Very different "What car"

[Emubiker]

Ok, so there are probably a few of these that get posted every day, and some get flamed for asking about completely different car, but that is exactly what I am doing.

I have narrowed my choices down to:

Jag XK8 (lpg)

Landrover 90 V8 (lpg)

Mondeo ST TDci estate

The reason for the mix is I am going to need something that I can tow my race car with (1600kg including trailer). So I have decided, I could sell my 205 (can't justify 3 cars for pleasure) then buy an XK8 to take its place, plus a boring tow/dog car.

I could sell the 205 and get a v8 engined landrover that could do the towing, plus have some power and noise behind it to fullfill the fun part of my road driving capabilities.

Or keep the 205 and get a nice (yet still boring) new daily car that could do the towing and commute, while not being totally dull.

So I'm putting it out to the masses of PH.....what would you do?

[NadiR]

I'd sell the 205, get the Jag to replace it, and get a Passat TDI to tow your race car.

[Emubiker]

See, that is my thinking, I could even justify running it on petrol and not on LPG if I cant find the right one for me on LPG. But I also used to love my dads v8 landrover, which was great fun on or off road. I also like having money too tho, hence the appeal of a diesel that can do all the jobs required, just not exceeding at any.

[sparkyhx]

can an XK8 tow?

I did a rather silly thing when I bought my Lexus LS and found the only tow bar was a lexus one at £1500.+ potentially additional gearbox oil cooler.

Anyone want to buy a trailer tent in storage in the Dordogne?

[Emubiker]

sparkyhx said:

can an XK8 tow?

I did a rather silly thing when I bought my Lexus LS and found the only tow bar was a lexus one at £1500.+ potentially additional gearbox oil cooler.

Anyone want to buy a trailer tent in storage in the Dordogne?

I had originally thought not, as there were no towing weight figures for them published anywhere, plus a few jaguar sites say "this is not a towing vehicle" but then I also stumbled across a company that actually made a tow bar assembly for them (though only one company) and they have not yet replied to my voice and email message. But that would be the ideal. It is also what I was hoping would be the case, but it seems unlikely

[tvrolet]

I'd be adding a Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi to the list. Works as a tow-car, daily driver, estate, V8 etc. Probably as quick off the line as the XK; will tow comfortably faster than the Landy (and do off road too); got a bigger V8 than the jag or the landy (big is good); and just as practical as the Mondeo and a whole lot quicker and nicer sounding

[sparkyhx]

tvrolet said:

I'd be adding a Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi to the list. Works as a tow-car, daily driver, estate, V8 etc. Probably as quick off the line as the XK; will tow comfortably faster than the Landy (and do off road too); got a bigger V8 than the jag or the landy (big is good); and just as practical as the Mondeo and a whole lot quicker and nicer sounding

I can vouch for above
Listen to the first and watch the second

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rO8xP9FyYo&fea...

Prescott Hillclimb with 1000lb+ of passenger ballast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isDx14NxRv8&fea...

[Emubiker]

Does sound very nice, and there are a lot more lpg'd Jeeps around than xk8s. I may be shifting my views a bit. Not entirly mind, but its now on the list of considerations.

[sparkyhx]

Emubiker said:

Does sound very nice, and there are a lot more lpg'd Jeeps around than xk8s. I may be shifting my views a bit. Not entirly mind, but its now on the list of considerations.

forgot to mention the above Jeep runs on LPG

[tvrolet]

sparkyhx said:

forgot to mention the above Jeep runs on LPG

...and I'm thinking from the pix it's 'just' a 4.7, and not the 5.7 hemi?

[mat777]

Buy a TDV6 Discovery, or a TDV8 rangie if budge will stretch - a better towcar than a petrol v8 without a ruinious fuel economy. and will be faster and better handling for "enthusiastic" driving as well

[sparkyhx]

tvrolet said:

sparkyhx said:

forgot to mention the above Jeep runs on LPG

...and I'm thinking from the pix it's 'just' a 4.7, and not the 5.7 hemi?

I'm not too sure, but I think its the 5.7, I can ask him. He sold it a while back for some daft reason and then bought it back.

The Prescott climb was done in under a minute which is good going for a road car apparently - let alone a jeep with 5 blokes in, 4 of which were over 20st.

He also tracks it I have some video of him at Angelsey as well. Its mental and sounds just amazing.

[sparkyhx]

I was wrong .........its the 4.7

[richardxjr]

sparkyhx said:

can an XK8 tow?

I did a rather silly thing when I bought my Lexus LS and found the only tow bar was a lexus one at £1500.+ potentially additional gearbox oil cooler.

Anyone want to buy a trailer tent in storage in the Dordogne?

LS400? Watling do one. It's designated for the Mk3 95-97, but will fit straight on a Mk4 97-00. Under £300 new, they also crop up on ebay, and you won't need the oil cooler for a trailer tent

[sparkyhx]

richardxjr said:

sparkyhx said:

can an XK8 tow?

I did a rather silly thing when I bought my Lexus LS and found the only tow bar was a lexus one at £1500.+ potentially additional gearbox oil cooler.

Anyone want to buy a trailer tent in storage in the Dordogne?

LS400? Watling do one. It's designated for the Mk3 95-97, but will fit straight on a Mk4 97-00. Under £300 new, they also crop up on ebay, and you won't need the oil cooler for a trailer tent

no the 430, I can get one from US, but no idea about type approval and someone I spoke to said they wouldn't fit it cos of possible repurcussions.