Wookie Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Ok, so I'm being encouraged/forced to get rid of my Frontera and buy a newer car and I am completely stuck for what to get. I know that it has got to last about five years, and that I want something that fills about four main requirements, but I need help from the PW masses for suggestions. And yes, I know some of the requirements are contradictory, but when you want the moon on a stick... 1) Space in the back/boot for two dogs 2) Space in the back for luggage/camping stuff when two dogs are in the boot 3) Comfortable on long journeys 4) [relatively] fuel efficient (i.e. no 3.9l Range Rovers!) 5) Suitable for going round fields when I head out shooting I had actually though about going for a "car" as opposed to a 4x4 this time round, which would fill requirements 1-4 quite nicely, but would leave me short on a vehicle to go shooting in. Then I thought about a 4x4, which would do everything but number 4, unless i go for something a little more hairdresser in the 4x4 range (Rav-4 or similar). The two things that crossed my mind were a Freelander TD4 or an X-Trail tDCi, with a Scooby following as a distant, fleeting thought given the lack of fuel economy and luggage space in the Impreza. The disco was also possible, but I'm not sure about the fuel economy and every time I've driven one a long distance, my legs have gone to sleep on me after a couple of hours. My wife says that I have about 6k to spend, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST3V3 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 subaru forrester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 a 52 plate TD5 discovery series 2 facelift model....in monpelier red, with anti-roll bar upgrade...... It lives in scotland and is for sale very soon..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Wookie, I did this exercise about a year ago. Personally speaking I think that you cant buy a "do all" car, that's why I have got five on the go at the moment. From your needs I would say an Xtrail, CRV or RAV4. Definately go Jap. None of them are serious off roaders but then they are more comfortable for all other uses. Mrs ME has an 03 RAV4 Diesel. It has been a very reliable and economical car. She wants a mini convertible but I am loathed to sell a car that has never gone wrong or cost us any money. She gets 38 MPG out of her RAV4. If you are insistant on a "car" it would have to be a Subaru Forester or Audi Allroad depending on budget. ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Range Rover v8 supercharged,Black all singing and dancing with Kahn styling and a nice new blonde for the passenger seat. Dunno what that lot runs in at but have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) you might just get a new shape L200 for that but be touch and go. 30mpg lots of room, ideal for dogs and pretty comfortable for going away in. After that the freelander may be an option but it will be pretty long in the tooth for that money will give slightly better economy and be fine off road. Otherwise the foresters seem to do @30mpg and are ok for gentle driving accross fields but do seem to hold their value pretty well. Me my brothers wife had an 03 plate rav 4 needed a new clutch at 70K, cam belt idler bearing went nearly taking the engine with it, kept going into limp mode which Toyota thought required a new turbo at the thick end of a grand. Guess its all like motors some were built on a friday afternoon Edited February 16, 2010 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reaper6 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 series 3 landrover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Wookie, I would keep the Frontera and get it on a "cherished car" third party or limited mileage insurance and if funds are tight keep it on your permission whilst SORN or only tax it for 6 months of the year (whenever you use it most). I think Adrian Flux will do both these kinds of policy. Then spent the money on a diesel estate car for the missus or a car of her choosing. Whenever I have used the missus car for shooting she grizzles about her seat being moved, the mud etc etc. I now have an old Shogun that sits in the drive, it's filthy, constantly dropping mud and she grizzles about that now. ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Good suggestions all... My original intention was to keep my car until it no longer becomes economical to repair, but I've since been advised by a number of people (wife, parents, bloke over the road) that it would probably be better to flog it as a runner and spend the extra money (compared to scrap) on the new car. It breaks my heart a bit, because it is a really comfortable, useful car, but it needs to go. I had thought about a lot of the more rugged 4x4's but their fuel economy is dire and I really don't need anything that rugged given that most of my driving is now on roads. That said, if I bought a "car" for roads and then a cheap 4x4 for shooting, would I realistically save enough driving the car to pay for the insurance etc? I think that's what the wife is looking for... Something cost neutral or better. I hate having to buy new stuff. I hate having choices to make about stuff too. Bloody cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) simple answer is no, two lots of tax, insurance and servicing put a hell of a dent into saving possibly 15mpg at the very best. Get yourself a smaller diesel 4x4 and it will be cheaper to run just the one. Of course no one knows except you how happy the missus is with you using it for shooting as well! main issue at the moment for you is what is your existing car worth? Edited February 16, 2010 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 So you are not going to be a Range Rover daddy then?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeymagic1969 Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) Mitsubishi shogun sport - good family car, plenty of room in the back for dogs and kit, excellent on the road - also excellent off road don't look to bad either and like all of the jap cars they very rarely brakedown - plenty of parts out there to fix if it does go wrong another choice is the Nissan pathfinder Edited February 16, 2010 by monkeymagic1969 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Alax, Do a bit of mental calculations... W plate Frontera B series 2.2 Dti Limited with full leather and A/C. But, 213k on the clock and some rust on various panels. At most, and it would take a very generous or compassionate person to do this, I would get a k for it. That would probably have to include the tax I have on it and half tank of fuel. MonkeyMagic. I did think of a shogun, but the wife is going to have to drive this one as well, so anything too big (and she calls the Frontera "The A Team Van") and it's out. She was trying to get me to go for an Audi A4 estate up until I reminded her it can't go round farm tracks that well. Apparently a Freelander is ok, which means I might get away with an X-Trail as well. The Forrester is a possibility too. Bloody women and their cars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...st&p=992383 Buy that for her and keep the Fronty. Job done, Next please The Shogun Sport is another good option. They arent that big, no bigger than a RAV4, CRV or XTrail. I cant see you getting £1k for your Fronty. GaryB gave about £300 for one with a years MOT. Your Fronty is worth more to you as a car (whose history and faults you know) rather than in financial terms. This link is shamelessly stolen from Flashman - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/6...s-revealed.html Whilst Al4x's brothers, missus, cousins uncle had a problem with a RAV4 alledgedly, the other X amount of people that own one reckon they are pretty good. I dont see the Mitsubishi L200 mentioned there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 RENAULT KANGOO 1870 cc 1.9TD Trekka 4WD on Autotrader & eBay You can share the spare £1,000 with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 RENAULT KANGOO 1870 cc 1.9TD Trekka 4WD on Autotrader & eBay You can share the spare £1,000 with me UK Poacher, Wookie might come from Suffolk but I have it on record that he only has mild Suffolk gay tendancies and not the full blown version that Pavman and Starlight32 suffer from. He would get tarred and feathered if he drove into Harnsers county in that bad boy. ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Do _NOT_ start with the Kangoo!!! Bloody frenchman at work was trying to get me to buy one to prop up his country's economy. Not a chance. I know getting a k for mine is a little on the optomistic side, but it owes me nothing and anything I get is a bonus. mind you, a k would be nice... As for Scooby Forresters... Not a single one on the 'Bay for sensible money. Quite shocking really. It means that people liek them, they don't break and are reliable. Damn these Japenese and their good cars! X-Trail and Freelander 1 (late model are looking like the front-runners right now. Can anyone think of anything really bad about either of these, or should I just admit that I am old and buy a Passat/A4 estate and start shmoking a pipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 1) Space in the back/boot for two dogs2) Space in the back for luggage/camping stuff when two dogs are in the boot 3) Comfortable on long journeys 4) [relatively] fuel efficient (i.e. no 3.9l Range Rovers!) 5) Suitable for going round fields when I head out shooting You've just described a horse and cart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Do _NOT_ start with the Kangoo!!! Bloody frenchman at work was trying to get me to buy one to prop up his country's economy. Not a chance. I know getting a k for mine is a little on the optomistic side, but it owes me nothing and anything I get is a bonus. mind you, a k would be nice... As for Scooby Forresters... Not a single one on the 'Bay for sensible money. Quite shocking really. It means that people liek them, they don't break and are reliable. Damn these Japenese and their good cars! X-Trail and Freelander 1 (late model are looking like the front-runners right now. Can anyone think of anything really bad about either of these, or should I just admit that I am old and buy a Passat/A4 estate and start shmoking a pipe? Check out a post in the 4x4 section on Freelanders, they are very Marmite and I hate them ! X-trail all the way. Bob300w has a new one and he likes it. His one has a full length sunroof for shooting too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 That did appeal to me! My mum has one, so I know them, but the idea of the central dash puts me off a bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 That did appeal to me! My mum has one, so I know them, but the idea of the central dash puts me off a bit... Get some go faster dials from the Ripspeed section of your local Halfords and stick them all over the right hand side. That'll balance things out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 A fair few people seem to hate the X-trail problems. Turbos going pop and brake problems. Takes ages to get teh dealers to acknowledge that it is an issue and prro service from them. Have a good search on what car and auto express. Nice motors but a fair few issues on earlier models. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/us...san_xtrail.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Some scary reviews below about turbos and intercoolers going bad. http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews1516.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 A fair few people seem to hate the X-trail problems. Turbos going pop and brake problems. Takes ages to get teh dealers to acknowledge that it is an issue and prro service from them. Have a good search on what car and auto express. Nice motors but a fair few issues on earlier models. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/us...san_xtrail.html 4 out of 5 rating and thats bad oh and this is from 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lee Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 4 out of 5 rating and thats bad oh and this is from 2007 So you missed the next link to reviews I posted then? The first one was a magazine editors review...which counts for naff all generally and a link purely to a few reviews. The second one is actual user reviews. As for the date...that is roughly the year he would be looking at with his budget. Or did you fail to read that too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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