Does this car exist?

[Emubiker]

Ok, im looking for a tow car which MUST be able to tow at least 1300kg. It must also be able to manage 45mpg+ on the combined, not have any mechanical issues, have an MOT that runs untill at least September (tax not so important), not due major service and finally, cost less than £1000.

I know its a hard one but I haven't found one yet which could fit the bill, all have failed on at least one aspect.

Car does not need to be exciting in anyway, nor have a load of gadgets.

Help appreciated.

Ben

[R12HCO]

Its the MPG that cuts virtually all options out.

[anonymous-user]

Does it also need to fly and make you irresistable to the ladies as well???


seriously, i think that's going to be a hard ask, i could imagine some old rwd big engined barges being cheap enough and towing enough, but anything with 45mpg isn't going to be a great tow car (well not for £1k)

old volvo 740's etc would easily tow that, but only get 30mpg etc

Best bet i reckon is an 325tds E36 BMW, will deffo tow that mass and get reasonable mpg the rest of the time, but can't immagine it's within your budget.

[W00DY]

A Passat 1.9 TDI would probably be your best bet.

[Emubiker]

I have seen a few rover 75's within the price range and only failing on the "needing major service". Others I have looked at have been golfs (mk3) who again only fail on the towing weight as they can only manage 1200kg and my trailer and car weigh 1270kg but the mk4's are above my price range. Current rover 45 can only tow 1000kg. Passats are a good shout actually, I have seen a couple but again no history on most or about due major service. The volvo diesels also seem to be higher up in the price range. The MPG figure isnt that difficult to acheive, but its the weight limit price that are.

[chrisispringles]

What about a 2.0 TD Ford Mondeo? It does 47mpg or so on the combined cycle and has a max. towing weight of 1500kgs and can be had for that sort of money. Not sure about the dual mass fly wheels or service intervals, but worth a look IMO.

[littleandy0410]

What about Peugeot 406 HDI or Citroen equivalent?

No idea on towing weights though.

[Jem0911]

chrisispringles said:

What about a 2.0 TD Ford Mondeo? It does 47mpg or so on the combined cycle and has a max. towing weight of 1500kgs and can be had for that sort of money. Not sure about the dual mass fly wheels or service intervals, but worth a look IMO.

This.
We have an 04 model but you can get a reasonable 01 model for that money.

[Zad]

Basically the towing weight of a vehicle is the weight of the vehicle itself. I guess that's not always the case, but its a decent rule of thumb.

[SD1992]

chrisispringles said:

What about a 2.0 TD Ford Mondeo? It does 47mpg or so on the combined cycle and has a max. towing weight of 1500kgs and can be had for that sort of money. Not sure about the dual mass fly wheels or service intervals, but worth a look IMO.

I don't think the older mk3 TDDIs suffer from the clutch and DMF failures as much as the newer TDCIs, but I have no idea about the towing weights. They are also much cheaper, but also nto as refined. Supposed to be very reliable though.

[eltax91]

Octavia TDi. All the way.

[Jem0911]

eltax91 said:

Octavia TDi. All the way.

For a bag of sand?

[eltax91]

Jem0911 said:

For a bag of sand?

I reckon my MY2000 can only be worth about that now. Ok its got 170k under its belt, so something higher mileage would fit in budget I'd guess.

[Jem0911]

eltax91 said:

I reckon my MY2000 can only be worth about that now. Ok its got 170k under its belt, so something higher mileage would fit in budget I'd guess.

You're right there are a couple on the trader.
Only Sdi models don't know their max tow weight.

[calibrax]

Not that many half decent diesels about for under a grand to be honest, never mind meeting all the other criteria! Diesels are fetching good prices at the moment, due to their lower fuel running costs compared to their equivalent petrol cars.

[mikey k]

Curve ball
Subaru Legacy Spec B with LPG

[Jem0911]

mikey k said:

Curve ball
Subaru Legacy Spec B with LPG

Again.
For a thousand pounds?

[Ricky_M]

This may be worth a look, not sure on towing weight, but FSH and 12 Months MOT.

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

ETA: 1600kg braked towing weight according to Parkers.

Edited by Ricky_M on Sunday 13th March 17:40

[warmfuzzies]

Audi 80TDI with factory fitted towbar, 1500kgs and over 50mpg if driven reasonably, 55+ if really gentle.

I sold mine to Andy from Leeds, who proceeded to tow a caravan across Spain, and got 38mpg doing so. It cost him the grand total of £425 from me. Bargain.

k

[Emubiker]

Ah yea, I know andy from leeds That saab is very tempting, and exactly what I'm looking for. plus its a bit cool too. Only reason it the car needs to be under a grand is due to me being likely to spend around £7,000 this year on my hobby so other luxuries are needing to go