Best car for a vet - X3, defender, xc90 alternatives?

[977]

Hi all,

Just hoping for a bit of input as to what car you would recommend for an equine vet. Looked at a few options but these are the vanilla requirements:

~£18k or less, sub 50k miles
good fuel consumption (diesel)
tax
space for a good amount of kit
good cup holders
capable on farm tracks/modest off road/ploughed field
cruise control
dog proof interior
will tow a horsebox

We've looked at a few things, looks like the BMW X3 is the winner currently as it fits the majority of these but it is still a bit "in your face" for arriving on site. The XC90 is nice but the fuel consumption is heavy and it is a bit large really... XC70 seems to be a bit soft on the off road.

It will be kitted out with suitable winter tyres, and hybrid tyres for usual usage, but we would like to be able to take it on the motorway comfortably if we need 4 seats or the TVR is tucked up in the garage.

Is there anything we've not thought of which suits this impossible combination better?

sadly my requests for an ML55 fell on unimpressed ears...

[Epic Winning]

Range Rover?

[Seeker UK]

Honda CRV

[mattmurdock]

Skoda Yeti

[Tuvra]

Easy!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2430534.htm

[977]

Epic Winning said:

Range Rover?

Would be lovely in the same way the merc would be, but everything I'm looking at is way up on the capacity and I don't think we need more than 180 odd hp, which is easily provided by a 2.0 TDI in an X3... the range rover is built on 7 series components?

again, also a little poser-ish arriving on a yard... not that I want to offend anyone...

[HebdenHedgehog]

Subaru Legacy Outback. Perfect vet transport I'd have thought - plenty of space inside, great allrounder in any work / social situation, etc?

[Atlas 12v]

Disco 4 commercial?

[stevieb]

HebdenHedgehog said:

Subaru Legacy Outback. Perfect vet transport I'd have thought - plenty of space inside, great allrounder in any work / social situation, etc?

I would have suggested a newer Forester Diesel.. The Subaru seems to be at home either on the Farm or as a Vets runabout.

[sinizter]

- X5 rather than the X3 IMO. Can't be too much difference in fuel consumption, etc.
- Range Rover commercial (e.g. from Nene Overland) - if you don't need the rear seats and would prefer to have it as storage room.

Both should be able to tow whatever you need.

[The Wookie]

All the vets at our local place seem to drive Volvo XC70's if that helps you in any way.

I'd err away from the Defender unless you live somewhere particularly rural, and thus will have to access somewhere that would normally require a donkey or helicopter to reach

[sjg]

Worth looking at the caravanning mags/websites (just don't tell anyone!) as they run plenty of tests on towing vehicles.

Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, etc will all tow 2 tonnes (same as the X3), if you need more than that then there's stuff like the Hyundai Santa Fe which always seems to pick up mag towcar awards.

They're all better value than the others you've listed so one that's a year or two old will be in budget.

fwiw, my vet friend drives a Passat estate but then she doesn't need to drive anything more extreme than farm tracks.

[redgriff500]

Go for a 4x4 Estate

Outback
Forester
Allroad
XC60

[Egbert Nobacon]

Landcruiser Amazon TD.

Will do all you ask with aplomb, they don't look flash, rarely breakdown and will outlast anything else you have suggested.

The only compromise, due to your budget, maybe on mileage - but these things will cover 200k with ease so it's not anything to worry about.

[excel monkey]

Navara/L200 with a hard top?

Would meet the "dog proof" and "good for towing" requirements.

Dunno about the image though. Discreet enough if you get one in National Trust green, with no lairy bodykit?

[Ranger 6]

Range Rover - not a recent one for that budget although it would be good in the mud.

X3 - yes, you've captured the key point - tyres. With the right ones the 4wd is OK for what you suggest. When rallying I run mine on the OEM 17" Pirelli Scorpions which cope OK with most tracks and conditions. Ideally I would get a more AT type tyre but only used a couple of times a year it's fine for what I need. Winters are Michelin Latitude Alpins - highly recommended

I would recommend the 3.0d as the 2.0d can get a bit wheezy when stretched and if you can find one the sports suspension delete gives some extra compliance to what is a firm ride. There are a couple of folk on here with the 3.0sd, a bit of a rocket ship by all accounts.

Image - Lots of people assume it's an X5 and subsequently assume that you're loaded but that's very different to turning up in a RR and they assume it's £80k you've just spent. The Volvo doesn't have a very good turning circle and having seen them in the snow with only the front wheels turning I suggest you may have issues with traction in the muddy bits.

Other than that mine's been superb - after 5 years and 55k miles we're now looking ahead for one of the new ones when they begin depreciating enough to be affordable.

[edo]

£18,995
2006 AUDI Allroad 2.7 TDI Quattro Tip
Trade Seller: Audi Vw Centre

5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Diesel, 45,000 miles, Grey, 2 Owners. Condor Grey, Telephone Prep, Full Service History, Climate Control, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Half Leather Seats, Radio/CD, Multi-function Steering wheel, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Multi Airbags, Cruise control, Foglights, Heated seats, Remote central Locking, Chrome Roof Rails, Bose Sound System, Centre Armrest, Auto Lights, Automatic Windscreen Wipers, Heated door mirrors, PAS, ABS, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Immobiliser, Electric door mirrors, Traction control, 12 Months Warranty. Insurance Group:15, open 7 days a week, £18,995

[edo]

BMW warranty for piece of mind. Nice spec with Nav etc.

2006 BMW X3 3.0d 2993 cc M Sport
Trade Seller: Jct600

5 Doors, Automatic, 4x4, Diesel, 29,507 miles, Titanium Silver, Black Ambiente Leather, Automatic Gearbox, Leather interior, Navigation-system Professional, Alarm system (Thatcham 1), Exterior parts in body colour, Exterior trim. high-gloss Shadowline, First Aid Kit & Triangle, Headlight wash, Headlining. Anthracite, M aerodynamic bodystyling, M Steering Wheel, Multi-function controls for s'wheel, Park Distance Control (PDC). front and r, Rain sensor with auto. headlight activat, Rear-view mirror. auto dimming 4WD. £18,990

[Vladimir Pukin]

I quite like X3s. I did own one for a while, and the new one is pretty good from what I've read.
But that aero styling kit is really, really ugly! - The phrase 'bulldog chewing a wasp comes to mind'.

[GKP]

Check the allowable towing weights for some of the smaller car mentioned here. They might be far too lightweight for transporting a couple of horses.

Disco LR3 would seem to tick all of your required boxes.