.

Did it have two cylinders?

I don't want to sound narky but some posters on this Site do tend to irritatingly ( perhaps sometimes purposefully?) miss the point someone is trying to make by omitting the most relevant part of what they said.

glic71rods46t0

TireeTerror wrote: »

How dare a man dream......

Dream??? This was Walter Mitty territory. There is too much of a gap between the OP's original requirements and what he ended up with. I wonder why the various salesmen didn't return his calls - maybe they are more astute than I give them credit for!