Hi all

I'm just about to move to Switzerland from the UK. After looking through a large number of the posts (and searching) I'm stuck for a couple of questions.

We're moving to Vaud, and friends already here have suggested a 4x4 could be useful in the winter (esp. driving up to ski resorts at weekend). Otherwise we'd just buy some shopping trolley for occasional use.

We've seen (on Autoscout) a number of Suzuki SX4 which seem to fit the bill - small, cheap (for Switzerland) and 4WD. The cars do seem to be much cheaper further west (19'990 for a new one near Zurich cf. 24'000 near Geneva).

Not speaking any German (but reasonable French), does anyone know of any reputable garages who have English speaking staff (or French) within 150km of Geneva?

In addition, are there any extra costs / "red tape" I should be looking out for? Ideally I would do a deal with the dealer by email / phone and arrive and take the car same day.

Would appreciate any help you can give.

you don't need 4x4. You just need winter tyres.

I've been up to ski resorts a gazillion times with just two wheel drive. Never needed 4x4 and never needed chains (but carried them).

HTH. Relax

i bet it was a front wheel drive though huh?

I was saving that gem for later

Be sure you are getting like for like. I'd be surprised if there really was a 5K difference for the same exact car with all the same options. If it is the same exact car with all the same options, etc. Take the ad to the Geneva dealer. Maybe they will give you the same deal.

Meanwhile in non-blinkered world - I've driven "loads of times" to ski-resorts in a RWD car with winter tyres.

you're willing to drive up to 150k for a garage?!?!

give these people a call... very handy to Nyon - primarily a VW garage but excellent service , cheap rates, and last time we were there ( before we bought a new car ) one of their mechanics was English ( not sure if he is still there )

http://www.bidon5.ch/acces2

I hope this doesn't turn into yet another one of those 4x4 vs. 2wd threads.
You make your own choice - costs are slightly more with a 4x4, and you may or may not need one in Vaud, but on occasions I've been glad for mine - not getting up a mountain, but just driving out of a ski resort car park (and others) with compacted snow/ice on the ground - 2wd (mainly front) wheel spinning all over the shop, requiring pushing - me just driving out.

If you're considering an SX4, just for price comparison/availability you could also look at the Fiat Sedici - a very similar car, and (I believe) uses the same 4x4 drivetrain from Suzuki. I know nothing of either, other than, for a moment I did consider both when I was changing my car, but decided they were too small for my needs.

For the same money as you've mentioned, you could get a brand new one of these starting at 19,900 for 4x4, or if you decided you only wanted 2wd, then 15,900 starts you off.

The Top Gear boys may take the piss out of the make (but not this model), but the company is owned and run by Renault and uses their 1.6 16v engine (same size as the Suzuki), and could end up following in the footsteps of Skoda, after they were bought by VW - with prices to match.

You will find them at any main Renault dealers, where prices should be the same for the whole of CH - plus warranty and other benefits of buying a new car from a main dealer.

AFTERTHOUGHT: although bigger than the Suzuki, I think the pics. make it look larger than in reality - about same size as a standard Vitara or Rav4.

If you do look at skoda be aware the 4x4 version is not a real 4x4 it uses the first early haldex system so is 99% FWD and only when the front starts to spin does the rear drive come in.

The yeti has an option to engage it full time though.

As I've said before, its better to have 4x4 and not need it, then to need it and not have it

We have the swift 4x4 its been a fantastic little car, a little underpowered but fine.

As for ski resorts, then yes, many times when we have driven to Flums the roads have been closed to anything but 4x4's, so if you really want to park at the bottom and catch the (over crowded) ski bus on a bus ride from hell then drive there in a 2wd

Agree!

I have used FWD, RWD and 4x4 in Switzerland - and I have never had any problems with any of them. However the latter means I don't worry so much about getting stuck. The X-Trail had a psuedo centre diff-lock - and the front tyres were Cooper Weathermasters - which were incredible. The 530xd uses a wet clutchtransfer. The wiki page showing the x-Drive on the back of the gearbox with front propshaft on the left.

The current Haldex/x-Drive/4-Matic systems work very well indeed with very limited delay between front/rear transfers.

The Nissan X-Trail system is superb - and is highly related in off-road circles even though it is used in a soft-roader. I would happily buy another one.

For that amount I'd go with the Duster as well, but probably with the 1.5 dCi engine and 4x4.

Apart from obvious marketing gimmicks, it seems to be quite capable off road: http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...+off+road&aq=f

the dacia's are basic to say the least

no electric windows, no aircon, basic stereo, no gadgets of any kind etc etc which is why they are so cheap, start adding what most companies call the basics and they don't look like such a good deal.

in the summer you need aircon here!!

Yeah... who need 4x4 when 2 wheels are fine...



That is what you meant, isn't it?

I wholly agree, they're a bit cheap and cheerful - but for 23,100 (petrol 1.6 - top spec from 3) - does have aircon and front elec windows (rear are extra) - it's still ain't bad for a new car, with a 3yr. warranty (not the standard 3mth. one that dealers offer on a used car).

As for gadgets - not everyone wants or needs too many of these - often bumping prices up, and just something else to go wrong (as here), and some can also be a distraction when driving.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not that pro Dacia to argue their case for the sake of it, but if someone is contemplating spending in the region of 20K on a used car, because, maybe, they think a cost of a new one is prohibitive, then it ain't so bad to point this one out, as a possible option, to anyone who may not be aware.

I think we'd all like to drive around in top spec top models, but I, personally, really resent tying up too much of my money, in something that I just expect to perform a function (when I was young and single it was different).

I'm sure, in time, the spec will improve, as will the price increase, but for now, taking advantage of cheap east European labour, can't be all bad.

Naww ... front wheel drive is better - and a bigger drive wheel.

most garages will have an english speaking sales person. If not than leave as it will be nothing but hassle in the future. you dont know what you are sighning, and many misunderstandings might happen

For 30k you can get a full-spec Dacia Buster dCI - with a good warranty and all the basics you'll need.

The build quality will be no worse than the Dodge I had recently!

You can add them, still comes out cheap...

http://dacia.ch/liste-de-prix/PL_Dacia_Duster_f.pdf

what about Skoda Roomster which Clarkson liked so much?
Skoda has good reputation...even in snobby CH