best small 4x4

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sprytzer

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Ok, iv had enough slip, sliding everywhere these last 2 years and have decided to trade my car in for a small 4 x 4.
Which in your opinion/experience would be the best?
Dont want anything with a large engine, is there one around the 1100/1200 that is fairly economical to insure/fuel/servicing etc?
 
sprytzer said:
Ok, iv had enough slip, sliding everywhere these last 2 years and have decided to trade my car in for a small 4 x 4.
Which in your opinion/experience would be the best?
Dont want anything with a large engine, is there one around the 1100/1200 that is fairly economical to insure/fuel/servicing etc?
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go to a scrap yard get a second hand set of wheels fit winter tyres and swap over, when the weather improves refit the normal wheels or you could look at the suzuki jimny or fiat panda4X4...
 
freelander, 2002 onwards as has bmw engine. i bought one in february and although it has a few issues, which thankfully my warranty covers, it tows well and is coming into its own at the moment.
 
If your only looking at 1100/1200 engines then I'd probably say look at the older toyota rav 4's or newer suzuki SX4's? Or possibly the suzuki jimny, the vitara's have gotten bigger but not the jimny's!
 
I like the look of the Toyota Rav 4, plus when I was making enquiries for something similar to what you're looking for, every mechanic I asked immediately said Toyota are the most reliable.
 
I did think about snow tyres but they would cost me as much as my car is worth lol.
Like the look of the Suzuki and Rav.
Thanks guys, food for thought.
 
Panda 4 x4s are meant to be ace but they are hard to come by. The newer diesel ones do up to 70 mpg too.

I love the Terios too. I have a Honda CRV at the mo but it is a bit big and expensive to run (although I love it!) so I may look at a Panda or Daihatsu next.
 
I have an old Toyota Rav 4 Max, which is a 2 litre. Has been v good this past week. Re snow tyres, I have been told today (dont know if its true) that using snow tyres in this country is illegal!!! If used you have to inform your insurance company and your premiums will go up. ? These two statements seem a bit contradictory to me, but just passing on info
 
alma said:
I have an old Toyota Rav 4 Max, which is a 2 litre. Has been v good this past week. Re snow tyres, I have been told today (dont know if its true) that using snow tyres in this country is illegal!!! If used you have to inform your insurance company and your premiums will go up. ? These two statements seem a bit contradictory to me, but just passing on info
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Not allowed studded tyres !!!!! winter are fine just dont screw in any studs!!! I would think it should lower the premium as you're less likely to skid :D
 
Am on the third Suzuki Jimney, without 4x4 in this weather I couldn't get home! :eek: Use it for everyday 44 mile round trip to work. Had a Dhiatsu Terrios in the past, lovely car, but when it needed a wheel bearing it took four weeks to arrive! This did put me off rather! Had no problems at all with the Jimny's, although I have to say that this one is better in the snow than the last one :D
 
I'd second the Daihatsu Terios. Permanent 4 wheel drive, fabulous in last year's heavy snow, totally reliable, heated FRONT windscreen as well as all the usual stuff. But you may struggle to find a newer one. I was told that there's some problem with the strength of the £ but other Japanese makes are coming to the UK. I now have a brand new Suzuki Jimny and it's even better than the Terios because it isn't permanent 4 wheel drive. The fuel consumption is amazingly low. Been to the yard in it today and it coped happily with everything from reasonably clear main roads to packed snow on the lanes. 4WD Hi and 4WD low. 4WD low is amazing. I swear you could drive it up Everest. Back seats fold down and you wouldn't believe the feed, shavings, gear that I've happily crammed in it!
 
Im not using proper snow tyres just ones with extra grip for mud and snow, had them put on last week and they are brilliant just rather expensive. I looked in to getting a jimny but was told by various people not to get one.
 
rav or freelander, i had a vitara and was convinced it was going to kill me, very very quirky little car. wouldnt take it on the motorway, anything above 40 i didnt feel safe (although i loved the car to bits!!) freelanders are coming into their own in this weather. i will be swapping in my trusty 306 for a 4x4 as this weather seems a regular winter thing. this is the first year my 306 has struggled round our lanes.
 
Mitshubishi Shogan Pinin. Only negative is it's only got a small boot, not so good if you've got loads of horsey stuff to fit in!
 
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