Recommendations on 4*4 or similar please....

terrydel

I've moved out to the countryside and am looking at possibly changing to a 4*4 or at least a jeep type 2 wheel drive.
I'd be looking for one with room for 2-3 medium sized dogs in the back. No kids so thats not an issue.
Something reasonably economical, and preferably lowish tax would be ideal.
Currently drive a 1.6 petrol 2004 a3 which I love, but its not great for the dogs and will struggle in the winter on the roads out there which wont be gritted mostly likely.
Budget would probably be max 12.5-15k plus the value of the a3 (2.5k maybe).
Currently paying 514 a year on tax so anything under that would be great.
Jeep or large estate/suv would be considered, and 4wd prefereable but not essential.
Those large Subaru estates looks great, but not sure of cost/reliability/tax etc.
Just looking for ideas at this stage, as I havent a clue myself. Would probably look to change round early winter.
Thanks.

fancy pigeon

terrydel wrote: »

Currently drive a 1.6 petrol 2004 a3 which I love, but its not great for the dogs and will struggle in the winter on the roads out there which wont be gritted mostly likely.

It won't struggle. Born and bred culchie that once drove a 520i up a very icy and snowed in sally gap

Consider a Legacy estate

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Skoda Yeti? Economical for a 4x4 and it has a decent amount of room. You can also remove the back seats for extra room.

Have you considered winter tyres and snow socks for your current car?

terrydel

Carolyn Thankful Restoration wrote: »

Skoda Yeti? Economical for a 4x4 and it has a decent amount of room. You can also remove the back seats for extra room.

Have you considered winter tyres and snow socks for your current car?

Didnt actually know those where 4*4. I like them too. I'd imagine they are expensive tho?
Might look at winter tyres if I dont change. Thanks.

Alun

In snowy conditions, winter tyres on a 2WD will beat a 4WD on summer tyres any day of the week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA

_Brian

terrydel wrote: »

Didnt actually know those where 4*4. I like them too. I'd imagine they are expensive tho?
Might look at winter tyres if I dont change. Thanks.

They're not all 4*4.

I'd say look at winter tyres first.
Umless you have real need for a 4*4 your buying a lot of stuff to maintain they you really don't need.

Remember a 4wd jeep type vehicle is worse than a car in ice, higher centre of gravity is very different and pushes the vehicle about much more. Similar on snow, they can often lul drivers into a sense of security as they push on better than a 2wd but only have same stopping ability under breaking.

However, if your intent, look at a Skoda Octavia Scout, 4 inches higher than a regular Octavia and 4wd. I test drive one when changing last time and it was a great drive.

I bought a 4wd VW Tiguan in the end and love it but still thinking about the scout. I tow regularly and love on a farm and can just about justify a 4wd. You'd be facing higher fuel consumption all year for security maybe 4-5 mornings a year.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

terrydel wrote: »

Didnt actually know those where 4*4. I like them too. I'd imagine they are expensive tho?
Might look at winter tyres if I dont change. Thanks.

There are 2 models now, the 110bhp and the 150bhp (this has replaced the 170bhp model).

4 snow tyres with steel rims will cost about €1000, depending on the weather, I would probably put them on in November and take them off again at the end of February. They are not just for snow, but for cold and wet weather too.

I drive regularly in the alps in winter and the snow is nothing like what we would have in Ireland, the winter tyres on a ford focus are pretty awesome. There are some roads which we need to attach snow changes (compulsory) but they are illegal in Ireland I believe. Snow socks are legal, but should only be used when there's snow and below 50Kmph.

dingdong1234567

I don't doubt the op's question. But this is Ireland after all, just how badly a 4*4 is needed because of a bit ice on roads is debatable.

I had a Transit Connect that ate hills with 4" of snows in winters of 2010 & 2011. It went places a 4x4 couldn't in fact. Just my 2 cents. Not knocking the op's question just bringing a different perspective to the table.

terrydel

dingdong1234567 wrote: »

I don't doubt the op's question. But this is Ireland after all, just how badly a 4*4 is needed because of a bit ice on roads is debatable.

I had a Transit Connect that ate hills with 4" of snows in winters of 2010 & 2011. It went places a 4x4 couldn't in fact. Just my 2 cents. Not knocking the op's question just bringing a different perspective to the table.

Cheers for the input, it actually crossed my mind that something like the connect might be a serious option, especially for the dogs.