Clear the snow and four-wheel drive
The winter sports holiday is approaching for many Dutch people. Although SUVs are also widely available these days, the station wagon has traditionally been the ideal car to go in that direction. Especially if it is also four-wheel drive. We present you with a number of interesting used options.
Of course, if you are looking for a spacious car for a winter sports holiday, you can look at numerous SUVs, but those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ approach also have plenty of choice. A station wagon often offers more than enough and in some cases is even more practical than an SUV. Then add four-wheel drive, if you want to be a little more resilient in difficult winter corners, and you’re all set. At least, make sure you have good winter tires. We take €10,000 as the upper limit, because it all has to remain a bit affordable. A winter sports holiday is already expensive enough. There is plenty to find under €10,000, the cheapest car that we offer you costs less than €2,000.
Subaru Legacy 2.0 – 2000 – €1,999
The cheapest car in this list is this Subaru Legacy. Of course Subaru could not be missing, after all it is also the best represented brand if we apply this search to our used car range. There are plenty of more expensive and newer Legacy’s and Outbacks to be found, if you find them a bit too simple and outdated. Still, you can rest assured that this Legacy will also take you to your winter destination. For the money, you don’t have to worry too much about possible dents if you do slide somewhere, or worry too much about stains in the interior after an evening of après-ski. He just wants a sip himself.
Update: this Legacy was apparently so attractive that it has already been sold. Perhaps this somewhat more expensive but also a newer generation Outback is an interesting alternative.
BMW 330xD – 2002 – €2,999
Do you prefer to drive something more modern and flashy and do you especially want mountains with torque? Then this BMW 330xD Touring may be a good option. It only needs to yield €1,000 more than the Legacy and that makes it an interesting alternative. Despite its diesel-powered executioner, it’s more fuel-efficient than the Legacy, and falling diesel prices are pushing costs further down. It is only a car of which we wonder whether it will also provide pleasure in the longer term. Although there appears to be some maintenance history present, it is an imported copy that has already had three owners in the past four years. That doesn’t really speak to me. But hey, you can bet on it and wave it off after the holidays.
Opel Insignia 4×4 – 2009 – €6,250
We’re taking a leap in age and price. This Opel Insignia is no less than seven years newer than the BMW and should also yield about €3,000 more. You can see that, because the Insignia still looks quite modern for its age. The price is also favorable for this version and that undoubtedly has to do with the fact that this Insignia has not only spent its life in the Netherlands. It was imported in 2018, after which it changed hands several times in a short time. Perhaps they also needed it especially in winter? Or there were problems, of course that is also possible. However, according to the provider, the car has just had major maintenance, which also replaced the turbo, so it apparently caused problems. A bit of a gamble perhaps, but for the money you are modern and spacious in terms of power for next winter.
Volvo V70 Cross Country – 2001 – €6,969
A prime candidate for the winter sports holiday is of course the Volvo V70 Cross Country, or the XC70, as it was later called. This car was pretty much designed with bad winter roads in mind. The V70 is a nice and spacious pack mule in itself and as an XC you combine that with capable four-wheel drive, extra ground clearance and more adventurous decoration. You can also assume that the smooth five-cylinder and automatic transmission will take you wherever you want to go in peace. In any case, the Volvo has satisfied its two previous owners for a relatively long time. It is of course now quite outdated and it is also the thirstiest car on this list. You have to be able to live with that.
Audi A4 3.0 TDI – 2009 – €9,750
Audi, of course, has a reputation to uphold when it comes to four-wheel drive cars because of its rally history, but this A4 Avant 3.0 TDI is not necessarily a car made for the rougher work. It is mainly a station wagon with which you can still look good in terms of appearance, although it will really hold its own when the roads become more exciting thanks to its four-wheel drive and large diesel engine. If you have plenty of grip, then it is a downright fast car. On the way to the destination, it can prove its added value, especially on the autobahn. An important side note is that it is relatively inexpensive for its age and mileage and that the previous two owners were not loyal to it for very long. Strings in the grass? Possibly yes. If you want to be a little more sure of your business, you have to save a little more. Especially if you want the Allroad, which is significantly more like a fish in water in snowy mountainous regions.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl