best economy 4x4 - help please

bigjl

As LUM has stated if an Outback can tow what you need to tow then there is little to touch it, solid build, some extra ground clearance relatively good residuals and above all if you are happy to have a manual gearbox, no auto available yet, the boxer diesel is an economical engine. Some say it needs revving, but if you go to this website tuning-diesels they have a page all about their Outback research car. http://www.tuning-diesels.com/Subaru/subhome.htm

The advantage you have is that if you go for a 3 yr old you can get the nicer looking old shape, have seen a new Legacy estate and it has "challenging" looks, I assume they are going to "improve" the Outback on a similar way.

The new shape Forester may be around at your price. It is a very good towcar aswell, but has more traditional styling.

maxheadroom

The towcapacity of the legacy and foresters is far too little think arount 1800 to 2000 kg dep on model so you will only tow the cheval 1000/2000 series trailers with that or an IWT single (reasearched this one and found it was easier to hire a renault master based box for the occasional move)

As an aside IWT will down plate their trailers perhaps you could investigate that as may open a larger number of vehicles up to you.

edit oh just seen bateson now do a lightweight one as well

bigjl

maxheadroom wrote: »

The towcapacity of the legacy and foresters is far too little think arount 1800 to 2000 kg dep on model so you will only tow the cheval 1000 series trailers with that (reasearched this one and found it was easier to hire a renault master based box for the occasional move)

As an aside IWT will down plate their trailers perhaps you could investigate that as may open a larger number of vehicles up to you.

Thats a pity if it isn't enough for the OP, they are a very underated car. I have heard the bloke the nicked my Legacy found it handled well, and rated the reliability and build quality when he stripped it for spares.

Which is the only fly in the Subaru ointment, parts can be expensive, very little in the way of pattern parts, but that may explain why they tend to run and run.

deadhead02

maxheadroom wrote: »

The towcapacity of the legacy and foresters is far too little think arount 1800 to 2000 kg dep on model so you will only tow the cheval 1000/2000 series trailers with that or an IWT single (reasearched this one and found it was easier to hire a renault master based box for the occasional move)

As an aside IWT will down plate their trailers perhaps you could investigate that as may open a larger number of vehicles up to you.

edit oh just seen bateson now do a lightweight one as well

I already own a 2 horse IWT so not replacing trailer only car - the legacy outback appears to take enough weight though not the Forrester - I thank you all as the forum is opening up new ideas for me!

deadhead02

bigjl wrote: »

Thats a pity if it isn't enough for the OP, they are a very underated car. I have heard the bloke the nicked my Legacy found it handled well, and rated the reliability and build quality when he stripped it for spares.

Which is the only fly in the Subaru ointment, parts can be expensive, very little in the way of pattern parts, but that may explain why they tend to run and run.

I have the same with my Shogun - expensive repairs but not too many of them! Although my existing old car is supposed to be fine I find it really notices the trailer whereas my Discovery ploughed on and I never knew I was towing - but the fuel econony is so much better in the Shogun...

bigjl

deadhead02 wrote: »

I already own a 2 horse IWT so not replacing trailer only car - the legacy outback appears to take enough weight though not the Forrester - I thank you all as the forum is opening up new ideas for me!

If that is the case I think you will struggle to find a car as good as an Outback.

The GP's and Vets in Scotland that use them can't be doing it for fashion.

They are also fairly popular in Aus and NZ.
The new ones, from 2003/4 on, are very well put together. Though I would have one with leather. I think mose, if not all, Outbacks came with leather.


Had a check, a diesel one will tow 1700kg braked and a 3.0 petrol will tow 2000kg braked.

Don't overlook buying a 3.0 and the getting it converted to LPG, but don't forget the FlashLube.

Gene_Hunt_2

bigjl wrote: »

Though I would have one with leather. I think mose, if not all, Outbacks came with leather.

Fitted on some dockside in Bristol.

bigjl

Gene_Hunt wrote: »

Fitted on some dockside in Bristol.

Not sure what you mean by that?

Don't remember my Legacy being finished off in Bristol.

But then if they can put in an interior as rattle free and hard wearing as they have done then I am fine with that. I don't care if the Dealer fits it, so long as it is well put together.

maxheadroom

Agree bigjl they are awesome vehicles, now have five in the extended family and it all started with me and a cheap high mileage forester with a yrs tax an test off ebay as a temp stop gap. Still going strong 5yrs later and with 310000 miles on the clock!

Inactive

bigjl wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by that?

Don't remember my Legacy being finished off in Bristol.

But then if they can put in an interior as rattle free and hard wearing as they have done then I am fine with that. I don't care if the Dealer fits it, so long as it is well put together.

Them Japs know how to make proper cars..