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Sat 15 Dec 2018 21:26

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - peanutstew

I'm moving to rural Wales soon and will be looking to buy a new vehicle. I'm looking for something that:

- Can handle bad weather (mainly snow and ice); especially with regard to hills
- Has good road clearance for when driving poorly maintained country roads (or the odd forestry track etc)
- Can get out of the way of other cars easily (i.e. when having to get onto the side of the road, where again good clearance will help)
- Is still ok for long distances. I have family in Norfolk/Suffolk and so will be making the trip home 3 - 4 times a year.
- Is reasonably economical to run.
- Will cost around the £7-8k mark.

I've already done a bit of reading about, and probably the most important thing I've learnt so far is that a set of winter tyres will serve you much better in poor weather than a 4x4 with normal tyres. But will be interested to hear what anyone thinks about that.

I'll show my hand... I do like the Dacia Duster. Gets pretty good reviews on the whole, and is an amazing price. The clearance seems really good and seems to beat other vehicles of the type. I also like the size.

But now it's over to you guys... What do you think would be a good choice and are there other things I have overlooked.

Cheers

Edited by peanutstew on 15/12/2018 at 21:28

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Sat 15 Dec 2018 23:58

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - SLO76

The Duster is a perfectly decent option with the robust 1.5 dci Renault motor as long as it’s correctly maintained and the timing belt is done of schedule as they’re known to fail if you ignore this. Early Indian built examples suffered from rust problems which were mostly patched up by dealers under warranty but they will quickly deteriorate so I’d try to buy as late as possible even if this means paying a bit more and buying a newer approved used car.

If it’s not going through muddy fields or towing anything heavy the 2wd model with appropriate winter tyres will get you where you want to go 99% of the time but nothing beats a 4wd with the same tyres.

Other options I’d be looking at would be

Kia Sportage or Hyundai ix35 but to get 4wd you’d need the 2.0 diesel. Watch for gearbox and clutch issues but otherwise quite tough things and certainly more refined and better built than the Dacia.

Honda CRV 2.2 DTEC At the age/mileage where DPF issues may appear but popular, spacious and well made. Easy to sell on and capable of big miles if looked after. The petrol one is bulletproof but a bit juicy and lacks torque.

Toyota RAV4 2.0 diesel as above but the bulk of them use the 2.2 motor which has been troublesome though later examples are much better. I’d still go with a 2wd 2.0.

I’d prefer the better made but older Japs particularly the CRV but I get the appeal of a much younger Duster. Go try one and see if you like it, I do. I like the simplicity of it. It’s an honest straightforward car using tried and tested mechanicals in a practical body with soft comfortable suspension. Not the last word in quality or refinement though. It’s probably the safest option here.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 00:04

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - Ian_SW

My suggestion would be just to buy a fairly common normal car, such as an Astra or Focus and stick with something fairly base model so you get sensible wheels on it.

Winter tyres, (with some old carpet and shovel in the boot in case you get properly stuck) will get you up any road with a bit of mud or snow with no real problem. When I lived out in the sticks in North Yorkshire this is pretty much what I did, and it got me through the really snowy winter of 2010/2011 with no day when I failed to get to work on time.

An important consideration when moving to a rural area is that it's going to be a long way to a main dealer even for the most common makes, and possibly up to a 100 miles for something less popular. Your average small town mechanic is going to be much more comfortable (and competent) servicing something such as a Focus which he'll see plenty of rather than a less common car which he may only come across a couple of times a year.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 08:44

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - Happy Blue!

Remember that when the roads are full of snow, they are also full of cars blocking the road because they do not have 4x4 and/or snow tyres, but whose drivers thought they could get through.

Duster is a good choice, but also consider various Suzuki options and Subaru Forester.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 09:32

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - gordonbennet

Yup, Forester or Outback, but it isn't going to be brilliant on fuel, and do not be tempted by a Subaru Diesel, various Suzuki offerings, Rav 4 or CRV though the two latter hold high used prices and as said nothing wrong with a Duster.

Where 4x4's on proper tyres win is that you can take alternative routes when the main routes become blocked with stuck vehicles, but remember you are likely to be very much on your own taking the more remote routes if you do get into trouble, but i can't imagine rural Welsh people being defeated by a bit of snow like the city dwellers in England.

Yes proper tyres on a 2wd can beat 4WD on summer slicks, but proper AWD on proper tyres is the best of all.

Edited by gordonbennet on 16/12/2018 at 10:16

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 11:32

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - badbusdriver

A worthy contender, albeit at a lower price point, could be a Suzuki SX4 as discussed on another current thread. I'm not talking about the current SX4 S-Cross (2013>), but the older shape (>2014), specifically a 1.6 petrol. Looking through the 'model history' section on the HJ review, it would seem that the 'SZ5' trim is the 4x4, the rest are FWD. It's compact size should make it easy to handle on rural lanes, it has higher than average ground clearance and they are extremely reliable. Also, being slightly older and cheaper than you were planning, means that you won't be as concerned if you aquire some hedge related 'battle scars' getting out of the way of oncoming traffic! (not to mention extra money in your pocket). The only potential downside would be comfort on the motorway, i'm not too sure how the SX4 fare's in this respect, but Suzuki's in general do tend to be a bit tinny. But as long as the seats are comfy and it isn't too loud. About £6k would get you into a 2013-2014 SX4 1.6 4x4, such as this,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20180814947...1

Edited by badbusdriver on 16/12/2018 at 11:33

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 11:43

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - Alby Back

Dusters are kind of cool though, if that matters to you. Sort of car you don't mind getting a bit of mud on.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 11:44

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - gordonbennet

Agreed BBD, and the Fiat Sedici version (same car) as i recall was more likely to be 4wd than the Suzuki version, at least judging by those i transported.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 12:07

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - badbusdriver

Agreed BBD, and the Fiat Sedici version (same car) as i recall was more likely to be 4wd than the Suzuki version, at least judging by those i transported.

Far less common GB though, on Autotrader there is a grand total of 15 Sedici's (14 listed as 4x4), compared to 211 SX4's (44 listed as 4x4). Also the youngest Sedici on Autotrader is a 2008.

Dusters are kind of cool though, if that matters to you. Sort of car you don't mind getting a bit of mud on.

I'm right with you there on the Duster Alby, there is definately something appealing about them. I'd like the basic white with steel wheels version!.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 14:49

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - Engineer Andy

Good advice on both counts. The Dacias are a 'does what is says on the tin' kinda cars.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 15:44

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - Avant

A crucial point in favour of the Duster (which seems to meet the requirements you've set out) is that for your budget you'll get a much newer one than you will with any of the alternatives.

Get a good test drive and make sure you can live with it - and that you're within a reasonable distance of a Dacia or Renault dealer where you're going.

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Sun 16 Dec 2018 20:04

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - bazza

Well, I've lived in Wales most of my life and must have driven literally hundreds of thousands of miles here. To be honest, we don't actually get that much snow, only the upland areas receive that bit more. But of course you may be there! Flood water has been my biggest obstacle, and although I've never been stranded in normal cars with standard tyres, I can see a slight advantage in a raised ground clearance at times. Certainly you don't need 4x4 unless you're going up forestry tracks or over fields day to day. I'd say your Duster choice in 2wd format with a good set of winter tyres would be a perfect choice for the odd occasion you need a bit more traction or clearance.

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Mon 17 Dec 2018 15:31

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - concrete

I think bazza hit the nail on the head. Also RobJP lives in North Wales I believe so his comments would be useful. Having lived in North Yorkshire and worked extensively in Scotland I have never needed a 4x4. Winter tyres help the most. Keep it simple.

Cheers Concrete

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Mon 17 Dec 2018 23:33

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - peanutstew

Thanks for all the replies and input – much appreciated!

I’ve posted the same on some other forums and it is interesting to hear such varied responses there, ranging from those who seem to recommended 4x4 Hilux’s and the like, to those who say a car with decent (and/or winter) tyres will suffice. This forum seems to be well balanced and along the lines of what I've been thinking (it also has the most well thought out and considered responses, but hey - I shouldn't have favourites!)

So as with so many things in life, I find the middle ground is often the place to be. And putting all the responses together I think a 2WD Duster with suitable tyres in winter hits that spot. I also like the no thrills aspect of the Dacia. The simpler and more basic the better for me. I’d still be interested to hear any more views though...

Regarding the Duster, what would also be helpful to know is:

- Petrol vs Diesel. I’d prefer the former due to the environmental (and longevity) concerns of the latter, but I’m still open at this stage.

- mpg. I currently drive an Skoda Fabia Estate 2003, 1.2, petrol). How would a newish Duster compare?

- Other. Are there any particular models, eras, etc to go for or avoid?

Huge thanks

Edited by peanutstew on 17/12/2018 at 23:34

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 00:02

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - SLO76

The slightly gruff 1.5 diesel suits the look and nature of the Duster and it’ll do around 50mpg day to day easily enough while the 1.6 petrol will struggle to get into mid 30’s. The diesel is much stronger both in terms of useable performance and durabity too with loads of mega-mile Clio commuters and Dacia taxis all over Europe to back it up. It’s not bad for DPF issues and turbochargers rarely fail, usually due to utter neglect. Timing belts/tensioners do fail so change it on schedule. This is the same for the petrol 1.6.

The 1.6 petrol is hardy enough too but it’s greedy and weak by comparison while the newer and much more efficient (on paper) 1.2 TCe is proving to be quite troublesome with loads of cases of engine failure on the Nissan Qashqai which also shares it along with the other two units.

I’d pay a bit extra for 4wd but it depends on what’s available within range and within budget. Condition, history and mileage would be more important to me. But while winter tyres are all you’d probably need to get through in the 2wd you’d still have much more traction with the same tyres and four driven wheels to power them. Plus 4wd is always in demand in rural locations like this meaning easier resale. There’s also little economy penalty in the diesel but it does add a bit of weight and complexity.

Edited by SLO76 on 18/12/2018 at 00:09

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 00:16

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - SteveLee

I like the Duster but if it were me in that price range I'd buy Japanese and petrol. Mitsubishi ASXs are quite good value and have a decent wading depth which is quite useful in Wales. As others have said four wheel drive isn't essential, I would, however,fit all-season tyres rather than go to the expense of winter tyres and spare wheels. I've exclusively fitted All-season tyres to my and my other half's car(s) for about 20 years now.

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Tue 18 Dec 2018 04:02

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - retgwte

The extra ground clearance of a stepway is probably all you need.

So for me a sandero stepway would be the choice, unless I needed more space.

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Fri 21 Dec 2018 23:58

Moving to rural Wales and need a new vehicle... - SteveLee

The extra ground clearance of a stepway is probably all you need.

So for me a sandero stepway would be the choice, unless I needed more space.

Great value and a decent basic car, the only issue is blind people find it difficult to drive - and they're surely the only people that could put up with the Stepway from an aesthetic point of view?

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