Need a second hand 4x4 and some help!! I was looking at a Freelander 1.8 Xi but I hear that it isn't up to the job... can anyone recommend something else. I need to use it day to day as well so it's needs to be reasonably economical and I'm on a budget of about £10k max. We don't even have a caravan yet but my Vectra is giving up so need something sharpish... help!!
Best 2nd Hand 4x4?
- Thread starter Jules_374309142
- Start date
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
- 11,904
- 2,400
- 40,935
Hi Jules
If you are thinking of buying a 4x4 for towing purposes then my honest advice to you is first to check what sort of weight you need to tow, and how often. Dont get me wrong, I drive a Mitsubishi 4x4 myself,but it aint cheap to run. (23 mpg)
If I were you I would sort out what caravan I wanted first, then tackle the towcar issue from there. If you need to use your towcar on a daily basis you might be better off with a larger saloon or estate car. Having said all that, with the present press hysteria and predjudice against 4x4s I would think that there would be some real bargains to be had. It's simply a case of look before you leap. Hope this helps.
If you are thinking of buying a 4x4 for towing purposes then my honest advice to you is first to check what sort of weight you need to tow, and how often. Dont get me wrong, I drive a Mitsubishi 4x4 myself,but it aint cheap to run. (23 mpg)
If I were you I would sort out what caravan I wanted first, then tackle the towcar issue from there. If you need to use your towcar on a daily basis you might be better off with a larger saloon or estate car. Having said all that, with the present press hysteria and predjudice against 4x4s I would think that there would be some real bargains to be had. It's simply a case of look before you leap. Hope this helps.
Sorry forgot Toyota - Rav 4D4Ds are OK and of course Landcruiser is the Daddy if you can aford the juice.
Ok, maybe need is a strong word but I would like a 4x4 because I have a horse as well, so in the future would like to be able to pull a trailer. Plus my husband and I are new to towing so I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that a 4x4 would be a preferable option. Obviously my current 2.0 petrol vectra is pretty heavy on juice and tax so I am used to the expense, was just wondering if there were some little gems that I am missing!! Will have a look at all the ones suggested, thanks for the advice.
Hi Jules,
Whatever you do, don't go for a Freelander even if it is a TD4. I had one and it was nothing but trouble, and very expensive as well.
I now tow with a 2004 Galaxy TDI (130 bhp) and it has plenty of space and towing capability.
Best of luck with whatever choice you make.
Whatever you do, don't go for a Freelander even if it is a TD4. I had one and it was nothing but trouble, and very expensive as well.
I now tow with a 2004 Galaxy TDI (130 bhp) and it has plenty of space and towing capability.
Best of luck with whatever choice you make.
Hi Jules,
I have to agree with the approach of Steve & Cal; suggest you first decide what you want to tow. All 4x4s are quite thirsty, and modern ones attract the higher road tax. "Proper" 4x4s, being intended for off road use, tend to have quite firm suspension, so you feel the bumps. "Soft-roaders", like RAV 4s, are, I think, better (ie more comfortable) if you don't want full off road capability.
Having said that, my Vitara TD does 39+ mpg overall when not towing, and a bit less when towing. But it's not very powerfull, and would probably only tow 1000Kg comfortably?? ( I tow 500Kg, which it does very easilly) If you want economy and 4x4, I don't think you can beat it, and you would get a good one for about 3K!
I have to agree with the approach of Steve & Cal; suggest you first decide what you want to tow. All 4x4s are quite thirsty, and modern ones attract the higher road tax. "Proper" 4x4s, being intended for off road use, tend to have quite firm suspension, so you feel the bumps. "Soft-roaders", like RAV 4s, are, I think, better (ie more comfortable) if you don't want full off road capability.
Having said that, my Vitara TD does 39+ mpg overall when not towing, and a bit less when towing. But it's not very powerfull, and would probably only tow 1000Kg comfortably?? ( I tow 500Kg, which it does very easilly) If you want economy and 4x4, I don't think you can beat it, and you would get a good one for about 3K!
Hi Jules
some good advice here - find out what you need in a caravan, then sort our the towcar. You dont want to buy something incapable of towing your rig. Suggest you go for diesel. If you want a 4x4, try the X-Trail dCI diesel (136 bhp); a new model is out in Sept, so current models may be found at
some good advice here - find out what you need in a caravan, then sort our the towcar. You dont want to buy something incapable of towing your rig. Suggest you go for diesel. If you want a 4x4, try the X-Trail dCI diesel (136 bhp); a new model is out in Sept, so current models may be found at
Hi Jules we was looking for exactly the same thing as you 12 months ago,we viewed Freelanders(poor reliability see previous posts+honest johns website,Rav 4(expensive+really small boot with four people seated)Kia+Hyundai(worries over residual value)
Honda CRV(very nice but expensive to buy in diesel)Mitsi Shogun(now showing its age and also expensive to run).Any way after lots of driving around and research we bought a Nissan X trail diesel,we have now used it for 14months with no problems,and never regreted buying it.
Hope this helps,
Andrew.
Honda CRV(very nice but expensive to buy in diesel)Mitsi Shogun(now showing its age and also expensive to run).Any way after lots of driving around and research we bought a Nissan X trail diesel,we have now used it for 14months with no problems,and never regreted buying it.
Hope this helps,
Andrew.
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
- 11,904
- 2,400
- 40,935
If you do decide on a 4x4 in the end you could do worse than a Mitsubishi Shogun or a Pajero. Mine is ancient, 1992, but still looks good and drives and tows my Abbey 495 dealer special without fuss or trouble. There is an excellent owners club with a technical forum second to none. The guys on there will tell you exactly what to look for in a used Paj or Shoggie. The owners club is free to join and if you Google pocuk you will access the website. I am lucky that I dont need to use my car every day so I get away with the high cost of fuel. The main difference between a Pajero and a shogun is that the Pajero is imported from Japam, tends to have very low mileage, and has more toys on it. the Paj tends to be two tone in colour, usually silver and some other colour. The Shogun is often a form of two tone also, any colour plus rust ;0
Hi there don't know whether your interested, but I am seeling a truly fabulous 4x4 towing vehicle. A Mecrcedes top of the range 500 ML, with a recent tow bar fitted, but the great thing is I have had it converted to LPG, so all the glamour of a top of the range merc with tourque, and only
Hi Folks
I feel i must defend jeeps.I know the reputation of being expensive and unreliable seems widespread but i am now into my seventh year (4 cars) of jeep ownership and have never "broken down" Apart from routine servicing (not main dealer) all i have had is front brakes Discs and pads
I feel i must defend jeeps.I know the reputation of being expensive and unreliable seems widespread but i am now into my seventh year (4 cars) of jeep ownership and have never "broken down" Apart from routine servicing (not main dealer) all i have had is front brakes Discs and pads
Hi Jules,
If you need a full size 4x4 , then with your budget I can wholely recomend the Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 did. I have a 2001 long wheelbase 5 speed auto (tiptronic) it seats seven, it tows my twin axle Elddis superbly (you don't get many caravans heavier)it is very comfortable has all the toys fitted as standard and is very reliable. The other bonus is economy, as the vehicle normally runs in rear wheel drive fuel consumption is an overall low 30's with 35mpg on the run (being sensible with the right foot) It also returns 25mpg towing.
Although I am patriotic I would not consider any LR product as their reliability can be awful also I have concerns about the towing stability of the Discovery following the high number of them I have seen involved in towing accidents.
Another bonus is that performance is suprisingly good for such a large vehicle and depreciation is low. Buy a vehicle registered before April 2001 and enjoy the cheaper tax.
Regards
Steve
If you need a full size 4x4 , then with your budget I can wholely recomend the Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 did. I have a 2001 long wheelbase 5 speed auto (tiptronic) it seats seven, it tows my twin axle Elddis superbly (you don't get many caravans heavier)it is very comfortable has all the toys fitted as standard and is very reliable. The other bonus is economy, as the vehicle normally runs in rear wheel drive fuel consumption is an overall low 30's with 35mpg on the run (being sensible with the right foot) It also returns 25mpg towing.
Although I am patriotic I would not consider any LR product as their reliability can be awful also I have concerns about the towing stability of the Discovery following the high number of them I have seen involved in towing accidents.
Another bonus is that performance is suprisingly good for such a large vehicle and depreciation is low. Buy a vehicle registered before April 2001 and enjoy the cheaper tax.
Regards
Steve
Sorry Garry but according to the DVLA website, after 1st March 2001 all cars are taxed according to their emmission figure and that means
Sorry David,But Garry is right. We have an 05plate Nissan Navara and excellent tow car by the way. We taxed it early and to find it was only on 4X4 registered after the date in 2006.
Was concerned about this so rang the DVLA was was told this is correct.
Nissan navara is a fab tow car, it pulls the twin axle we have like its not on the back. The pickup back is fab of carrying loads of stuff as it can carry up to 3tonnes.
Inside is fab aswell we have dual zone climate control, Combi CD,DVD, Reverse camera. will cruise at 70mph when not towing, but if you leather it, it will drink the fuel.
And as the other poster said ,"Once you have a 4X4 you will never go back".
I am only 5,2" and i love driving it as it so much more higher up and you can see more and i would say that other road user give you a little more respect as they are not so likely to cut you up.
Regards Diane
Was concerned about this so rang the DVLA was was told this is correct.
Nissan navara is a fab tow car, it pulls the twin axle we have like its not on the back. The pickup back is fab of carrying loads of stuff as it can carry up to 3tonnes.
Inside is fab aswell we have dual zone climate control, Combi CD,DVD, Reverse camera. will cruise at 70mph when not towing, but if you leather it, it will drink the fuel.
And as the other poster said ,"Once you have a 4X4 you will never go back".
I am only 5,2" and i love driving it as it so much more higher up and you can see more and i would say that other road user give you a little more respect as they are not so likely to cut you up.
Regards Diane
Dianne,
Your Navara is classed as a comercial and different rules apply - DVLA website definately says all private vehicles are taxed according to emissions after 01 March 2001 and most PRIVATE 4x4s registered after this date will pay
Jules, sorry gotta defend the Freelander TD4, every time you look at reviews of a comparible 4 x 4 it always says consider a Freelander. The TD4 engine is great and yes they had problems earlier on but most have been ironed out now. They aint bad off road either.....and can anyone out there tell me of a more economical 4 x 4 ???....don't think there is one !
Have a look at a Freelander they are pretty good really !!
Thanks Tim
Have a look at a Freelander they are pretty good really !!
Thanks Tim
Facebook
Twitter