I bought the September issue of the magazine and was amazed to see the comparison road test of two new 4x4s. Both cars tested cost almost £50000 each. I can assure you that if I could afford that type of money for a car I would not be holidaying in a caravan. Why on earth do they not road test vehicles in the average price range that Joe Public could afford. It is getting like Top Gear where they play about in expensive toys and not cater for the average motorist. Or am I on poor money as a humble retired college lecturer and there are people out there earning megabucks.
Practical Caravan Tow Car Test
- Thread starter colin(bridgend)
- Start date
Colin (bridgend
That may be your take on testing tow cars, but not everyone feels the same. I for one am interested in testing done on the more expensive upmarket cars, I go caravanning because I like it, not because it's cheap. You may well be on a poor income, that's something only you can know. Maybe you "waste" your money on other things like smoking drinking and chasing women like the other pensioner who recently passed away, everyone to their own thing.
Steve W
That may be your take on testing tow cars, but not everyone feels the same. I for one am interested in testing done on the more expensive upmarket cars, I go caravanning because I like it, not because it's cheap. You may well be on a poor income, that's something only you can know. Maybe you "waste" your money on other things like smoking drinking and chasing women like the other pensioner who recently passed away, everyone to their own thing.
Steve W
Colin
Caravanners are not average motorists and at various sites I have been on recently (club and commercial) there are plenty of people towing with
Caravanners are not average motorists and at various sites I have been on recently (club and commercial) there are plenty of people towing with
You could say that if you can afford a luxury cruise or a Five * hotel you wouldn't live in a 2 bed semi or a retirement village in Brighton. We no people who live in comfortable reanable priced housing and live it up on exotic holidays twicea year, that's their choice.
We have 'nice' cars, and we've been to some very nice hotels and resorts and on an expensive cruise. That's why we are caravanners. Our caravanning gives us the freedom and relaxation that hotels and cruises don't. Sat at the Cap'ns table dressed up like a dogs dinner doing the talking pleasantries routine is not for us.
We can pick and choose who we mix with far easier and how we spend our day, what we eat and drink and the time we choose to do that is completely our choice not set by some manager or chefs choice of what to offer.
We've done Haute Cuisine at hotels, and I like to see food on my plate not some arty farty artistic neat pile in the plate centre as an excuse for a meal that wouldn't fullfil an active six year old.
But I do believe that car tests should reflect more middle of the road cars. But then again we've never bought any car or caravan based on magazine tests and I don't know anyone else that has.
We have 'nice' cars, and we've been to some very nice hotels and resorts and on an expensive cruise. That's why we are caravanners. Our caravanning gives us the freedom and relaxation that hotels and cruises don't. Sat at the Cap'ns table dressed up like a dogs dinner doing the talking pleasantries routine is not for us.
We can pick and choose who we mix with far easier and how we spend our day, what we eat and drink and the time we choose to do that is completely our choice not set by some manager or chefs choice of what to offer.
We've done Haute Cuisine at hotels, and I like to see food on my plate not some arty farty artistic neat pile in the plate centre as an excuse for a meal that wouldn't fullfil an active six year old.
But I do believe that car tests should reflect more middle of the road cars. But then again we've never bought any car or caravan based on magazine tests and I don't know anyone else that has.
Regarding the replies to my posting I am amazed at the contents of these replies. I do not smoke, I have never been drunk in my life and have been married for 41 years so to satisfy Steve's comments about my life style he has it all wrong - it may be his way of wasting money but I can assure you it is not mine. My wife and I have enjoyed caravan hoildays since 1969 when my daughter was just 6 weeks old. In fact apart from our honeymoon it is the only form of holiday we have had. We thouroughly enjoy caravanning and hope to for many years to come. The point I am trying to put across is that caravans and tow cars are not now designed to suit Joe Public on an average wage - how can the average family with two children and a mortgage afford
No matter what you think about 40k plus cars there are a fair few on the road
As for the test they are testing a sports against an se,the ml was never designed as a 7 seater they wanted a lot of room for 5 people as an adult have you ever got into the 3rd row on an x5 or d3 hence if you want a 7 seat merc get gl or r class then see how big a 5 mt car is to park and pitch your van.I have seen people unhitch the van as they can't get the swing onto there pitch with the big cars.
As for the test they are testing a sports against an se,the ml was never designed as a 7 seater they wanted a lot of room for 5 people as an adult have you ever got into the 3rd row on an x5 or d3 hence if you want a 7 seat merc get gl or r class then see how big a 5 mt car is to park and pitch your van.I have seen people unhitch the van as they can't get the swing onto there pitch with the big cars.
I personally think you are being an "inverted snob" colin you are clearly one of these jealous types who doesnt like large expensive cars and caravans. I happen to tow my 2009 buccaneer caravel with a range rover tdv8. I caravan because I enjoy it I mean if I wanted I could afford a holiday home abroad but I would rather caravan. You say its for all classes but you are trying to exlude richer people from caravanning because you have some sort of problem with people who worked hard to get where they are. I mean some people may think of you as a snob as a 2 year old bailey is still a posh van for people who have a 25 year old caravan and still manage to take there kids away
Well it is the first time I have been referred to as "an inverted snob". Don't quite know how to take this - could it be that I am now thought of as a tramp (LOL). The reference to me being rich in 1969 is far from true. We were living with my in laws at the time waiting for our first house to be modernised under a home improvement grant - an old terraced miner's house without bathroom, etc. which cost us
l have read for the last two years all the tow car reports in PC magazine and all have been a wide cross section of tow cars.
If someone wants to spend 50k so what, l personally went for the best tow car l could afford to run, the last time l looked out the window l lived in Britain not some Country that doesn't allow you freedom of choice9 mind you it can be debatable at time's) l back caravanner all the way you picks your car and pays your money after all its yours to spend no one else's
I spent mine on a Shogun,
If someone wants to spend 50k so what, l personally went for the best tow car l could afford to run, the last time l looked out the window l lived in Britain not some Country that doesn't allow you freedom of choice9 mind you it can be debatable at time's) l back caravanner all the way you picks your car and pays your money after all its yours to spend no one else's
I spent mine on a Shogun,
I've stopped reading the tests as the data seems to come from the Hans Christian Anderson book of fairy stories and when errors in say kerbweight are pointed out no retraction is ever made
- Aug 23, 2009
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Whilst i agree the cheaper end of the market especially 4x4 is ignored or done down in comparison to the more expensive marques (we tow with a rexton and the reporting on it is way off the mark) we should also remember that in 3 years time the 40-50K car is only worth 20-25K and from then on in the only way is down, at that time they are an affordable proposition for many and then the tests are relevent.
As an aside, Jezza for prime minister please, not withstanding his caravannning viewpoint, which less face it is probably just to be controversal anyway
As an aside, Jezza for prime minister please, not withstanding his caravannning viewpoint, which less face it is probably just to be controversal anyway
- Nov 11, 2009
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My firts introduction to caravanning was through my 'rich uncle Gord' taking us away in a very small van towed by his fantastic Mk10 Jag!!
I would never trust a mag car test.they need to get there facts right first PC made a big issue of the ML's sat nav saying you have to take your eyes off the road to see it ,wrong if you did your research you would have found out that it displays the route instructions in the info display between the speedo and rev counter.
Caravanning is not a cheap hobby judging by this forum and on the road a fair percentage of us have new or newish vans and much bigger car than we normally would have.
So you are losing money yearly on your van and car,more fuel,gas,insurances and site fees which can be expensive this if you sat down could easily be over 5k a year that is a good holiday abroad and a fair few weekend breaks every year?.
I caravan because it takes me to places where hotels aren't like edge of lakes,and overlooking valleys.
Caravanning is not a cheap hobby judging by this forum and on the road a fair percentage of us have new or newish vans and much bigger car than we normally would have.
So you are losing money yearly on your van and car,more fuel,gas,insurances and site fees which can be expensive this if you sat down could easily be over 5k a year that is a good holiday abroad and a fair few weekend breaks every year?.
I caravan because it takes me to places where hotels aren't like edge of lakes,and overlooking valleys.
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Surprised at lack of comment on caravan industry economic issues.
- Started by otherclive
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