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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
ionofchios
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by ionofchios » Fri Oct 05, 2018 4:20 pm

Maybe an odd one, so that’s why I put it here. I’ve had my Z for a year, and I drove it all the way through Finnish winter and don’t want to do that again. It was largely fine, but the cockpit would steam up a lot at times, and I just don’t like driving my lovely, nice, darling automobile through all that crap.

So, now I want something for the winter, that is: front-wheel drive, does at least 45 mpg real world, 0-62 in 10 or less, max €8 grand (so, in UK market terms, that’s probably like £3.5-4 grand) and doesn’t feel like a wobbly old piece of crap with jelly for suspension that’s been put together with cable ties. I’ve tried Civics, Fiestas, Foci, Yeti, that sort of thing. Best of the lot has been R56 Mini Cooper, but the engine reliability stories put me off. 2nd was probably the Yeti, but those are a bit expensive over here if you want one with reasonable mileage.

Also, I’m 6’4”, so leg and headroom is sometimes an issue.

So, what else?

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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Jembo » Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:09 pm

A 2wd 5 cylinder eDrive high mileage diesel XC60 - just make sure you get one with Xenons

With Michelin winter tyres, our 2wd thing has gone up & down any snow/ice covered road in the UK, France, Germany & Poland... & @ 80mph on EU roads (130km) does over 40mpg - it’s also surprisingly rapid for its size & fitted ours with full R suspension
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Havard » Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:50 pm

ImageImage

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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by bmwaddict » Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:57 pm

I have a 2005 Audi A3 2.0TDI Sport Quattro, bought for less than £3k and does me great for the bad weather, especially out in the sticks where I live. I get over 40mpg average even with my lead foot!
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by griffnut » Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:16 pm

My daily car is a MK4 Golf GTI PD150, plenty of oomph plus decent MPG. Fit a set of Winter Wheels/tyres and problem's solved.

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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by IRD » Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:28 pm

I had an 02 Skoda Octavia 4x4 a few of years ago. I bought it from EBay for £1500 and ran it for two years trouble free. Great Winter car if you can find a good one. :D

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buzyg
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by buzyg » Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:31 pm

Take a look at Subaru foresters. Good solid drivers car. :driving: :thumbsup:
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Chris_D » Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:45 pm

jolly.jpg
jolly.jpg (52.04 KiB) Viewed 2119 times
yw :thumbsup:
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Mr Tidy
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Mr Tidy » Fri Oct 05, 2018 9:45 pm

Chris_D wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:45 pm jolly.jpg (52.04 KiB) Viewed 16 times

yw

That doesn't count Chris - they're RWD! :rofl:
Coupes because stunning!
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Jembo » Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:10 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 9:45 pm
Chris_D wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:45 pm jolly.jpg (52.04 KiB) Viewed 16 times

yw

That doesn't count Chris - they're RWD! :rofl:
Could always be driven in reverse :poke:
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Mr Tidy » Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:11 pm

Jembo wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:10 pm Could always be driven in reverse
That's true - wouldn't be that much slower! :lol:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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buzyg
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by buzyg » Fri Oct 05, 2018 11:03 pm

Chris_D wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:45 pm jolly.jpg
yw :thumbsup:
Love the F1 style low driving position and it's fitted with a halo for driver safety. :thumbsup:
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by mmm-five » Sat Oct 06, 2018 9:03 am

Just pick up a cheap diesel banger and fit 15/16” winters/all seasons.

Probably no more than £1k including new tyres.

Even if it only lasts a couple of winters, you won’t care because the tax will be low, fuel costs will be low (e.g. 50mpg), insurance will be low, and car park dings & potholes won’t piss you off.
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ionofchios
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by ionofchios » Sat Oct 06, 2018 12:13 pm

Thanks for all the replies! Gonna try a V50 and 4WD Octavia next. Forester looks good, but can’t find any in price range at moment.

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Mr Tidy
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?

Post by Mr Tidy » Sat Oct 06, 2018 10:12 pm

I need a practical daily, and had an E46 325ti Sport for 3 years - great car!

I just put winter tyres on it every winter, but admittedly our winters are tame compared to what the Finns get! :roll:

4WD Octavia sounds like a great idea - on winters that could be almost unstoppable. :thumbsup:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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