Suggest me a car - £3k budget

[P4D]

Hello all,

My other half has recently purchased a horse, and is looking to purchase a car suitable for the muddy and narrow country roads that are on the route to visiting it.

She's leaning towards a Jimny, but just wondering if there are any other alternatives/recommendations within the budget?

Cheers

[MattyD803]

As with anything low budget, i'd always recommend Japanese for reliability to try and reduce risk of untoward bills for repairs....Jimny is a great shout, as might be the Suzuki SX4, Subaru Impreza 2.0 hatchback (non-spicy model), Honda HRV, Toyota Rav4.

[boyse7en]

TBH unless she really needs four wheel drive (and if they are just "normal" muddy lanes you probably don't) I'd avoid it. You are only just above shed money, and it is just another element that can go wrong and is expensive to fix.

[Jag_NE]

What does she drive now

[Tigerj]

I suspect you’ll struggle to find a decent jimny at 3k especially this time of year. Any you do see make sure you check the boot floor and behind the headlights they love to rust.

[Slow progress]

Fiat Panda 4x4

[Scootersp]

CRV 2.2CDTi ? almost half budget if you shop around....

[7 5 7]

Scootersp said:

CRV 2.2CDTi ? almost half budget if you shop around....

+1 this, would be the first thing I would be looking at, or maybe the 2.2 Hyundai Sante Fe, these seem equally robust and are readily available at this budget.

[blue_haddock]

daihatsu terios possibly?

[66HFM]

Does she need to tow a horsebox or is it just to get to where the horse is?
If towing is needed that puts a different perspective on it....

You could go Audi A3 Quattro if 4wd is needed...

[P4D]

66HFM said:

Does she need to tow a horsebox or is it just to get to where the horse is?
If towing is needed that puts a different perspective on it....

You could go Audi A3 Quattro if 4wd is needed...

No towing mate, it's just to get to and from where the horse is atm.

[P4D]

Jag_NE said:

What does she drive now

We currently both share a Focus that we have on a lease.

She's adamant she wants her own vehicle and is worried about adding a fair few miles to the lease. It's a 20 mile trip and she's going 5/6 times a week.

[king arthur]

What the hell did you let her go and buy a horse for?!!

[Slow progress]

Seriously give some thought to the Panda 4x4, great little cars, cheap to run, small in stature for the narrow roads and good off-road albeit with less clearance than the Jimny…also believe they do not rust as much as the Suzuki!

For that price point you can get a higher mileage mk3 with the petrol twin air or possibly the diesel multi jet depending on what takes your fancy.

[Huzzah]

If she doesn't need 4x4 but would like some ground clearance.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409043...

[Slow progress]

On the Duster it’s a good shout….but beware those built in India, there is a batch that didn’t have equivalent rust proofing and have rotted dreadfully. The Romanian ones have been overall pretty decent.

[jamesbilluk]

Toyota Rav 4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...

Or this shape Honda CR-V, there's someone locally who has a silver one, she has horses, it's always full of hay
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...

Nissan X trail
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406130...

[Huzzah]

[quote=Slow progress]On the Duster it’s a good shout….but beware those built in India, there is a batch that didn’t have equivalent rust proofing and have rotted dreadfully. The Romanian ones have been overall pretty decent.[/quote

If it's still got wheel arches a good chance it's a later Romanian car.

[bennno]

Fiat panda

[Bonefish Blues]

Slow progress said:

Seriously give some thought to the Panda 4x4, great little cars, cheap to run, small in stature for the narrow roads and good off-road albeit with less clearance than the Jimny…also believe they do not rust as much as the Suzuki!

For that price point you can get a higher mileage mk3 with the petrol twin air or possibly the diesel multi jet depending on what takes your fancy.

Get the multijet of the two. Unburstable and better suited to the car than the petrol twin which is susceptible to poor service practice. The narrowness of the Panda is a real boon in lanes, we find. Its 4x4 is negated without decent all seasons or winters, so look out for one with them already fitted.