Re: What Car?!

On 14 Feb, 08:27, "Richard Phillips" <raphill...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Rod wrote:
On 13 Feb, 08:37, "Richard Phillips" <raphill...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello all,

I'm thinking on changing car this year, the big dilemma I have is
whether I can justify getting something with 4-wheel-drive. I don't
mean the "big nasty" ones like Land Rovers etc, you can get some
4x4s which are small to medium size, however the compromise is of
course fuel economy suffers to some degree.

I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a devoted tree hugger
(although I've definately got a big green side to me), but I do want
to buy responsibly if possible. While I don't personally buy the
man-made global warming arguement, I do think that getting people to
buy more efficient cars is a good thing (dwindling natural
resources, economic competition, etc etc), hence I want to practise
what I preach!

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...

Just looking for some thoughts here!

Shopping for 4x4s is actually quite frustrating. They are either all
massive gas guzzlers, or tiny with small engines. There don't seem
to be many good compromises.

Regards,
Richard.

Some 2wd cars have ASR or ESP. The Electronic stability programme - I
have no experience. The Anti slip R?  (ASR) is fitted on my Skoda
Fabia with the standard Continental tyres and it's been great on snow
and mud, would probably be better with full on winter tyres. Ground
clearance on the Fabia isn't huge though so I have to be careful on
parking on bumpy verges. 1.4 3cyl turbo diesel. Depending on roads and
driving style, anything from 50 to over 70mpg. I like to push on and
have averaged around 55mpg on our trips to the hills. Satisfying
performance - more than enough to get me in trouble with our local
chief constable, and good handling. A nice easy drive for long
journeys. Aircon is wonderful but probably costs up to 5mpg in winter.
I think the version after mine qualifies for £35 road tax, mine's
£115. I'm hoping they haven't sacrificed performance at the altar of
emissions to achieve that.

ASR is the German term for traction control, as I understand it!

I read up about this yesterday, it would certainly be a good halfway house
between 2WD and 4WD.  The problem is finding out which cars have it fitted.
If the Fabia has it then it's a fair bet Skoda might have it on other
models.
I really like the last Fabia, but I am not very keen on the new one  :-/

How does ASR deal with a wheel slip on one side then, I understand it brakes
the spinning wheel so that the diff turns the opposite wheel?
I almost got stuck last weekend on a grassy verge due to this!!

R.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As I understand it it's effectively an electronic diff lock and it
works as advertised. Optional £50 at my trim level. included in the
higher one.
.

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