Tim Kelly Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 I have a fabulous old Toyota Landcruiser Colorado that I am deeply attached to, but it's getting old now and has coming up to 200K on it. Also, since my wife has been out of full time employment she's been using the car a lot more, and the running costs are getting a bit naughty. It used to be for weekends and holidays only, so I didn't mind the 25ish MPG, but as a frequent use car it's not really on. So, my conundrum. What the hell to swap it for? Looking for suggestions really. I'd like to get something more economical, not asking for the moon, mid thirties would be fine, that is also capable of transporting three or four adults plus dog plus luggage. Can tow the boat and put it in and out on muddy slipways and will cope reasonably well with proper off roading in the mud in the winter where deeply rutted and mudded farm tracks are the downfall of many cars.I really can't see anything I'm remotely interested in. I don't really want to be spending more than five or six grand. The only thing I've seen that I'd quite like is a Grand Cherokee, but that wouldn't really save me anything on the fuel bill, so that's out. Ideally it would be automatic and have leather (dog proof) chairs.Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) Crew cab L200 high spec? Ranger? Back seats are small fuel not much better on autos... Disco? Shogun? Ssangyong? X-trail? C-RV? CR-V lovely car but may struggle off road.... Have a look: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307087702894/sort/default/make/HONDA/model/CR-V/postcode/sa148qg/radius/1500/price-to/7000/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/5000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/advert-type/featured-listing/dealer/566525/usedcars?logcode=flp http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303215876545/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/7000/transmission/automatic/price-from/5000/make/ssangyong/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/sa148qg?logcode=p http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301275079374/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/7000/price-from/5000/transmission/automatic/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/model/shogun/make/mitsubishi/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/sa148qg?logcode=p http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306277520425/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/7000/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/price-from/5000/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/transmission/automatic/model/discovery/make/land_rover/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/sa148qg/page/2/radius/1500?logcode=p Edited July 27, 2013 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerSim Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 I have a fabulous old Toyota Landcruiser Colorado that I am deeply attached to. Keep It then !! given that 5 or 6 K is a lot of fuel, I would keep the thing, maybe get the wife something as a run about - Old peugeot diesels seem to last for nearly ever, if they have been looked after, and insurance on a limited mileage policy might be less than you'd think - in other words, worth a look. From my second hand experience of pals with landcruisers, 200K is not an issue - I have a pal with nearly 300K on his, and still the original clutch! ( and before you say it, I'm not sure I believe it either, but why would he lie to me?) Another pal with an auto with about 240K, who is probably a millionaire, and yet sticks with his cos he loves the thing. The problem is very definitely what to replace it with, as the modern stuff is too "clever" for its own good - all this electrickery is silly money to fix. Motoring of the quality you have now, costs one way or the other - either in the fuel consumption of the one you have now, or the capital cost of something "better". IMO, keep your money, keep your Toyota = win win - even the wife will see the logic of that one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Keep It then !! given that 5 or 6 K is a lot of fuel, I would keep the thing, maybe get the wife something as a run about - Old peugeot diesels seem to last for nearly ever, if they have been looked after, and insurance on a limited mileage policy might be less than you'd think - in other words, worth a look. That is a much better idea.... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307127781148/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/4000/fuel-type/petrol/transmission/automatic/price-to/6000/onesearchad/nearlynew/radius/1501/page/1/postcode/sa148qg/advert-type/standard-listing?logcode=ucnnp Alot of car for £6k and 50+ mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Trouble is, the old girl is starting to cost me too much in running repairs. The car that is, not the wife! Lady year it was three grand for a new head after a meltdown on the motorway, now it needs a timing belt and possibly a new fuel tank and it's all starting to get a bit lose and rattley. I know the myth is that they last for ever, but I don't really believe it unless you're happy to keep throwing big sums of money at it. I already have a van for work, so three vehicles between the two of us would be ridiculous. A smaller newer vehicle is inevitable and the dear old Landcruiser will have to go on to someone with deeper pockets than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 although many people slate landrovers i would have a look at a discovery td5 or test drive one if you can. they certainly tick all the boxes you have mentioned and are comfy and lady friendly my wife loves to drive ours. the mpg would be around 30 ish, perhaps not as good as you require but there has to be a comprimise when needing 4x4 and good towing capabilities. i am slightly biased towards disco td5 as i love them and beleive they are a lot of car for the money. [your budget would buy a nice one]. for a bit better mpg if your budget will stretch have look at the freelander 2. i have got my tin hat on but a discovery 2 in td5 flavour is defo worth a look. best of luck with it all. aga man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 I quite like discos, but I don't imagine I'd be buying anything significantly newer or more reliable than what I'm selling. Great cars no doubt, but ageing now and starting to become an expensive indulgence to own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 I do t think there is any large auto 4x4 that does proper off road and returns 30+ mpg for £6k and under 10 years old/ 100k miles...... Oh and not be expensive to repair........ Get a. Jimny everyone seems to love them and think they are capable of everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Lol. I can see me ending up in an x trail. There will be sulking. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Could be worse it could be a jimny...... Xtrail are well rated there are other options, go have a look at a few drive them and see what you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Just a thought but could you not get a little diesel runabout the later ones road tax is very little and not to much to insure and keep the 4x4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike-b Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 mk 5 toyota hilux (2001-2005) will tow fine and off road well (we have one at work and its been in some places!) if your not towing all the time then a healthy one will do between 26-34 mpg and 24-26 towing! and plenty for sale between 4-6k including top spec ones with a/c and leather seats and it will have great reliability and like a landy you wont lose hardly and value on it heres an example! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-TOYOTA-HILUX-VX-4WD-D4D-Double-Cab-BLUE-Full-MOT-A-comfortable-workhorse-/111128405811?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19dfc4e733 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Hilux-double-cab-270VX-/161010898865?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item257cff57b1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Have a look on the stalking directory if you would consider a pickup, there is a new shape 06 reg L200 with 54k on it for £6kish that will do all you want. Its not a top model hence the price but has air con leccy windows etc actually scratch that its sold, but it shows what is out there. The newer engines give the better economy and the cheaper road tax and it would handle a boat ok. The smaller options like the Gaylander and xtrail etc I'm not too sure but they are up a notch fuel economy wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 I can't find a way of making a pick up practical for what I want the car for. The bed is too short to get fishing rods in and you can't open the rear window to poke them through. Some of the full sized American pick ups could be practical as they have bigger beds and sliding rear windows, but those available in the UK are no use to me. Sadly I think an X trail is in my future. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 How long are your rods? Mine go in no problem on the proper l200 cabs on the new shapes the rear cab window also drops. That's so you can yell at dogs etc but would work for longer rods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Seven and a half to eight and a half foot one piece rods. Didn't know the l200 had a openable window, interesting development. Shame those L200s are so unforgivably ugly! LOL Give it a few years to depreciate and I might look at them in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 OK, so I had a good look over an X trail this evening and I can't make myself do it. It's a hateful little car, as are all those dreadful family school run off roaders. I want a younger, lower mileage replacement for my Colorado. I hate the look of the newer shape Colorado and all the younger versions of my one I've seen are getting up there in age and miles. How about a Grand Cherokee? Anyone got any good or bad stories? Looks like I could get one about 04-05 with under 100K fairly easily. Is there much difference between the 2.7, 3.1 and 3.0 engines? Anything major I should look for, other than it just being a Jeep of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) VM (water pump ) derv engines, rear diffs can be an issue, shogun sport is obvious answer, like an L200 but a car! Edited July 30, 2013 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 OK, so I had a good look over an X trail this evening and I can't make myself do it. It's a hateful little car, as are all those dreadful family school run off roaders. I want a younger, lower mileage replacement for my Colorado. I hate the look of the newer shape Colorado and all the younger versions of my one I've seen are getting up there in age and miles. How about a Grand Cherokee? Anyone got any good or bad stories? Looks like I could get one about 04-05 with under 100K fairly easily. Is there much difference between the 2.7, 3.1 and 3.0 engines? Anything major I should look for, other than it just being a Jeep of course! Parts for jeep cost a fortune we have a s reg 2.5d in at the mo in need of a turbo pipe and its something silly like 250 plus the vat. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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