Now that the sale of the house looks like going through this time (though you can't say for definite till exchange) we are starting to think ahead to next year. Once we move into our temporary rental and settle down for the winter, we will be thinking of our potential new life in Bulgaria.

One of the things Mr Eq is worrying about is transport. We are wanting a 4X4 for the winters especially, and for general use. So we do not need anything huge, just something to cope with snowy roads in an emergency, but will be useful through the year for a general form of transport, though we are not planning to do any more driving than we really have to. We have no experience of these vehicles, so please bear with us.

So what we need to know is, what to you drive and why? And what would you avoid and why?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Mrs Eq

we came to bulgaria with a ford focus and it took some hammer and numerous punctures. so we changed our car for a toyota rav4 2 ltr. it is better on these roads but not as comfortable. although i would not recommend going out in the height of winter its dangerous for any vehicle except a snow plough maybe. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Subaru Forrester or a Volvo XC70.

We drove over in our Nissan X-Trail, with two dogs and a lot of personal effects.
It's been brilliant in the snow. We have roof bars for it, so it's good
for carrying various bits and pieces, including all sizes of wood for different jobs.
I guess it comes down to personal choice in the end. We've certainly no regrets with ours.

This is what I would recommend and the reason being it's the most reliable 4x4 I have driven, I have been backwards and forwards to Bulgaria 8 times and not so much as an e-cup. Its a Mitsubishi Pajero it isn't very economical but it does have all the benefits of heated seats, air con, and various other bits. I don't like Isuzu, Lawn-rover. Had this 8 years now and it's never let me down or cost me anything for MOT's. I imported it directly from Japan and have no regrets.

Scunnered wrote:

We drove over in our Nissan X-Trail, with two dogs and a lot of personal effects.
It's been brilliant in the snow. We have roof bars for it, so it's good
for carrying various bits and pieces, including all sizes of wood for different jobs.
I guess it comes down to personal choice in the end. We've certainly no regrets with ours.

What is the saying "
two great minds think alike"
.

I (Mr Eq) have only just been reading reviews about them and seems like good on and off road and seems to be ecomnomical as well (44mpg). They do say to go for the diesel though. In comparison to Nissan Cr-V and Toyota Rav they seem to be well above them in recommendations.



Mr &
Mrs Eq

We have a 2.2litre diesel turbo, 2003-2007 model. Heated seats, air-con (only when the dogs are being transported!!) etc.
Unfortunately I had to sell my pride and joy, my Vauxhall Tigra, before we moved over. Great for the summer, but not exactly
practical for the winter or the roads! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I waited years for a corolla, then a Yaris, but they will both go as we don't need two cars. The corolla has been a fantastic car, and we fight over the Yaris, it's ace. But not practical for winter roads.

Mrs Eq

I believe that you are right to purchase 4x4 for several reasons. We have a Mitsubishi Shogun and it did 44 mpg on diesel to Turkey which is 1240 K's. You will need a vehicle to collect furniture and DIY materials from larger towns, the snow is another reason to have one and also to combat any pot holes you may have lurking wherever you live.

Many thanks for the advice/recommendations, guess what I will be doing the next time I am off having a look at 4 x 4's. In the UK 4 x 4's are excesssively high in tax and insurance as lots of people use them in city areas and to discourage this tax and insurance is high. hopefully that will not be the case as it would be used for excatly what it was designed for.

All in all very hectic at the moment what with i the process of packing for moving and work, but I am sure I can bore the other half senseless the next weekeend I am off browsing the car sales/garages.

Mr Eq

As you will see by my ad in the for sale section, I have two 4WDs and two 'normal' types. I use them all at most times of the year altho' the 4WDs are the vehicle of choice during the snowy season. The Nissan is virtually unstoppable in deep snow and is extremely reliable, like most Japanese 4WDs and being quite a large vehicle is very handy when moving stuff around. The Jeep is probably the most robust vehicle in it's class and having been around since the early 1940's has nothing to prove to anyone.

Over the years. I've owned and driven Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Landrover, Subaru, Isuzu, Jeep and few other nondescript types of 4WD vehicles so I have more than a little experience to share with anyone who may be interested.

Well I am no expert on 4x4'sbut I have the Mitsibushi Animal and I pulled one or two cars out of the snow last year and all i did was put it 2nd gear and took my foot off the peddle and on tick over in four wheel and pulled them out.Down side is that it's a bit juicy and another upside the heater is a T shirt job and the aircon is lovely!

Another thumbs up for Mitsubishi here. We actually moved out with a Toyota Rav4, but swapped this out for a Pajero once we'd gained enough 'experience' of the potholes and snow-drifts.

Never a problem with it and starts first time, whatever the weather.

We also have a Mitsubishi [ Shogun]
very pleased and very reliable

Sorry folks but I have to ask. How can you all afford a 4x4? Don't they cost as much as a house in Bulgaria? Its perfectly possible to live here without a car at all. In fact, I would go so far as to say that its easier to integrate because people using the local bus all seem to know each other just as in the old days in dear old Blighty. You also see more of the countryside while passing through villages and our bus has always got through no matter how much snow falls in winter. I am very happy not to have the strain of negotiating the Bulgarian roads (and potholes) to say nothing of the driving standards! In very deep snow and cold where on earth do people want to go and why? If you stock up for all eventualities there is no need to risk life and limb in any car even if its a 4x4. There are very few Bulgarians who even own a car in our village so we are all in the same boat. Like most things in life - its just habit to have wheels!