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Unusual quest...
#1610885
02/11/2017 19:59
02/11/2017 19:59
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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Now that my life revolves entirely around ChipsAway (MrsC and I were proud winners of "Newcomers of the Year" at the recent conference!), we are looking for a replacement for our trusty Bravo courtesy car.
There's nothing wrong with the Bravo, apart from one thing that makes it unsuitable for its role... it has lousy ground clearance!
We spend many, many hours driving around the hills and vales of the beautiful Cotswolds visiting customers to estimate the damage on their vehicles. We also let our customers drive our Bravo themselves - possibly with rather less respect than we show it! Often, we find ourselves on narrow, rough tracks, with huge potholes and a large, grass-growing hump in the middle. My buttocks have reached maximum clench as we scrape and grind along yet another "green lane", only to find that the customer has a "Waitrose wound" on their Range Rover or Cayenne.
So, we've decided that we'd like to trade in the trusty Bravo for something with a) substantially more ground clearance and b) 4-wheel drive if possible, for when ice and snow join the party.
Our budget is limited - around 4k - and we'd like something reasonably low mileage and clean (it's our calling card, after all).
Oh and two more vital points:
It must be 1.4 or less (for our insurance) and
it must be silver/metallic grey so we can add the Chips livery...
What left field ideas can the FCCUK panel come up with?
So far, we've considered the Panda 4x4 (a bit long in the tooth, but otherwise perfect if we can find a good'un), the Yeti (4x4 only in 1.9 or 2-litre)...
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1610891
02/11/2017 20:31
02/11/2017 20:31
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 338 Camberley, Surrey
jonnyboy54321
Making a profit
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Making a profit
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 338
Camberley, Surrey
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Jim
My initial thought was something like a Freelander as a good one (they are out there!) would be nowhere near 4k Then I saw the 1.4 thing. That is going to be a massive issue on 4x4 which is normally the route for ground clearance. Is there no way to look at the insurance? Sounds very restrictive.
Always seem to have too many 20VT's to count......
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1610906
02/11/2017 22:10
02/11/2017 22:10
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575 Ayrshire
ScouseCoupe
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
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Suzuki SX4 Fiat Sedici VX Mokka Chevrolet Trax Hyundai IX35
1999 Rosso Corsa 20VT ( Restored ) 2000 Rosso Alfa 916 Spider 2.0 T.S Lusso ( Under Restoration)
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1610907
02/11/2017 22:50
02/11/2017 22:50
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club Member 259
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Club Member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
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What about a trusty land rover Jim Or maybe a Dacia duster which may be in budget.
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1610995
04/11/2017 13:40
04/11/2017 13:40
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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I've done some searching with your requirements...and narrowed down to essentially 3 (4 if you include the newer Panda) Suzuki Jimny. 1.3 petrol.A proper little 4x4, but they are meant to be rather "agricultural" so I'm not sure it's a viable option for customers expecting a bit of comfort. Fiat Panda 4x4, 1.2 petrol and Cross 1.3 dieselThe ubiquitous 1.2 engine and able to mix it up with the big boys off road.... and of course, a Fiat. The later Panda 4x4 "Cross" with the 1.3jtd diesel is also in the price range. Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.4TD. This is the wildcard, and possibly the best for your needs as it's bigger.It is also smart looking, and more like a modern MPV than the others. This would be my choice personally. Here is my search. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?...rive&page=5
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1611885
20/11/2017 13:15
20/11/2017 13:15
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603 Corridor of Uncertainty
Jim_Clennell
OP
Forum veteran
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OP
Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
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Picked up our new acquisition yesterday. Very tidy, cute little thing and exactly what we're after. Narrow, small, nimble, cheap and cheerful. Couple of little trolley dings, but guess what?!
Last edited by Jim_Clennell; 20/11/2017 13:15.
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Re: Unusual quest...
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1611907
20/11/2017 21:28
20/11/2017 21:28
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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You can get cheap code readers for under £20 which will read any remaining codes. Hopefully it was nowt serious. Do you have the service history? When I bought my Coupe, I found out which garage had been servicing it, and paid a small amount for them to print off all the history for me. Hopefully you can find out what the issue was. As for winter tyres, I recently got some for the Bongo. In tests, they performed as well as premium brands. Mind you, Maxxis are a good brand. Maxxis AP2 All Season. http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Maxxis/All-Season-AP2.htmI must admit. I fancy a Panda 4x4 myself... among many others !
Last edited by Gripped; 20/11/2017 21:45.
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