Personally I'd drive both and decide which one is best for me. The Landcruiser is better in many ways, for example it will tow a small bungalow. However the VW will tow pretty much any caravan you are likely to use.
The Toyota is likely to be more reliable, but will cost a lot more to run. Fuel and VED will be a lot more expensive. True, it is a FAR better off road vehicle and will get you much further into the wild, but just how far are you likely to want to drive into the wilderness anyway?
For the vast majority of the time you're likely to be using the car, the VW will be the better car. Quieter, more compliant ride, vastly superior road manners and of course far better MPG and general running costs.
Take one of each out for a good long test, see what you feel. If you prefer the Toyota, then try out a Mitsubishi Shogun, it's in the same ilk, and possibly a nicer drive.
If you prefer the more civilised VW (it's more of a soft roader really) then to be honest, it's possibly the best option in value terms of it's type already. The Jeep is a good shout, but I found it to be less smooth and not as refined as the VW.
As an outside option - take a look at the Audi allroad. Same mechanical set up as the VW, in a more usable everyday package (as a rule - less off road bias = better on road manners)
Quote: Originally posted by Tidburyboy on 01/5/2018
Personally I'd drive both and decide which one is best for me. The Landcruiser is better in many ways, for example it will tow a small bungalow. However the VW will tow pretty much any caravan you are likely to use.
The Toyota is likely to be more reliable, but will cost a lot more to run. Fuel and VED will be a lot more expensive. True, it is a FAR better off road vehicle and will get you much further into the wild, but just how far are you likely to want to drive into the wilderness anyway?
For the vast majority of the time you're likely to be using the car, the VW will be the better car. Quieter, more compliant ride, vastly superior road manners and of course far better MPG and general running costs.
Take one of each out for a good long test, see what you feel. If you prefer the Toyota, then try out a Mitsubishi Shogun, it's in the same ilk, and possibly a nicer drive.
If you prefer the more civilised VW (it's more of a soft roader really) then to be honest, it's possibly the best option in value terms of it's type already. The Jeep is a good shout, but I found it to be less smooth and not as refined as the VW.
As an outside option - take a look at the Audi allroad. Same mechanical set up as the VW, in a more usable everyday package (as a rule - less off road bias = better on road manners)
Thank you, stuff I needed to know but didn't know where to look.
The car will rarely be used other than for towing, and most of that will be in a 100 mile radius of home. I am swaying, from your points to the VW, and will also give the mentioned Audio a look. When our run around car gives up on us, hopefully not just yet, the towcar will be our only car. Hopefully OH has retired by then and won’t be putting on the miles.
Which allroad? The caravan matchsite is coming up with A4 A6 Quatro
Post last edited on 01/05/2018 13:25:33
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
I remember you used to have a Norfolk Lake tent, seems like us you've moved to the dark side
Just my own thoughts really, I read your other thread after I posted, so I see you're towing biased. However, as I said the VW will tow pretty much anything. My allroad is the 3.0 V6 Diesel A6 Avant. But you should note that like the VW Touareg, they come in various states of tune from the same engine, so make sure you pick the right one for you.
We tow a 2 berth Swift, it's max weight is something like 1250kgs (I think, can't recall right now) but the allroad makes mincemeat of it, on the motorway it's almost like it's not there when accelerating. They have air supension too, which is brilliant for towing, but can be troublesome on older cars, but ours is new so no need for crossed fingers. You could just go for the 3.0 ltr A6 Avant with quattro, it's permanent four wheel drive, but these, like the allroad are likely to be more expensive than the Touareg anyway.
I'm pretty sure the VED on the Toyota will be around double that of the VW (c £250 v C£500)and fuel consumption will be around 30% greater. General maintenance and servicing should be similar. So in my mind, the added off road capability of the big Toyota would be handy if you live down a rutted lane and have to regularly cross ploughed fields, but of little value otherwise.
Try them out on your normal routes, see what you think. To be honest, you'll not go far wrong with either of them. Good luck!
Wow, you have a good memory! I think I remember your avatar, didn't it move?
Yes, loved the Norfolk Lake but I did my back in and couldn't help set up. We started attaching the front guy to the towbar and pulling it up that way. Went to NEC to look at air tents and came home with a very large caravan!
Now we are going even bigger, I’m seriously considering going seasonal and keeping the Antara but still looking at options. The Antara will tow it, just won’t be able to take anything with us!
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
I remember because I was very fond of the Norfolk Lake and was a bit jealous. We've still got our Tent, it's a 2014 Bear Lake 4. In truth, I don't see us using it but may be used if "kids" come along at some point.
Ohh, and yes, the avatar was a frog. So it's you who has a good memory! Having said that I'm recalling spotted wellies
We only bought the 'van last Autumn, so towing is still very new, although I'm pretty ok with it, provided I plan the route carefully. So, at the moment static is not for us.
I'll be interested to know if you do swap vehicles and how you get on.
Theres still plenty off imput into this post which is always good to see, I assume youre undecided what to do. I did suggest this this before on another post you had, so why not give the Alfa Stelvio a look you may be surprised by thinking outside the box.
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
Quote: Originally posted by richardandjo2010 on 03/5/2018
Theres still plenty off imput into this post which is always good to see, I assume youre undecided what to do. I did suggest this this before on another post you had, so why not give the Alfa Stelvio a look you may be surprised by thinking outside the box.
I looked at all the suggestions from the previous post and narrowed it down. The Alfa Stelio has a kerbweight ratio of 102% and an unknown noseweight, so slightly worse statics than our current car, Vauxhall Antara.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
Before I had my present car I had 2 landcruisers, the first one I had for 8 years,the second one l had for7years, apart from services I only had to have a part exhaust and that was because it got damaged off road, same batteries and 1 set of replacement tyres on both cars,first one I did 150,000miles,second one 130,00,
The first one sold the first day he put it on the forecourt,he told me a man had a quick look inside,started the engine for a few seconds and bought in,he said he was taking it to Africa
Decision made.....we aren’t swapping the car, we are swapping the van, we have swapped to a single axle! The van still had no build date so I asked if I could cancel and choose a different van, no problem was the answer. Going tomorrow to choose between a Coachman VIP 545 - not keen on the microwave above the cooker - or a Swift Elite 560 x - prefer the microwave above the sink. Both have the required small cabinet on the right of the door as you walk in. Would have liked to stay with Lunar but the Clubman SR doesn’t have the cupboard.
I'll be interested to know if you do swap vehicles and how you get on.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
We went for the Coachman VIP 545, great deal, we were offered the demo model so that we didn’t have to wait any longer with 10% discount! Result! Hats off to Grantham Caravans, from asking to doing the deal and having a van =18 hours. Just have to have it valeted and inspected then off we go!
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Toyota Landcruiser or VW Touareg
