Something for the family and that can tow? - Page 1 - Car Buying

jason61c

Original Poster

5,978 posts

203 months

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Saturday 7th November 2020

Replacement family car needed, however something that can tow a horse box also.

The Mrs quite likes defenders, however I think they're totally crap.

Upto about 18K, what would the options be?

Landcruiser?
sg4/5 spec shogun?

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Defenders are very good off road, but they are awful road cars.

alfabeat

1,473 posts

141 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Disco 4 without a doubt. We have run one for the last 4 years (59 plate) and it has been brilliant. You can get a very nice one for £18k. We tow a horsebox with ours and it is superb. And a fantastic family car too.

A500leroy

8,322 posts

147 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Strangely when the 2030 ice car ban comes in there is only the tesla that can tow, all other evs have a 0 rating, so unless something improves look at it as a long term purchase.

Mouse Rat

2,086 posts

121 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Disco 4 as mentioned. We've had 2 and there is nothing that compares to their allround ability.

10 year old range rovers are very good value at the moment. If you invest in preventive maintenance reliability will be ok.

Alternatively the VW Touareg. 18k will get you a very nice example and running cost will be lower.

jason61c

Original Poster

5,978 posts

203 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

A500leroy said:

Strangely when the 2030 ice car ban comes in there is only the tesla that can tow, all other evs have a 0 rating, so unless something improves look at it as a long term purchase.

Actually the polestar 2 can tow also.

However I'm spending £18k, not 60k. Also 2030 isn't an ICE ban.

jason61c

Original Poster

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203 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Mouse Rat said:

Disco 4 as mentioned. We've had 2 and there is nothing that compares to their allround ability.

10 year old range rovers are very good value at the moment. If you invest in preventive maintenance reliability will be ok.

Alternatively the VW Touareg. 18k will get you a very nice example and running cost will be lower.

I'm just not sure I'd want a JLR product. I did think about one but I thought the Japanese versions would cost so much less to run/maintain?

alfabeat

1,473 posts

141 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

jason61c said:

I'm just not sure I'd want a JLR product. I did think about one but I thought the Japanese versions would cost so much less to run/maintain?

Ours has been extremely reliable. Only needing routine servicing and consumables. We know lots of people with them and no one i know has a troublesome one.

They cost a bit to maintain, but find a decent independent garage. Nothing on them is too scary anymore.

We will be getting another when the time comes, but our current one is on 135k and 11 years old. It tows a few times a week.

Fabulous vehicles.

ZX10R NIN

30,497 posts

154 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

MrGTI6

3,300 posts

159 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Mouse Rat said:

Disco 4 as mentioned. We've had 2 and there is nothing that compares to their allround ability.

10 year old range rovers are very good value at the moment. If you invest in preventive maintenance reliability will be ok.

Alternatively the VW Touareg. 18k will get you a very nice example and running cost will be lower.

I think the Touareg is a great shout. Lovely things to drive and the 3.0TDI would be more than capable. Just checked the prices of the Amarok 3.0TDI, but they were introduced fairly recently and are still over budget. I would also recommend a Navara 3.0dCi which tow brilliantly, but unfortunately they're prone to snapping in half!

jason61c

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203 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

I've got to say, thanks. you always come up with massive lists.

A v8 Toureg might be the sensible choice. I find range rovers a little 'chavvy', i'd be worried about a Disco. Same for the jeep i'd guess.

ZX10R NIN

30,497 posts

154 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

I agree the V8d Touareg is the pick.

anonymous-user

83 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

Another vote for the Disco 4. Fabulously practical and will tow 3.5 tonnes no problem. Mine has also been completely reliable.

Lynch91

523 posts

168 months

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Sunday 8th November 2020

jason61c said:

Replacement family car needed, however something that can tow a horse box also.

The Mrs quite likes defenders, however I think they're totally crap.

Upto about 18K, what would the options be?

Landcruiser?
sg4/5 spec shogun?

I'd avoid the shogun as Mitsubishi is leaving the EU, I was planning to buy a L200 but not going to happen now and looking at a Ranger instead

jason61c

Original Poster

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203 months

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Monday 9th November 2020

I think thats only cars, i wouldn't worry about legacy support?

I want to avoid a pickup really.

Russ T Bolt

1,759 posts

312 months

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Monday 9th November 2020

jason61c said:

I think thats only cars, i wouldn't worry about legacy support?

I want to avoid a pickup really.

How about a Shogun Sport. New they can be had with pretty hefty discount, but above your budget.

Second hand still above but seem to be falling rapidly.

Mitsubishi have I believe committed to the 5 year warranty, whether the dealers will hang around who knows.

Dunk130TC

328 posts

219 months

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Monday 9th November 2020

Having been down this bridle track, we've messed around with many options. My experience says have a think about the following:
What do you need the majority of the time?
Do you need a large 4x4 when you're not horsing? If so, stop reading here

Combined weight of the trailer and orse/s?
If you're only towing 1.5T why get a big SUV when an Allroad / Outback might work? When towing speed is not important, a 2.0 tdi will get there as quick as 5.0 V10 tdi

How far you're travelling?
We had a Defender 90 for local stuff, but I wouldn't trust it on longer journeys, It was handy to leave hitched up and avoid the time hitching/unhitching particularly in the rain. Plus chucking muddy crap in the back (and leaving it) worked well.

State of your yard and your destination?
As people will arrive in everything from a Passat towing a trailer to a 44T monster, so conditions are invariably ok. So you're unlikely to need tractor pulling mudbuster tyres to battle the Somme.

Are you going for the day or a couple of hours?
Sheltering in the car when it's raining, tacking up and leaving the 'orse tied up make for a long day.

We started with a Subaru Outback and a trailer, then added the Defender to leave hitched up. Moved on from local stuff and bought a comfier more trustworthy A4 Allroad. Now we're travelling we've sold the trailer and bought a 3.5T lorry. It's been brilliant, no time spent hitching/unhitching, easy to manoeuvre, motorway at normal speeds not 50, little groom area for sheltering. My only regret is we should have done it earlier.

Edited by Dunk130TC on Monday 9th November 21:18