Sold the Lude. 4x4???

[Lovedoctor]

Took the tough decision and old my Lude. Had it up for 24hrs an first viewer took her away . Threw a flaky one evening and put her up for sale.

Longest car I've ever owned and enjoyed owning her but the fact it wasn't the most flexible for family life and the increasing cost of train fares (I thought if you pay more you get better service - trains been cancelled 3 times this week ) I am going to take my diesel car to work and my wife will get a 'new' car.

Does anyone drive/own a 4x4? What are hey like to own as a daily? To be honest my wife only needs the car for local trips to drop my daughters at school and to get to work which is relatively local. Will also save my Civic diesel that is getting attacked by two toe rags in the back and a dog that isn't quite comfortable travelling yet and prone to accidents (albeit on a waterproof protective boot liner so never penetrates to the upholstery)

We have a 2k budget. Thinking of FR/CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Volvo XC70 so far. Travelled 500 mile round trip to Leeds to see an excellent on paper XTrail SE+ and while the body and interior were excellent for a 11y.o car it's engine appeared flawed - hunting while idling and oil barely registering on the dipstick. Appeared to be dropping loads of oil then

Anything else to consider? Not bothered about diesel - as long as running costs no higher than the Prelude I'm happy. Will stick around here tho - the community feel and banter is great fun

[Confused]

If you only need a bit more space in the back for dogs, then get yourself a nice estate car. Should be able to pick up something like a Mondeo with a very high spec level for a £2k budget - basically find the best condition, highest specification 2.0 petrol Mondeo estate available.

[rob quilter]

I'm with confused, you'll get more for you money with an estate.

What about an Accord estate?

[bb1boy]

I bought a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 16v estate when I needed a family car and it was brilliant, it was the most comfortable car to drive, ever. It had high spec, loads of room, looked great, reliable, economical (as much as the 'Lude, anyway) and cheap! Definitely one to think about..

[indigolemon]

Any Volvo V70 is win here. Safety for all, and mega comfy. Easy to drive too given the size - Diesel is a bonus if you can find it, but the petrols (2.4 litre) return lude or better MPG.

[bb1boy]

^^ T5-R is where it's at, if you have a few more quid! ...not quite 'Lude MPG being a 2.5 turbo, but damn those are some super safe wheelspin machines.

[Confused]

I bought a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 16v estate when I needed a family car and it was brilliant, it was the most comfortable car to drive, ever. It had high spec, loads of room, looked great, reliable, economical (as much as the 'Lude, anyway) and cheap! Definitely one to think about..

As above, but the 2.5 V6 Galant would be the better shout - not much more thirsty, but much more powerful and a much nicer engine sound!

[Lovedoctor]

I had initially wanted a MB6 Aerodeck but her indoors poo pood that! As it is a car she will be driving mostly she has taken it upon herself to set the parameters. It mist be a 4x4! i had considered a V70 T5 but again she said 'its ok but not what I want!'

[bb1boy]

Agreed with Confused ^^. The only reason I went with the 2.0 over the 2.5 is because they are so cheap! If you can find a reasonably priced 2.5 then I highly recommend one ..also the Legnum (Galant import) is a 4X4

[Confused]

You could get a Legnum VR-4 for £2k - 2.5 twin turbo V6 with full time 4WD I've had mine for 4.5 years and I absolutely love it.