As winter begins to make itself felt in earnest, you might idly be thinking about how to stay mobile and safe.
For many, the best and most affordable way to tackle worsening road conditions is with a set of winter or all-season tyres.
A two-wheel-drive car on winter tyres, after all, will often outperform a comparable all- or four-wheel-drive alternative on conventional tyres in poor conditions – especially when it comes to stopping and steering.
That said, having four driven wheels shod with proper tyres and some extra ground clearance on your side can come in handy, especially if you live in a hillier area or one that's prone to heavy snowfall or road blockages.
Alternatively, you might just want to buy something capable yet disposable to run about in so you can protect your current car from the ravages of winter and road salt. There's a lot to be said for such an approach, because if someone bounces into your inexpensive winter daily, or if it ends up in a hedgerow, then nothing of real value will be damaged.
There are plenty of options when it comes to buying a cheap rugged car for winter driving, even if you've only got some £1500 to spend, but many candidates – such as an older Subaru Forester or Jeep Cherokee – are expensive to run.
However, there are affordable winter hacks that don’t entail hefty running costs. These five suggestions, for example, won't break the bank and are often available for £1000 or less if you’re willing to trawl the classifieds.
That means you can spend whatever’s left of your £1500 budget on a set of appropriate tyres and some servicing, ensuring safe and hassle-free winter motoring.
5. Daihatsu Terios
The Terios, which first arrived in the UK in 1997, is a compact featherweight car that’s cheap, tough and ideal for tackling country lanes. It is crude and pedestrian, unsurprisingly, but first-generation models with comparatively few miles on the clock often sell for around £900.
You might even find the odd second-generation model, as pictured, within budget – and those variants benefit from a centre differential lock, too – but an earlier car in better condition is probably a better bet than a tattier newer example.
4. Fiat Panda 4×4
Pick up a second-generation Panda 4×4 and you’ll get yourself a light, capable and characterful all-wheel-drive runabout. They’re also uncomplicated and easy to look after, while their compact dimensions make them ideal for around-town work.
They are slow, however, so if you need something for faster roads then you’ll want to look elsewhere. Sound examples tend to sell around £1500, too, which won't leave you much to spend on servicing or tyres if required – so pick carefully.
3. Honda CR-V
A first- or second-generation Honda CR-V is a good choice for those wanting something a bit more accommodating, comfortable and practical. There’s lots of space in the boot, for example, and the Honda is quicker and more capable on the road than some of the smaller alternatives here.
The later second-generation cars are safe for their era, too. Automatic versions are also common and many will find these easier to drive in treacherous conditions than manual models.
2. Suzuki Ignis 4Grip
A cheap Jimny might strike most as the Suzuki of choice for winter operations. However, aside from the fact that serviceable sub-£1500 examples can be hard to find, the Jimny's four-wheel-drive system doesn’t have a full-time mode – so you should only really engage 4WD when you’re on low-friction surfaces.
If you want additional traction all of the time, and a quicker and more refined experience, go for a peppy and durable all-wheel-drive Ignis 4Grip instead. Like some others here, its low weight and narrow tyres will further improve its capabilities on snow-covered roads.
1. Toyota RAV4
Many older all- and four-wheel-drive cars are pretty pedestrian and unrefined, which makes them a chore to drive in good conditions. An early RAV4, however, serves up a comparatively swift and pleasant driving experience – and both three- and five-door versions are available.
Being a Toyota, the affordable RAV4 is also predictably tough and its running costs are sensible. It is bigger and heavier than some alternatives but, if you have longer trips and regular use in mind, its decent on-road manners will appeal.
Keyword: Fast fives: Fuss-free winter cars for £1500 or less