Please help, on the weekend our car' timing belt decided to snap (not towing at the time) and with a holiday to France booked for next month, we need to find a new (to us) car soon :(
I'm looking on auto trader for ideas and using towcar website however this is where I am hitting a problem! Our van isn't listed. Its a Lunar Conquest 546 6 berth 2012. Are there any other sites I can use do you know?
Thanks
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Rhian, wife, mother to 4 daughters, and now a caravan owner
2017
Riverside Caravan Park, Aberystwyth
Au Lac de Biscarrosse
2016
Stowfords, Devon
Trefalun Park, Tenby
Le Logis Du Brueil
Ford Galaxy will do the job then, 2litre or 2.2litre diesel. As with any car you really need full service history of main dealer servicing. Search Autotrader website for cars within shouting distance of you. If you want late model, low mileage I would buy from Ford dealer. What did you have before?
We had a Hyundai Trajet - 2005 so it was a fair age I guess!! We'll have a search this evening when the husband is home! As with most of us I guess, we've not got a money tree in our garden so could really do without this.
We've had a nightmare year and I could really do with this holiday :(
Thanks for your helpful replies :)
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Rhian, wife, mother to 4 daughters, and now a caravan owner
2017
Riverside Caravan Park, Aberystwyth
Au Lac de Biscarrosse
2016
Stowfords, Devon
Trefalun Park, Tenby
Le Logis Du Brueil
Assuming that a Discovery is out of question, go for a 2010 or 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, old shape. 2.2 diesel, 7 adult-sized seats, although the two rearmost seats are more comfortable for people less than 5'5" tall.
Before Hyundai bought out the new +2012 model, the 2010-2012 model consistently scored 4 stars in the Towcar Awards, year after year behind the Discovery. My Santa Fe pulls my family, two awnings and our 1550 kg Bailey at 60+ mph all day
Yes, it would help to know your budget but you need something reliable that is a known entity. That's why a service history is essential preferably from main dealer so you know that hopefully corners have not been cut.
For example current Ford have 125k miles cambelt change interval & it would help if there was evidence of clutch change. £6.5k may get you 7 or 8 reg Galaxy. Probably won't have towbar though so budget for that.
Thanks DDJC, I've had a look at the Santa Fe, it does look suitable, sadly there are none nearby :( I have found this Kia Sedona this, does anyone have an opinion - good or bad?!
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Rhian, wife, mother to 4 daughters, and now a caravan owner
2017
Riverside Caravan Park, Aberystwyth
Au Lac de Biscarrosse
2016
Stowfords, Devon
Trefalun Park, Tenby
Le Logis Du Brueil
The garage its currently at have advised us that the engine will need replacing as the timing belt has snapped and caused damage to the engine. As its a 2005 car we would be looking at used engines with no guarantee of history. We could take that risk, fitting it will cost around £500 plus the cost of the engine which has been estimated at £500 too. This could all be futile if the engine is then found to not be in good condition.
This is just the advice of the garage (which doesn't have car sales!!) and we are fairly clueless when it comes to cars so are accepting what they say, as they aren't gaining anything from the advice we've received.
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Rhian, wife, mother to 4 daughters, and now a caravan owner
2017
Riverside Caravan Park, Aberystwyth
Au Lac de Biscarrosse
2016
Stowfords, Devon
Trefalun Park, Tenby
Le Logis Du Brueil
I tried to do the cheap option a couple of years ago on a van with a 2nd hand engine total waste of money £2000 down the pan, as for older kia and such like I wouldn't bother either usually full of electrical problems. If it were me I would go for Vauxhall Zafira lots of engine choice available, ultra reliable cheap and easy to run and maintain and not too expensive to buy. My friend has a Peugeot Expert had engine problems a few months ago 4 grand repair bill now gearbox has gone these days vehicles are just disposable products
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
We had a zafira previously, we had to change it when got the van as it wouldn't pull it! Also the back row of seats are pretty uncomfortable so I'm not really keen to get another. Thanks for the advice though.
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Rhian, wife, mother to 4 daughters, and now a caravan owner
2017
Riverside Caravan Park, Aberystwyth
Au Lac de Biscarrosse
2016
Stowfords, Devon
Trefalun Park, Tenby
Le Logis Du Brueil
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Need a new towing car
