Re: What Car?!

Roger wrote:
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.

As said elsewhere, I've almost settled on the Octavia Estate 4x4. I wonder
if that big boot is big enough to use as a tin tent too, should the need
arise? Me and the girlfriend are quite short :)

I'd definately consider the Subaru Impreza Diesel, but it's not out for
another year or so. Their new diesel boxer engine is meant to be superb.
The economy of the petrols is too lousy though. I bet they would be great
drives, although ground clearance doesn't look much, the Octavia 4x4 however
is raised a couple of cm.

R.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: What Car?!
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