4x4 for under £5k??

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hi folks,

DH's beloved but ancient old car is looking as though it may not manage to stagger through its next MOT. He needs to upgrade anyway so it seems sensible to go for it now rather than try to nurse the car through the MOT.

So the plan is to look for a 4x4 or possibly a big estate car or a van. It isn't primarily for towing but we are thinking that long term we may want to tow a horse trailer.

What he really needs is something with massive interior load space first and foremost. Secondly he wants something that isn't going to cost a fortune to run as he's been used to a little hatchback! A towbar is important as he may need to get a trailer for business purposes in future and we'd like to get a horse trailer in the long term.

Off road capability is relevent as he does have to drive over show grounds in the mud to set up his trade stand, but it is perhaps 12 weekends a year the rest of the time the four wheel drive will be redundant.

Looks, comfort, name etc aren't important, his current car is pretty basic so expectations are low.

We will have my small diesel hatchback for long journeys,

The budget is low, likely to be less than £5000.

What would you lovely folk suggest we look at? Anything we should avoid?

Large glass of wine to all those who help!

Ta!

MrsTinks

Well depends on what his idea of affordable is on things like fuel We've had several 4x4's and the Hyundai Santa Fe can be pretty affordable - MPG about 25/30 depending on what you're doing in it... I've personally used it to tow out heavy vans stuck in the mud in the middle of a field and it just chugged on happily... You can pick themy be up for not that much money to be honest...
Pick a more basic version and it'll obviously be cheaper and you can get a towing hitch fitted if it doesn't come with one and the back seats can be folded down pretty easily for extra load space
We had one and our friend who's a vet had one and she's just upgraded to a newer lower milage one Insurance wasn't insane on them although no idea with the new prices what it'd be so do make sure you check that
Otherwise VW Passat Estate? Solid workhorses generally

Flying-High_2

What kind of weight would it be towing?... We've got freinds that manage with an X-Trail twin axle box and fair size horse... We tow ours well under weight but need something that'll pull 3.5ton and the rest at other times...

bigjl

Subaru Legacy Estate, plenty around the 5 grand mark that are in the much nicer shape from 2004 onwards.

They are very reliable, handle well, and will give better fuel consumption than any other 4x4, they will easily cope with the kind of work you need, they can tow a trailer easily, are stupidly reliable and have a large load area.

I had a new shape one from 2004/2008 and it was faultless, after the initial issue with brakes that affected most of the early ones which was rectified by changing pads compounds.

For your price you will get aircon and electric windows allround, plus almost faultless Subaru reliablity.

Flying-High_2

bigjl wrote: »

Subaru Legacy Estate, plenty around the 5 grand mark that are in the much nicer shape from 2004 onwards.

They are very reliable, handle well, and will give better fuel consumption than any other 4x4, they will easily cope with the kind of work you need, they can tow a trailer easily, are stupidly reliable and have a large load area.

I had a new shape one from 2004/2008 and it was faultless, after the initial issue with brakes that affected most of the early ones which was rectified by changing pads compounds.

For your price you will get aircon and electric windows allround, plus almost faultless Subaru reliablity.

Not huge towing capacity though... 1600kg on the 2.0 or 1800 on the 2.5 IRC... I looked at these for the GF but no use for what its needed for for us.

bigjl

I think it is around 1800 as you say, but surely you can get a single horse trailer that will be under that weight loaded?

However I have never towed a Horse so don't know the in and outs in all honesty.

But due to the looks I can't really recommend that big Subaru they made, the Tribeca I think it was called, that was ugly.

I suppose the only logical option is a Discovery, any other 4x4 in the under £5 grand section is going to be ropey, but the extra depreciation suffered by older Discos make them a better choice than a much older Jap 4x4.
A Defender would be too expensive, in that price you would be looking at a fairly old and knackered one.

Though if the 1600/1800 limit is enough then a Legacy would be my choice, or perhaps an Outback, but again I don't think they ca tow much more, if in factthey can tow anything extra.

Flying-High_2

bigjl wrote: »

I think it is around 1800 as you say, but surely you can get a single horse trailer that will be under that weight loaded?

However I have never towed a Horse so don't know the in and outs in all honesty.

But due to the looks I can't really recommend that big Subaru they made, the Tribeca I think it was called, that was ugly.

I suppose the only logical option is a Discovery, any other 4x4 in the under £5 grand section is going to be ropey, but the extra depreciation suffered by older Discos make them a better choice than a much older Jap 4x4.
A Defender would be too expensive, in that price you would be looking at a fairly old and knackered one.

Though if the 1600/1800 limit is enough then a Legacy would be my choice, or perhaps an Outback, but again I don't think they ca tow much more, if in factthey can tow anything extra.

Thing is at 1800kg a 2wd A6 Tdi avant will do that... And you'll get a decnt one of them at well under 5k and far more MPG... Is a 4wd really needed?

Landrovers other than the Freelanders are good for 3.5ton... Defenders are great off road but try doing distance in them... I'm 6'2 and I'm creased after doing a reasonable trip....

Hintza

bigjl wrote: »

However I have never towed a Horse so don't know the in and outs in all honesty.

Biggest problem tends to be te strain on the gearbox my sister borrowed my mothes CRV once (her Disco had broken down) it was smoking when it got home.

Other problems will be stopping.

OP needs to decide really wether horses are important or not. If they are then economical just doesnt come in to the equation.

As for getting into showgrounds they tend to have tractors on standby so if that is the only reason to have a 4x4 then I would probaly pass and just get a decent estate.

Wh05apk

If you need 4wd, then the old model Hyundai Santa fe would be a good buy, very reliable and well built, get the diesel NOT the 2.7 v6 unless mileage is minimal.

Just a thought, check the tachograph rules, as I believe if towing for business, then a lot of "normal" vehicles require tacho's when towing.

sillygoose

This will be just the job.. £4000

bigjl

Just had a thought, Nissan Terrano 2, with the unbreakable 2.7 td engine.

The santa fe is a strange looking thing, wouldn't touch a petrol, but didn't they do a decent diesel?


I still want to own a TD5 Discovery before I pop me clogs though.