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I need a 4WD with autobox for sensible money. I've read all the road tests I can find and I've almost decided on a CR-V, but its appeal isn't unanimous. I'd prefer a diesel, but the auto means I'm limited to the petrol version. I don't need an off-roader, I need a decent, reliable & comfy 4WD to cope with the moors in the winter. Has anybody got one? I'd appreciate any input.
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Mitsubishi Outlander with LPG conversion. Mine equates to 45 mpg diesel cost wise. Very comfortable, quiet and to date no problems in 7500 miles.
summerhouses
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I got a CRV when we moved to NZ and it's been a great buy. It's a 98 auto petrol. It's coped fine with muddy tacks that would have stopped a 2wd, gone up and down sand banks and along flooded roads that were too much for normal cars. Of course it wouldn't keep up with a proper 4WD but then that isn't the point; it's a great compromise.
The autobox is smooth, it's quick and comfortable. Lots of space and a great driving position.
Petrol is 50p per litre here so I don't worry too much about the cost of running it; at £1 per litre it may be an issue. I get about 600km on a full tank.
It doesn't corner as well as a normal car but then you don't buy a CRV to corner quickly..
According to the reliability index (some warranty company) it's the 8th most reliable car in the UK (out of 100).
Not sure how much you mean by 'sensible money'. Looking on autotrader you can get nice ones for £4500-plus and a bit more gets you higher mileage examples of the newer version.
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I think you're a bit stuck if you want a diesel auto in this sector. The Nissan X-Trail diesel is manual-only too, and I think the Rav-4 is the same. The only one which offers some hope is the Freelander2 (if you're buying new)?
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A Subaru Forester should fit the bill (Petrol/Auto anyway)
If you enjoy driving, I think you'll prefer it to a CRV/RAV - try a test drive.
Mark
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If you must have diesel/auto of that size, then there is the Hyundai Tucson. Of all that size of car, the Forester is by far the best and is a permanent 4WD rather than FWD with a clutch to bring the rears into play when the fronts slip. Not economical though!
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What about an Audi TDI quattro auto? Not exactly sensible money, I know, but otherwise fits the bill?
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Had a CRV for 5 years - '99 model. Car was 100% reliable, extremely comfortable and only downside was a bit noisy on Motorway at 80+ Strongly recommend it!
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If the auto box is more important that whether the CRV (or whatever you choose instead is diesel, this may be relevant:
Auto Bild did a three-way test of the petrol auto Forester, RAV4 and Grand Vitara recently. All three have old-fashioned four-speed autos with kick-down only, not tiptronic type manual modes.
The overall verdict translated as: you'd forgive the Forester its faults quicker than the others, but rather than charging a premium, all three makers should pay customers to take these automatics off their hands.
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Must admit, the part of my Forester XT Auto that I was glad to get rid of when my father took it over was the auto box. Ratios all over the place.
The new model (too expensive for the OP) has a tiptronic in some models, but still four speed.
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Have to disagree with Auto Bild (whoever he is), who probably didn't run a CR-V automatic for 3 years and 52,000 miles as I did. Nothing went wrong with it, and the only reason I changed to a diesel was the fuel consumption - about 27mpg is starting to feel anti-social these days. happy with the diesel, but as has been said, no auto.
I really like the Forester, but concluded that they're expensive new, very expensive used from dealers, even worse on fuel than the CR-V, and far less roomy.
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I used to have a CRV and it was utterly dependable.
Not really my type of car and so bought another Honda.
Wife and kids still not happy with me for getting rid of it.
My advice would be go for it.
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