REMEMBER the 80s? I do, and like most of us who were there at the time I feel compelled to greet the recent return of block colours, Raybans and power ballads with nothing more than a stifled groan. Because the 80s were terrible. The kids of today chic about in what they think is the style of 1985 quite happily, but they don’t know that in the mid-80’s lots of people still wore flares and listened to the Wurzels. It was awful. That’s why the recent re-introduction of the Lada Niva has amused me so much. The Niva is a Russian built 4X4 that was quite a big seller here in the 80s. This was before the current fashion for road based SUVs filled the roads with giants and the Niva was pretty good on road for a tough 4X4. The trouble is that, peculair steering wheel aside, it is still exactly the same as it was 25 years ago. At £11,000, it’s the cheapest 4X4 you can buy new in the UK and, given that it’s an ancient design of communist origin was optimized for the harshness of Russia, so it should be. It’s great off road yes, but on Tarmac it’s like driving around in a Cossack’s hat. Particularly when you look at what that money can get you secondhand. A cursory glance through UsedCarExpert throws up all manner of vastly superior metal. Here are three of the best… Nissan X-Trail The X-Trail is a car we often recommend, which says a lot. It’s big, tough, comfy and very nice to drive. Also, the latest model is indistinguishable from earlier cars unless you work for Nissan. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: £10,995 gets you a four year old version of the X-Trail with a lowly 36,000 miles on the clock, a cutting edge 2.2 turbo-diesel engine and rather fetching black paint. Land Rover FreelanderA car that can live with the Niva off road. But when you are on tarmac you will be considerably more comfortable. A prestige, school run friendly and very reliable car from Land Rover that is a brilliant motorway tool to boot. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: A 2006, 2.0 Diesel Freelander in Silver, with less than 50,000 miles on the clock a full service history is £10,995. Honda CR-VThe CR-V is going to struggle off road against the NIva and Land Rover but if a British winter is the harshest thing you’ll face you’ll be fine in the Honda. Very reliable with lots of space and great engines the Honda is a class package. Early, high mileage examples of the current car can be had at this money – or stick with the previous car and play it safe. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for Sale: A 2006, 2.2 Diesel CRV with a full service history and less than 40,000 miles showing is available for £10,500. | 
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