Vehicle for occassional towing

I'm looking for a used 4X4 for general use and occasional towing. A Trooper
or Defender would be fine but I'd like more mpg. An estate able to tow over
1500Kg would be fine (if I ignore the ridiculous notion that it must be able
to tow trailer max gross weight)

Parameters are:

Good mpg
Low purchase cost (a few years old)
Low annual mileage - 8K
Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
Reliable
Low insurance

Any suggestions??

if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.

hehe

sitting back,
ready to take the flack


;¬)

"Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.

I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last week
though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad press
they get on Usenet.

So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable, easily
maintained?

On 2005-08-09, Doner Kebab <[email protected]> wrote:

> sitting back,
> ready to take the flack

More like the yawns...

I went to a sports car meet some time ago (or in my case a bucket of
parts meet) during which we were talking about cars, I mentioned I had
a Defender. The only Ferrari driver there spluttered "Ha! Landrover!
If you go out into the desert in a Landrover you will *DIE*" then
stared at me boggle-eyed as if imparting some deep truth. He then
went on to splutter out the usual codswallop about them breaking down
every time they're driven, falling apart while moving killing everyone
within a 20-mile radius etc etc. Mind you I've yet to meet a Ferrari
owner who wasn't a dick, but then I've never met one who fixes their
own car, I'm sure a proper enthusiast rather than a willy waver would
be more agreeable.

Given the number of landies that are still happily running in the
world, being used for desert trips, jungle trips and just about
anywhere where serious capability is required, and the number that are
used by armies all over the world I've always wondered about the
sanity of people who believe the anti-hype. Other makes are often
used where more comfort and less off-road is required.

--
For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

"rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>
> I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last
> week though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
> reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
> written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad press
> they get on Usenet.
>
> So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable,
> easily maintained?
>

Volvo XC70 D5.

Huw

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>>
>> I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last
>> week though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
>> reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
>> written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad
>> press they get on Usenet.
>>
>> So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable,
>> easily maintained?
>>
>
> Volvo XC70 D5.

Thanks HUW. You seem to know what you are talking about but this is too
much money. I hope to get fixed up for around £1K to £3K

Good mpg
Low purchase cost (a few years old)
Low annual mileage - 8K
Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
Reliable
Low insurance


I was thinking that an estate would be more practical for everyday use -
more room, lighter and more aerodynamic so more mpg. If there isn't an
obvious one, I'll look at proper 4X4s again.

Want to echo positive sentiments on Discos

My father has one, got i from new, S reg with 110000 miles on it. If you
service it regularly, change Cam belt every 40k just to be safe then it will
treat you as well as you treat it...and this isnt just a towny in it, they
have a farm in cornwall, and it has never let them down. If people knock the
disco truth is they have probably never owned one, urban myths are best
sustained by the uneducated sheep who folow everyone else!!

Here endeth the sermon!

Lloyd
"rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking for a used 4X4 for general use and occasional towing. A
> Trooper
> or Defender would be fine but I'd like more mpg. An estate able to tow
> over
> 1500Kg would be fine (if I ignore the ridiculous notion that it must be
> able
> to tow trailer max gross weight)
>
> Parameters are:
>
> Good mpg
> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
> Low annual mileage - 8K
> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
> Reliable
> Low insurance
>
> Any suggestions??
>
>
>
>
>

"rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:JO%[email protected]...
>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>>>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>>>
>>> I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last
>>> week though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which
>>> they reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I
>>> seen written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the
>>> bad press they get on Usenet.
>>>
>>> So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable,
>>> easily maintained?
>>>
>>
>> Volvo XC70 D5.
>
> Thanks HUW. You seem to know what you are talking about but this is too
> much money. I hope to get fixed up for around £1K to £3K
>
> Good mpg
> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
> Low annual mileage - 8K
> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
> Reliable
> Low insurance
>


What you want is a miracle. Failing one turning up soon then the closest you
will get is a ten year old Subaru Legacy.

Huw

rivenglo came up with the following;:
> I'm looking for a used 4X4 for general use and occasional towing. A
> Trooper or Defender would be fine but I'd like more mpg. An estate able
> to tow over 1500Kg would be fine (if I ignore the ridiculous notion that
> it must be able to tow trailer max gross weight)
>
> Parameters are:
>
> Good mpg
> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
> Low annual mileage - 8K
> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
> Reliable
> Low insurance
>
> Any suggestions??

Landrover Discovery.

--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 07:12:36 GMT, "rivenglo"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>
>I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last week
>though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
>reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
>written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad press
>they get on Usenet.
>
>So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable, easily
>maintained?
>

I wouldn't worry too much about mpg if you're only doing 8000 miles a
year.
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote

>>>> So what is the best 4X4 estate for towing 1.5 T? Economical, durable,
>>>> easily maintained?
>>>>
>>>
>>> Volvo XC70 D5.
>>
>> Thanks HUW. You seem to know what you are talking about but this is too
>> much money. I hope to get fixed up for around £1K to £3K
>>
>> Good mpg
>> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
>> Low annual mileage - 8K
>> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
>> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
>> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
>> Reliable
>> Low insurance
>>
>
>
> What you want is a miracle. Failing one turning up soon then the closest
> you will get is a ten year old Subaru Legacy.

I suppose I do.

I've stumbled upon a table (4X4 mag) of specs and see what you mean about
the Volvo XC70 D5 . . . 37.7 mpg (compared with Trooper 3.0 at 26.9) and can
tow 1800 KG.

The Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi 136 T-Spec is another that stands out - 39.2
mpg/can tow 2000 KG. /insurance group 9. - sounds a good combination but
still a bit pricey.

Legacy 2.5i Outback/33.2 mpg, can tow 1800 KG - but insurance group 13

Freelander 2.0 TD4/37.2 mpg/1800KG/ins group10. (Should I definitley avoid
this one?)

The Hilux looks reasonable too - are they all pickups or is there a one with
a complete hardtop over the rear?

"Paul Rooney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


>
> I wouldn't worry too much about mpg if you're only doing 8000 miles a
> year.

A very sensible statement, but the fact is I do. Mileage may increase and if
its gonna gulp fuel at 25mpg I won't want to use it. I'd rather pay a bit
more and get something that will do closer to 40. (I'm used to 50 - 60 mpg
and bracing myself for the shock)

> More like the yawns...
>
> I went to a sports car meet some time ago (or in my case a bucket of
> parts meet) during which we were talking about cars, I mentioned I had
> a Defender. The only Ferrari driver there spluttered "Ha! Landrover!
> If you go out into the desert in a Landrover you will *DIE*" then
> stared at me boggle-eyed as if imparting some deep truth. He then
> went on to splutter out the usual codswallop about them breaking down
> every time they're driven, falling apart while moving killing everyone
> within a 20-mile radius etc etc. Mind you I've yet to meet a Ferrari
> owner who wasn't a dick, but then I've never met one who fixes their
> own car, I'm sure a proper enthusiast rather than a willy waver would
> be more agreeable.
>
> Given the number of landies that are still happily running in the
> world, being used for desert trips, jungle trips and just about
> anywhere where serious capability is required, and the number that are
> used by armies all over the world I've always wondered about the
> sanity of people who believe the anti-hype. Other makes are often
> used where more comfort and less off-road is required.
>
> --
> For every expert, there is an equal but opposite expert

Mmmm....seen today on the Toyota Hilux Surf forum.......

http://www.yotasurf-online.co.uk/public/forums/showthread.php?t=15690

Mind you- I wouldn't buy Hilux Surf either if want better than 30mpg!

Nevillef

rivenglo <[email protected]> wrote:

> I was speaking to someone last week though with a P reg Discovery diesel
> which they loved and which they reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg

Yes, and the sky in their world was lemon yellow with polka dots.

--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

"nevillef" <F_CK@FF_SPAMMERS.COM> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


> Mmmm....seen today on the Toyota Hilux Surf forum.......
>
> http://www.yotasurf-online.co.uk/public/forums/showthread.php?t=15690

sounds fun (but not happy reading for Landrover fans)

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "rivenglo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>>
>> I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last
>> week though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
>> reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
>> written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad
>> press they get on Usenet.


ah simple
he lived at the top of a hill, it broke down at the bottom and got towed
back up. there you go 100 mile/gal

>
> Good mpg
> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
> Low annual mileage - 8K
> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
> Reliable
> Low insurance
>
> Any suggestions??
>

How about a ford transit?


--
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 597 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now!

rivenglo came up with the following;:
> "Doner Kebab" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> if your looking for occassional towing dont get a land rover. you will
>> always be towing - or shoould i say being towed.
>
> I've noticed the differences in opinion. I was speaking to someone last
> week though with a P reg Discovery diesel which they loved and which they
> reckoned gave nearly 40 mpg - a good bit higher than the figures I seen
> written. That would have been a strong contender but for all the bad press
> they get on Usenet.

I have a P reg ('97) Discovery and they get nowhere near that mpg. 30 - 32
solo, worst ever was 22 fully loaded with people, lughgage and tools, towing
into a gale, and with two motorcycles in the caravan.

Generally fully loaded towing the caravan gets about 25 to 28 mpg.

Empty towing the caravan gets 28 to 30


--
Paul ...
(8(|) Homer Rules ..... Doh !!!

"John Page" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> Good mpg
>> Low purchase cost (a few years old)
>> Low annual mileage - 8K
>> Occassional towing of a pony + trailer (up to 1500KG loaded)
>> 4wd - just for towing (so best if it can be switched off)
>> Cheap and easy to DIY maintain
>> Reliable
>> Low insurance
>>
>> Any suggestions??
>>
>
> How about a ford transit?

I didn't know there was a 4X4 transit. Are they any good?

On Tue, 09 Aug 2005 22:00:49 GMT, "rivenglo"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Paul Rooney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>
>>
>> I wouldn't worry too much about mpg if you're only doing 8000 miles a
>> year.
>
>A very sensible statement, but the fact is I do. Mileage may increase and if
>its gonna gulp fuel at 25mpg I won't want to use it. I'd rather pay a bit
>more and get something that will do closer to 40. (I'm used to 50 - 60 mpg
>and bracing myself for the shock)
>

You want a Toyota Rav4 then. Or a Nissan X Trail.
--
R
o
o
n
e
y

"I always knew the entire Green party were nutters" - Ken Livingstone