What used car to buy

[rob4001]

Hi

Starting new job out in the sticks in Wales so need to buy new car as currently driving my mums old 1.4 s reg honda civic.

I am thinking i may need 4 wheel drive for all twisting A and B roads and a car that you can have confidence in overtaking so something with a bit of power. Oh and reliable

Budget £7,000
Thinking of Audi A4 (not sure which) but open to suggestion of any cars

Thanks

[staffsMike]

Well my immediate thought was Impreza I must be honest..
That car was born to be driven on roads like that

Other I would like (apologies for them being sold, but they seem to be the best examples on pistonheads and i can't be bothered with autotrader lol)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/640258.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/597045.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/675369.htm (personal favourite, totally impracticle and uncomfortable )

Audi Wise I suppose you would get the older RS4's into that budget.. £5.5k maybe? Probably loads of other quattro's in there but it's not my sort of thing so I wouldn't know what to recommend you.

[Vimeous]

4WD, traction control or LSD equipped to deal with the conditions.
Minimum 150bhp or more depending on weight for overtaking.

If you're doing big distances only buy an Impreza, Evo or similar if you can afford to rigourously stick to the maintenance schedule.
Also to pay less tax on bigger engined cars (like we're suggesting) stick to yr2000 (x-reg) or older.

Also consider: Audi S3 / S4

[Moby-Dick]

I seem to remember rallying did quite well on the welsh roads without 4wd

plenty of RWD cars that'll get you there , just take some time learning how to use it.

[Vimeous]

Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

I seem to remember rallying did quite well on the welsh roads without 4wd

plenty of RWD cars that'll get you there , just take some time learning how to use it.

LOL at least with TC or and LSD you won't have to slow down as much in snow

[GavinS]

Originally Posted by rob4001

Hi

Starting new job out in the sticks in Wales so need to buy new car as currently driving my mums old 1.4 s reg honda civic.

I am thinking i may need 4 wheel drive for all twisting A and B roads

You don't need 4WD for that.

[kalniel]

Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

I seem to remember rallying did quite well on the welsh roads without 4wd

plenty of RWD cars that'll get you there , just take some time learning how to use it.

Or for mere mortals, FWD would be a LOT safer, especially if there's any unexpected mud on corner exits. FWD rally cars also do quite well

That said, Impressa sounds like the perfect car anyway, if you don't mind a sparse cabin. If you do, get a Focus ST or something.

[360bhp]

Honda with 4ws. 2.2 vtec Prelude. 4th or 5th gen.

"I am thinking i may need 4 wheel drive for all twisting A and B roads" Calm down Colin McRae! Any car should be fine on twisty roads, as long as you drive safe lol unless you really want to rag it.