Bloke Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Right - As those of you who know me are aware, I have walking difficulties (Not alcohol-induced, sadly!). I have been told by DVLA that I can now reapply for my licence back (Which I had to surrender on medical grounds in 2004). If I am successful, I should know in a couple of months, (dependant on how long the DVLA panel takes) I will be looking for transport, so I want to start to have a bit of a look round. What I think I need is: 4x4, preferably able to do a bit of not too serious off-road stuff, a few grass/sloping fields and a bit of green lane stuff to some of the more out of the way shooting/fishing/camping grounds. Decent size cab, as I am a person of lard, and would like to repay favours over the years and drive my mates/family out if I want to. As I am a pensioner, I don't need to use the car to trog to work or back, just for fun, so not too many miles, however 20mpg might be a bit much if that is all the car will do, would prefer something that can return about 30-35 mpg on a run. Preferably able to carry one of the electric disabled buggies in the back for when I get there Something to put a bit of a grin on my face. I looked at the smaller units, like my daughter's 5-door Rav4, but getting the buggy in is a nightmare, as the rear door doesn't open fully. I have also looked at some of the crew-cab options, such as the Hilux, they certainly made me smile! I thought a deisel auto would be good, but you lot out there drive these things. My budget would be up to about £3K, I know I am asking for a lot for the money, but any suggestions for economy/reliability/etc are welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Older shape CRV? Should easily do the mpg required and drive more like a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tod Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 for the money you want to spend maybe a toyota surf, dont know about getting a buggy in the back though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I had big troubles getting a car that was decentish on fuel, reasonable on car tax and insurance, suitable to be modified for diasabled access and carry a wheel chair + shopping etc with the height of a 4 x 4 and found it very hard work as most modern cars make it award due to increased safety designs. I ended up with a Kia estate as it was the nearest that fitted the requirement, if you are sure you need a 4 x 4 you may well have problems finding one in your budget range you have shown. If you want space and settle for a car some of the Honda's are big on space and boot but hold their price too well. Having medical problems that no doubt in years to come will again put my licence at risk again (already lost it once on medical) I would have go back to a auto car, snag with them is you probally loose around 5 mpg at the least over a manual, my last auto was down to 20 mpg :( though auto's are a lot easier to drive and hopefully now more econical. Found in my search I had trouble getting in a lot of Ford's as crew compartments were cramped and one I could not get in, I am big but not that big. Altough its out side your budget but might be useful for others who may not qualify for a mobility grant or car, you can claim the VAT back if you buy a new car or one thats been pre registered to a garage and it has a disabled modification to it. The salesmen probally won't tell you this as its extra paperwork for them as they deduct the VAT and you sign a form with the disability for the VAT man. If you go for a deisel and only drive very short journies, watch out for ones with a particular filter (DPF) on them as they can be wrecked within a short time and costly to replace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Thanks for those. Beretta SV10 - luckily I don't need a wheelchair, just a buggy for longer walks (Over about 100 yards without stopping ), and I don't need an automatic, that was just as a luxury, after millions of miles stick-shifting! I hope you don't get worse and lose your licence again, I was gutted when I lost mine, took months to stop going stir-crazy. I must admit, I did like the look of a crew cab Hilux - it should do anything I wanted and I have seen a few in my price range with about 95K on the clock, which also looked as if they had been looked after. I was put off by the varying claims on mpg though, users claiming anything from 20-35mpg on the 3.0 turbo deisel. I will mostly be going about 7-20 miles and return, with the odd 50-100 mile journey, have they got a DPF and would this be too little? Don't want to restrict myself to just looking at these though, any more suggestions welcome, then I can start digging around the old 'net for reviews and dimensions. Edited October 1, 2012 by Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I was told more than 5 miles to at least get the system hot if it does not get hot it blocks up, though about once a week I do more miles about 3/4 to an hours driving and the filters been ok, a good run is all the better to make sure its cleaned out. Don't know what they are like, a freind has a nissan xtrail and he says he is getting around 44 mpg on average. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoggieman Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Had a Ssangyong rodius for about 4 years bought it new. It was good on fuel ok for the large scooter and very good to drive. Problem was with the local dealership when I had a problem with the auto box was quoted a silly amount and a long wait for the part to come from Korea. My brother fixed it for 25p. I was so upset with the way I had been treated I traded it for a Citroen c5 tourer again new. This was a fantastic car but after owning it for a week my leg and foot started playing up big time. I changed it for a c4 grand piccaso airdream. It is doing 50mpg and is so easy to drive. When it is run in it should do about 55-60mpg the tiptronic box is great or you can just leave it in auto. The large mobility scooter goes in very easy and it is a dream to drive. Hope you get sorted soon Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Try having a look at subaru outback legacy. ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) Nissan X-Trail? My 2.2 diesel returned 35-45mpg, was plenty big enough and more than capable over mud and fields Edited October 2, 2012 by Wildfowler12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Nissan Terrano? should be able to get a nice truck for that sort of money. The driving seat has loads of space in every direction and is pretty comfortable. More than capable off road for what you want to do with it. The back door opens fully and so can easily lift stuff in and out. MPG wise I get 32mpg on my commute to work and only drops a couple MPG when doing short journeys etc. I have the 2.7td LWB and it is by no means fast its about the same speed as a TDI Disco or older trooper or shogun but its a good reliable truck and will definitely get you there. For the money you got you might be able to get the 3.0 engine which is more refined and a bit quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 C4 grand picasso traction control etc loads of room great fuel consumption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Cheers folks, I am looking all these up, keep them coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Landrover Discovery. might struggle on the MPG but the smile on your face will more than make up for it. Not talking about the fancy **** Disco 3or 4's, the propper old Disco 1 or early 2. Mine Disco 1 never fails to put a big smile on my face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 (edited) I have always thought disco driving position was a bit cramped so not ideal for larger people. Edited October 2, 2012 by ferguson_tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Mine Disco 1 never fails to put a big smile on my face. is that just a smile in relief when it starts Personally I would say run away from any 3K hilux that isn't 15 years old, it will get you a decent L200 but depends what you are after. I'd have thought getting things in and out of the back would be the issue. Otherwise stay Jap if you want something reliable, the grand vitara estate might well be an option in terms of being easy to live with reliable and reasonably economical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Never had an issue with my disco starting. Do think they get a bad reputation for poor reliability. Mine is 15 years old. not too many cars around that age when you have a look and its still going stong after 178,000 miles. Only damage ever done to the poor girl has been because of my own stupidity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Never had an issue with my disco starting. Do think they get a bad reputation for poor reliability. Mine is 15 years old. not too many cars around that age when you have a look and its still going stong after 178,000 miles. Only damage ever done to the poor girl has been because of my own stupidity. Mines now 19 yrs old and 215000 and still going strong ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 is that just a smile in relief when it starts Personally I would say run away from any 3K hilux that isn't 15 years old, it will get you a decent L200 but depends what you are after. I'd have thought getting things in and out of the back would be the issue. Otherwise stay Jap if you want something reliable, the grand vitara estate might well be an option in terms of being easy to live with reliable and reasonably economical. Thats why I surgested subaru as that would be good for putting in the boot and are very capable off road but drive like car on road ! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Sounding good, chaps, thanks, lots of comments you don't hear on the major review sites, very interesting! I am working on a short list to go and see while I wait for all the forms etc, so this is really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 I have had the same trouble ended up with a Vauxhaull Zafara with the seats out of the back and a ramp for the buggy no 4x4 will take an assembled mobility Scooter as far as I know Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Are you not eligible for a Motability vehicle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Are you not eligible for a Motability vehicle Yes, I am, but I don't really want to go down the motability lease route, been there years ago - too restrictive on lease conditions and punitive on excess mileage. What I might do instead is go for a motability loan, no problem with a S/H car then, just lower interest rate. Or otherwise if I can find something in the lower price bracket that is in good condition, pay cash and haggle! Either way, at least I don't have to worry about road tax, which is a saving. Also, I was chatting to a mate who is a mechanic, who says he will come with me and check out the necessary before any deal is struck, I know that doesn't guarantee the future, but helps see any impending problems.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 An older Disco. See this thread: www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic84136.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 IBM am looking to sell my auto freelander td4. Pm if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted October 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 IBM am looking to sell my auto freelander td4. Pm if interested. Much though it is tempting to look, I have only applied to get the licence back, and DVLA (bless'em!) tell me it could be three to four months before they decide. That's why I am looking at opinions, then I can spend my time looking at good and bad points, as well as measuring the boot for the buggy, hopefully I will have made my mind up by the time they (hopefully!) say yes. Also gives me time to put some more cash away... Thanks anyway, hope it sells soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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