A Diesel Car for Towing?
Discussion
Not to spark a petrol / diesel debate but my father is looking to change an old petrol Avensis to a more modern and 'economical' diesel car. Equally, he has a requirement to tow a trailer 2 - 3 times per month and so it's the sensible way to go for him - especially with a motorway commute in the weekdays.
He was asking for suggestions and has been currently looking at a Mondeo ST (TDCI) and Focus as well. A chap suggested an older Audi A4 Avant (1.9 TDI 130 Sport) and that seems like a good shout if there is a decent one within his budget.
Looking at around £3500 - £4500 realistically. I think the Focus has him tempted but he wanted some advice or other suggestions first before he starts to go and narrow down his search. He is aware of potential trouble of buying an older / higher mileage diesel (like DMF, clutch, injectors etc.) so I just ask you please be honest if you feel a particular model is 'more' unreliable or prone to needing work doing rather than a blanket "Don't buy it cause it'll break!". He does a lot of self service and is handy with a spanner so I imagine whatever car he plumps for will be well looked after to try and prolong it's life (he's no boy racer!) The poor Avensis has just clocked 205k miles without any dealer service history whatsoever and nothing but the need for a new exhaust, tyres, brakes and usual oil, filter and plug changes... told him not to expect that again!!
Cheers!
He was asking for suggestions and has been currently looking at a Mondeo ST (TDCI) and Focus as well. A chap suggested an older Audi A4 Avant (1.9 TDI 130 Sport) and that seems like a good shout if there is a decent one within his budget.
Looking at around £3500 - £4500 realistically. I think the Focus has him tempted but he wanted some advice or other suggestions first before he starts to go and narrow down his search. He is aware of potential trouble of buying an older / higher mileage diesel (like DMF, clutch, injectors etc.) so I just ask you please be honest if you feel a particular model is 'more' unreliable or prone to needing work doing rather than a blanket "Don't buy it cause it'll break!". He does a lot of self service and is handy with a spanner so I imagine whatever car he plumps for will be well looked after to try and prolong it's life (he's no boy racer!) The poor Avensis has just clocked 205k miles without any dealer service history whatsoever and nothing but the need for a new exhaust, tyres, brakes and usual oil, filter and plug changes... told him not to expect that again!!
Cheers!
The mass of the trailer is crucial !
In the real world, with a trailer, the advantages of RWD (or even 4wd if you're really heading off piste) should not be ignored. It wasn't for nothing that the BMW 330d won "Tow car of the year" about 5 times running. (and of course the Disco3/4 won "Tow massive-heavy-4x4-SUV-thingy of the year an equal number of times.... ;-)
In the real world, with a trailer, the advantages of RWD (or even 4wd if you're really heading off piste) should not be ignored. It wasn't for nothing that the BMW 330d won "Tow car of the year" about 5 times running. (and of course the Disco3/4 won "Tow massive-heavy-4x4-SUV-thingy of the year an equal number of times.... ;-)
Just checked - he just said at a guess he'll be towing around 800 - 900kg with a trailer - but in future this may also include a caravan from time to time which is around the 1150kg mark.
The weights are based on what he tows currently with his 1.8 Avensis and he doesn't see that changing much apart from possibly a caravan.
The weights are based on what he tows currently with his 1.8 Avensis and he doesn't see that changing much apart from possibly a caravan.
Anatonic said:
Sounds good that does!
He's not fussy about 'looking cool' and the estate is not a necessary but would be good for his photography gear. But I guess a workhorse that's reliable. I'll give him some food for thought with those... Octavia seems like a very good shout!
Don't worry about the estate too much. A MK I has a cavernous boot. I have had all sorts of large items in my old one, I was carrying a large TV cabinet the day I crashed it! Oops. He's not fussy about 'looking cool' and the estate is not a necessary but would be good for his photography gear. But I guess a workhorse that's reliable. I'll give him some food for thought with those... Octavia seems like a very good shout!
I'm convinced it's every bit as big as the estate boot-wise. My hatch is a touch short on rear legroom as a compromise though, not drastically so, but tall people find it cramped.
This is the one I just bought:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270789484006?ssPageName=...
Edited by eltax91 on Tuesday 27th September 13:48
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