Family car for off road use

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Mon 5 Aug 2024 20:12
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

Hi there,

We are being bought out of our company car scheme and need to replace my current vehicle (Hilux) with a new (used) car.

My off-road use is limited but does involve going off road a few times a month - typically forest roads but sometimes slightly more arduous. Ground clearance is most important.

Last year I did 22k miles between business and personal, business journeys are typically 3hrs or so each way. Business miles are reimbursed at cost.

Budget is £10k. My initial thoughts have been a 1.5dci Dacia Duster or a 1.6 CRV.

I'd be very grateful for any advice you might have.

Best wishes.

Edited by Petey 18 on 05/08/2024 at 20:16

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 20:24
Family car for off road use - badbusdriver

22k is a lot of miles!. So with off roading ability needed, a Duster 4x4 diesel would seem the obvious choice as being a fairly efficient choice. And because of both the budget nature the Duster, and diesel being less desirable, your £10k will go further than (probably) any other choice.

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 20:32
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

Thank you for such a speedy response. A second hand diesel is always a quandary, as the low mileage ones are probably ticking time bombs for egr/dpf issues!

Edited by Petey 18 on 05/08/2024 at 20:32

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 20:47
Family car for off road use - badbusdriver

Having now had a quick look on Autotrader, it seems 4x4 diesel Dusters are not that common. Youngest available is 2017 and I think that is more to do with lack of availability rather than budget. Plenty of other 4x4 diesel options of a similar age and as young as 2019, including (thinking of your outgoing Hilux) a 2019 Mitsubishi L200 (for a fiver under £11k if you could stretch that budget a little) with the later (apparently more efficient) 2.4 diesel. But there isn't an awful lot which would give the mpg I'd be looking for if covering 22k per year!.

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 20:56
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

Thank you for having a look on my behalf.

A few people do a similar job on well shod 2WDs, we can expense tyres, so I'm not certain 4WD would be required.

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 21:35
Family car for off road use - daveyjp

22k a year is a lot of time behind the wheel.

Subaru Forester about 10 years old and barely run in will meet your budget.

I've just checked the MOT history of the one I owned until about 4 years ago. It is now ten years old, has just over 80,000 miles and this year experienced its first MOT failure for worn suspension components.

Edited by daveyjp on 05/08/2024 at 21:39

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Mon 5 Aug 2024 21:45
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

Thanks Davey - that's one i'd not thought of.

It certainly is a lot of time behind the wheel - when used for business its typically 2-400 miles in a day!

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 09:48
Family car for off road use - movilogo

I suggest Misubishi Delica. Yes it is bit contrarian.

But it has several pros. As tough as Hilux. Thirsty but OP said fuel can be claimed. Nimble enough as a car and spacious enough as campervan.

Nissan Elgrand is another similar vehicle.

In fact OP could look at other JDM imports too.

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 10:55
Family car for off road use - Engineer Andy

Wondering if a Suzuki Vitara or Mitsubishi ASX might do the trick - both have a reasonably high ground clearance, have 4WD versions and make good use of their footprint.

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 10:32
Family car for off road use - mcb100
What kind of off-road use are you talking about?

Is it a traction requirement, or a suspension travel requirement?

Yes, a Duster 4x4 will give you traction but it shares a platform with the Clio. So it won’t go climbing over rough terrain like a Hilux will. Ground clearance isn’t massively different - 40-50mm difference between Clio and Duster.
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Tue 6 Aug 2024 11:15
Family car for off road use - SLO76
As already mentioned 4wd Dusters aren’t that common, but also the CRV comes only with AWD if you opt for the higher spec twin turbo diesel 1.6’s or the older 2.2 diesels. You can have it with the bombproof 2.0 petrol and AWD but this would be thirsty over the mileage you’ll be doing. Do you really need the traction of 4wd or is it really just the ride height that’s needed?

I was recently in the market for a 2wd 1.6 DTEC CRV, we ran one on lease for 4 years and very much liked the space, comfort and near 60mpg economy. Sadly I couldn’t find a good example though. The diesels all seem to have been abused as work hacks or company cars and many have little or no history and awful paint repairs. I found the petrols were often in much better condition, but again the economy isn’t brilliant, though the 2wd Mk IV will do mid to high 30’s to the gallon and suffers none of the usual diesel related issues.

The Duster is ok if looked after and don’t forget to factor in a timing belt and water pump change if there’s no receipt to prove it’s been done. It’s a common killer of these engines. Interior trim is pretty flimsy so they can get tatty quickly and they do have an appetite for wheel bearings.

Hyundai Tucson 1.7 diesel is a worthy option at this money too. Cheaper than the CRV but better built than the Duster. Paintwork is poor on them so watch for flaking paint on the bonnet, roof and front pillars. Check underneath for rust too as they can rust surprisingly early if they’ve lived in coastal areas or in sunny Scotland. The 1.7’s are all 2wd however. As with most small SUV’s 4wd is relatively rare.

Edited by SLO76 on 06/08/2024 at 11:20

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 20:12
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

Hi all,

Many thanks for the recommendations!

4WD is not necessarily a requirement. Ground clearance is much more important - if the going is expected to be particularly tough quads etc are available.

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 11:15
Family car for off road use - John F

Regularly off-roading with family? No carpets and plenty of door storage for sick bags and water bottles.

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Tue 6 Aug 2024 20:29
Family car for off road use - Petey 18

I had a chat with some other employees today and RAV4s seemed to be popular as an option - they seem to hold their value very well second hand!

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Wed 7 Aug 2024 08:43
Family car for off road use - edlithgow

IF reimbursement was on a fixed per mile basis,as it sometimes is, rather than actual costs, 2CV. You'd be quids in.

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