Need help combining two vehicles....suggestions appreciated
Discussion
Well, the time has come to try and combine my two vehicles now into something that does both jobs. It's the first time I have needed this type of vehicle as my daily and it has some quite specific requirements.
Currently, I drive a 2001 Astra 1.7 DTI Eco - £30 to tax, 65mpg combined and it's actually been very reliable. It's my daily commuter and has served me well. Secondly, I have a 2001 (I seem to like this year!) Peugeot Partner 1.9. Slow as they come but amazing space in the back for odd jobs and moving bits as well as 40mpg average and £220 to tax.
I want to try and combine these cars so I only have one thing to worry about when insuring, taxing, servicing, mot, blah blah.
The requirements are as follows;
- Something with nearly the same space in the rear as a Peugeot Partner but maybe not as tall. It can include putting the seats down, taking them out, I don't really mind.
- I want a maximum tax cost, if possible, of £280 a year.
- As it's my daily, it will have to be reliable
- Something that can average between 25-30mpg minimum combined, as I travel around 45 miles a day.
- It CANNOT be over 2m tall as it will not fit in the car park I use for work.
- Something that is semi-respectable so I can start attending some more Pistonheads meets again!
- Budget will be up to 5k and it can be Auto or Manual
Currently, I was considering 4x4's as I live in an area where transport links aren’t amazing and I would like the flexibility of being able to use it in the snow. I am reasonably handy and will give most jobs on my vehicles ago so maintenance costs should be kept to a minimum.
I have been looking at Discovery 2's although i'm not 100% sure on their reliability and what I could afford on my budget could be questionable. I have also looked at Nissan Patrols and Toyota Landcruisers but the MPG is pretty naff and again, I am not sure what I could buy on my budget. I have looked at some commercial vehicles such a pickups or even newer vans, but then you fall into the bracket of a commercial vehicle for insurance plus I have no seats if I want a few people in the vehicle.
Any suggestions or advice would be great as I am pretty torn on my decision plus my Astra is due for insurance soon so I would like to sell before it runs out!
Look forward to the replies...
Currently, I drive a 2001 Astra 1.7 DTI Eco - £30 to tax, 65mpg combined and it's actually been very reliable. It's my daily commuter and has served me well. Secondly, I have a 2001 (I seem to like this year!) Peugeot Partner 1.9. Slow as they come but amazing space in the back for odd jobs and moving bits as well as 40mpg average and £220 to tax.
I want to try and combine these cars so I only have one thing to worry about when insuring, taxing, servicing, mot, blah blah.
The requirements are as follows;
- Something with nearly the same space in the rear as a Peugeot Partner but maybe not as tall. It can include putting the seats down, taking them out, I don't really mind.
- I want a maximum tax cost, if possible, of £280 a year.
- As it's my daily, it will have to be reliable
- Something that can average between 25-30mpg minimum combined, as I travel around 45 miles a day.
- It CANNOT be over 2m tall as it will not fit in the car park I use for work.
- Something that is semi-respectable so I can start attending some more Pistonheads meets again!
- Budget will be up to 5k and it can be Auto or Manual
Currently, I was considering 4x4's as I live in an area where transport links aren’t amazing and I would like the flexibility of being able to use it in the snow. I am reasonably handy and will give most jobs on my vehicles ago so maintenance costs should be kept to a minimum.
I have been looking at Discovery 2's although i'm not 100% sure on their reliability and what I could afford on my budget could be questionable. I have also looked at Nissan Patrols and Toyota Landcruisers but the MPG is pretty naff and again, I am not sure what I could buy on my budget. I have looked at some commercial vehicles such a pickups or even newer vans, but then you fall into the bracket of a commercial vehicle for insurance plus I have no seats if I want a few people in the vehicle.
Any suggestions or advice would be great as I am pretty torn on my decision plus my Astra is due for insurance soon so I would like to sell before it runs out!
Look forward to the replies...
curlie467 said:
Get the car version of the Berlingo, same as the partner but a car.
That makes no frickin sense does it.
Would you want to turn up to a PH meet in that? It's going to be my only car so I want something semi reasonable as I have been driving round two semi dull as dishwater cars for over a year now!That makes no frickin sense does it.
saltyhair81 said:
curlie467 said:
Get the car version of the Berlingo, same as the partner but a car.
That makes no frickin sense does it.
Would you want to turn up to a PH meet in that? It's going to be my only car so I want something semi reasonable as I have been driving round two semi dull as dishwater cars for over a year now!That makes no frickin sense does it.
Jag - Had 2 jags and both had their own issues, plus I think space would be a struggle.
Beemer - Nice idea, I will have a look at these as I have always liked that shape.
, price though 
Beemer - Nice idea, I will have a look at these as I have always liked that shape.
curlie467 said:
I'll get me coat, didn't notice that requirement!
You should have proved me wrong and turned up to a meet in one!! folos said:
Golf R32 MK4? Might juuuuuust get 25mpg
I wish , price though daveenty said:
Subaru.
Forester or Legacy (even Outback)
Ticks every box so far as I can see...
I really like the Forester idea as I have a bit of a fascination for cars that look like bricks! The only thing is my knowledge is pretty minimal on Subaru’s, so i'm not sure what reliability is like? I'll have a search about but cheers for the heads-up on thisForester or Legacy (even Outback)
Ticks every box so far as I can see...
Bought my Outback after loadshardly any research.
Just wanted a cheap and cheerful motor to use in the winter which will theoretically get from A - B without spinning around too much.
Mine's a 2002 and has the 3.0 Litre H6 in it which has a chain driven cam, so no belts to worry about, 101,000 miles on it and runs really sweetly. Bullet-proof according to some, though I'll just treat it gently and with a bit of respect. Never had it above 3000 RPM yet, probably never will.
I've done the usual engine and gearbox oil, checked the diff levels and all seems good. Exhaust was blowing slightly (absolutely knackered) but I managed to get one made by a local firm.
Oh, and I put a set of winter wheels and tyres on it while I re-furb the originals.
Loads of space in the back for moving things around, and cheap enough (<£1500, full MoT and 4 months tax) not to worry about the odd bit of damage.
Bad bit is that the main car's turning into a garage queen as I love driving the Outback.
Just wanted a cheap and cheerful motor to use in the winter which will theoretically get from A - B without spinning around too much.
Mine's a 2002 and has the 3.0 Litre H6 in it which has a chain driven cam, so no belts to worry about, 101,000 miles on it and runs really sweetly. Bullet-proof according to some, though I'll just treat it gently and with a bit of respect. Never had it above 3000 RPM yet, probably never will.
I've done the usual engine and gearbox oil, checked the diff levels and all seems good. Exhaust was blowing slightly (absolutely knackered) but I managed to get one made by a local firm.
Oh, and I put a set of winter wheels and tyres on it while I re-furb the originals.
Loads of space in the back for moving things around, and cheap enough (<£1500, full MoT and 4 months tax) not to worry about the odd bit of damage.
Bad bit is that the main car's turning into a garage queen as I love driving the Outback.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Custom hearse?
Love it!!
Looked at the Volvos, I do love a V70 I have to admit.
Thanks for all the info Daveenty, I have done quite a bit of research and actually found a nice Forester already but need to try driving one. I really like the idea as it's covered the snow issue as well, just a bit dubious on the fuel side...
So far then, the list of possibilities are as follows;
E39 BMW 530 Touring
Subaru Forester
V70 Possibly
Thanks for all the input so far
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