What vehicle would fit this role... in Italy (can ship from US to Italy)

[phoenix_iii]

My grandfather is looking to buy a present for the son of a friend of his in Italy.

A Jeep Wrangler was the original decision, but he doesn't know much about cars. They are looking for a vehicle that will pull duty at a farm. This translates to

1) 4 Wheel Drive (or AWD, I suppose)
2) Decent clearance I imagine
3) Knobby or bigger tires (he says)
4) Available in Italy, or parts are available in Italy
5) Stick seems preferred, but the person using it only has 1 arm! (but has driven stick their whole life)
6) 2-3 years old, maybe 15-18k miles on it.
7) Decent mpg/efficient. Petrol or Diesel is very expensive. Wanted 'small' ish, if you consider a Wrangler small.

The budget is not set. He can afford whatever is best, but I would like to show him a spread.

So what cars have available parts (standard maintenance parts to 100k) in Italy without getting gouged?

I also said Wrangler a bad idea due to the 16mpg. There will be no plowing or towing (when I asked, anyway).

So I need suggestions, or key questions to ask. He doesn't really know though, so I'd rather have over capacity. Of course, the people he is buying for really cannot afford a lot, so that's why parts must be available/servicable, and mpg reasonable.. and oh, what is the insurance like over there? Do you need insurance (I do believe they would take the vehicle to market, so not a 'farm only' vehicle). This would also be important, like I know Geico, for example, won't insure Lotus, so I assume some insurers in Italy won't insure imported vehicles of some types.

Input welcome!

[Rikao4]

no idea about what type..
I'm sure Italy has something like TUV..
must pass Italian inspection..
how stringent..
Germany..as it comes from the factory...
is what you get..any Mods must be TUV approved..
and those are not easy to get..
so no big Bubba trucks allowed..

Rika

[phoenix_iii]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

no idea about what type..
I'm sure Italy has something like TUV..
must pass Italian inspection..
how stringent..
Germany..as it comes from the factory...
is what you get..any Mods must be TUV approved..
and those are not easy to get..
so no big Bubba trucks allowed..

Rika

Rika. Thank you for your input. Yes for now I assume that when they take it to market, they want it to pass inspection.

I was hoping to find out that like a 4wd Toyota exists of some sort. Oh, he said 'small' side would be best, if you consider things like a Wrangler small. Does a 4wd stick rav4 exist? Maybe even something from Subaru?

[gtc]

Fiat Panda - cheap, awd, good mileage I would guess

[Zeke]

Range Rover?

[phoenix_iii]

Fiat Panda Cross (4x4, higher up, still economical), introduced in 2006 or 2007 in Italy [Thanks Wikipedia and gtc]

Range Rover if you can provide specs (I would think efficiency here would be a problem, and what about parts availability, and places to get it worked on. Popular in Italy?)

[Pazuzu]

Suzuki Samurai. Excellent little 4x4, can be had in diesel flavors, small, efficient. Both hardtop and softtop available. Easier to work on and more reliable than a Jeep.

Edit: Yes, it's older than what you want, but it'll fit the bill better than anything 2 or 3 years old, since they forgot how to make efficient 4x4 trucks about 15 years ago).

[Paco Anton]

Any japanese mid-size SUV diesel will fit the bill. All available in Italy through factory dealers. Buy locally since importing will be a nightmare.

Some nice examples could be Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, even koreans such as Hyundai ix35.

Euro car market is quite diferent to the US. PM me if you wat to discuss specific models.

[Paco Anton]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Suzuki Samurai. Excellent little 4x4, can be had in diesel flavors, small, efficient. Both hardtop and softtop available. Easier to work on and more reliable than a Jeep.

Edit: Yes, it's older than what you want, but it'll fit the bill better than anything 2 or 3 years old, since they forgot how to make efficient 4x4 trucks about 15 years ago).

Now they sell the newer version as Suzuki Jimny. Too raw for my taste.

[Macroni]

They sell a small jeep diesel in Italy; Believe it is a Cherokee

[Rufblackbird]

Defender | Land Rover Italia

[Britwrench]

Try looking at this website. Jeep

[phoenix_iii]

I want to keep it on the less expensive side in terms of ownership. I am going to present these ideas on Sunday. Any more? Thank you all so far!