lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

We want to get the GF a smallish-medium size (family hatchback) car but living high up in the North Pennines, quite fancy something all wheel drive as she works shifts and the roads up here in the winter can be fairly icy.

Trying to put together a list for under £10K. Reliability is a must and reasonable running costs too. Struggling to think of possible cars that tick all the boxes and only really have the Golf V5 and V6 4motions and the Audi A3 quattro on our list (she's not keen on Audis). What else should we consider? Cheers for help

Mr-Confused

Subaru Justy

scoobyster

Impreza or Jag X-Type but may be too big? They did a few Octavia 4x4s for a VAG alternative but they're Haldex 'on-demand' AWD. Justy as mentioned above or Panda if you want a supermini. Jimny or Terios if a little 'off roader' is a possibility.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

I don't think you'll beat a diesel Golf 4motion TBH

borderlinechris

iTrader: (5)

renault did a 4x4 version of the kangoo.

Matteeboy

I would say that Haldex 4WD suffers big time in snow and ice.

My Mum is a community nurse and often goes out to farms and other remote locations - like us she has a Jimny and 100% reliable and very good off road and in ice/snow (the Scandanavians love them). Not quick though and a bit thirsty for the size of engine.

£10k gets you a new one and about £2k to spare.

richs2891

Never had a problem with the haldex 4wd in my S3, works great in snow - the trick is to turn the traction control off (seems to fight against the haldex 4wd not help it !!). Knowing how to drive in snow helps a lot as well !
Panda 4x4 would be my suggestion if dont like the golf / Audi - or if semi proper off road a used Nisan Terrano 2 / Ford Maverick or a Honda CRV - drive like a car.

Richard

Turbo2

I was in a similar dilemma and so went out and bought my missus this one:



Not the most sensible and practical purchase I could have made as I wouldn't let her use it in the wet! But I did sell it at a 1200 quid profit 1 year later! So we replaced it with this:



Which was a bit more like it, but still not exactly the shopping trolley that she really wanted. You're probably best off sticking with your original choices!

Andy M3

I would get an impreza, you could pick up a 3 year old WRX for that cash, or a nearly new 1.5R hatchback?!?!

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all the feedback guys. We already have a 400bhp Impreza in the household ( ), so probably a bit OTT to run another although a nearly new 1.5R hatch could be a good option. Lancia Integrale would be but car needs to be a workhorse as she's a paramedic and needs total reliability. Like the idea of a diesel Golf 4motion or Octavia 4X4. Guess it'll be a case of seeing what comes up at the time.

Matteeboy

I'd favour the Octavia over the Golf - it's raised and more "off roady" than the Golf (toughened).

Simon C

Diesel scoob? Panda, Justy?. Hated the Audi A3 Diesel quattro haldex system that I test drove (55 plate version, just didn't seem sure footed).

ryn004

Suzuki Ignis

Reffro

Others to consider:-

Suzuki SX4, Fiat Sedici, Honda HRV, Nissan Qashqai.

Matteeboy

Don't consider the Qashqai - I hired one and it was utter cr4p.

Ved

I had a 1.5R as a hirecar while mine was getting serviced. Worst car I've ever driven. Don't buy one Get an old A3 Quattro or a 4motion Golf. The V5 was FWD by the way.

Ved

It can be tuned by people like AmD to be more of a proper 60/40 split which works better than the FWD+2 it usually operates.

Dave Thornton

All but the top Nissan Kumquat is 2wd. SX4 looks like a good bet.

MooseRacer

3dr RAV4 - fun to drive and ultra reliable. Pretty capable in dodgy conditions too.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Yes, Rav4 if not a car - size wise the older 3 door was shorter in length than a Fiesta, but only 2 seats in the back.

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys - more food for thought...

Jamescsti

I once saw a Octavia 4x4 with the 1.8t engine, would be a pretty nice car

borderlinechris

iTrader: (5)

brother had an SX4 which was nice but there was an issue with uneven rear tyre wear even thou geometry was ok, never did get fixed so he got rid of it. had a JIMNY as well, great little jeep but drinks like a v8..........

Simon C

Its called a scout, looks like a boat! I followed 1 round a corner, jees the boody roll!!!

stannah

If your thinking of the octavia then the madza 6 mps might be worth a look, it isn't much bigger than the skoda put you'll get a little bit more bang for your buck.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Why not the Terios? Hugely relaible and the new ones are very well specced. Newish secondhand models will have the balance of a five year warranty too.

The MPS is £400 Tax.

subarujimmy

iTrader: (3)

I've got an SX4 1.6 diesel 2wd, and must say it has been fantastic so far.

Averaging 52mpg and upto 57mpg on a run. Easy to drive, good vision all round, very torquey and good ground clearance (which was main reason for buying it).

Although interior is cheap, and it is quite noisy-even for a diesel, but the noise doesn't encroach in the cabin.
Its not as noisy as the Scooby though, but the noise in the Subaru was a bonus point. lol.

Good luck with your choice.

Matteeboy

Jimny is very similar to the Terios but better off road - although less refined on road. My inlaws, grandparents in law, Mum and ourselves all have one! Bulletproof and comically good off road. A real Defender basher.