Small 4x4 ski resort

Small 4x4 ski resort

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Discussion

Adamsontanya

Original Poster:

3 posts

61 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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At the moment I have a vw maxicaddy, I would like to change for a smaller model, I have tried the short wheel base version but I dont like how it drives, rolls more, almost drives like a bigger car! Looking for something slightly smaller that I can still put a bike and or skis in the back! No need for footballers wives 4x4s as too much torque and they dont climb the bends well in alpe dhuez when there is thick snow, honestly the old panda 4x4( boxy) was perfect. Any ideas on what may work! No budget really! Thanks in advance. Tanya

NorthDave

2,413 posts

239 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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Suzuki Jimny might be an idea? Either old or new.

Personally - I am lusting after a Land Cruiser to do the same role.

Mr E

22,125 posts

266 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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New panda 4x4?

CABC

5,795 posts

108 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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Adamsontanya said:
old panda 4x4( boxy) was perfect. . Tanya
new Panda?
Suzuki SX4

sparkythecat

7,961 posts

262 months

Thursday 31st October 2019
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Lada Niva

Adamsontanya

Original Poster:

3 posts

61 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Sorry didnt make myself clear, when I mentioned the old panda, I was talking about how it handles snow and wintery conditions, nowhere near big enough for what I need! But thanks anyway.

schmalex

13,616 posts

213 months

Saturday 2nd November 2019
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Skoda Yeti?

We have a 2007 Panda 4x4 and it’s awesome in the snow

anonymous-user

61 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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I second the Yeti. Just bought one. Superb car. Got all terrain tyres and spare alloys on the way in the post. Apparently the haldex 4x4 system is great. Seemingly a very popular car with snow / AT tyres in Russia, and they get a lot of snow!

steve2

1,797 posts

225 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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We have a 2005vToyota RAV4 3 door with winter tyres on and it was fantastic in the bad snow we had a couple of years ago

RammyMP

7,011 posts

160 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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What about a Suzuki Swift 4x4? The MIL has one, not a bad little car. I’m contemplating buying it off her for a winter car when she gets a new one.

warch

2,941 posts

161 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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In my experience off road vehicles aren't that great for driving on snowy roads, they have a high centre of gravity, relatively poor handling and slow steering. There is a hairpin near me with a steep drop on the outside of the corner that becomes a repository for rolled Discoverys in snowy conditions.

I'd have a car with AWD, the Yeti is very capable, but there are plenty of options. I'd have something like a Quattro, you don't really need ground clearance, just traction.

RammyMP

7,011 posts

160 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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warch said:
In my experience off road vehicles aren't that great for driving on snowy roads, they have a high centre of gravity, relatively poor handling and slow steering. There is a hairpin near me with a steep drop on the outside of the corner that becomes a repository for rolled Discoverys in snowy conditions.

I'd have a car with AWD, the Yeti is very capable, but there are plenty of options. I'd have something like a Quattro, you don't really need ground clearance, just traction.
For the last few years I had A5 quattro with winter tyres on, it was brilliant in the winter. It felt better to drive in snowy conditions than the wife’s evoque on all season tyres.

Adamsontanya

Original Poster:

3 posts

61 months

Sunday 3rd November 2019
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Thanks to everyone for advice, has helped!

Mdm83

56 posts

61 months

Monday 4th November 2019
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Freelander 2 with Michelin latitude cross tyres will go wherever you want it to- my freelander was awesome in the beast from the east snow the other year, it just plowed through snow up to its bonnet

TiminYorkshire

540 posts

226 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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Dacia Duster?

RicksAlfas

13,654 posts

251 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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A recent holiday in the Italian mountains suggest Pandas, Suzukis, and Jeep Renegades are the popular choices.

Test driver

348 posts

131 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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Jeep Cherokee overland or a Jeep Wrangler with roof rack. With good snow/winter tyres would be unstoppable.

camel_landy

5,085 posts

190 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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Tyres are the critical element here. A proper set of (narrow) winter tyres, a set of snowchains and knowing how to fit them, will give you the traction you need. Then is you're going to need clearance, to get through fresh snow, then you're going to be looking at some sort of 4x4 for the height advantage.

With the criteria given, I'd look at something like the Freelander 2, one of the Volvo XC range or if big enough, something like the Jimny. Either way, fitted with a set of narrow winter tyres & snowchains, it will pretty much be unstoppable... But don't forget a shovel, for those moments when things don't go quite to plan. wink

M


CABC

5,795 posts

108 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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warch said:
In my experience off road vehicles aren't that great for driving on snowy roads, they have a high centre of gravity, relatively poor handling and slow steering. There is a hairpin near me with a steep drop on the outside of the corner that becomes a repository for rolled Discoverys in snowy conditions.

I'd have a car with AWD, the Yeti is very capable, but there are plenty of options. I'd have something like a Quattro, you don't really need ground clearance, just traction.
agree with your first point but not about ground clearance. it's useful in deep snow, negotiating crud and or mounting icy pavements etc mostly in alpine supermarket car parks smile
a simple crossover with good winters is what's required. even 2wd will mostly cope.

Teddy Lop

8,301 posts

74 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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What about a Subaru forrester