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 
news:ESnWi.249514$m81.90939@fe01.news.easynews.com...
> 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 
> news:ESnWi.249514$m81.90939@fe01.news.easynews.com...
>> 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 
news:fujXi.13792$m72.928@fe06.news.easynews.com...
> 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!

"curious"  wrote in message 
news:fujXi.13792$m72.928@fe06.news.easynews.com...

> 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.

Well, I find the CR-V fine on all roads but "ride" is a question of "bum 
feel", if you will excuse the expression.

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

Check out: http://www.durhamconcerto.com/
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support the
Radio Communications Foundation or STELAR?

Brian Reay wrote:
> "curious"  wrote in message 
> news:fujXi.13792$m72.928@fe06.news.easynews.com...
> 
>> 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.
> 
> Well, I find the CR-V fine on all roads but "ride" is a question of "bum 
> feel", if you will excuse the expression.
> 
Lol, I know what you mean!  I should have added 
they were talking about the new version of the 
CR-V, the previous version gets a good rep for 
ride but as you say, it's subjective.