£10k for a Winter Car

[steve z]

PHers I need a car that is suitable for the following:-

Getting up snow covered lanes so needs to 4WD
Have 200bhp+ as I want a bit of fun in it
Have 4 seats but can be a 2 door
Not cost more than £10k
Good reliability record
Not more than 5 years old

Currently i've got the following on my shortlist:-

VW Golf R32
A3/4 2.0T FSi Quattro
A3/4 3.2 FSi Quattro
Alfa Brera 3.2
Alfa 159 3.2

Am I missing anything obvious, apart from Subarus/Evos which aren't really my bag to be honest.

[Redlake27]

....don't burden your choice with the weight of awd....

I did the same, and regretted it. Fitting winter tyres on my rwd car was far more effective than a normally tyred awd car

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Easy....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Now i realise its a little over the age range however.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A5NYqpVn30&fea...

[Stu R]

R33 GTR. Mine was fine in the winter

[Redlake27]

Redlake27 said:

....don't burden your choice with the weight of awd....

I did the same, and regretted it. Fitting winter tyres on my rwd car was far more effective than a normally tyred awd car

However, if you really must have 4wd, I'd not bother with the Alfas (and I'm the biggest Alfa lover) because they are too heavy. The Golf and Audi are bland....but any decent Legacy or Impreza would be great...

[HellDiver]

steve z said:

Getting up snow covered lanes so needs to 4WD


Am I missing anything obvious

Yes, you're under the delusion that 4WD will get you up snow covered lanes.

[steve z]

So are you saying winter tyres on a 2WD car will work better than 4WD with summer tyres?

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Redlake27 said:

Redlake27 said:

....don't burden your choice with the weight of awd....

I did the same, and regretted it. Fitting winter tyres on my rwd car was far more effective than a normally tyred awd car

However, if you really must have 4wd, I'd not bother with the Alfas (and I'm the biggest Alfa lover) because they are too heavy. The Golf and Audi are bland....but any decent Legacy or Impreza would be great...

You must be kidding right?? The two japs have horrid interiors which is where you will spend most of your time.

As for alfas according to quite a few inc Garlick the new alfas are actually pretty damn good in the snow probably Helped by their weight.

[Jw Vw]

a6 2.7 or 3.0 TDI Quattro!?

[Patrick Bateman]

steve z said:

So are you saying winter tyres on a 2WD car will work better than 4WD with summer tyres?

Yes I'd go with that.

[steve z]

Think I may add Subaru Legacy 3.0R Type B to the list.

[HellDiver]

steve z said:

So are you saying winter tyres on a 2WD car will work better than 4WD with summer tyres?

Without any doubt, and proven this winter. My Mondeo on winters got down the 2 miles of single track lane to my parent's house. Their neighbour drives a Discovery on summer tyres and couldn't get up the hill. The Mondeo was ploughing the snow it was so deep.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

HellDiver said:

steve z said:

So are you saying winter tyres on a 2WD car will work better than 4WD with summer tyres?

Without any doubt, and proven this winter. My Mondeo on winters got down the 2 miles of single track lane to my parent's house. Their neighbour drives a Discovery on summer tyres and couldn't get up the hill. The Mondeo was ploughing the snow it was so deep.

Yup but 4wd with winter tyres will work better than a 2wd with winter tyres.

[TRUENOSAM]

Jaguar X-Type 3.0 sport.

230hp, 4WD, Handles brilliantly, and mainly its a jaaaaag

[BeeRoad]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Redlake27]

HellDiver said:

steve z said:

So are you saying winter tyres on a 2WD car will work better than 4WD with summer tyres?

Without any doubt, and proven this winter. My Mondeo on winters got down the 2 miles of single track lane to my parent's house. Their neighbour drives a Discovery on summer tyres and couldn't get up the hill. The Mondeo was ploughing the snow it was so deep.

Absolutely. 4x4s are great for off roading. But it is tyres that make the difference on wet/slippery/icy/snowy tarmac