4x4 Shortlist Of 3 ( up to now)

[Simmo1111]

Hi all,

I'm doing a bit of searching around with regard to buying a 4x4. My needs are not too complicated really, it's just that I'm ruining my current Honda Accord due to some of the rough country roads which I regularly travel on. What I need is something with decent ground clearance with suspension which is better suited to rough roads than my current vehicle. I won't be doing any off-roading but lots of the roads I use are full of potholes and I sometimes park on rough verges where the ground clearance is an issue. Something good in snow would be a bonus as I live in an area with steep hills. I'm also looking for something which doesn't cost a fortune to run due to me taking early retirement and now living on my savings.

I have hopefully narrowed it down to 3, which are Honda CRV 2.2 diesel, Subaru Forester 2.0 diesel or a Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 diesel.

All seem to be acceptably economical and all look to be very reliable so there doesn't seem to be much to choose in between them. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of these cars please ? I reckon I can afford something in the region of a 2008/9 plate when I come to buy.

Thanks very much.

Best wishes,

Dave.

 

[British Red]

We have a CRV and an Outlander at the moment. Both are excellent cars. The Outlander is a more refined drive than the CRV, but the CRV has more flexible load space. Do NOT get alloys on the Outlander. I mullahed on in a pothole and they are eye wateringly expensive to replace. The 4wd is switchable on the mitsi which I prefer. Ground clearance a little better on the CRV. We like the Forrester but thought the load space small in real life.

Any questions, just ask.

Eta, I wouldn't buy diesel because of the EU emissions twaddle around diesel. Petrol is cheaper to buy and the cars are cheaper too.

 

[Simmo1111]

Thanks for your reply Red, I owned a 2.0 petrol CRV a few years ago and the fuel costs were scary !! It cost me around £65 to fill up at the time and after 270 miles the low fuel light was coming on and it was back to the fuel pump for me .. From what I've seen, the diesel versions will go much further on a tank than my old CRV would so that was my reason for choosing the diesel ones.

Thanks again for your reply,

Regards,

Dave.

 

[brambles]

We have both an Outlander and a Peugeot 4007 ( which is an Outlander with Peugeot badges) and they are great cars - massive inside and I drive 4 - 500 miles a week in and out of work on 1 tank of fuel. Tyres are quite low profile for a 4x4 though so you might want to look at alternatives to standard if doing a lot of rough driving.

 

[British Red]

I went from 18" alloys with low profiles to 16" steels on our Outlander. This allows fitting some tyres with decent tread. The steels were given to me when buying four tyres!

 

[Simmo1111]

Just looking at the Subaru Outback too and that looks another good option ...

 

[Robson Valley]

Lots of Subaru Outbacks here.
Owners generally pleased from mud to 24"+ snow in winter.
By law here, you must run snow tires in winter, plus your insurance is void.

I drive a totally unacceptable gas hog = 454cid 4x4 3/4T GMC Suburban loaded with all options. I don't need to drive 50km/week.
But, the time comes when I have to blast my way out of a 24" plowed snow berm on the street. Warm up, back up and do it.
Honestly, when the Burb dies, I'll buy a Subaru Forester.

 

[*Dusty*]

I have a CR-V diesel 2008. I've had it through quarries, over fields but not specifically off roading if you know what I mean. More than capable in snow and ice, economical, not hard to insure, loads of boot space and comfortable for 3 adults in the back.

 

[DavidJT]

Maybe consider a Nissan x-trail as an alternative to the CRV? I'm on my third one and they've all be excellent family cars. Only do light off roading though, nothing too serious tbh. There's a switch between 2 wheel drive and intelligent 4 wheel drive which makes them a little less thirsty in normal road use.
if you are doing more serious off road stuff probably better with the Subaru though.

 

[peaks]

Had 3 petrol Foresters - great vehicles. Totally reliable, great load carriers, good on + off road. One of the very few cars with a real low ratio box. Put 60k miles in 2 years on one - it never missed a beat, just routine servicing.
The only reason I don't have one now is the fuel economy on the older petrol versions . I do a lot of short journeys and 24mpg is too expensive (33-35 on a run though). Mate of mine has one + had a gas conversion done (approx £1800) + loves it. I believe the new diesels are very good + as reliable. They might be a little bigger in terms of load capacity too? Definitely go for for decent all terrain or winter tyres rather than pure road tyres.
Parts can be expensive - but you don't need many! Theres a very good Subaru specialist breakers yard in Hayfield Derbys.
I run a Panda 4x4 now + love it........but miss the Forester

 

[santaman2000]

For the use you describe it sounds like your priority is more about a more rugged vehicle and less about the 4WD component. If so you might be able to include a 2WD truck option into your considerations.

BR pointed out that diesel costs there are higher than petrol costs (much the same as here) as well as initial vehicle cost, and you acknowledged that and responded that diesel mpg is better. I believe I'd have to agree with BR that the final net cost per mile will probably tip in favor of the petrol engines here but you'd be better able to figure your costs there.

Honda offers at least one vehicle here with a CNG option but it's not a 4WD or truck unfortunately. Your options there might or might not be more varied.

 

[Simmo1111]

Definitely a point to consider regarding petrol vs diesel, I'll do a bit more research to see how it looks.