Zafira is going! Now what car?

[malmac]

We were so pleased with the responses to our last post lately that we have decided to ask a few of you for tow car suggestions.
We will purchase the car first before the van. The van will be a starter 4 berth of around a grand. We do not mind doing it up ( Look forward to it actually )
The motor will be in daily solo use and needs a decent size boot as we will still camp without the van. Would prefer Auto given my knee probs.
Have about 4-5K to spend.
Got some suggestions here already...
Kia Sportage and Sedona
Passat
Audi A4 Avant ( Had one, loved it, firm ride tho it was a 1996!)
Skoda superb and Octavia
Ford S Max and Kuga
Some of these may be out of our price range but please give us some to consider in it.
Cheers. Mal + Katie

 

[Raywood]

We have found the Mazda 6 agood reliable tug with enough weight to handle a decent range of caravans. Given the weight of the tow car is important having some idea as to what you are buying as a caravan might be important.
My point is the weight of the caravan is dependant on what level the caravan was built to. The basic ones should generally be towable by any of the cars you mention except possibly the Octavia and possibly the S Max. As you move up the trim levels the caravan weights increase but at the price you quote all levels of will be available the better equipped ones simply being that bit older.
Of the cars you quote therefore possibly the Kia with its heavier kerb weight might be the best bet just to allow for the bigger range of caravans it could tow. There are no bad tow cars that I can think of so possibly at that price finding a good car with a bit of weight probably is the best bet.
Check the towing limit of the car you buy to make sure it is up to it and remember the clubs and NCC suggest that the laden caravan should weigh no more than 85% of the cars kerb weight but on no account should the laden caravan weigh more than the car.

 

[emmerson]

Malmac, I've never any of these cars, but I do have friends (fellow caravanners) who have had the Octavia and the Sedona.
Both report excellent towing capabilities, and of course the Sedona is as big as a house, but fairly heavy on fuel, and drove like a van.
The Octavia diesel estate, however, scored well on all points, and is still towing my pal's van after about five years, and it was bought secondhand! It scores highly on fuel consumption, and is nice to drive.
Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[malmac]

Going to be agonising to make the right decision. Like the Octavia idea. I know the car was WhatCar of the year around the time of the model we will be buying (2007ish I guess) WhatCar also have great reviews of the Mazda. Either way, will be back as I narrow down the field. Cheers and Ta...

 

[Tukums]

If you go for the 2.0TDI Skoda Octavia, consider the estate 4x4 or Scout which also has more weight over the standard variants and of course more traction getting on and off muddy fields.

 

[Mel]

We have towed with a Sedona. No problems as a tow car but big and heavy as a solo. Wide to park in multi storeys. Great if you have 4 kids as we did at the time. Also towed with a Hyundai Sante Fe. Better solo than the Sedona and a great tug. Might be worth a look.
Mel

 

[Mel]

The motor will be in daily solo use and needs a decent size boot as we will still camp without the van.
Cheers. Mal + Katie

Bet that after a couple of nights in the van the tent 'll be on eBay. :cheer: :cheer:
Mel

 

[Grahamh]

I really rated the Mondeo estate. Huge boot, high 40's mpg solo, 32 ish towing. Can tow fairly light van easily(14 - 1500 Kg) and relatively cheap to buy. I towed 1350kg van with ease. I sold mine at 118K miles and towed with it from 60k miles. Only down side is that it is low. Swapped it for a sportage - havent towed with that yet tho.
The early model S max were a nightmare for electrics. I liked the Kuga but not as much as the sportage - lots more money too.

 

[Cento16v]

You could do a lot worse than a C5 Tourer.
They seem to be quite a bit cheaper than the equivalent spec Mondeo/Passat and normally have a lot more equipment as standard and the power delivery of the HDi engines is a lot more progressive.

 

[malmac]

Well Grahamh we have gone with your selection: a 1.6 TDCI Mondeo.
We are considering a Camplet trailer tent. Any info on these would be great. Esp re where to purchase second hand beyond the obvious auction house?