Towcar for 1992 Swift Challenger 490/5 SEL

[Jonathan_374343452]

I am taking voluntary redundancy so will be losing my company CDTi Vectra estate that was perfect for my van !!

Therefore I am now on the look-out for a replacement tow car and would welcome any suggestions - budget is £7k max and I have 3 small children and dog and do about 10k miles pa mostly local. So far I have considered :

Land Rover Freelander TD4

Alhambra/Galaxy/Sharan PD/TDI

Mercedes E300 Turbodiesel estate

Toyota Landcruiser 3.0TD/Mitsubishi Shogun 2.8TD etc

Mondeo/Peugeot 406 diesel estate etc

I know there is a fair variety of cars there but I have no allegiance to any particular make. I like the idea of a 4x4 for towing and muddy fields but then it needs to be reasonably practical for everyday use too. I used to have a Zafira and the 7 seats were very useful so the Galaxy type does appeal. There is always the possibility of me getting a new company vehicle with a new job so I don't want anything that will be difficult to sell later on if the need arises. Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated .....

 

[RogerL]

What about a Vauxhall Vectra Estate CDTi, from about

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

We have towed a 5 berth 1994 (I think) Swift Allouete and a series 5 Bailey Pageant Bretangue with a Mondeo diesel estate, was hubby's company car, now mine, as he has another company car which is now our tow car for the Bretangue.

The Mondeo is a good tow car, towed our Swift like a dream for a few years, we too have 3 kids, no complaints from them in the back other than 'are we there yet' when stuck in traffic. See lots of Mondeos towing caravans. Day to day living, I find the Mondeo easy to drive, lots of room for kids school things and shopping etc. We both like the Mondeo.

Hope this helps

Annette

 

[DavidW1]

Hi Johnathan,

Go for the Landcruiser/Shogun option.

Once you have towed with a big 4x4, auto and cruise control included, you won't want to go back to ordinary cars believe me.

These vehicles will tow anything anywhere, never get stuck, can climb the steepest hill and go on any site without a problem and also being a Toyota or Mitsi are very unlikely to breakdown. There is no compromise for a family because they come with seven seats if you need them and I consider my Shogy is very carlike to drive. They also have the all important weight to anchor you firmly on the road when gales or passing trucks threaten to upset progress.

I have towed with a succession of Shogun Mk111,Trooper and now the latest Shape Shogun and simply love em as towcars.

The current car is petrol because I prefer the smoothness of a petrol 6 or V8 and they are cheaper to buy, not that much in it for running costs either since diesel took such a price hike.

You will find that good quality used 4x4's, particularly Landcruisers are hard to find but of course that also means they are easy to get rid of.

You may also decide to do as we do and retain the "proper" towcar and get a daily driver in addition. If so you won't actually have to sell it anyway.

Finally don't be put off by the "anti brigade" they simply don't know what they are missing!

 

[Jonathan_374343452]

Cheers all for your advice, much appreciated