[lisa]

Hi all

we have a question for all those of you who enjoy skiing and driving off the beaten track as to how important it is to have a 4x4.
We have been looking around at small ones as we already have a family size car with extra seats for visitors!! but have been unable to find any 4x4's which have 3 x 3 point seatbelts in the back for the kids and I am a bit of a safety freak and don't like anyone on a lap belt if I can help it especially on a snowy track!!
:no So do we really need one or would snow chains suffice even on a large car?
We don't really want to have to spend out thousands of $$$ on a newer model for a car that would potentially be for high days and holidays.
Any advice warmly welcomed!!!

Lisa and Andy :P

[GeorgeM]

We have a CRV which has proper seatbelts for all 5 passengers.

I don't know when this became standard - our model is 3 years old.

[richard]

Have you considered a 4x4 wagon (estate)? I don't know what your 'family' size car is but we bought a Toyota Caldina to compliment my car. It has load lugability since it is an estate, reliability since it is a Toyota and also has 4x4 for visits to the ski fields.

A Subaru Impreza or Legacy would be other options.

[Miffy]

We've got a Hilux Surf - its a best and not that expensive either, Japan import so its 8 years old. All 5 seats have seat belts.

Its a bit clunky around town, but went over to queenstown at the weekend for the first weeknd of snowboard :D and it really paid dividends going up the tracks to the ski area.

Regular cars were stopping to put snow chains on, but we just carried on up (with snow chains in the back, did you know its the law, you have to carry them if you are in and around the mountains). Also the surf is huge so just through everything in the back, even gave a lift to a skiier friend and had no probs with x2 snowboard x1 skis and poles and all the other stuff you take and a person sitting in the back.

The option were thinking of was a Subura lecacy, but the ones we likes were a little bit out of our price range and we wanted a diesel as its cheaper to run. But we might swap to one later on, spring or summer time.

[Miffy]

[Off topic] oooh just realised I need to up date me profille - which I've now done :smile

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[Miffy]

[off topic]
ooh just realised I need to updae my profile - which I've just done :smile

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