best economy 4x4 - help please

deadhead02

I am hoping to afford to replace my ancient Shogun this year but am not sure with what.

(I tow a horse box so a sturdy (heavy) 4x4 is essential before anyone slates me)

With spiralling tax and fuel costs and a bad paid job I need to have the most economical possible and get flummoxed by all the sites offering advice so thought I'd try here.

I am hoping to buy a car about 3 years old not brand new - looking at land rover defender or discovery, shogun, izuzu trooper, nissan etc.

I welcome any advice you can offer me - thank you in advance...

Gene_Hunt_2

What do you need/want if for?

deadhead02

Gene_Hunt wrote: »

What do you need/want if for?

I need it to drive about in and occasionally take my horse places - I use dreadful unmade roads and occasionally wet fields but not true off roading escapades!

alleycat`

The bit that says tow a horse box would be my guess

Something like a santa fe which is 2wd most of the time (but can do lockable 4wd) might be suitable and should have a couple of years of that warranty they keep banging on about?

hubert_cumberdale

ride the horse lol

i would get a toyota hilux the new ones are pretty smart think they do a crew cab one too

deadhead02

alleycat` wrote: »

The bit that says tow a horse box would be my guess

Something like a santa fe which is 2wd most of the time (but can do lockable 4wd) might be suitable and should have a couple of years of that warranty they keep banging on about?

I have just looked up the Sante fe as never even heard of one! This is what I found on Horse and Hound page -

I have just googled the Hyundai and the towing capacity seems to be between 2000kg - 2200kg.
This would technically be too light to tow an IW505 as the loaded trailer weight is plated at 2340kg

Shame as the caravan fraternity appear to really rate it. My Shogun is mostly in 2 wheel drive which is a great fuel saving so yes that idea definitely appeals for next car.

Lum

How about a Subaru Legacy/Outback with the diesel engine? Should return around 50mpg when it doesn't have the horse attached.

Edit: Just seen the above post. Surprised a horsebox for a single horse is plated for that much and not sure what the Legacy is rated for.

Is a smaller or lighter horsebox an option?

hubert_cumberdale

how much does a horse weigh

deadhead02

Lum wrote: »

How about a Subaru Legacy/Outback with the diesel engine? Should return around 50mpg when it doesn't have the horse attached.

Edit: Just seen the above post. Surprised a horsebox for a single horse is plated for that much and not sure what the Legacy is rated for.

Is a smaller or lighter horsebox an option?

I have a fairly light weight trailer already - Ifor Williams 2 horse trailer, my horse is about 500kgs. I rarely tow 2 horses but need a car that can just in case! Seems the Outback is well up to it - thanks for that pointer!

Gene_Hunt_2

deadhead02 wrote: »

Shame as the caravan fraternity appear to really rate it. My Shogun is mostly in 2 wheel drive which is a great fuel saving so yes that idea definitely appeals for next car.

The Nissan Navara is 2 wheel dive most of the time so no doubt the others will be the same.

Lum

deadhead02 wrote: »

I have a fairly light weight trailer already - Ifor Williams 2 horse trailer, my horse is about 500kgs. I rarely tow 2 horses but need a car than can just in case! Seems the Outback is well up to it - thanks for that pointer!

Might want to look at the Forester too, though I don't think that got the diesel engine until a bit later, so possibly too new for you. It's a bit smaller and squarer but still regarded as a good tower.

I like the Legacy though, because it doesn't look like a 4x4 so when you take it into town you're less likely to get the Chelsea tractor stigma.