Good small 4 WD?

[wavering]

I really need to replace my 3 door Rav4 with something that needs to meet the following spec:

1. Very small so it can be easily parked in crowded places
2. Very good off road performance (needs to climb 3,500 ft up an alpine track in snow and ice which is often very difficult even with chains on the Rav4)
3. Good on-road performance
4. Probably diesel ...

I would buy another Rav but they no longer make a 3 door version and the 5 door is too big

Any ideas?

[anonymous-user]

not tried studded tyres.

[wavering]

Not the point. I need to replace the Rav 4 because it is old and the navigator is crap and I just fancy a new car!

So, what can I buy ...

[agent006]

Panda 4x4, Jimny or Shogun Pinin spring to mind. Not diesel however.

[jbi]

whats wrong with the current car?

[LouD86]

A jimny fits everything there bar diesel.

How about a Grand Vitara? Similar size in SWB, and I believe they still do a diesel, although dont hold me to it

[TurboBlue]

How about this? It's Japanese, diesel, small (3dr) & LHD - all for £5,695

Nissan Terrano 3.0 DI Turbo Diesel 3dr 4X4 LHD 2002
http://www.cheshamlhdcentre.co.uk/cars/2002_nissan...

PS I have no connection to the seller, I just quite enjoy searching for wheels that I don't need to buy!

[anomaly]

Fiat Panda Cross. Excellent little cars with a diesel engine and surprisingly good off road.

[Lefty]

Defender 90 really is quite small.

TD5 with raised final drive and a 190bhp-remap and intercooler is brisk if not fast. Still does 30mpg-ish and you won't have any issues on a trail that you could drive in a rav 4.

[the stigs dad]

Shogun pinin.

[SystemParanoia]

suzuki ignis/swift/sx4 4grip

the ignis model has a live rear axle

[wavering]

Yes, in the good old days you could lock the wheels so that they did not spin which is a great help in snow and ice

Do any small 4 WD have that facility does anybody know?

[Lefty]

Are you talking about axle diff locks?

A lot of "proper" 4x4's will have centre diff locks but not taht many have diff lockers as standard, maybe some Land Cruisers, Shoguns etc will have a rear locker.

Merc G-Wagens certainly have centre, front and rear as standard.

You can retrofit them to many axles,m either air operated or electric. You can also fit LSD's which can help too.

[jbi]

I'm a bit of a Landy fan myself so going to recommend a Defender 90 pickup



Why?

Brilliant visibility from the truck cab, glass all round and very easy to park due to squared off corners

Length is shorter than a fiesta and about 2 inches wider

Off road is top of the class, you won't get better

Incredibly tough and durable, excellent towing ability

Most are diesel

This country is the home of the land rover... parts and after-market support is abundant

They are basically a large meccano set... most jobs can be done by the home mechanic

Biggest compromise would be the on-road performance which can be improved with extra soundproofing kits and making sure all ball joints/bushings are in good condition and the steering box is not worn/adjusted

[wavering]

jbi said:

Biggest compromise would be the on-road performance

Yes, the Rav4 is almost like a hot hatch to drive - it will corner really hard and is a delight to drive. I fear that the basic Landrover would be a bit agricultural to drive to Austria (typically doing 400 miles per day) but thanks for the suggestion ...

[CubanPete]

SWB Nissan Terrano
Skoda Yeti
Toyota Prado
X3


LRs brilliant off road, they drive fine, but the anthropometrics aren't great, Land Rover shoulder amongst other things

[jbi]

wavering said:

jbi said:

Biggest compromise would be the on-road performance

Yes, the Rav4 is almost like a hot hatch to drive - it will corner really hard and is a delight to drive. I fear that the basic Landrover would be a bit agricultural to drive to Austria (typically doing 400 miles per day) but thanks for the suggestion ...

IMO you probably already have the best car for what you want... spend a bit of cash and tart it up

[wavering]

jbi said:

IMO you probably already have the best car for what you want... spend a bit of cash and tart it up

Yes, that has always been an option but I did not want to do that and then find I could have bought a better car. Hence this post!

Thanks everybody for your help

[Happy82]

What about the Dacia Duster that will be out in January?

[wavering]

Happy82 said:

What about the Dacia Duster that will be out in January?

Do they do a small version - it looks to be a big 5 door? I need short ie no longer than the 3 door Rav4 ...