scoobylav

Ok here is the deal. My company car is up for renewal in a few months so I need to start thinking about what I want. The only stipulation by the company are these.

1) It has to be Diesel
2) It cannot be brand new
3) It has to be less than 3 years old
4) It has to be less than £14k
5) It has to have less than 40k miles

My stipulations are these

1) It needs to be able to tow a trailer with a 205 on.

My first thoughts are Shogun Sport, Freelander, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4 does anyone has any other ideas or views on these ?

All comments welcome.

Big Daz

Choice 1 or Choice 2 for me please,
If you get a Honda CRV I will sit in the 205

Daz

stilover

Aren't the Shogun Sports exempt from company car tax ??? or something like that ? They do look quite good IMO, only in Black though.

Failing that, any VAG group oil burner will tow your 205 quite easliy. If it was me, I'd think about a A4 Avant in Black 2.5TDI Quattro, or the newer 3.0TDI Quattro. There's one parked near to where I live. He's got the SLine kit on it, and it looks really good.

scoobylav

Big Daz - LOL
Stilover - I think you are thinking of the L200 is exempt from VAT ( or was) your right if I go for the shogun sport it is gonna have to be a warrior in black. I always thought a 4x4 was really gonna be the only way to tow havent really considered a normal car due to the loads put on it. Some good ideas there.

AudiLover

Audi 2.0TDi/2.5tdi quattro. Towing capacity of 1.5 tons.

scoobylav

You see now you guys are giving me a real dilema . . . . i was picturing a 4x4 but if I can get away with a "normal" car then that may be the way to go.

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

2.2dci Nissan X Trail ?

D

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

You are also potentially looking at a 2003 Volvo V70 D5

Autotrader have a number around the age mileage you're looking for, so it should be possible to get a bramha within your budget/spec.

Well put together & comfy, good spec too. 45+ fuel economy, reliable and go for miles.

Pull a tank with one of them + put all the spares in the boot

gingerboy

Mondeo st TDCI 2.2 diesel - nicly kitted as standard and a good all rounder, if you look around they are available for around the 14k mark.

Regards

GB

Tidgy

v70 d5's are great cas, dad had one for his before he got the v40 he's got now, wish he hadn't got rid to be honest, not as quick as scoob but **** me it flies for a big car.

scoobylav

Dunk - Big Daz who I race with has suggested the X Trail new one on me. Dont look too bad though.

PTMW - Volvo, hmmm I always considered Volvo drivers to be of a certain age wearing flat caps, but may be worth a look.

Gingerboy - I have something against Fords, I dunno what, I would just never buy one.

Tidgy - Useful comment but you have reinforced my view "Dad had one" may have to have a look though.


I have been doing a bit of looking into BHP, lb/ft torque, MPG and perhaps most importantly CO2 emmissions so I dont get shafted on tax.
My favourite 4x4 for looks was the shogun sport warrior but after seeing the emmissions on that beauty it has gone straight out the window. The Audi is particularly good on emmissions so that has jumped up the list. Off to check the Volvo now and check with my inner self to see if I could buy one

logiclee

I'll second the Mondeo ST-TDCi, 155Ps and 300lbft. Maximum tow weight of 1800kg but more realistically a kerbside weight of 1500kg.
Is excellent to drive which can't be said of the 4x4's or older VAG stuff.
Comes with all the toys, 6 speed box, climate, cruise, electic windows, power fold heated mirors with puddle lights, auto wipers, auto lights, multi cp with mp3 input, part leather seats, fuel computer etc. etc.
Look a bit harder and you should find a used example with xenons and Recaro interior.

Cheers
Lee

Cupramax

Another thumbs up for V70 D5. My company usually hire these for business trips and cant fault them, excellent seats, quite possibly the most comfortable and relaxing car I've ever driven. Make sure u get one with heated leather and dolby prologic

scoobylav

This is good you are starting to sway me towards the Volvo can anyone come up with the emmission figure for it quickly ?

AudiLover

CO2 rating (g/km) 194

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

LOL

If you'd said to me 2 years ago that when I was 40 I would sell PTMW! and drive a Diesel Volvo, I'd've said you were mad.

But 6 months later, PTMW! was gone and I had an XC70 D5 sitting on the drive

1 month after that I was 40

However, I have to say that after 18 months and 65000 miles, it is the best car I've ever owned. It is just so comfy, well made and practical. The mid-range is gorgeous (mines standard) and they have a good road presence when coming up behind someone but they can be chipped up reliably for even more giggle.

I'll be dropping a tow-bar on it soon and using it to tow whatever track car I end up getting plus got my eye on a nice 18ft semi-rigid zodiac

Well worth considering & I certainly don't have a flat cap

BarryK

(Sport)Wagons roll.

Heh, unlike "blue rinse" Puff, I am now 47 and nowhere near a Volvo.

Or is it Vulva cos they all drive like, well you know...........

I fancy next year or 18 months I may take a look at the B9 Tribeca SUV with the flat 6 3.0 engine. Saw it in the flesh whilst over in a Dallas shopping mall last October and it looks a bit different but not too bizarre, plus it has the 5+2 seats option if you are not carrying a fridge around all day.

scoobylav

PTMW - I have had a look on autotrader and they are few and far between within my budget so I think the A4 is fave just now.

I also had a look at the Mondeos which I can buy a top spec 55 plate well within budget but I dunno there is just something that says no when I think about a Ford. I will have to bite the bullet and go and try some I guess.

Brendan Hughes

Freelanders have awful reputations for reliability.

A diesel RAV4 is a 2.0 with about 110bhp. It can be chipped to 140-ish, for a price. I don't know if it is really big/strong enough to tow a trailer and Pug. What about a SWB Land Cruiser? You'd have to look up the engine options and emissions though.

Mondeos are a real hoot as a driver's car, but you/they will be hit at resale time.

PG

Mondeo all the way !
Don't be such a fooking snob !

scoobylav

Brendan - I think I am moving away from the 4x4 idea anyway. TBH as it is a company car I dont really give a monkeys about the resale value . . . I may be getting swayed towards a mondeo but would prefer an audi still i think.

PG - :finger: