As I am deciding on the car, wanted to check how important it is to have a 4x4 car Vs 2x2?
I see people drive all type of cars on the road... but wanted to get forum's inputs before deciding...
also, any 7 seater 4x4 cars?
Hi
Depends what you want it for. Are you going to be doing a lot of driving in the mountains in the middle of winter? If so, maybe a 4x4 is a choice to consider.
If you are just driving around cities / towns with outings taking in motorways and main roads, opt for something which is less of a drain on fuel and maintenance.
Did you do a search here before you posted this question? We just cover this top about two weeks ago. Scroll down to see relevant threads.
And.... did you mean Some Japanese cars with respect to maintanainace and fuel economy?
and is 8 Lts/100km is considered a good economy performance?
Petrol/ Diesel?
Most of my driving will be around cities and motor ways but sure I will be using it to MUST SEE Places around Switzerland... as I am new to this country... so can you suggest if those MUST see places (I guess, Interlakin is one of them I remember) do need 4x4?
You don't need a 4x4.
One of the most useful things in EF (I do not believe that this is a generic vBulletin feature) is the list of links to similar posts at the bottom of each thread. As soon as you ask a question (with a bit of luck ) you get the answer
.. but if you live in the Alps or the Jura, over 800m it is really useful to have both snow tyres + 4x4. As said above just depends where you intend to live, and spend your spare time.
Interlaken is accessible by motorway so you could get there in a Smart car.
I'm not sure which "must see" places you are referring to. Luzern is a "must see" but is also accessible by motorway but if you want to see the top of the Gotthard Pass you might need something with a bit of oomph and grip at the start of the winter season when there is snow but it isn't yet closed to traffic.
Are you going to fill the vehicle with kids, dogs and luggage or is it just you?
A 4x4 will suck up more fuel and be more costly to maintain than, say, a base model Ford Focus, for example.
Only you will know where you want to drive to so if you think you are going to need a 4x4 to access hard to reach places or just pootle between Bodensee and Zurich at weekends, get something that won't cost you an arm and a leg and be an arse to park.
This topic has been covered to death on this forum, so try seaching in the top right corner and all sorts of useful threads on the subject will pop up.
In my opinion:
You don't need a 4WD in this country at all.
You only really need a vehicle that has front wheel drive for the snow etc.
4WD is NOT AWD (like a subaru etc.)
AWD obviously has front wheel drive but you can make your choice for yourself.
Do not buy a black Range Rover with a beige interior........ Switzerland is full...... we don't need anymore of these vehicles.
Unless you've got kids, or live out of town, you don't really need a car here. It's cheaper to just hire them when you need them.
Interesting... I knew 4 wheel drive (4x4) and rear wheel drive (2x2).. but now I read front wheel drive.. so is that the 3rd variety... I need to check?
Ie, if it's not 4x4 can it be 2x2 rear or front ?
for non 4x4 options, I was thinking these could be good options
Toyota corolla verso 7 seater
Honda Stream 7 seater
Hell, you don't really need a car!
Technically it's a 2X4, not a 2X2
the first number is how many wheels drive the vehicle, the next number is how many wheels the car has.
AWD and 4WD are basically the same, except a 4WD has a low range gear box and can usually disengage either the front or rear wheels turning into 2X4 (vehicles like the 80series Landcruiser excepted)
AWD is something like your Subaru WRX for example,some SUV's, or Audi quatro. All four wheels move together ALL the time. There is no high and low range though.
There is an EF forum member selling a Toyota corolla versa now...... end this thread now and jump on his great deal.
I'll find the thread for you and post it.
click on his name, go to contact info, send him a PM
car probs solved.
He is asking for 7 seats, so he probably has a large family and does need one.
For sale: http://www.englishforum.ch/sale-want...seater-fr.html
Here - contact PaddyG
No harm in having a look
Also spoke to this lady today. She's really nice.
This is a VW of some sort that might also be up your alley
If you live in Grigioni, or other similar places, and are off the main road, then yes.
The Fiat Panda 4x4 is a great car, better than most, and costs far less than most.
Tom
Thanks much
I sent a note to Paddy...
A friend of mine bought a 4x4 Fiat Panda but then couldn't afford snow tyres. I'd much rather have a good front drive with good snow tyres, than a 4x4 without.
We live out in the sticks in the Jura at just under 1000m - our neighbour has an Opel (Vauxhall) Zafira 7 seater and good snow tyres - no problem.
A set of (4) snow tires for a Panda cost about the same as one rear tire for one of my motorcycles (CHF 300), or a set of normal tires for a Panda (idem), and as they would be reducing the wear on their summer tires, the cost is moot.
Tom
Agreed- tried to convince her but did not succeed.
where i live you need one , just to get up the tobogan (highway Fribourg to Montreux. you will not make it up the hill when it snows good, like that 5 day streak we had here. so all I have ever needed it for REALLY was those 5 days (AWD) but my buddy who had a rear wheel drive car couldnt get anywhere when it snowed (he lives in Rolle) ..... so it really depends. I like it and most new cars have it anyways so.....