Which Winter Workhorse

[Sterillium]

I'm (still) looking for a winter workhorse to do around 400 miles a week in, on muddy rural B roads and the odd motorway.

On the one hand, this car is going to get worked hard in all weathers, so something cheaper appeals, but on the other hand, I'm going to spend a fair bit of time in it, so I want to be comfortable. Needs a big boot and I'd like some winter reliability.

I'm looking at a real mixture of things - advice welcome, especially from previous owners!

£4795
Looks comfy, cheap, 4x4 useful for grubby lanes, roomy but thirsty - but will it just fall apart like a clown car?
Can't really depreciate much more?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195125613530

£5988
Looks clean and comfy - my old E39 530 Touring was great, bit thirsty, but quickish - hopefully well screwed together?
Maybe the diesel versions make more sense?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325407944960

£8495
Looks clean and comfy, bit newer than the above, 4x4 usefull for grubby lanes - but I hear bad things about Audis of this age.
Good compromise between a 4x4 and an estate.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284764971773

£9950
Looks in great condition, 4x4 useful for grubby lanes, dealer looks good, I love old Rangies - but this will be a nightmare, right?
Fantastic coloured interior, but will depreciate rapidly I imagine.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

[JSPir]

The allroad is a good option but not with that 2.7 engine. How about an 2008 onwards A4 avant quattro or an A4 allroad? They’re still a big enough car inside should you need it to be practical, and the 2.0 170 tdi with a remap (brings it to about 220bhp) or, even better, a 3.0 tdi would both be a great choice. My brother has a remapped a4 avant 170 tdi Quattro and it’s a brilliant car - unlimited traction, pretty quick, 45 mpg, big boot and a good tower.

Touareg would be ruinous on fuel and tax but pretty cool.

Bmw is also a good shout. 3 series is also very good if you didn’t need so much space. Or what about an x5 if you want an SUV?

[wolf1]

Have you looked at the ford kuga 4x4 models? Not as bad on fuel or tax. I got one for the Mrs for winter as we live rural and her Skoda hatchback can't get out of the farmyard during snow or heavy frost. Managed to grab a titanium model which comes with all the bells and whistles.

[Pablo16v]

Skoda Superb estate 4x4?

Previous generation Octavia Scout might also be worth a look. Smaller than the superb but cheap and still a useful sized boot.

[A500leroy]

Subaru Forester/Legacy (spec B)

[LayZ]

If you are going to spend 10k on a full fat RR is has to be the 4.4 TDV8. They are good but I would say you need to be willing to treat it like a hobby. If you just want a car to work, look elsewhere.

[Bannock]

Bloke I know lives in rural North Wales and swears by his one-of-these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208118...

Has to drive to Norwich and back half a dozen times a year in addition to his rural and off-road daily use, has owned Freelanders and Terranos before and says this is the comfiest and most reliable thing he's ever had.

[cwis]

Lexus 450H?

3.5 v6, auto, hybrid, 4wd, bombproof, comfy?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...

[ARHarh]

cwis said:

Lexus 450H?

3.5 v6, auto, hybrid, 4wd, bombproof, comfy?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...

Not a real 4 wheel drive, rear motor will kick in if the front loses traction, but no good if you want to drive down a muddy track. I have a 400h which is very similar and it is a superb bit of kit. I would recommend one.

[ZX10R NIN]

My pick would be the ML420cdi, these are great workhorses & reliable too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208279...

Or the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is another good buy & they're sensible money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209219...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205256...

Infiniti EX 30d very good buy but X3 not X5 in size:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...

[bigmowley]

[quote=ZX10R NIN]My pick would be the ML420cdi, these are great workhorses & reliable too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208279...

Another vote for the ML. The gen 2 cars are reliable and parts are plentiful and reasonably priced. We have run a 2007 ML420 Cdi for the last 10 years and it’s a lovely bus. Amazing engine for a diesel, it’s very free reving and quite quick. Great tow car and very quiet and comfortable. I plan to keep it on the fleet as long as the electrics hold up, mechanically appears bullet proof, not a spec of rust, paintwork still cleans up nicely. Likes a drink if you use the grunt but 30MPG on a run is the norm. It’s got a massive tank, can be a painful experience to fill it up.

[nobrakes]

Nissan X trail?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

[nobrakes]

Navara double can thing?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203063...

[defblade]

A500leroy said:

Subaru Forester/Legacy (spec B)

I was thinking Outback given the OPs wants, but the above are good, too

[ChevronB19]

Other than the big boot requirement, I’d say Skoda yeti (rear seats easily removed though).

Other (more expensive) option would be a last of the line Freelander 2 - very last model year honestly wasn’t much different to a Range Rover if you went for HSE).

I’ve owned both, but utterly adored the Freelander. Didn’t handle as well as the yeti (which was surprisingly good), but was massively reliable, good on fuel, and felt like driving a comfy armchair.

Edited by ChevronB19 on Wednesday 9th November 12:14

[bencollins4]

I think a Volvo XC60 fits the bill. Manual and FWD saves on the fuel and tax. Or go Auto and 4WD if that’s what you want. They’re solid, really comfortable, big boot and great value for money. I do need to sell mine at some point but it’s worth so little and so useful I will hold on to it this Winter I think.