Which large 4x4?

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi all, we are on our second Kia sorento, and have been really pleased with them both, however, we are thinking of changing possibly later this year, my question is this, do we opt for another new sorento, or go for a second hand Toyota Land cruiser, VW Touareg, or Discovery?

Our budget will be around the £20k mark!

All replies much appreciated, thank you, Andrew & Sally.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Guys

Not sure about the Disco or Land Cruiser, I've read some bad press. The VW is lovely but expensive.

So do you want new or 2nd hand??

My Sorie does exactly what I want. I can understand you may fancy a change. Have you had a test drive , hitched up with your shortlist?

Good hunting.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Andrewbutcher]

Hi Alan, we are just thinking things through at the moment, i still can't convince myself that having a second hand car is the right way to go, when we can have another brand new sorento!(the two we have had have both been new ones) so it seems a bit of a step backwards!

Andrew & Sally.

 

[RichardS1]

When comparing value for money I still don't think that there is a better large 4x4 than the Sorento. Had ours two years now and it still impresses me with its towing capability.

 

[Graham_374307735]

Hi, Same as you I wanted a change from the Sorento and plunged for the Disco3. The Kia was a good car, but the Disco3 is something else.I will agree that yes the Sorento is excellent value for money, but for me it's no match for the Discovery and the price does reflect this. I will say that the fuel consumption on the Discovery is far better than I ever achieved with the Sorento. The only issue I found was getting rid of the Kia at a reasonable price,not many dealers were that intrested as they loose money like a Caravan with damp! Good luck on your selection.

 

[VIP640]

We are on our 2nd Toyota Landcruiser in 10 years and they are the best towing vehicle we have ever owned, previously had Pajero, CRV and Jeep but the cruiser is by far the best. The 7 seats are also very useful as they keep the children apart!!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Andrew and Sally

I had my Sorie from new and know exactly how it has been driven. Why do "nearly" new vehicles come on the market with so called delivery mileages? All to to do with manufacturers trying to bolster their share.

If the Sorie works for you stick with it. Mine is July 2005. The latest version doesn't have the self levelling suspension but according to the uksorento forum this doesn't have any adverse effect.

If it aint broke don't fix it comes to mind.

Cheers

Alan

 

[rambler1]

No doubt a lot of people will disagree but I have had 2 Discoverys and although they were good cars the Kia is a far better tow vehicle and a great deal cheaper.If you had asked me a few years ago if I would own a Korean car the anser would have been No Way but I am definately a convert now.hope this helps

 

[Del_374232870]

Have you considered a used Grand Cherokee . We looked at the Sorento a few years ago but settled on the current Grand Cherokee. The V6 3.0 CRD has the Mercedes engine which is recognised as one of the best and smoothest diesels available , the triptonic auto box is also recognised by the motoring press as the best 4x4 gearbox on the market. The result is 215hp and 525kn of torque which will pull the heaviest of vans without any problems. Fuel consumption isn't much worse than the Sorrento, we can get 23 mpg towing a 1700kg t/a van and solo on a run can return 32 mpg. This from a V6 diesel, with a 0 - 60 figure of 9 seconds and not much slower with the van.

A towing limit of 3300kg and nose weight limit of 140kg

 

[RogerL]

If you want value for money keep the Sorento, if you want quality get the Land-Cruiser, it's only weakness is the active suspension on LC5 and Amazon that play up at high mileages, LC3/LC4 aren't afflicted.

I can't believe that anyone has a Discovery on the same shortlist as a Land-Cruiser.

 

[cooky1]

If you don't need to go off-road and have

 

[davedee]

Have a look at the Sorento@s sister - the Hyundai Terracan. A bit old fashioned but an extra 400cc, more economical, 5yr warranty and change out of your

 

[JTS]

Hi Andrew and Sally, I know what you mean about buying a secondhand car. I have two rules about buying a car. One, not secondhand. Two, don't buy a car that has a towbar fitted. I have just bought a new Sorento for a change after having had two Hyundai Santa FE. I will keep the Sorento for a couple of years and then change it for the "ALL NEW" model Sorento which I have been led to believe is being introduced this Year. Maybe you should hang on for a while. JTS.

 

[JTS]

Have a look at the Sorento@s sister - the Hyundai Terracan. A bit old fashioned but an extra 400cc, more economical, 5yr warranty and change out of your

 

[darren_374234478]

Hi,

I cant comment on which big 4x4 to plunge for as we are x trail owners (just ordered the new one), but i think i am right in saying that there will be a new sorento coming out later this year, autum time i think so it may be worth hanging on to check out that one, or get a deal on the current one, my neighbour just got a new xs manual for just under

 

[Mikey1]

The new Sorento is being tested at the moment(autoexpres)It will be bigger 7 seats ,have bigger engines but will cost more,surely if they increase the price its starts to get into the more upmarket car prices and the reason the Kia sells well is because its cheaper than its competetion?

I dont remember them having self leveling suspension.

New car discount are knocking 4 1/2k of off a new one,trouble is this knocks you second hand values for 6.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I am not anti 4x4, and they do have their uses, but in reality the majority of caravanning can be achieved very successfully without 4 wheel drive.

There are a number of large MPVs that will cope with virtually any caravan available in the UK. They offer better ride comfort, more seating options and load space, with lower operating costs.

Could these be a viable alternative ?

 

[emmerson2]

This sort of post, for me, always begs the question - Why change? I'm not one to boast,(well,,not much!) but I could afford amuch newer car than my 1994 Range Rover. Not a new RR by any means, but certainly something around

 

[JTS]

This sort of post, for me, always begs the question - Why change? I'm not one to boast,(well,,not much!) but I could afford amuch newer car than my 1994 Range Rover. Not a new RR by any means, but certainly something around

 

[emmerson2]

So who is argueing.live and let live. JTS

Not arguing, JTS, just curious. If a car is OK, why change?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! But as you say, to each his own.

 

[RogerL]

Unlike car markets anywhere else in the world, we do seem to have an obsession about changing vehicles long before the end of their working life largely based on actuarial calculations from the 1950's which are no longer true. Other countries car markets simply don't do this.

Without this constant replacement of vehicles the motor industry would be in severe financial trouble - we are philantropic !!

 

[Katiebe]

If you don't need to go off-road and have

 

[cooky1]

what mpg would you expect to get solo and towing with the X5?

I have the 3.0d and get about 28 solo - up to 32 on a long run and about 23 towing a 1500kg caravan.

HTH.

 

[Dustydog]

Mikey

All Sorentos up to the last face lift had self levelling rear suspension. One of the reasons amongst many that we chose the Sorie in the first place.

I also agree with Emmerson.

My company cars used to be changed every 3 years , mainly because of the high mileages.

Our Sorie is 2.5 years old and we have no intention of changing her. She is well looked after and will hopefully last for years.

Our Mazda MX-5 has been with us 7 years and again costs very little. Why waste your money on a depreciating asset?

Cheers

Alan

 

[emmerson2]

Mikey

All Sorentos up to the last face lift had self levelling rear suspension. One of the reasons amongst many that we chose the Sorie in the first place.

I also agree with Emmerson.

My company cars used to be changed every 3 years , mainly because of the high mileages.

Our Sorie is 2.5 years old and we have no intention of changing her. She is well looked after and will hopefully last for years.

Our Mazda MX-5 has been with us 7 years and again costs very little. Why waste your money on a depreciating asset?

Cheers

Alan

Alan, my other car is a 39 year old Morris 1000 Traveller which is still in daily use, and doesn't get the TLC it deserves! Its just a convenient working tool, but is virtually free.