Recommend an economical car that can tow?

pulliptears

OH has a new job (great news!) bad news is it is a 120 mile round trip. Our current PT Cruiser CRD is becoming expensive with high miles etc so we are looking to replace it. This is what we are looking for:

We have a budget of around £8k so won't be looking new.
Needs to be economical with fuel consumption
Needs to be able to tow our old 1035kg Caravan (this is a must, with a very poorly doggie now who needs to be with us 24/7 this will be our only holiday!)

Open to all suggestions, I think OH is looking towards focus 1.6 tdci or astra/vectra equivalents but I think there is more out there he's ignoring!

Thanks all
x

Lessbutbetter

I'd consider an Audi A3 2.0 TDi around 2006/7 for that money. Very economical considering the size of the engine, plenty of torque to pull your 2nd home on wheels, and also great looking, and beautifully finished inside. If you had the audi, the ford focus and astra/vectra beside each other to inspect each and then have a test drive, you wouldnt even consider the others. I bet £1 whole british pound on it!

Hope this helps

Hintza

I don't think a Focus/Astra will be much fun towing over a tonne. If I were you I would be looking more at Mondeo/Vectra/Passat/A4 sized car.

getmore4less

What about a super cheap economical commuter and a second as a load lugger doing very low mileage.


Do you have a car?
What mileage do you do?

freakybacon

Skoda Octavia.

pulliptears

getmore4less wrote: »

What about a super cheap economical commuter and a second as a load lugger doing very low mileage.


Do you have a car?
What mileage do you do?

We don't have room for another car thats the issue. I have a clio which I use for work/kids etc, its a 99 1.4RT, worth nothing really but its costing nothing to keep at present so I'm unwilling to get rid. As OH will need a reasonable car for business purposes trading with him isn't an option as showing up to clients with a tatty clio covered in Lord of the rings stickers probably doesn't give much of an impression .

His current car is the 2.2CRD Cruiser with 130k on the clock (not much for a diesel admittedly but fuel economy isn't brilliant and it seems to spend more time in bits lately)

Premier_2

I would suggest an economical small (ish) car for the daily commute ... and with the money you save on petrol hire a bigger car with towing capability for your 2 weeks hols

getmore4less

pulliptears wrote: »

We don't have room for another car thats the issue. I have a clio which I use for work/kids etc, its a 99 1.4RT, worth nothing really but its costing nothing to keep at present so I'm unwilling to get rid. As OH will need a reasonable car for business purposes trading with him isn't an option as showing up to clients with a tatty clio covered in Lord of the rings stickers probably doesn't give much of an impression .

His current car is the 2.2CRD Cruiser with 130k on the clock (not much for a diesel admittedly but fuel economy isn't brilliant and it seems to spend more time in bits lately)

How often is he doing customers? could try swapping for a bit, he could park round the corner at customers and walk the last bit or borrow/hire if not that often.

If you are doing low mileage it would make more sense for you to use the larger vehicle and OH a smaller economical one. so maybe look at changing both

Have you looked at hireing just for the towing holidays.

agree Octavia would be a good choice the 1.9pd or 2.0pd pull like trains.

wba31

Honda Accord Estate, 2.2 diesel... brilliant car. very economical on a long journey. great engine. very reliable. £125 a year tax.

pulliptears

Swapping cars isn't an option really, time for the PT to go (been nothing but trouble this last 2 months anyway!). Getmore4less, I do low miles, very low. So low that my T reg clio has 29k on the clock. I wouldn't sell it because its so economical and its now costing me nothing really. I've just started a new job as well though so my miles will improve.

OH's Dad has given him the money for his new car as he bought his sister one some years ago, so we are happy to get rid of the PT and find something reasonable to replace it.
Thanks all

LandyAndy

pulliptears wrote: »

We don't have room for another car thats the issue. I have a clio which I use for work/kids etc, its a 99 1.4RT, worth nothing really but its costing nothing to keep at present so I'm unwilling to get rid. As OH will need a reasonable car for business purposes trading with him isn't an option as showing up to clients with a tatty clio covered in Lord of the rings stickers probably doesn't give much of an impression .

His current car is the 2.2CRD Cruiser with 130k on the clock (not much for a diesel admittedly but fuel economy isn't brilliant and it seems to spend more time in bits lately)

A PT Cruiser probably doesn't give a great impression either:D.

I also think you'd be better off with something bigger than a Focus/Astra for towing the 'van.