Hello People,
    I dropped my sister off to collect her car at the Ford garage and saw their version of a "jeep" a Maverick, I didn't get to sit it or anything as they were just closing but I did look around it and I really like it seemed to have enough room for Sal in the back and as I am considering changing the car later this year. I wondered if anyone had any views/experience of this car or anything along similar line I need the room in the back for the dog or two :) obviously. And seating for 4.
    I don't think I fancy an estate car...but I do kinda like these jeep type things.
Thanks Karen 

Try the Honda CRV or the Nissan X Trail, being Japanese they have very good reliability and build quality.  Both are similar in size and shape to the Maverick.
Dawn.

Nissan make the Maverick for Ford I believe - their version of it is the Trooper which is cheaper and has more features.

I have a Nissan X-Trail which I think is brilliant (except for getting into 2nd gear).

The Honda is not a proper 4WD as it only goes into it if it perceives a problem.  With the X-Trail you have a choice of 2WD, the go into 4WD if a problem and fulll 4WD modes.  These can be changed at the touch of a button if you are doing under 60 mph

Hi we  had a Maverick until a couple of years ago ,husband needed it for work ,i really enjoyed driving  it, we even went to the south of France with seven of us in it (included my Mum who was in her 70s )  we sold it as i was promised a Cabriolet for "F" birthday ......i had waited a long time for my car ,& i love it but really miss the Maverick ,when all seats are down it's huge inside ,i also liked sitting higher up & seeing over the cars !(when i have grown up a bit i shall go back to a 4 wheel drive ! ) also with diesel it's a lot more economical ,  good luck  & Hope you find what you want , Bye Sue T xx

The Trooper is made by Isuzu, and will be fazed out this year.

Most smaller "off roaders" are 2 and 4wd, usually its only the "big boys" that are permanent 4wd, although there are some that are.
Dawn.

I just love my CRV.  Out picking up in December, a range rover got stuck, and had to be pulled out by a land rover.  My CRV was fine.  I know they get a bad press for off-roading, but for the amount I do it's been fine.  I also love the way the back opens.  I can leave the top half up when parked, and the dogs stay dry and cool.  I wouldn't say it was big enough for more than two dogs though. Unless you had the back seats down.
Lorna

Hi sister in law has a mavirik but says its juicy if petrol and has lost its resale value really quick we have a new shape grand cherokee jeep which we love it has all the extras but even diesel is juicy we also had a frontera before which was nice as well

We have a Daihatsu Fourtrak which is fantastic off road and Rob has a Trooper which is a company vehicle.  The fourtrak is practical as it is a fieldman and has LOADS of room for 6 dogs but only has two seats.  It's fairly comfortable to drive but not as nice as the trooper.  The parts are also expensive on the fourtrak.    I really like the trooper.  It's comfy to drive and not noisy at all.  If they are phasing them out next year, maybe the value of the old ones will go down??  Not sure how much the parts are as it's a leased one and we don't see the repair bills.

Helen