Four Wheel Drive Estate Cars

Jimbo · 20 June 2006, 18:28

I am looking to "downgrade" my Landrover for insurance reasons (i.e. I can't get any!) and need something capable of towing a 5.85m rib up a slipway etc.

I've read a little about 4x4 Estate cars, and I know that Skoda have one (can't find any local though!).

Who else do 4x4 estates? (Cheaply - about a 2.5k budget)

Cheers!

PeterR · 20 June 2006, 18:37

probably no good for you but i,ve got Ford Mondeo 2.0 petrol 4x4 500 quid

J S · 20 June 2006, 18:40

Subaru do one i think its called the legacy, mabye you wouldn't be able to find one for 2.5k though. Very good for towing i think there quite powerful aswell.

James

Jimbo · 20 June 2006, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by no fear

probably no good for you but i,ve got Ford Mondeo 2.0 petrol 4x4 500 quid

What age, and what's the model number (So I can get an insurance quote) and I didn't know ford made a 4x4 mondeo...

Scrumdown · 20 June 2006, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by J S

Subaru do one i think its called the legacy, mabye you wouldn't be able to find one for 2.5k though. Very good for towing i think there quite powerful aswell.

I saw this one that sold on ebay recently you can get them cheap!

SUBARU

codprawn · 20 June 2006, 19:42

To be honest I reckon most of them would cost you the same as the Land Rover. They all tend to have highish insurance groups so doubt you would really save anything.

How much have you shopped around? There must be someone who can do it for you - try the NFU - Direct Choice - Firebond - Adrian S Flux.

Searider · 20 June 2006, 19:46

www.confused.com for insurance quotes.

My Disco renewal is up at £360.
Confused has halved that.

Jimbo · 20 June 2006, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

www.confused.com for insurance quotes.

My Disco renewal is up at £360.
Confused has halved that.

I've tried the specialists - quotes are all coming in at around £2400.

My problem is I had an accident in February, and while it is being fought on my behalf, my NCB goes to 0. So, I'm a young driver in a big car with 0 NCB! The solution at the moment is looking like putting the Landie in the garage until November (When I'm 21) and getting a cheap 1.1 Fiesta or something to keep me mobile until then. Screws me up with the rib a little!

Alternatively I bite the bullet and go with their monthly payments.

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2006, 21:08

Jimbo I know someone who's selling a Subaru Forester (the one with the impreza turbo engine in) for £1500 on a P plate if you're interested?

Scrumdown · 20 June 2006, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

a young driver in a big car with 0 NCB! The solution at the moment is looking like putting the Landie in the garage until November (When I'm 21) ... Alternatively I bite the bullet and go with their monthly payments.

The price won't go down much because you are 21! Try as Codprawn said NFU I had my Disco with them when I was under 25 and got an excellent deal. Also try LTSB & Sainsbury I have had some excellent deals with them in the past as well. Shogun currently with Sainsbury £100 cheaper than anywhere else thats including paying for extra cover for baby seats etc

Gray · 20 June 2006, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Jimbo I know someone who's selling a Subaru Forester (the one with the impreza turbo engine in) for £1500 on a P plate if you're interested?

is the insurance going to be massive for that with it having the turbo engine in it? out of interest do you have the Reg for that, would like to see what quote I could get for that.

Nos4r2 · 20 June 2006, 21:28

I don't-I can get it for you tomorrow and the guys phone number if you're interested. It's got 130,000 on the clock btw but looks pretty damn good.It's been stood for a few months after the guy broke his leg.

Got a diesel Charisma saloon on an R plate sat in the yard too-t&t just expired-think it only needs a tyre, certainly nothing really major but its got 200,000 miles on it.Runs ok, goes like a rocket and was a rep car not a taxi. Anyone wants it they can take it for £400...

Gray · 20 June 2006, 21:54

Thanks but i was simply interested in the insurance quote if u happend to know the plate. Was looking at various quotes for different vehicles earlier. Going by the fact its got the turbo engine i think the insurance will be rather more than i could afford!!

Jimbo · 20 June 2006, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrumdown

The price won't go down much because you are 21! Try as Codprawn said NFU I had my Disco with them when I was under 25 and got an excellent deal. Also try LTSB & Sainsbury I have had some excellent deals with them in the past as well. Shogun currently with Sainsbury £100 cheaper than anywhere else thats including paying for extra cover for baby seats etc

No, but when I am 21 I can insure the car with Direct Line in mums name, and earn NCB on her policy. They won't add me to the car as it stands.

I will try Sainsbury's - NFU said I had to be 25 or have family business with them to get insurance.

ian parkes · 20 June 2006, 22:24

That mondeo would be the best bet I guess . I had the V6 model and it was still cheaper than a Golf GTI . They see it as a family saloon not a sporty car . Also cheap enough to have 3rd party .

Subaru's are great but parts are silly money
However the mondeo doesn't have a Low ratio but the subaru probably has

Andy_Rs600 · 20 June 2006, 22:43

If you're looking to lower your insurance a subaru is not your vehicle. The lowest spec, lowest power vehicle they do is the 4wd impreza. It would easily tow your 5.85. I tow a Ribcraft 6.3 with one. However, insurance group 14! the turbo forester is group 17.....

Tim M · 20 June 2006, 23:11

Jimbo....

I bought a Ford Focus estate two weeks ago to replace the Astra. I've got the 1.6 petrol version. Insurance is about £1k a year (post accident, fully comp, norwich uninion). I've towed and launched a Humber Ocean pro 6.3 with it and it seems to do the job pretty well! It's really nice to drive and the boot is massive. Food for throught perhaps....

Edit: you mainly launch at the Camber so do you really need a 4x4? If my old Punto can do it any decent 2wd estate will....

Nasher · 20 June 2006, 23:19

Jimbo

In your situation you don't need to lumber yourself with a Subaru.

As much as I loved mine, the parts are expensive, when you can get them, and even the non turbo ones are very thirsty due to the full time 4WD.

The clutch is also a very small diameter for the power outputs and 4WD, I changed mine every 40K miles.

I don't think any of them have a low ratio box either.

I had an imported Legacy GT (Twin turbo) for 5 years, it towed my old Flatacraft Force4 very well, but did about 15 mpg and got through tyres, brake pads, clutches etc at an alarming rate. Oh, and was a group 19 insurance

I'd suggest looking for an old Sierra 4x4 Estate, just because I like them better than the Mondeo, but don't know what insurance group they are now.
Audi also put 4WD in some of the old 80's and 100's with smaller engines I think.

Have you tried any angles on insuring the Disco as part of your company?
or putting any limitations on milage etc?

Nasher.

Hightower · 20 June 2006, 23:30

Vauxhall did a Cavilier with 4x4, but might be worth looking at old RWD cars like Volvos or something. How about a Suzuki?

There are loads of options here http://motors.search.ebay.co.uk/4x4_...Z1QQsacatZ9801

Take your pick.

Rogue Wave · 21 June 2006, 00:16

Audi did a 100 4 x 4 volvo did a 4 x 4 estate but to be honest you can toe your rig easily with a decent two wheel drive car