Car advice please - trade in or repair?

Kix

Hintza wrote: »

That is why we ended up with a Cherokee. The number of cars that can tow up to 3.5 tonnes is quite small.

How do you find the Cherokee? My fiance's cousin is selling one for £8k but I'd get a deal on it I think - just seems a bit thirsty and too workman like much like the Shogun and also apparently very expensive for parts!

Hintza

Kix wrote: »

How do you find the Cherokee? My fiance's cousin is selling one for £8k but I'd get a deal on it I think - just seems a bit thirsty and too workman like much like the Shogun and also apparently very expensive for parts!

Thirsty!!

It is actually not too bad if you stick to 65-70mph around 30-32 mpg.

But awful for short journeys or if you get stuck in traffic or you tow. I think our average will be around 23mpg.

As for parts I tend to buy my own parts (EBay) because if you buy from the dealers they are expensive. However I am working on the hope that it is an old style diesel engine that is basic and as such will not go too wrong (FINGERS CROSSED).

I bought it from copart but you do need a tame body shop and you are taking a risk that apart from obvious damage it is OK. Plus as a write off it will never be worth the same as an undamaged car (which is fine if you plan to run it until it dies)

citykid5

Kix wrote: »

Shogun was only not up to the job because of age and wear.

Kia Sorento can tow what I need and I can get one of them for £6 - £10k.

It will also be better as a family car - SWB shogun is tiny inside and in a few years I'll be starting a family so a Sorento is more sensible for that.

If it really came to it and I was really struggling I can sell the 4x4 and trailer until I get on my feet - being able to tow my horse is a luxury and I'll gladly admit that - if I was struggling it would be one of the first things to go (the car and trailer not my horse!)

my last bit of advice then i promise i'll leave you alone...i can see that dispite your current miss fortune that your heads in the right place....the kia sorrento..how do you know that it would be upto the job??the reason i ask is that the sorrento is basicly a 4x4 version of the sedona same engines anyway..and they couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding dispite what the brochure may say,,,could you test tow it before buying? also if you check ebay there's loads of sedona's and some sorrento's on there being sold as spares/repairs because of major mechanical failure...so please be cautiuos as to your next purchase or your vicious circle will expand...best wishes and good luck citykid

Kix

citykid5 wrote: »

my last bit of advice then i promise i'll leave you alone...i can see that dispite your current miss fortune that your heads in the right place....the kia sorrento..how do you know that it would be upto the job??the reason i ask is that the sorrento is basicly a 4x4 version of the sedona same engines anyway..and they couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding dispite what the brochure may say,,,could you test tow it before buying? also if you check ebay there's loads of sedona's and some sorrento's on there being sold as spares/repairs because of major mechanical failure...so please be cautiuos as to your next purchase or your vicious circle will expand...best wishes and good luck citykid

That's very interesting Citykid - my mechanic was actually trying to convince me that a Sedona was a good option for me (he drive one and loves it)

I know loads of people who to with a Sorento and it's one of the few cars that seems to have consistently good reviews (from those towing horseboxes anyway) and they are marketing it as a towing car and it has won a fair few towing awards but good to know there are potential issues!

Hmm - do you ever just feel that no matter what decision you make it will end up being the wrong one!

Hintza thanks for the info on the Jeep - that mpg is similar to the Shogun - I get about 330 miles for a full tank of fuel - not good when you're doing mainly short journeys!

osmodia

Well, you have got yourself in a pickle! I would suggest having your vehicle looked at by someone else and if reasonable get it fixed.
Perhaps later you can consider selling it privately.
As a matter of interest, what area are you in?