What car, and not your usual for me. Tow car...

[vauxh al]

Looking at getting a race car, the road leagal route is going to be a PITA, so I need a car to tow with. Gotta be lighter than the disco as it puts me over 3.5 ton with car and trailer.

So I would like a decent estate car to tow with, not too bothered on petrol or diesel, as its prob going to be around 10k pa. Something with comforts and toys would be nice, and not gutless to pull with either. 2.5k budget really. I don't like mundeos other than that I'm pretty open. Although Saab appeal, but I need something reliable and not going to leave me by the roadside with car in tow etc.

My though's are

Late E39 530d ( http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bmw-... leggy though? )
Mazda 6 circa 2004
Volvo? LPG T5?

Edited by vauxh al on Saturday 12th March 07:02

[kiwifraser]

02 onwards Mondeo Estate's are super cheap, and have a surprisingly huge towing and carrying capacity.
Eta: Worth a look even if you don't like them, as a £1250 tow car leaves extra money for the race car...

V70 2.4 or D5 is perfect if you plan on big weekend miles in real comfort

Edited by kiwifraser on Saturday 12th March 07:13

[john_r]

Have assumed estate or 4x4 so you can carry the mountain of stuff you have to take racing!

Cracking tow car...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Freebender?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Grand Vitara - they go forever, pennies to run and are one of the only 'soft roaders' to have a full ladder chassis...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Jerry Can]

a BMW is a good bet, towed with a few myself.

But what I would say is that for ease of towing (because it is such a bind) i would go for a turbo diesel auto with cruise control. then you can just set the cruise to XX mph and all you have to do is steer.

hth.

[shimmey69]

Jerry Can said:

a BMW is a good bet, towed with a few myself.

But what I would say is that for ease of towing (because it is such a bind) i would go for a turbo diesel auto with cruise control. then you can just set the cruise to XX mph and all you have to do is steer.

hth.

Or XXX mph in Als case!!!

[wackojacko]

Jag X type diesel , very good value. Saloon still good


Old mondeo ST200

Volvo D5 of some sort ?

[vauxh al]

Anyone familiar with Vauxhall Signum?

[john_r]

vauxh al said:

Anyone familiar with Vauxhall Signum?

Lots of toys and look like a bargain, but...

Had one as a loaner a couple of times.

Thirsty, small fuel tank and huge turning circle.

Brakes very prone to fading as they weigh over 2000kg but have Vectra brakes. An enthusiastic run through Milton Keynes has the pedal on the floor after 4 or 5 roundabouts! And that was a brand new Elite spec!

We banned them as company cars due to reliability issues at my old company.

[y2blade]

I'd be looking at something like a Volvo V70/S80 D5

[john_r]

Alex!
http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C214507/

[bmwdrivernigel]

john_r said:

Alex!
http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C214507/

Class & practicality.

[john_r]

http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C205984/

[vauxh al]

I was looking at w124's but the mpg would be terrible.

Passat looks ok, do fancy auto though. Need to hunt out the price of D5 volvo's and or some more of those a4 tdi v6.

[vauxh al]

What about 530 petrols?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

These 2.5 Audi are appealing too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Diesel Avant, Auto, 5 seats, 5 doors, Diesel, 24 V

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Diesel Avant, Auto, 5 seats, 5 doors, Diesel, 12 V

Edited by vauxh al on Saturday 12th March 19:09

[Dave 500]

How much does your race car and trailer weigh together?

I used my old T5 to tow the Rover to and from the track a few times and it was rubbish. I think the total weight together was around1400 kilos but the Volvo got pulled all over the place, MPG was rubbish 6mpg on the hill coming out of Henley.

Also out of interest why can't you drive a car+trailer over 3.5 tonnes?

[john_r]

vauxh al said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Diesel Avant, Auto, 5 seats, 5 doors, Diesel, 12 V

That is a cracking find!

[vauxh al]

My licence is porst 96, cannot even drive a mini bus on it! You only get cat b when you pass.

The Audi looks good, hoping to get hold of the owner and arrange a viewing. Also have a 530d I like, but it's a manual.

[vauxh al]

What are Saab like?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Saab-9-5-3-0-V6-DIESEL-...