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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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- Member
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- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 3:51 pm
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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?
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?
- Jembo
- Lifer
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- Location: 1066 Country
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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
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
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
- Havard
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- bmwaddict
- Senior Member
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- Location: West Herts/East Bucks
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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!
Currently zedless
'07 Mugello Blue Audi B7 RS4 Saloon with added goodies
'94 Black/Silver/Green Honda CBR400RR
Previous:
'07 Ruby Black Z4MC
'07 Sapphire Black Z4C 3.0si Sport
'07 Mugello Blue Audi B7 RS4 Saloon with added goodies
'94 Black/Silver/Green Honda CBR400RR
Previous:
'07 Ruby Black Z4MC
'07 Sapphire Black Z4C 3.0si Sport
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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?
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.
- buzyg
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- Chris_D
- Lifer
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
yw
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
That doesn't count Chris - they're RWD!
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
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
- Jembo
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
Could always be driven in reverse
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,
Lifer 54
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
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- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
That's true - wouldn't be that much slower!
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
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
- buzyg
- Legend
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- Location: Cornwall
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
Love the F1 style low driving position and it's fitted with a halo for driver safety.
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- Lifer
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What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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.
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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- Member
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- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 3:51 pm
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23852
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
What to get as my ‘other’ car, for winter?
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!
4WD Octavia sounds like a great idea - on winters that could be almost unstoppable.
I just put winter tyres on it every winter, but admittedly our winters are tame compared to what the Finns get!
4WD Octavia sounds like a great idea - on winters that could be almost unstoppable.
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
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