BUYING A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

So you've seen the ads, read the blurb and, most importantly of all, seen the off-roader parked in your neighbour's driveway. It's decided. You want a four-wheel drive for weekends away from it all.

On the other hand, you might be a rural vet, a motorway construction engineer or a Highland sheep farmer. If you can tick 'yes' to either of the above, then most certainly, what you need is a rugged, dependable, go anywhere 4X4.

If you can't, then it's quite possible that what you actually need is a 'Sport Utility Vehicle' - or 'SUV' to those on used car lots with trilby hats. Sport Utilities are fashionable, sporty, roomy and, let's face it, enable you to look down on other drivers in every sense.

Most of this has been brought about by a boom in America for SUVs. In the UK, buyers are almost spoilt for choice as the car companies continue to bring out more and more vehicles. Many are American imports but the Japanese, Koreans and Germans now also offer us a multitude of choice, in addition to Land Rover's home-grown range.

If you think that off-roaders are not up to scratch when it comes to creature comforts, though, think again. Today's vehicles are way ahead of those old agricultural mud-pluggers that offered little more in convenience features than a hose-out interior.

The average all-wheel drive vehicle boasts a standard spec comparable, if not superior, to the luxury cars of only a few years ago. All come with air-conditioning, (essential for quick demisting in winter and a cool head in summer) power steering and all the electric gadgets like remote central locking and ...