sdh2903
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 12:27 AM |
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Is there such a thing as a perfect "allround car"?
I know this is a question that would be very much down to individual taste, but is there a car that covers all bases? I.e for me:
- Under £7-8k in cost
- Reasonably quick
- Fun to drive
- Capable of occasional kit towing duties
- capable in winter conditions
- practical enough to carry couple of kids and stuff that goes with em!
I currently have a mondy st220 which I reckon covers 4 of those points, I cant tow with it legally and its absolute crap in the snow and ice which I
can vouch for yet again this morning after a very embarrasing incident parking it at home after a 14 hour nightshift out in the cold!
I know I could stick winter tyres on it and that would help but still wouldn't sort out the towing issues. I have in the past thought about
buying a cheap 4x4 and run that as well as the mondy but with insurance, tax, mot's it would be pricey.
So I will throw it open to suggestions! The only ones I could come up with are Audi quattro's or maybe an X5 (stretching the budget and
I've always slagged them off as being chelsea tractors)
Any Ideas?
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eddie99
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 12:47 AM |
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If your not worried on fuel consumption costs, i think an Audi S4 covers all your points!
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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twybrow
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 12:55 AM |
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Impreza
Octavia 4x4 Turbo
Golf VR6
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sdh2903
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 12:57 AM |
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Good shout, I've just been looking at a couple on pistonheads. Mpg wise I usually see around 27 ish to the gallon from the mondeo so economy not
an overly massive issue. I think that insurance costs might be an issue with the S4 though.
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rb968
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 01:00 AM |
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Guy at work's wife has an X5 which he says was absolutely bloody useless in the snow last year. giant wheels and low profile wide tyres probably
don't help. Not a proper 4 wheel drive really. His Suzuki Jimny ran rings round it and would go anywhere.
If you want decent towing capacity then it really has to be a 4x4 really. My mondeo estate is enough to tow my Indy on a lightweight trailer
though.
I quite fancied an A6 all road but doubt they tick the fun box.
Rich
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rb968
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 01:01 AM |
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Subaru legacy estate?
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sdh2903
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 01:03 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Impreza
Octavia 4x4 Turbo
Golf VR6
I've looked at getting an impreza a few times in the past but again insurance seems to be the big stumbling block as I'm under 30, even
though I have 12 years no claims all on reasonably quick cars and my address isnt too bad insurance wise.
Octavia, quite like the Vrs but doesn't come in 4x4 quise i dont think?
Golf not really big enough.
keep em coming!!
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sdh2903
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 01:04 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rb968
Subaru legacy estate?
Not quite ready for the pipe and slippers yet
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 02:58 AM |
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Passat comes in 4x4 flavour doesn't it?
Also if 300+bhp isn't good for towing then an Evo's off the table.
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bertie_bas205
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 04:39 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
Passat comes in 4x4 flavour doesn't it?
Also if 300+bhp isn't good for towing then an Evo's off the table.
My girlfriend has just sold her Passat 4Motion..... CRAP in the snow...
She now runs about in a Disco...
Bertie.
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orton1966
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 07:02 AM |
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Snow Car's
The problem with modern cars, including some 4x4, X5 and 4 motion Passat, already mentioned, almost entirely comes down to weight (can’t do much about
that) and tyres.
Peoples instinct is always to go big, safe 4 wheel drive, truth is an old 80’s fiat panda on decent tyres would get you through worse conditions than
almost any luxury 4x4 on its stock tyres.
Why can’t you tow with your current car, lack of power or lack of rated tow weight?
As to tow/winter vehicle, how about a Nissan Terrano (Ford Maverick) not too big/ungainly, has decent off road performance including a limited slip
diff and reasonable towing ability
[Edited on 18/12/11 by orton1966]
[Edited on 18/12/11 by orton1966]
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HowardB
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 07:09 AM |
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get a diesel forester, ace!
will tow. go off road, carry 5, 4wd, and does 40+mpg
Howard
Fisher Fury was 2000 Zetec - now a 1600 (it Lives again  and goes zoom)
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ginger ninja
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 07:49 AM |
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have you seen current PPC mag top ten ? - most sensible car 2.5 XT subaru forester - ticks all your requirements depending how serious you want the
handling. Handling kits are available if you want to lose your fillings.
Has all the running gear from the impreza, but attracts far less attention from the rozzers, and is an estate type so more practical. Looks are a bit
Marmite hate it/ grows on you. Fuel consumption - 20mpg towing trailer with locost, 25 ish normally. Previously won towing car of the year, and
sprints to 60 in a respectable 6 sec as standard (propaganda says 227BHP). XTEN top of range has all the toys.
I've had one for three years now, price of petrol isn't too much of a problem because I only do 7k miles/year. Road rent is a bit keen at
a shade over 400 quid last year. Insurance is relatively cheap for this sort of performance.
If you can cope with fuel economy issue, these things are cheap for that reason.
worth a look
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scootz
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 08:45 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rb968
Guy at work's wife has an X5 which he says was absolutely bloody useless in the snow last year. giant wheels and low profile wide tyres probably
don't help....
This makes me cringe whenever I hear it!
Tell him to fit winter tyres / wheels!!! It will be a more bloody useful in the snow with them!
It's Evolution Baby!
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BigLee
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:00 AM |
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Volvo V70R plus a set of winter tyres. 4wd, 300bhp, pipe and slippers image keeps insurance lower than some, plus one of the best factory sound
systems around (Dolby pro logic 10 speaker).
Or get the 1.6d version like me! The fun comes from the comically bad perferormance! Although with winters tyres on, I can drive like like an arse
whatever the weather!
Lee
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morcus
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:01 AM |
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You'd probably get a half decent Alfa with AWD for your money in the form of the 156 and you can get a v6 if you do without AWD. Have you
considered a Hot Volvo or Saab? You'd be able to buy a top end Cadillac BLS with your budget, worth a look if your not familliar with the car.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:13 AM |
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Jeep Patriot 2.0 ltr Diesel, this is mine in the Snow last Year.
Its fairly nippy - has the same engine as VW Passat, does 42mpg to the Gallon and will go anywhere in the snow.
It has selectable 4WD so you can turn it on/off and when its on its an intelligent system.
Loads of room inside
[img]
 
Jeep
[/img]
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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phelpsa
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:24 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by big-vee-twin
Jeep Patriot 2.0 ltr Diesel, this is mine in the Snow last Year.
Its fairly nippy - has the same engine as VW Passat, does 42mpg to the Gallon and will go anywhere in the snow.
It has selectable 4WD so you can turn it on/off and when its on its an intelligent system.
Loads of room inside
[img]
Jeep
[/img]
I don't think he'll find it quick after an st220.
And its hideous!
V70R FTW.
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:33 AM |
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No need to get insulting, at least it is a proper go anywhere 4WD rather than one that pretends to be - I don't particularly think its a looker
but that is not why I bought it.
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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lewis
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:38 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
quote:
Originally posted by rb968
Subaru legacy estate?
Not quite ready for the pipe and slippers yet
Get the B spec one 330bhp flat 6
I am a driving god!..........sort of
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tomgregory2000
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:47 AM |
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Is there such a thing as a perfect "allround car"?
NO
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Talon Motorsport
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:47 AM |
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How round where you thinking perfectly or just roughly?
[Edited on 18/12/11 by Talon Motorsport]
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phelpsa
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:53 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by big-vee-twin
No need to get insulting, at least it is a proper go anywhere 4WD rather than one that pretends to be - I don't particularly think its a looker
but that is not why I bought it.
Apologies, meant to be light hearted not insulting. None of our cars are lookers either.
Still, I wouldn't have said it was a go anywhere 4x4, not enough ground clearance.
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scootz
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 09:53 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by big-vee-twin
No need to get insulting...
LOL... you're insulted because someone thinks your car is hideous!
Just as well I kept my mouth shut then about the Jeep!!!
It's Evolution Baby!
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 18/12/11 at 10:47 AM |
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Cold weather tyres will help point 4 so my vote is Jag s-type. Mine is an 05 3.0 which i brought in the summer for 7.5k with just 35k oin the clock!
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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