What Car: Rugged, Tips, Dogs, Fast Motorway
Discussion
What car ?
I’m likely to be neck-deep in a house refurb for the next year, so it needs to be a bit of a workhorse
(tip runs, tools, DIY supplies, garden centre trips)
Have two choc Labs, so ideally needs a low boot floor/easy access.
Wife and I regularly do weekends in Devon/Cornwall, so it needs to be capable of doing 400+ miles in a day comfortably.
Currently have a 2013 Range Rover Sport L494, which actually ticks most of the boxes. Air suspension means I can lower it for the dogs, seats down it can carry loads of crap, and it’s fast and comfortable on the motorway. However it’s now done 129k miles, I’ve had it two years and just fancy a change.
Don’t want another/newer L494. Budget from £15k to £35k.
Options so far:
Audi Allroad / Volvo V90 CC, like them, but boot height/overall space feels a bit limited.
2020+ Defender, only interested in the 3.0, so right at the top of budget.
Van, don’t really fancy one, plus my wife already has an ID. Buzz.
Discovery 4, hugely practical, but getting old now in terms of tech, and the tailgate isn't ideal for the dogs.
I’m likely to be neck-deep in a house refurb for the next year, so it needs to be a bit of a workhorse
(tip runs, tools, DIY supplies, garden centre trips)
Have two choc Labs, so ideally needs a low boot floor/easy access.
Wife and I regularly do weekends in Devon/Cornwall, so it needs to be capable of doing 400+ miles in a day comfortably.
Currently have a 2013 Range Rover Sport L494, which actually ticks most of the boxes. Air suspension means I can lower it for the dogs, seats down it can carry loads of crap, and it’s fast and comfortable on the motorway. However it’s now done 129k miles, I’ve had it two years and just fancy a change.
Don’t want another/newer L494. Budget from £15k to £35k.
Options so far:
Audi Allroad / Volvo V90 CC, like them, but boot height/overall space feels a bit limited.
2020+ Defender, only interested in the 3.0, so right at the top of budget.
Van, don’t really fancy one, plus my wife already has an ID. Buzz.
Discovery 4, hugely practical, but getting old now in terms of tech, and the tailgate isn't ideal for the dogs.
darreni said:
For what you would get for the sport, I d be inclined to run it into the ground.
It sounds ideal for what you need.
This is what I fear....I was offered just under £7k (buy now) so most upgrades are going to be a minimum multiples of this. It sounds ideal for what you need.
It's no cheap, cost about £500 a month in deprecation, maintenance serving etc
House refurb = van. Keep the Rangie for the current dog duties and the daily tip runs and buy a cheap dented Relay / Boxxer for fetching 8x4 sheets, pallets of plaster, bricks etc. Also use the van for the local skip hire / waste processing company. Far cheaper to take waste to them rather than getting a skip.
I've had a V90CC going on six years now and rather than state the benefits, here's the weak points I see for your use case:
Two German Shepherds were quite cramped in the boot with a divider in place.
The sharp rake of the rear glass has limited me at times from being able to carry things. A boxier rear would have been preferable.
Two German Shepherds were quite cramped in the boot with a divider in place.
The sharp rake of the rear glass has limited me at times from being able to carry things. A boxier rear would have been preferable.
I've got a transporter lwb with AT tyres and steel wheels
Does everything and its absolutely perfect for fast motorway trips. T5.1 140 with a map and emissions bits deleted
Just did a run back from Fort William to the Midlands, i find it so easy and comfy. I'd happily jump in it and drive anywhere in the world.
Plenty of room for whatever you need and got a dog cage strapped down for our Rottie.
Had it for 6 years and done nothing but service it and brakes
Barely depreciated as well, if at all
Perfect
Does everything and its absolutely perfect for fast motorway trips. T5.1 140 with a map and emissions bits deleted
Just did a run back from Fort William to the Midlands, i find it so easy and comfy. I'd happily jump in it and drive anywhere in the world.
Plenty of room for whatever you need and got a dog cage strapped down for our Rottie.
Had it for 6 years and done nothing but service it and brakes
Barely depreciated as well, if at all
Perfect
loskie said:
Buy a used trailer. You'll sell it for pretty much what you bought it for.
Yep, I agree with this. Then just make sure whatever car or SUV you buy can tow 3-3.5t. As much for bags of sand/blocks/pallets of cement etc. Then all you have to do is find an SUV you like that is low enough for your dogs to get in and out of.
Have to agree with the above & suggest buying a trailer, it makes the most sense rather than beating your car up, if you want a change then lookout for the E Class All Terrain:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604151...
They're a rare model but worth considering if one comes up.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604151...
They're a rare model but worth considering if one comes up.
Wilmslowboy said:
What car ?
I m likely to be neck-deep in a house refurb for the next year, so it needs to be a bit of a workhorse
(tip runs, tools, DIY supplies, garden centre trips)
Have two choc Labs, so ideally needs a low boot floor/easy access.
Wife and I regularly do weekends in Devon/Cornwall, so it needs to be capable of doing 400+ miles in a day comfortably.
Currently have a 2013 Range Rover Sport L494, which actually ticks most of the boxes. Air suspension means I can lower it for the dogs, seats down it can carry loads of crap, and it s fast and comfortable on the motorway. However it s now done 129k miles, I ve had it two years and just fancy a change.
Don t want another/newer L494. Budget from £15k to £35k.
Options so far:
Audi Allroad / Volvo V90 CC, like them, but boot height/overall space feels a bit limited.
2020+ Defender, only interested in the 3.0, so right at the top of budget.
Van, don t really fancy one, plus my wife already has an ID. Buzz.
Discovery 4, hugely practical, but getting old now in terms of tech, and the tailgate isn't ideal for the dogs.
There is a lot to be said for a trailer on your RRS - I'll say hello if I see the rig at Macclesfield tip as I am there several times a week doing a refurb in Alderley - it you don't know it, the commercial garden centre at Alderley - Four Oaks Nursery has v good prices for larger shrubs/trees etc I m likely to be neck-deep in a house refurb for the next year, so it needs to be a bit of a workhorse
(tip runs, tools, DIY supplies, garden centre trips)
Have two choc Labs, so ideally needs a low boot floor/easy access.
Wife and I regularly do weekends in Devon/Cornwall, so it needs to be capable of doing 400+ miles in a day comfortably.
Currently have a 2013 Range Rover Sport L494, which actually ticks most of the boxes. Air suspension means I can lower it for the dogs, seats down it can carry loads of crap, and it s fast and comfortable on the motorway. However it s now done 129k miles, I ve had it two years and just fancy a change.
Don t want another/newer L494. Budget from £15k to £35k.
Options so far:
Audi Allroad / Volvo V90 CC, like them, but boot height/overall space feels a bit limited.
2020+ Defender, only interested in the 3.0, so right at the top of budget.
Van, don t really fancy one, plus my wife already has an ID. Buzz.
Discovery 4, hugely practical, but getting old now in terms of tech, and the tailgate isn't ideal for the dogs.
Good luck
Kickstart said:
There is a lot to be said for a trailer on your RRS - I'll say hello if I see the rig at Macclesfield tip as I am there several times a week doing a refurb in Alderley - it you don't know it, the commercial garden centre at Alderley - Four Oaks Nursery has v good prices for larger shrubs/trees etc
Good luck
I'm also refurbing in AE, but I head the other way and go to Knutsford tip.Good luck
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