SUV - Stupid Unnecessary vehicle, Which one?

BRACES of Bristol - Sauer 100 XTA Stainless Package
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Cornishfowler

Member
Evening readers,

This isn't a standard which one to buy as it has a twist of 'is it stupid'!

Due to a change of Job I find myself about to give up a company car and the next option is an allowance so the choice of vehicle is mine. At the moment for work I have a new Polo which in 6 months has done 10,000 miles I believe that in my new job I would also travel a similar amount of miles circa 20,000 a year.

I am in the predicament where I would like a suv for the following reasons but do a lot of miles and my daily commute would also involve driving into a city (so slow traffic) and parking in car parks.

I live rurally, collect fire wood for logs, shoot (so drive places to shoot and carry equipment), would like to stalk more (carry carcass and visit places), play golf so have clubs, have dogs and like the idea of being able to go on greenlanes maybe overland and tow small trailers. At the moment I also have an old Skoda Octavia which fulfils most of those needs along side the polo although I think the octavia is a long car as 90% of the time it is just me driving it.

Is there a vehicle that could meet all of those wants but also be pleasant to drive long distances and in citys and preferably an automatic. If they still made the Skoda Yeti I think that would be the perfect car.

I probably wouldn't buy a new car but maybe under 5 years old and a budget unto circa £12K.

Would a Vitara or Duster be the way to go or is it actually stupid? (and a slight vanity project of wanting to fit in when in the country).
 
20k pa in a duster wouldn’t be for me. The only thing I don’t like about mine is when I have to drive More than a couple of hours in it. Mines 2018 they may be more comfy these days.
 
KODIAQ Sportline 4x4 with the 200hp diesel.
The boot is elephantine.
Maybe put a tow hitch on it,
Its no big trick to get into the mid 40’s mpg on a long run.
It’s comfortable, solid and surprisingly sprightly. It doesn’t feel big when you’re driving it.
I’ve had mine for 4 years and going for the same again.
 
CRV not great on economy but otherwise ok. Nissan cashcow may be an option as I believe there are AWD variants

Was impressed with the Seat Ateca when I trialled one but not sure on whether they have AWD.
 
Subaru? Go for the higher ground clearance ones.
I use a base Impreza and am very happy with the build quality and have had it so far for 4 years.
 
Mitzy shogun lwb 3.2 or if you aren’t going very off-road but need a cavernous boot then one of the previous model xc90’s (2.4D5) or the same in an xc70 /v70.
Bomb proof engines, very comfortable and ok off road so long as it’s not muddy!
 
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Get two cars, one hybrid for economy and the boring side and something cheaper like an old Vitara for those times you cherish. Probably would work up cheaper on total cost, fuel, road tax, service and so on.
 
If you need a 4x4 then presumably you need ground clearance. SUV clearance varies a lot. So work out how much you need. Forestry tracks are one thing. But in the summer the grass can grow guide tall in the middle. Muddy fields with ruts are another.
Also, wading through water. Is that a consideration? The wading depth also varies a lot, you would be surprised.

What about the 4x4 drive? Do you need a decent system? Are you going to be running Road tyres or AT's or mud tyres?
I have Pirelli Scorpions and they are 5h1t on anything other than dry soil. Because of some of the land I go on I have bought a set of rims and I am going to put something more suitable.
 
I was in the same boat, I went with a yeti. I have smashed the mileage on it over the past two years. It does the job well, however trying to fit three Red and a dog crate in the bag has at times been a challenge. I got round the mess with large carcass trays from Homebase. I now find my eye wandering to other cars as my mileage is looking to decrease. I really want a shogun sport, however the reliability that the Skoda has given me now has me looking at a Kodak. Although to be honest any of the 4x4 contenders although good for my needs I think I would be better with a pick up.

I am torn between the sensible option or the practical for the things I enjoy option.
 
Do what I do. Make a list of all potential cars. List against them all the qualities that meet your needs and the areas where they don't. Then draw up a shortlist of two or three vehicles. Look long and hard on the usual sites for examples for sale to get a good grasp of prices and trim levels. See how many are for sale in your area. Go on forums for those vehicles and scope out what owners think of them and become knowledgeable about potential issues.

Then go to a random showroom with the wife, who says "Ooh I like that red one" and end up buying a car that wasn't even in your mind at all.
 
Just sold my duster did a sterling job 60 mpg and deceptively spacious was doing a lot of miles on the motorway and was alright but not great. Did everything it needed in a no frills way.
 
I’ve got a diesel outlander. It has good ground clearance and low range on the 4wd, so ok for fields and tracks with decent tyres.

I recently put new Goodyears on and now get 40-42 mpg on the motorway if I keep to 70.

The hybrid version is even more economical and otherwise the same - the only reason I didn’t get one was I have a boat and was worried about salt water and electric motors on the rear wheels.
 
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