Find my mate a car please - large family job

[joebongo]

Hi All,

My mate is a bit of a nobber when it comes to cars and I think he's nearly been lured into an old-ish Merc ML270 CDi (which had a flat battery when he went to see it at the dealers but even this isn't ringing any bells with him). He had a few 4x4s on his list which he insists is for the weight for towing the caravan he has but I think he's a bit sold on being an urban 4x4 driver.

Now he's got 3500 to spend or thereabouts (what the ML is being offered to him for) and has the following requirements:

1. 7 seater cos he can't keep his willy in his trousers and has lots of children.
2. All seats need to be front facing.
3. Preferably the rearmost seats aren't the boot therefore not using the kids as a crumple zone would be best.
4. Needs to pull 1600kg caravan without destroying the gearbox.
5. Location is Worthing nr Brighton and he doesn't want to go too far if it's a dealer job in case he needs to use warranty that comes with the car.
6. Reliability is important too.

I get the impression he's not looking at private sales due to the risk involved (and his lack of knowledge of whether a car is a good one or not).

I'm going to send him a link to this thread tomorrow when I get to work so he can see the replies - sorry I can't reply myself tonight if anyone replies as I'm up early for work.

Cheers,

Joe

[dav123a]

What about a Discovery or shogun

[DavidY]

Volvo xc90 will meet the criteria and has a boot the size of a Small African Country, meaning that the kids in the back are not sat on the tailgate. Maybe difficult to get one at that budget.

For reliability I would say a Shogun, but the rear seats are closer to the tailgate.

[Codswallop]

Three more reliable 4x4s to consider;
Isuzu Trooper
Toyota Land Cruiser
Nissan Patrol

Would most probably be better to get an MPV for that budget though - Seat Alhambra/ Ford Galaxy or the like. Kia Sedona may be worth a look too due to likely dirt cheap prices.

[DavidY]

personally I wouldn't want to tow a 1600kg caravan unless the tow car weighed at least 2 tons, that would rule out MPVs.

[oldcynic]

DavidY said:

personally I wouldn't want to tow a 1600kg caravan unless the tow car weighed at least 2 tons, that would rule out MPVs.

Depends on the type of towing. Strenuous Cornish hills & lanes may be a problem but anything more straightforward wouldn't worry me. Bear in mind the vehicle will have a full complement of passengers and a roof box on top.

Our recently ditched Alhambra had a towing limit of 2000 KG so well within limits, although I think ours was a friday afternoon job - probably after a few lunchtime drinks! However with personal experience of taking 5 kids on holiday I would advise something like VW Caravelle or Transit Connect - if anything worth having can be found for the price. We resorted to taking two cars on holiday despite having a full size MPV.

[lexusboy]

Diesel Previa?

[Iang84]

lexusboy said:

Diesel Previa?

Only if its the english version the imports have a habit of warping the heads I would still go for the petrol though as it has 30bhp extra over the 2.0l diesel

[lexusboy]

Iang84 said:

Only if its the english version the imports have a habit of warping the heads I would still go for the petrol though as it has 30bhp extra over the 2.0l diesel

I'd rather have the torque for towing the caravan but that's me

[McHaggis]

joebongo said:

Location is Worthing nr Brighton and he doesn't want to go too far if it's a dealer job in case he needs to use warranty that comes with the car.

Well if he buys a £40k car, used, for £3500, he won't be using that warranty... it'll be worthless.

Tell him, if nothing else, to treat a £3500 purchase of a high end car as if it was a private sale; he will then not be disappointed.

How about a Mercedes Vito?

[Pontoneer]

Look no further

http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&...

W124 is a properly built Mercedes ( unlike ML which is a pile of ***** ) and the ones Nick sells are the best of the best .

It will be reliable , can easily tow his caravan ( I've had three and towed large twin axle vans with them , know others who do too ) without breaking down . Seats in the back are rear facing , but kids will love it ; bodyshell was designed with these seats in mind so safety assured as not crumple zone .

These are the best option within his price range ( although some S124s are now beyond his budget due to rarity and demand ) .

Edited by Pontoneer on Thursday 23 August 06:58

[Veeayt]

Pontoneer said:

Look no further

http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&...

OP said said:

2. All seats need to be front facing.

[Pontoneer]

Veeayt said:

Pontoneer said:

Look no further

http://www.w124.co.uk/carsforsale.php?page=detail&...

OP said said:

2. All seats need to be front facing.

I ignored that bit since it is a silly stipulation and he's not going to get everything he wants within budget , besides S124 is a far better car than anything else suggested , and this vendor is in Brighton , so very local to the guy .

Edited by Pontoneer on Thursday 23 August 07:09

[Iang84]

lexusboy said:

I'd rather have the torque for towing the caravan but that's me

The 2.4 has got plenty of torque never stopped my dad towing and having the motor fully loaded with people and luggage, it has even used it to tow my uncles fully loaded LWB transit when he broke down.

[excel monkey]

At this price, he'll get a newer and better quality MPV than a 4x4.

A diesel Galaxy/Sharan/Alhambra would be the obvoius choice, or a Mk2 Previa for a bit more space.