Re: What Car?!

The message <foua7e$rc5$1@xxxxxxxx>
from "Richard Phillips" <raphillips@xxxxxxxxxxxx> contains these words:

However, I do feel I can justify a 4x4, now and again. During my few years
of hillwalking, I've nearly gotten stuck down farm lanes and icy single
track roads a good few times. So, I'm wondering, how many of you walkers
out there use 4x4s? How do you feel about them? While I say I've nearly
got stuck a few times, I've never actually got stuck...

I ran a series of 4 x 4s from 1980 through to 2005. Range Rover, Sierra
Estate and Audi Quattro. At least part of the reason was that I live on
a steep hill and without 4 wheel drive there would have been a good many
winter days when I couldn't have got to work easily but winters aren't
what they were and after I retired the need to get out in all
circumstances was much reduced.

The RR was useful as a tin tent. With the rear seat replaced by a
mattress it was a good deal more comfortable than a real tent but 17 mpg
was as much as I ever got and that didn't last long once I finished
Munro bashing.

The Sierra I got stuck in my own yard. Backed the car out of my garage
into about 4" of snow without any problems. Went to shut the garage
doors and by the time I was back in the car the ruts had turned to ice
and I couldn't move it at all.

I also managed to get the Quattro stuck on a grass verge in the Lake
District and had to call on the services of two passing cyclists to push
me out.

I now run a 3 Series BMW and have to be much more circumspect than I
used to be but if Subaru had been a bit less offensive I might have been
driving one of their range instead.

My next car may well be a One Series BMW. A coupe if I can overcome my
revulsion about diesel and turbos or a 3 door petrol if not. If I go for
the diesel option I will for the first time in my life have a car with
good fuel consumption.

If you like driving you may find that some of the more box shaped 4 x 4s
are more than a little wallowly. Subarus OTOH have a good reputation as
a drivers car but that is just hearsay as I have yet to drive one. I
have however followed one or two that were being driven in a very
sporting manner.

--
Roger Chapman
Nearest Marilyn still to be visited - Great Orme.
89 miles as the crow flies,
considerably more as the walker drives.
.

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