Need a 4x4

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 09:26
Need a 4x4 - Michelin

I am looking to buy a 4x4 but have not got a clue which one to get so if I say what I'm looking for maybe someone can throw a few ideas my way.I know I want a diesel one and I want a smallish one aswell.I'm not going to be doing much off roading its just my job involves driving along a beach about 40 yards to get to my place of work and theres a couple of rocks to go over so a car will just not do.I have a couple of children so I want something with all the toys you get in a car air con cruise control all electrics and a sunroof if poss.I was thinking of a jeep cherokee CRD limited that was quite nice and I quite like the rav 4.I will be doing mostly day to day driving on roads and my misses will want to drive it aswell school runs shopping etc so I want something thats as close to being in a car as poss not an agri type 4x4 something that pulls quite well ,so any ideas anyone.

Cheers in advance

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 09:35
Need a 4x4 - Lygonos

New or used?

What annual mileage?

Will it be a tow-car?

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 09:48
Need a 4x4 - Michelin

Im after a used one about an 04/05 annual mielage about 10000 wont be towing anything bigger than a trailer

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 11:55
Need a 4x4 - pyruse

Honda CRV? Very 'car-like' to drive. Very reliable.

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 14:02
Need a 4x4 - a900ss

I want something thats as close to being in a car as poss not an agri type 4x4 something that pulls quite well ,so any ideas anyone.

What about a Subaru Legacy Outback/Volvo XC70/Audi Allroad sort of car?

Edited by a900ss on 21/07/2010 at 14:03

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Wed 21 Jul 2010 21:47
Need a 4x4 - Lygonos

Forget diesel at that age and usage.

Subaru Forester - Focus-size jacked up estate, drives like a car, same ground clearance as a Freelander. Low ratio box on the non-turbo good for offroad dawdling. Turbo is a Boxster-fast Q-car, 25-26mpg, get prior to March 06 model and tax is £245/yr.

CRV is bigger, petrol is just as quick as diesel (30mpg vs 40mpg but a couple of grand cheaper), more reliable and makes an excellent job as family wagon. Copes fine on mild offroading. One of the most reliable cars out there.

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Mon 26 Jul 2010 22:46
Need a 4x4 - SteveLee
Mitsubishi Outlander, another jacked-up estate type car with decent off-road ability, they depreciate quite heavily as no-one as ever heard of them (Mitsubishi = Shogun) and so can be second hand bargains. Equipment levels are quite generous too.

PS Forget anything with "JEEP" on the bonnet - they're cheap as chips for a reason...

PPS Don't overlook the KIA Sportage, they've just been replaced with a new model so the old ones are becoming cheap, a nice SE with full leather ain't a bad place to be. Don't forget to check it's a 4WD version - they come in 2WD too. They have a transferable 7 year manufacturer's warranty - still want a JEEP?
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Mon 26 Jul 2010 23:24
Need a 4x4 - MrTG
Many older 4x4s will not switch on the fly from 2WD to 4WD whilst in motion. You have to stop and select 4WD either hi or lo ratio. To disengage you shove them back into 2WD and reverse a metre or so to disengage. Sounds to me as though you do not need a hi-low ratio box.

So, an older Honda CRV would fit the bill nicely. It does all the thinking for you - but it's not a true offroader. If you do feel you need something more purposeful then Suzuki Vitaras have all the gear (hi-lo ratio etc). I like Vitaras, don't be fooled by the lower ground clearance, they are the 'real' go anywhere item. Of course you'd be looking for a Gran Vitara now and not one of the 1990s square shaped ones.

The only Freelander worth buying is diesel (don't under any circumstances buy an older 1.8 petrol!) and older good Discos are few and far between.
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Tue 27 Jul 2010 11:52
Need a 4x4 - Sofa Spud

If ground clearance isn't an issue (where you go over the rocks), and you want a 4x4 that is as car-like as possible - what about a 4x4 version of an 'ordinary' car rather than an SUV?

Most Jaguar X-Types are 4x4, while various Audis and nearly all Subarus are 4x4.

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