Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money
towards a "softroader". I don't need a full
blown 4WD but I do need the ease of access they
offer with the high driving position. I@ve
narrowed it down to either an X-Trail or a CR-V,
both having advantages and disadvantages for me.
Any views on which to choose? (The Freelander
is out on cost grounds )

TIA for any help.

Bob

curious wrote:
Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money towards a "softroader".
I don't need a full blown 4WD but I do need the ease of access they
offer with the high driving position. I@ve narrowed it down to either
an X-Trail or a CR-V, both having advantages and disadvantages for me.
Any views on which to choose? (The Freelander is out on cost grounds
)

X-Trail. All-round better vehicle, more room, better economy, better
towing capacity, just a better car.

IMHO

--
Dogpoop

On walkabout.

Dogpoop wrote:
curious wrote:
Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money towards a
"softroader". I don't need a full blown 4WD but I do need the ease of
access they offer with the high driving position. I@ve narrowed it
down to either an X-Trail or a CR-V, both having advantages and
disadvantages for me. Any views on which to choose? (The Freelander
is out on cost grounds )

X-Trail. All-round better vehicle, more room, better economy, better
towing capacity, just a better car.

IMHO

Agree but no doubt someone else won't !!

curious wrote:
Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money towards a "softroader".
I don't need a full blown 4WD but I do need the ease of access they
offer with the high driving position. I@ve narrowed it down to either
an X-Trail or a CR-V, both having advantages and disadvantages for me.
Any views on which to choose? (The Freelander is out on cost grounds
)

TIA for any help.

Bob
If you don't actually need the 4x4 have a look at the Fiat Doblo. My
wife has one and, compared to my Grand Vitara, it has better access,
more elbow roon and a higher driving posuition! Oh. and it's a lot cheaper!

"curious" wrote in message
...
Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money towards a "softroader". I
don't need a full blown 4WD but I do need the ease of access they offer
with the high driving position. I@ve narrowed it down to either an
X-Trail or a CR-V, both having advantages and disadvantages for me. Any
views on which to choose? (The Freelander is out on cost grounds )

TIA for any help.

I can't comment on the X-Trail but we've had a CR-V for nearly 2 years and
are delighted with it. The only thing I'd change would be to have an "up
opening" rear door, even then that is to fit in with a specialest use I have
for the boot area.


--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Brian Reay wrote:
"curious" wrote in message
...
Hi, I'm thinking of using my motorbility money towards a "softroader". I
don't need a full blown 4WD but I do need the ease of access they offer
with the high driving position. I@ve narrowed it down to either an
X-Trail or a CR-V, both having advantages and disadvantages for me. Any
views on which to choose? (The Freelander is out on cost grounds )

TIA for any help.

I can't comment on the X-Trail but we've had a CR-V for nearly 2 years and
are delighted with it. The only thing I'd change would be to have an "up
opening" rear door, even then that is to fit in with a specialest use I have
for the boot area.



which the X-Trail does have.............

"chrisu" wrote in message

I can't comment on the X-Trail but we've had a CR-V for nearly 2 years
and are delighted with it. The only thing I'd change would be to have an
"up opening" rear door, even then that is to fit in with a specialest use
I have for the boot area.

which the X-Trail does have.............

Maybe the Nissan these days is built to the same standards as its "parent"
company renault.?
I had a 10 year old2 litre auto Primera (no probs in 110k miles) and was
seriously looking at the Quashqai(?) and heard of a lot of probs with the
turbo in the diesel and even the 2 litre petrol with its chain driven engine
giving issues.
maybe not too much of an issue IF you are only keeping it for 3 years? but
as it was another 10 year purchase forme its goodbye nissan

Hi. Thanks for the input on my CR-V v X-Trail
choice. You've certainly given me room for
thought. I've checked the Nissan reliability
and apparently over 40% of JD Power Survey
respondents have had problems with it. On the
other hand the same survey rates the Peugeot 407
as worst in it's class for reliability and I've
had mine for 2.5 years and not had any problems!
The CR-V gets a good rating, second only to the
Lexus, But a lot of people are saying the ride
is too hard on ordinary (Non-motorway & A)
roads, which is where I do most of my driving.

I think it's time for a test drive in both cars.

We did look at the Fiat Doblo but my wife didn't
like it's looks.

Thanks again

Bob

"curious" wrote in message
...
Hi. Thanks for the input on my CR-V v X-Trail choice. You've certainly
given me room for thought. I've checked the Nissan reliability and
apparently over 40% of JD Power Survey respondents have had problems with
it. On the other hand the same survey rates the Peugeot 407 as worst in
it's class for reliability and I've had mine for 2.5 years and not had any
problems!
The CR-V gets a good rating, second only to the Lexus, But a lot of
people are saying the ride is too hard on ordinary (Non-motorway & A)
roads, which is where I do most of my driving.

I think it's time for a test drive in both cars.

We did look at the Fiat Doblo but my wife didn't like it's looks.


I have a 53 plate X-trail (the facelift one) and recently drove the new one
(170 dci sport expedition). Comparing the two I would say:

a) its ALOT bigger that could be a plus or minus, for me, a minus.
b) visibility over the bonnet is worse
c) the interior is now massively better quality
d) the boot is bigger and a better shape, but the sill is alittle lower.
e) the rear leg room is worse, if anything.
f) the 170 engine is brisk enough but not as quiet as it should be, but does
spin happily to the redline, and indeed its best work is done over 3000rpm.
g) being bigger and taller, it is alot more wallowly then the old one- it
would ride no worse and be more pert if the springs were stiffer -similarly
wallowey to the CRV which i felt i would tip over!!
h) the general build quality is alot better and the doors less tinny.
i) somne of the minor controls are still stupidly placed and out of sight.
j) some of the major controls (window switches, column switches) are still
NOT lit up at night.
k) £4 grand more than the old one? I dont think so!! For £22k (for a decent
spec) your into BMW X5 teritory and I know which I would buy!!

Tim..

We did look at the Fiat Doblo but my wife didn't like it's looks.

Shame, It's not its looks, but it's character that makes it so good!