Hi, wonder if you can help us. Looking to buy a car that will get us around in Switzerland in winter. We do intend to go to ski resorts - but only on main roads that will have been cleared. We are a family of 4, but need some decent boot space as looking to travel home to England. Can you possibly recommend a car we could go for? I understand that a four wheel drive doesn't have to be a 4 x 4, so perhaps we are looking for a 4 wheel drive and good snow tyres?

Thanks for your help!

An Audi A6 wagon with AWD & good snow tires & chains in the trunk (or boot, if you prefer).

Ford Focus with a roof box (when you need it) has worked for me the past 12 years.

Otherwise, a motorcycle with a sidecar is far more useful (I have both).

Tom

Silly question, but are you buying the car inswitzerland or in the uk?

I have a golf 4 motion, tdi. I have never had to use snow chains with an AWD, and I've driven to many ski resorts in Switzerland and Austria in the middle of winter.

My advice, look at cars in the uk that fulfil your size requirements; buy a AWD version in Switzerland and buy a good set of winter tyres and you'll be fine.

Budget?
Form-factor preference?

VW T5 4-Motion with a roof box works for us. Room for the in-laws as well, plus a couple of dogs, plus one more kid.

Your question is useless without providing information on the following:
Budget?
Petrol/Diesel?
Manual/Automatic?
Performance/Economy?
Basic/Luxury?
Compact/Oversize?
Brand preference?

http://www.englishforum.ch/sale-want...ro-zurich.html

If you look at the cars in the car parks at ski resorts here you will see cars in all shapes and sizes and all models, and two and four wheel drive.

It really doesn't matter.

Get the car you need based on other factors.

Volvo V70 or the country XC70 (4x4) have a huge trunk and are very comfortable for long trips.

Stop thinking too much! Just give her an answer!!!

Ford Mondeo station wagon, 2.0 TDCi engine. Ooodles of space, economical to drive, acceptable quality, good price.

Get anything that fits your budget, you like the look of, fits the family in, works and has winter tires.

A red one. Blue ones are rubbish.

Ahhh there is the problem. The standard is grey or black. Red or blue is an option at CHF 100K.

winter tyres make a HUGE difference. Ford Mundaneo is a class leader and ideal. More space? S-Max.

HTH