It's new towcar time!

[Cento16v]

So the mighty 406 has gone

So I'm spending upto 2k on a new towcar, this is it's only job hence the low spend, I want to keep the wear of our daily drivers and the Mini has an exhaust where the towbar should be so that's out!

Favourite so far is a 2005 C5 138hdi 2.0 16v

It's not going to be as effortless as the 406 but it should be more stable with the Hydroactive 2 suspension and possibly better on fuel?

Other car I've seen is a Signum 2.2 direct petrol of the same age?

Anyone had experience of either?

My dad had a C5 but the twin turbo 2.2 and it was epic at towing but they all seem to have high miles, I've found a 70k c5 for less than 2k.

 

[Cento16v]

Just to say I think we are getting a new caravan in winter which will be around 1400 Max Weight and I'm not fussed about towing up to 100%

 

[seth1]

Funnily enough my dad has his C5 parked up down his driveway after replacing it with a newer car.Owned it for years,his is the 2.2hdi 138hp.In all fairness it hasnt been bad,no problems at all with the engine.Just emmision warnings which cost an arm and leg to sort out and suspension faults.These days easily rectified.

 

[Jaydug]

So the mighty 406 has gone
Favourite so far is a 2005 C5 138hdi 2.0 16v
Anyone had experience of either?
.

I've been driving hydraulic Citroens since I started with a BXTZD in 1991. I had a 2005 C5 138 Estate from new till a year ago when I changed to a steel sprung C5-X7 Estate. The 2005 model ran for 9 years with no faults and just normal servicing which I did myself. It was a great car - find a decent one and it will serve you well.

 

[squigglycrayon]

Father in law used a 2001 C5 2.2 HDI for towing all the time and it pulled an old swift conquerer no problem.

 

[Raywood]

At £2,000 I would worry less about the make and model and more about finding a well looked after car of about the right size. I have driven various makes of car and all towed reasonably well so I would not get hung up on anything in particular.

 

[Cento16v]

Well I've ended up with a Saab.

2001 9-5 Aero Saloon Automatic.
Only 80000 miles and one owner who has had it serviced every 5000 miles at Saab!

It even has the original certificate of sale, the original mats which are like new and the luggage net it came with.

It's a true time warp car, hopefully it will last a good couple of years, or until I get bored again!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Centro,

I am hopeful that you come to appreciate the Saab marque for the many strengths they had. I always found them to be most comfortable and generally well engineered.

I have had 5 of my own over the years
Saab 92 3 cylinder two stroke
Saab 93 3 cylinder two stroke
Saab 9000i 2.0
Saab 9000se 2.3
Saab 9-3 2.2 Diesel

and driven 3 others
Saab 99 Combi Copue
Saab 99 Turbo Original black turbo)
Saab 900SE

These have been interspersed with other makes but when ever possible I've always come back to Saabs.

None of them have had any major breakdowns, and have generally worn well.

It is a matter of regret that General Motors pulled the plug on Saab, which is why I have had to look elsewhere, and ended up with a VW Passat. Good as the Passat is, I still often think back the driving pleasure the Saab's brought me, and I have yet to find another maker that makes seats as good as the Saab.

Enjoy

 

[chrisn7]

Yes, Ioved my Saabs too, very well built, very strong indeed, and very good handling. All pre-GM (gearboxes excepted - and some of those couldn't take the power) Saab 900 16T; Saab 900 16T cabriolet, and the absolute corker a Saab 9000 CS Carlsson. The last one nicknamed the 'Enterprise' as it was huge inside and warp speed acceleration exhilarating and frightening at the same time...