Decent size, durable, AWD and cheap to insure - help!

[numtumfutunch]

I thought I was a motoring guru but Im now at the limits of my car powers and failing

We need to replace the family shed but with the added twist that eldest scumbag is about to start driving lessons

For background:

The car will be bought outright, new or nearly new, and run for 10y minimum so reliability essential

We absolutely do need AWD

It also needs to be big enough to take a large dog in the back plus some extra 'stuff'

And with a novice driver insurance needs to be sensible when he passes

The 4x4 Panda was my first choice but is insurance group 10
The Dacia duster has some cred (? misplaced) and is in group or so lower but reliability is an unknown

The current shed is about to be put out to pasture so keeping that and buying a 1.0L VW Up! is a good idea but not an option

Cheers

[funkyrobot]

MX5.

[numtumfutunch]

funkyrobot said:

MX5.

Good call - had overlooked that

[cuprabob]

Suzuki Swift AllGrip

[slipstream 1985]

Can't learner use the old crapy car until they have had a crash?

[loskie]

SSangyong Korando, but I don't know about insurance costs for that. Decent 5 year warranty, covers a lot

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go about it a different way, I'd get your eldest his own vehicle, become named drivers on your boys policy & let him build up his no claims.

Something like this wouldn't be a bad shout:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CORSA-DESIGN-1-...

SUV wise then these would are where I'd be looking to put my money:

Ford Kuga:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Sportage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Renault Kadjar

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[RSTurboPaul]

Seat Leon Cupra ST?

[Captain Smerc]

Jeep Renegade

[velocemitch]

Get two. Any of the afformentioned modern 4x4 and an original Fiat Panda 4x4 for the learner.

[anonymous-user]

Did they do a 4x4 Skoda Yeti?

Space in the boot isn't massive thought; it's all 'up' rather than 'along'.

Fine if you have greyhound, not so good if it's sausage dog.

[DoubleD]

Why is it that you need AWD? It might help people come up with suitable suggestions.

[velocemitch]

DrSteveBrule said:

Did they do a 4x4 Skoda Yeti?

Space in the boot isn't massive thought; it's all 'up' rather than 'along'.

Fine if you have greyhound, not so good if it's sausage dog.

Yes, lots of 4x4 Yetis plenty of room in ours for a Staffy. Excellent car all round, but no different to any other as a learners car. It's that bit which is the hard part of this quiz..

[sidaorb]

numtumfutunch said:

The Dacia duster has some cred (? misplaced) and is in group or so lower but reliability is an unknown

Some early Indian built ones had some corrosion issues, Dacia switched production to Romania and now all is ok, regarding mechanics its basically old Renault / Nissan tech, the 1.5DCi lump is basically bomb proof and has been going for years.

[CoolHands]

Subaru Forester, or 'XV'? Ugly as sin but seem to be what you req.

Edited by CoolHands on Tuesday 29th August 08:43

[loskie]

avoid Subaru diesels though, they are commonly unreliable.

[Frankthered]

My first thought was an old shape Nissan X-Trail - the boxy one, but maybe that's a bit old?

[Latters]

Suzuki Vitara?