£20k to spend on an SUV. Suggestions?

[Old Bugga]

Have reached that stage in life of being middle aged, two kids, and now a dog. Looking to get an SUV that has 4x4 as we sometimes travel through single track roads high can be treacherous in winter and also have a small speedboat to tow.
Want a diesel and like my toys/gadgets.

Things that have me interested at the mo are

Kia Sportage KX3
Hyundai ix35 Premium
I love the look of the Mazda CX7 but the Mrs doesn't and the warranties on the above are hard to ignore.

Does lease make more sense these days?
Any other models I should make a point of viewing?

Thanks in advance.

[Russ T Bolt]

I am thinking about swapping back to a soft roader, the two I am considering are the RAV4 and the Yeti.

I really like the Yeti, but the local Toyota dealer is fantastic and the RAV4 has a 5 year warranty.

[Old Bugga]

I like the Yeti myself, however the Mrs is a badge snob so Skoda, no go.

[anonymous-user]

Legacy Outback or Forester? The Outback will do everything you need and be a much nicer more car-like drive. The 3 litre is lovely if you can live with mpg in the 20's.

[PaperCut]

Old Bugga said:

I like the Yeti myself, however the Mrs is a badge snob so Skoda, no go.

? ..but you're considering Kias and a Hyundais? I would put Skoda above them in the badge cachet...

Nissan Quashqai?
VW Tiguan?

[davepoth]

I don't think you need a full 4x4 for that - consider a slightly jacked up 4x4. Skoda Octavia Scout, for example. If your OH is hung up on it being a Skoda, she obviously doesn't know anything about cars. Take her for a test drive, and if she doesn't see the name on the back, she'll think it's excellent.

[sawman]

brand new dacia duster and 10k in your back pocket for recreational pharmaceuticals of your choice

[Contigo]

I expected to see X5, Cayenne, Q7 etc but got Dacia? Very disappointed!

[Chrisw666]

I'd probably go for £20k worth of XC60 or Freelander 2.

[Old Bugga]

sawman said:

brand new dacia duster and 10k in your back pocket for recreational pharmaceuticals of your choice

Agreed, that does seem to offer huge bang for your buck.

[Old Bugga]

Contigo said:

I expected to see X5, Cayenne, Q7 etc but got Dacia? Very disappointed!

I just shudder every time the Freeleander name gets mentioned. However are the 2's as sorted as they are supposed to be?

[sawman]

Contigo said:

I expected to see X5, Cayenne, Q7 etc but got Dacia? Very disappointed!

The german, prestige lot are obviously out at the local wine bar/brasserie.

If it were my cash I would be pushing £3-4k into a forester or jeep and spending the rest on a toy (actually school fees in my case as I already have the toy)

[billzeebub]

legacy Outback or Forester, the new shape Foresters look more like a classic AWD vehicle and are available with a Diesel engine for the first time. I wouldnt look anywhere else for a 4WD on a budget of £20k newish. Other than these I would be looking at something a few years old with the LandRover oval on the bonnet..Disco TDV6 or used RR td6..or if you fancy being more Monty Halls than Uncle Monty a Defender XS?!..

Edited by billzeebub on Monday 31st December 20:13

[Russ T Bolt]

billzeebub said:

legacy Outback or Forester, the new shape Foresters look more like a classic AWD vehicle and are available with a Diesel engine for the first time. I wouldnt look anywhere else for a 4WD on a budget of £20k newish. Other than these I would be looking at something a few years old with the LandRover oval on the bonnet..Disco TDV6 or used RR td6..or if you fancy being more Monty Halls than Uncle Monty a Defender XS?!..

Edited by billzeebub on Monday 31st December 20:13

Really, having had 4 Subaru's, I won't be buying another Boxer engined car.

Have you driven one of the diesel Foresters ? I had one for 2days and did about 300 hundred miles in it, I didn't like it at all. Seemed to be lacking in torque.

[B17NNS]

Used Disco 3

[soad]

Porsche Cayenne.

[alfabadass]

Are you looking to buy new or something? Cos those are pretty stty choices.

X3 or X5
Cayanne
Toureg
XC90 maybe

[billzeebub]

Russ T Bolt said:

billzeebub said:

legacy Outback or Forester, the new shape Foresters look more like a classic AWD vehicle and are available with a Diesel engine for the first time. I wouldnt look anywhere else for a 4WD on a budget of £20k newish. Other than these I would be looking at something a few years old with the LandRover oval on the bonnet..Disco TDV6 or used RR td6..or if you fancy being more Monty Halls than Uncle Monty a Defender XS?!..

Edited by billzeebub on Monday 31st December 20:13

Really, having had 4 Subaru's, I won't be buying another Boxer engined car.

Have you driven one of the diesel Foresters ? I had one for 2days and did about 300 hundred miles in it, I didn't like it at all. Seemed to be lacking in torque.

No, not driven the latest Diesels. My brother is planning on getting ione in the New Year though as a Tow car for boats/caravans etc. I really love the petrol Turbo Foresters. Currently have a 2004 2.0XT, 80k miles and it is fantastic. I usually end up taking it in preference to the RR!..

[jbi]

spend 10k on a Tahoe and the other 10k on fuel.

Great ride quality, toys, towing, the lot.

[HowMuchLonger]

Old Bugga said:

I just shudder every time the Freeleander name gets mentioned. However are the 2's as sorted as they are supposed to be?

Yes...