Automotive wisdom sought...
Discussion
Hi... I thought I'd ask PistonHeads for some suggestions...
I have a car, with which I'm happy, but - recently - I've realized that (say once a month) it proves impractical to move something large that would (probably) fit in a small van, or large estate. My daily isn't the sort of car to which I'd want to add a tow bar.
This led me to think about getting an inexpensive second/spare vehicle... while I'm not yet convinced that this is my optimal solution... I am exploring my options. I am considering a 3-year window of ownership - during which time I expect to travel no more than 1,500 miles a year in it - probably making journeys at short notice at a weekend. I want to be able to carry full-sized pieces of plywood, 'full' lengths of timber and equipment of, perhaps, the size of a washing machine... I'd like it to have a tow bar, so - if I need to move something larger - I can. I've been thinking that it would be good if it were 4-wheel-drive... as, then, if we were to see deep snow one winter, it would avoid me being stranded without transport.
My objective (as this would be a utilitarian purchase) is to find an option with minimal overall cost - including purchase, road-tax, MOT/services - etc. I would be able to do basic maintenance myself... but don't want to get into any major repairs - I just don't have the resources to do that properly.
I've considered (all high-miles):
Am I missing any obvious choices? I'm not seeing much for sale - am I looking in the right places (Autotrader/Ebay?)
Ta, in advance, for any pointers/discussion.
Steve
I have a car, with which I'm happy, but - recently - I've realized that (say once a month) it proves impractical to move something large that would (probably) fit in a small van, or large estate. My daily isn't the sort of car to which I'd want to add a tow bar.
This led me to think about getting an inexpensive second/spare vehicle... while I'm not yet convinced that this is my optimal solution... I am exploring my options. I am considering a 3-year window of ownership - during which time I expect to travel no more than 1,500 miles a year in it - probably making journeys at short notice at a weekend. I want to be able to carry full-sized pieces of plywood, 'full' lengths of timber and equipment of, perhaps, the size of a washing machine... I'd like it to have a tow bar, so - if I need to move something larger - I can. I've been thinking that it would be good if it were 4-wheel-drive... as, then, if we were to see deep snow one winter, it would avoid me being stranded without transport.
My objective (as this would be a utilitarian purchase) is to find an option with minimal overall cost - including purchase, road-tax, MOT/services - etc. I would be able to do basic maintenance myself... but don't want to get into any major repairs - I just don't have the resources to do that properly.
I've considered (all high-miles):
- Land Rover Freelander (1&2) - [ Would cheap ones be expensive to keep running? ] - buy @ £800-£1500?
- Rav4 - buy @ £800-£2000?
- Nissan XTrail - buy @ £1200-£1500?
- Honda CRV - buy @ £1200-£2000?
- Vauxhall Frontera - buy @ £750?
Am I missing any obvious choices? I'm not seeing much for sale - am I looking in the right places (Autotrader/Ebay?)
Ta, in advance, for any pointers/discussion.
Steve
Come on ZX, don't be a stick-in-the-mud. OP wants to buy a car, not rent one every so often!!
In all seriousness though, ZX does have a point, as long as you get enough notice, you'd probably be better off getting to know your local, independent van rental place.
OTOH, if you are set on getting your own vehicle, personally, I'd be tempted to look at the "van with windows" type vehicle - Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner Teepee, Renault Kangoo or Fiat Doblo (the Fiat is the biggest I think) but most of these seem to have been adapted for wheelchair use which I guess you won't need. They do come up without though. Other options might be an old Xsara Picasso or Renault Scenic, or maybe even a Mazda 5.
None of those are 4/AWD though, so if you're dead set on that, of your list I (based purely on reputation) would exclude the Freelander and Frontera and stick with one of the Japanese options.
In addition to those, you could have a look at the older variants of the Hyundai Tucson & Santa Fe, or the Kia Sportage & Sorrento. Other options would be a non-turbo Subaru - Legacy, Forester or even an Impreza hatch if that would be big enough. or a Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara.
A really left-field choice would be an old Honda HRV, if you can find one. They are all a bit on the old side now, but they didn't sell very many and it seems like many of the ones that are still going have been well looked after - again, that's just really an impression that I get from looking at ads, rather than any direct experience.
As for where to look, I don't really look anywhere but AT and eBay, so good luck!
In all seriousness though, ZX does have a point, as long as you get enough notice, you'd probably be better off getting to know your local, independent van rental place.
OTOH, if you are set on getting your own vehicle, personally, I'd be tempted to look at the "van with windows" type vehicle - Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner Teepee, Renault Kangoo or Fiat Doblo (the Fiat is the biggest I think) but most of these seem to have been adapted for wheelchair use which I guess you won't need. They do come up without though. Other options might be an old Xsara Picasso or Renault Scenic, or maybe even a Mazda 5.
None of those are 4/AWD though, so if you're dead set on that, of your list I (based purely on reputation) would exclude the Freelander and Frontera and stick with one of the Japanese options.
In addition to those, you could have a look at the older variants of the Hyundai Tucson & Santa Fe, or the Kia Sportage & Sorrento. Other options would be a non-turbo Subaru - Legacy, Forester or even an Impreza hatch if that would be big enough. or a Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara.
A really left-field choice would be an old Honda HRV, if you can find one. They are all a bit on the old side now, but they didn't sell very many and it seems like many of the ones that are still going have been well looked after - again, that's just really an impression that I get from looking at ads, rather than any direct experience.
As for where to look, I don't really look anywhere but AT and eBay, so good luck!
I always like to have something that fits that exact sort of description the OP gave - a cheap load lugger multi purpose 3rd/4th car.
Something cheap that can spend most of the time not being used but not fall apart through lack of use.
Big enough to fit all sorts of stuff in, tow bar for occasional use towing car trailer/racing/rally car.
Cheap to fix, robust enough to be reliable at low budget, and something easy to fix/not too complex or fragile.
Won't rust away over a hard winter.
I recommend a Vauxhall Omega estate for the above.
If you look around you should find one that has had only a low number of owners, the ones I have had always seem to have been well looked after thanks to long term previous owners, and they are cheap as chips to buy.
The 2.2 petrol is the one that will give you least problems (as a cheap runner). The diesel ones are the highest price, the V6 petrols are the best to drive but cost more to run.
Along the way we have also bought things like V70, 940, 960 estate, Mondeo V6 and 2.0 TDci estate. Passat estates, X trail, CRV, Shogun V6, 5 series (525i), 3 series estate (320d, 320i, 330d, 330i), Avensis diesel estate, Alfa 156 estate.
Having tried all of these I'd still rate an Omega estate as a great budget all rounder - for the OP a clean well looked after Omega would work. Budget £600-£1,000 for a nice one.
Something cheap that can spend most of the time not being used but not fall apart through lack of use.
Big enough to fit all sorts of stuff in, tow bar for occasional use towing car trailer/racing/rally car.
Cheap to fix, robust enough to be reliable at low budget, and something easy to fix/not too complex or fragile.
Won't rust away over a hard winter.
I recommend a Vauxhall Omega estate for the above.
If you look around you should find one that has had only a low number of owners, the ones I have had always seem to have been well looked after thanks to long term previous owners, and they are cheap as chips to buy.
The 2.2 petrol is the one that will give you least problems (as a cheap runner). The diesel ones are the highest price, the V6 petrols are the best to drive but cost more to run.
Along the way we have also bought things like V70, 940, 960 estate, Mondeo V6 and 2.0 TDci estate. Passat estates, X trail, CRV, Shogun V6, 5 series (525i), 3 series estate (320d, 320i, 330d, 330i), Avensis diesel estate, Alfa 156 estate.
Having tried all of these I'd still rate an Omega estate as a great budget all rounder - for the OP a clean well looked after Omega would work. Budget £600-£1,000 for a nice one.
Okay here's my suggestions:
Mazda5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Ford Galaxy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Vauxhall Signum
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Saab 9-5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mazda5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Ford Galaxy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Vauxhall Signum
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Saab 9-5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
If it's once a month I'd just hire a van for the day, by the time you run insure & buy a vehicle you'd be two years into hiring a vehicle by the time hiring costs you more at which point your circumstances may have changed.
Agree, or even better there is usually a local ‘man with a van’ (masculine includes the feminine, and singular includes the plural...etc) who will oblige for the heavy stuff once every now and again.Exactly the position I was in. I drive a Lexus LS 400 and don't want a towbar, or to take it to the tip. I'm still renovating a house so I needed a cheapish workhorse. I bought a Skoda Octavia hatch 1.9tdi because it has a an incredible boot, does 50 ish to a gallon and does not have a DPF. I've had it over five years now and ot's been spot on. I also have winter tyres on it as my Lexus is RWD and has big fat tyres, ideal for sliding all over an icy road. I may Sorn the Lexus next month until the spring.
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