I have a Toyota Surf 3.0 auto import and it is great for towing. I can recommend Worcester Road Motors in Stourport On Severn in Worcestershire. Have word with Dave Jones on 01299 826847. They do a number of different imports and he is very helpful. I have nothing to do with the company except that they regularly service my vehicle so I hope the moddy doesn't mind the post.
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 08/5/2006
I have a Toyota Surf 3.0 auto import and it is great for towing. I can recommend Worcester Road Motors in Stourport On Severn in Worcestershire. Have word with Dave Jones on 01299 826847. They do a number of different imports and he is very helpful. I have nothing to do with the company except that they regularly service my vehicle so I hope the moddy doesn't mind the post.
Ooooooooh I know someone else on here that's just bought one of those Andy & Ros who were at the Blackland Lakes meet recently have one too, a lovely car and does the job !!
Frontera 2.2 Dti are now relatively cheap, and if you get the Limited version with Winter pack, they are very well equipped. Should give 30+mpg when solo and mid twenties towing.
Steer clear of Frontera 2.5TDS though, for the same reasons as Cherokee's and Range Rovers....same italian VM diesel.
The 2.8 TD older model Frontera's are good tow cars but a little basic internally
At the risk of setting of an already much covered thread - why do you want a 4WD. If you are going into muddy fields on rallies every few weeks then yes it may be appropriate. But if you want a more usable day to day car that is only going to get it's wheels muddy once or twice a year then go for a big heavy old barge like an Omega or a Scorpio that you will be able to buy for much less than £5,000.
My 2.2 diesel Omega can average over 45mpg if driven (very) sensibly on the motorway.
Frank thanks for the advice, My wife is a childminder as well and so having an mpv with 7 seats is good for her. that is the main reason we would like the extra seats.
we are off to view an espace tonight. we were all settled on a Sharan but it had sold when we went to buy it!!!! The Espace looks like it will be the one.
If you haven't gone for the Espace, and are still thinking on the 4x4 front, what about a Ford Explorer?
We have recently got a good example of an older one (R reg 1998) with a gas conversion for well under the £5k mark - in fact under the £4k mark. The gas conversion was essential to us as it's a 4 litre petrol (read expensive) car, but on gas we get about 150 miles to a £20 gas fillup which is superb for us. Nice looking car too.
Petrol ones are even cheaper - around £1500 - £2000 and the gas conversion costs around £2k I think.
Quote: Originally posted by bev+jon on 07/5/2006steer clear of the Laguna as well.we nearly got stung with one but after sleeping on a possible deal and reading many horrendous reviews on it we gave it a miss.
Whats wrong with the Laguna......! I have a 2001 1.9TDI and it tows our Avondale Dart without a problem. And when not towing can return aound 48+ MPG on a long journey and around 40MPG around town.
------------- When faced with a choice of two evils, I always pick the one I havent tried
Quote: Originally posted by Tiberious on 10/5/2006
Quote: Originally posted by bev+jon on 07/5/2006steer clear of the Laguna as well.we nearly got stung with one but after sleeping on a possible deal and reading many horrendous reviews on it we gave it a miss.
Whats wrong with the Laguna......! I have a 2001 1.9TDI and it tows our Avondale Dart without a problem. And when not towing can return aound 48+ MPG on a long journey and around 40MPG around town.
any modern diesel can do that. read honestjohn.co .uk or parkers.co.uk reviews or look at the jd power reliabilty table.grim reading for renaults.
nice looking cars though and id have bought one but too many expensive electrical gremlins from what ive heard.
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Topic: Towcar with a £5,000 budget.
Andy & Ros who were at the Blackland Lakes meet recently have one too, a lovely car and does the job !!
When faced with a choice of two evils, I always pick the one I havent tried 
