Cars!

On 4x4 there used to be a thing called free wheeling hubs, not sure if they are used any more it's a way the the front wheels turn with out turning the 4x4 drive box so you get more MPG, but the down side is, if you want to go off road you have to turn and lock the hubs before you go off road
if you do go off road and you do lock the hubs and get stuck you then have to get out and lock them

 

Two of the vehicles I own are classed as SUV's. Both have drive to all four wheels. One a true 4WD, the other an AWD. Judging from these, I would ask two questions. First, why an SUV? Could a "Crossover" be suitable. Second why drive to all four wheels?

Regarding some of the cars mentioned so far, their reputation for reliability here is poor....

 

Thanks all.

Yes Harry we'll be buying in Scotland, although we would get a car with much lower mileage here on the island.

Because I'm moving to the Highlands of Scotland and not yet sure about the snow situation during the winter months. Of course we may not need one.

I know very little about 4wd's and I gather a Crossover allows me to choose whether I use 4wd or not, am I correct?

No off roading is intended but 4wd would be useful in snow.

 

There are basically two kinds of vehicle that have drive to all four wheels.

First All Wheel Drive (AWD), sometimes called an "on demand" system. Using the Honda CR-V as an example. Normally, its a front wheel drive car. When the front wheels start to lose traction, power is automatically transferred to the rear wheels in an attempt to regain traction. Sometimes, this kind of vehicle is known as a "softroader." meaning, its acceptable for reasonably bad conditions, but not really bad.

If conditions are really bad, then a Four Wheel Drive (FWD) is needed. With modern versions of these, each wheel always gets the same amount of power. Quite often, they also have what are known as "Locking Differentials" as well as a manually chosen Low Range in the gearbox.

To explain locking diffs. If you have ever had a car stuck in snow, what you will know is that one wheel spins, the other doesnt. Simply put, locking diffs stop this happening. In other words, as long as just one wheel can find grip, the car will move forward...a huge advantage compared to AWD.

Back when I was in my teens, early 20's, I did a lot of driving in the Scottish highlands. Morayshire to be exact. My Uncle, born and bred in the area, taught me how to drive Rear wheel driven vehicles in their winter climate...we couldnt afford anything else!

 

Sandy...... so an AWD will be what my daughter has in her Ford Edge? We're looking for something that isn't permanent 4WD to save on fuel when it's not needed, so an AWD is probably what we're looking for.

FC.......Sorry, the X-trail and Discovery are to big and to be honest I wouldn't want a Land Rover of any sort, I don't like them. The Navara and Mitsubishi are 'pick-ups' and I have no use for those. I'm looking for the comfort and styling of a car please.

 

Correct. If Honda stopped making the CR-V, I could seriously consider a diesel Ford Edge as a replacement, but I would expect that they would be to big for you.

 

My daughter loves the 'Edge' and her boyfriend spent hours playing with the 'bells and whistles' that the car has. He was fascinated that he could start the engine whilst sitting in his armchair. Why that would be needed I have no idea! My daughter was concerned about the AWD to start with as the car is in control, especially as her car is an automatic, but she says it's spot on and only kicks in when it's necessary. It is to big for me/other half, we don't need something that size as there's only the two of us and we want to keep costs down.

I think we'll have to wait until we move and then take ourselves off to the dealers and sound out the various makes and models.

 

I don't have much knowledge of these kind of vehicles, but I did see something on my way home yesterday. I think it was a Jeep Renegade (apologies if already mentioned). Maybe there is a suitable model if you like them?
FC or Sandy might be able to advise, or give their thoughts?

 

I actually drove one of these a while ago. As FC says, they are based on the 500X platform, but the one I drove was an automatic, built in Canada. So in a way not a Fiat....

Impressions? On the road, it was not all that good. I experienced it as a bit noisy, unrefined. Off road though, with little grip, it was way better than its competitors.

 

Fiat Panda 4x4 second hand. Used by Italian montain police,its like a mountain goat.
Dacia Duster,big seller in Scotland,cheap and reliable. A 2 wheel drive will be fine and just stick winter tyres on it when it time.
My old vw Corrado with winters on drove past range rovers that got stuck in the snow.

 

Thanks @NorthantsGeezer . I am looking for something that has the lines of a car, so the Renegade is not for me.

I've investigated both the Stepway and the Duster. Thanks @WeeTam but I can't get a decent seat position in them. I also need a telescopic steering column. I can't remember whether one or both of these didn't have that.

 

@Sheal , I think Weetams suggestion of 2wd + winter tyres could be the way to go. This will give you far more choice when buying second hand and save a lot of ££££'s
Just seen my first Ford Edge in the flesh today on our works car park . Big boogers ain't they