Whittled down choice of our new family car to Volvo V70 or Audi A4 Avant (second hand).

Went to have a look at some at a car supermarket and found the wife distracted and hugging a Black Nissan X trail (what is it with girls and 4x4's? They used to be for men;) )

I'd prefer the Volvo.Would you even consider a 4x4 now in the current 'climate'? People seem to hate you even if the emissions aren't that bad!

(Xtrail was VERY nice and unlike others in its class (Freelander etc) had a big load area.Looked like a great family car)

Volvo then or X Trail ?(Audi ditched,lovely but rather small for an estate)

Personally I'd have the Volvo, lovely looking thing, safe as houses, and generally well specced.

The X Trail, whilst only a 'small' 4X4, is still a big sod to wash, and expensive to keep, although the driving position is commendable.

They are still a bit cheap inside though, and bits do fall off them ( a bloke at work has one, and is on very friendly terms with the dealer )They are a sod to park as well ( ask his wife, she's trying to round its corners off)

Had a play in a D5 V70 AWD a couple of weekends back and loved it. A nice balance of sport, power, economy and refinement and the 6-speed tiptronic auto is really nice to use (even if the +/- is the wrong way round!). People also think you're an unmarked car too

As for the X-trail ... my RoSPA observer chopped his in for an XC-70

Chris

What is it with girls and 4x4s? I think they just think "big car = safe car".

My wife has a Navara, and she does get the "Small woman, bit truck" type comments, and its a pain to park, as its got a massive turning circle. The interior is all hard plastic, and doesn't feel luxurious, the leather does help, and it is pretty sturdy. Performance is very good, hitting 60 in about 10s, if you really want too, and it will go round corners too, which seems to supprise many a rep car driver. As nothing has gone wrong, it has been cheap to run, with an 18k service interval. It is also no worse than most resonalble family sized performance cars on emissions, and we regularly see 34mpg. The reason we have one is because we regularly tow 2 horses, and there are no saloons that will take the 2600Kg limit we need. Also, the bed is great for throwing a weekends worth of dive kit in, without having to fold seats and risk damaging the interior as stuff leaks sea water (as it did in our old A6).

If you don't need a 4X4, then don't get one, as they aren't exactly frugal or geen, but if you do, then they aren't as bad as people make out.

Phil

I'd go for the V70 without a doubt. Really solid car and I think they look pretty good too. I also have a pet hate for 4x4's that aren't used off road.

I also have a pet hate for 4x4's that aren't used off road.

What about those of us who live out in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands? We need a 4x4 for the winters.

I also have a pet hate for 4x4's that aren't used off road.

I have the same issue with sports cars that are not on a race track, 4 seater cars with only one person in and vans and lorries that are not crammed to with in a gram of their maximum load capacity.

What happened to tolerance in this country?

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has never been used "off road" in the true sense, although it has been driven round muddy fields. It's there because I want to be able to tow a horse trailer now and again.

I'll tow the box with box with a Smart car if you want. I just hope for your sake you're not in the queue behind.......

Drive all the options, let your SWMBO drive them all, sit down, discuss, ignore everyone else

Even the person who was only speculating as to the (erronious) reasoning behind thy girls like massive 4x4s?

I have the same issue with sports cars that are not on a race track, 4 seater cars with only one person in and vans and lorries that are not crammed to with in a gram of their maximum load capacity.

What happened to tolerance in this country?

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has never been used "off road" in the true sense, although it has been driven round muddy fields. It's there because I want to be able to tow a horse trailer now and again.

I'll tow the box with box with a Smart car if you want. I just hope for your sake you're not in the queue behind.......

Without trying to go too far OT with this one, but I have the same issue with sports cars that are never driven properly and the other examples you say . . . but generally speaking things like vans are used for their loading capacity, which is why they're bought, lorries likewise, sports cars are often (not always thanks to posers) driven hard . . i.e., all being used to a greater or lesser extent for their purpose. But Range Rovers being used to transport kids a mile across town really infuriates me, especially if said 4x4s never are used off road. Yes, sure if you live in the Highlands like mentioned above and are a good distance from the shops or something, it's understandable that you might need the ability of a 4x4, but the bulk of 4x4's I think (discounting Defenders that are on farms etc.) are to be found in the suburbs as kid-ferries, and it's the latter I object to.

Sorry rant over.:P

I agree ^ ! There is nothing more irritiating than being held up on a fast but twisty by some poseur who's clearly incopmetent, but will take off at mph as soon as the road straightens! Although hearing bleating about "how there is no parking outside the school gate for her Suburban Useless Vehicle when she wants to drop little Tristan off after driving him 600yds 'because the roads are so dangerous'." Em, IME the most dangerous things on the road at that time of day are and her SUV!

Ah, stereotypes. How we love them

Ah, stereotypes. How we love them

:rofl:

I can't understand why people just can't live their own lives rather than spending every waking hour worrying about what everyone else is doing!!! What happened to freedom of choice?!

Chris

Em Steve, I've actually seen that very statement in my mum's local newspaper. The following week own grandmother joined in the slating, calling a "lazy bee hatch".

Well,

1.It will never be doing school runs:)

2.It needs to be a car that will fit three adults,two children and mountains of stuff most of the time

3.Both have similar fuel consumption:)

4 Both have similar emissions:) ( I think) so no good 'green arguments' of 4x4 worse than car

5.The X Trail is just taller

6.I prefer the Volvo simply from thinking how the taller car would feel scooting down a motorway battered by cross winds:eek:

7.It is Jane's choice at the end of the day....otherwise I can't ditch my car and have a two seater:D

8.See what the test drives bring after the weekend.Still think they are both fine family cars,and thats what it is all about..the family load lugger:thumbup:

i would buy a 4x4 just to p1ss the people off that don't like them most fueled by the fact they can't afford one ,last time i checked this was still a free country .And get a v8 just to really rub salt in.

Just wish i had the money to practice what i preach.

i love 4x4s i think they are great i would have one but i would just abuse it to much (i have easy access to local woods) 2 of my mates have (range rover and a discovery) em always causing damage to them when messing about in the woods.

I can't understand why people just can't live their own lives rather than spending every waking hour worrying about what everyone else is doing!!! What happened to freedom of choice?!

Chris

Amen to that Christopher