Smartish petrol car with decent towing ability - up to £7k
Discussion
Currently have a 2004 Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 manual that is used as a bit of a shed - moving logs, big stuff etc. Also have a 2022 Mustang GT auto that is my 'main' car - I use this for work commuting and occasional client visits.
I do around 7k p/a in the Mustang, and less than 1k p/a in the Accord - I don't tend to use the Accord for work anymore as my commute (although only 16 miles each way) involves plenty of sitting in traffic and the auto in the Mustang is much better for this.
My plan is to replace the Accord with something that I can split the work mileage 50:50 with the Mustang - i.e. use the Mustang when the weather is decent, and the new car when it's crap. This will help keep the mileage down a bit on the Mustang and also reduce its exposure to our crap winter roads.
We've also got a couple of car projects on the go where the ability to tow a decent amount would be extremely useful. We currently use my in-laws 2008 Passat for this, but we are still limited on towing capacity.
So basically looking at a smartish petrol car (probably SUV) to do approx 4k miles p/a, that is comfortable doing the odd bit of towing. I have access to a 2-post lift and happy to work on my cars as needed, but would rather avoid corrosion if possible.
I keep coming back to 1st-gen Range Rover Sports, with either the 4.4 V8 or the 4.2 supercharged. I'm not too bothered by fuel economy as only going to be doing approx 4k miles p/a in it, but I'm aware these will likely go wrong consistently and expensively! However, I see them absolutely everywhere, so there must be something in them? The petrol V8s also seem to have less terminal issues than the diesels.
I prefer these over the L322 due to the lower roofline being a bit more practical (workshop access), and figured a petrol RRS is likely to have spent less time off road and the MOT history's of the ones I've seen for sale seem to bare this out in terms of having less corrosion than the L322s.
I know they have an interesting reputation, so I would be avoiding any with oversized wheels, dubious paint jobs, and excessively tinted windows.
Other things I've considered include:
-Jeep Grand Cheroke petrol (not as nice inside but likely more reliable?)
-1st Gen BMW X5 (more a 'jacked-up' 5 series and not all petrol versions as capable towing, rust)
-1st Gen Porsche Cayenne (V8s have terminal issues, 3.2 V6 underpowered?)
Is there anything else I need to be looking at (Japanese?), or is the RRS the obvious (ruinous) choice?! Most stuff in this class is diesel, and I am keen to avoid due to the small mileage I'll be doing.
I do around 7k p/a in the Mustang, and less than 1k p/a in the Accord - I don't tend to use the Accord for work anymore as my commute (although only 16 miles each way) involves plenty of sitting in traffic and the auto in the Mustang is much better for this.
My plan is to replace the Accord with something that I can split the work mileage 50:50 with the Mustang - i.e. use the Mustang when the weather is decent, and the new car when it's crap. This will help keep the mileage down a bit on the Mustang and also reduce its exposure to our crap winter roads.
We've also got a couple of car projects on the go where the ability to tow a decent amount would be extremely useful. We currently use my in-laws 2008 Passat for this, but we are still limited on towing capacity.
So basically looking at a smartish petrol car (probably SUV) to do approx 4k miles p/a, that is comfortable doing the odd bit of towing. I have access to a 2-post lift and happy to work on my cars as needed, but would rather avoid corrosion if possible.
I keep coming back to 1st-gen Range Rover Sports, with either the 4.4 V8 or the 4.2 supercharged. I'm not too bothered by fuel economy as only going to be doing approx 4k miles p/a in it, but I'm aware these will likely go wrong consistently and expensively! However, I see them absolutely everywhere, so there must be something in them? The petrol V8s also seem to have less terminal issues than the diesels.
I prefer these over the L322 due to the lower roofline being a bit more practical (workshop access), and figured a petrol RRS is likely to have spent less time off road and the MOT history's of the ones I've seen for sale seem to bare this out in terms of having less corrosion than the L322s.
I know they have an interesting reputation, so I would be avoiding any with oversized wheels, dubious paint jobs, and excessively tinted windows.
Other things I've considered include:
-Jeep Grand Cheroke petrol (not as nice inside but likely more reliable?)
-1st Gen BMW X5 (more a 'jacked-up' 5 series and not all petrol versions as capable towing, rust)
-1st Gen Porsche Cayenne (V8s have terminal issues, 3.2 V6 underpowered?)
Is there anything else I need to be looking at (Japanese?), or is the RRS the obvious (ruinous) choice?! Most stuff in this class is diesel, and I am keen to avoid due to the small mileage I'll be doing.
Can’t fault your logic OP. The original RRS are tough vehicles (body on chassis) and good at towing. You’re right, the petrols have a better reputation than the diesels. They will go wrong a bit, but spares supply is really good.
The 3.2v6 cayennes also a good choice. Have a look at RustyNissanPrairie’s thread on here. The poppopbangbang thread is also very positive about them
The 3.2v6 cayennes also a good choice. Have a look at RustyNissanPrairie’s thread on here. The poppopbangbang thread is also very positive about them
Thanks Tom. With how many Gen 1 RRS i still see on the road i figured there must be something to them.
Ill check out the threads you mentioned on the 3.2 v6 Cayennes. FIL has a 2nd gen v6 diesel 'S' that i use quite a bit and its superb. Its also immaculate so he understandably doesn't want to fit a towbar to it
One of those with a petrol engine would be perfect though but they are still a bit above my budget.
Ill check out the threads you mentioned on the 3.2 v6 Cayennes. FIL has a 2nd gen v6 diesel 'S' that i use quite a bit and its superb. Its also immaculate so he understandably doesn't want to fit a towbar to it
One of those with a petrol engine would be perfect though but they are still a bit above my budget.
Tom4398cc said:
Can t fault your logic OP. The original RRS are tough vehicles (body on chassis) and good at towing. You re right, the petrols have a better reputation than the diesels. They will go wrong a bit, but spares supply is really good.
The 3.2v6 cayennes also a good choice. Have a look at RustyNissanPrairie s thread on here. The poppopbangbang thread is also very positive about them
Spent a while last night reading through RustyNissanPrairie's thread on the 3.2 V6 Cayenne and I have to say I am now quite taken with the idea of one of those! The 3.2v6 cayennes also a good choice. Have a look at RustyNissanPrairie s thread on here. The poppopbangbang thread is also very positive about them
ML 350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
X5 30si:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603220...
3.6 Cayenne:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603250...
4.8 GTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603050...
4.2 Q7:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
X5 30si:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603220...
3.6 Cayenne:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603250...
4.8 GTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603050...
4.2 Q7:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603160...
ZX10R NIN said:
ML 350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
X5 30si:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603220...
3.6 Cayenne:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603250...
4.8 GTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603050...
4.2 Q7:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603160...
Some good suggestions.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
X5 30si:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603220...
3.6 Cayenne:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603250...
4.8 GTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603050...
4.2 Q7:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603160...
A V8 Cayenne really appeals, and would probably be my 1st choice were it not for the terminal bore issues. Looking online suggests these don't tend to get the fixes that some of the affected 911s get as the cost is just not economically viable. Not sure if I have the nerve to gamble on one in the knowledge it will be scrap if it starts using a lot of oil...
The V6 Cayenne might be the way to go, just the thought of getting worse fuel economy than my Mustang with such marginal performance puts me off slightly.
Squirrelofwoe said:
Some good suggestions.
A V8 Cayenne really appeals, and would probably be my 1st choice were it not for the terminal bore issues. Looking online suggests these don't tend to get the fixes that some of the affected 911s get as the cost is just not economically viable. Not sure if I have the nerve to gamble on one in the knowledge it will be scrap if it starts using a lot of oil...
The V6 Cayenne might be the way to go, just the thought of getting worse fuel economy than my Mustang with such marginal performance puts me off slightly.
If you're prepared to stretch the budget a bit & haggle hard, this ML63 could be an option:A V8 Cayenne really appeals, and would probably be my 1st choice were it not for the terminal bore issues. Looking online suggests these don't tend to get the fixes that some of the affected 911s get as the cost is just not economically viable. Not sure if I have the nerve to gamble on one in the knowledge it will be scrap if it starts using a lot of oil...
The V6 Cayenne might be the way to go, just the thought of getting worse fuel economy than my Mustang with such marginal performance puts me off slightly.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504101...
ZX10R NIN said:
If you're prepared to stretch the budget a bit & haggle hard, this ML63 could be an option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504101...
Those do have a certain appeal, but a bit rich for me for what i want it for. I'm ideally looking under £5k if possible- the less i have invested in it the easier it will be to walk away if something goes really bad!https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504101...
At around 5k I'd be looking at the X5 in 4.8 form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603291...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
Leftfield
Infiniti EX37 the 3.7 is proven & they're a smart car:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975362?_skw=Infin...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603291...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
Leftfield
Infiniti EX37 the 3.7 is proven & they're a smart car:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975362?_skw=Infin...
I used to tow with a Mercedes 280E (W124) and it was really good and comfy at towing - much better than the SUVs of the era (LR Disco 1 and Mitsubishi Pajero, for example). Times have moved on, but I suspect a Merc E class would still do a decent job and is available with reasonable large petrol engines as well as diesel, if you really preferred it.
paul_c123 said:
I used to tow with a Mercedes 280E (W124) and it was really good and comfy at towing - much better than the SUVs of the era (LR Disco 1 and Mitsubishi Pajero, for example). Times have moved on, but I suspect a Merc E class would still do a decent job and is available with reasonable large petrol engines as well as diesel, if you really preferred it.
Just reminded me, it was a Discovery 2 v8 petrol I had and thought would be useful as a tow wagon. 1 tonne legal capacity while the td5 was 4 tonnes.
Snow and Rocks said:
Doesitdrive said:
Just reminded me, it was a Discovery 2 v8 petrol I had and thought would be useful as a tow wagon.
1 tonne legal capacity while the td5 was 4 tonnes.
Both numbers sound wrong to me.1 tonne legal capacity while the td5 was 4 tonnes.
Pretty sure all UK Discovery 2s were rated to tow 3.5T.
ZX10R NIN said:
At around 5k I'd be looking at the X5 in 4.8 form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603291...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
Leftfield
Infiniti EX37 the 3.7 is proven & they're a smart car:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975362?_skw=Infin...
A v8 X5 is on the list to look at, just a shame its more restricted on outright towing capacity. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603291...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
Leftfield
Infiniti EX37 the 3.7 is proven & they're a smart car:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975362?_skw=Infin...
The Infinity is actually quite a good looking vehicle to my eyes and i always appreciate a left-field option (i daily drove a Starion for 4 years in the mid 2000s!), but not quite suited for what i want for this (size / towing capacity).
Current front-runner though is a V6 Cayenne from the cheaper (pre-2006) tax band. But may also look at a V8 if i can find one cheap enough to take a gamble on as i really like them.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff