Family SUV for 8.5kish

[rallyeS2]

The wife’s leased Evoque goes back in July (thank god!) so I’m starting looking around now for it’s replacement. Par of the reason we leased is the peace of mind of a new reliable car covered under warranty. The evoque has proven both unreliable and JLR tried their hardest to wriggle out of any sort of warranty contribution leaving us with a bill potentially for £1600!

For this reason I’ve decided to buy something older and have a slush fund for repairs / maintenance. I have access to a car lift and tools and the expertise of a mechanic so most stuff should be DIY-able.

I’m not too fussed about mileage as we only do 6-7k per year so it won’t go up too rapidly and fuel consumption isn’t a huge issue given the low miles.

I go shooting a few times a year so something capable of some off roading would be handy but not a deal breaker as I may end up with a proper off roader in August when I change my car.

Current thoughts around the £8.5k mark are :

Range Rover L322 TDV8 3.6 Vogue SE - 09 plate hopefully
BMW E70 X5 also 09 plate ish
Volvo XC90 D5 - we may squeeze a 10 plate but prob 09
Volvo XC60 - should manage an 11 plate in budget.
Porsche Cayenne either 3.6 V6 or 4.8v8 - heard horror stories about the 4.5 engine. 08/09

Any suggestions would be most welcome as I’ve got “autotrader blindness” I’ve looked that much!

Estates are a categorical no from the missus, saloon a possibility but she much prefers a raised driving position. Jeep and Touareg have been vetoed already too!

[Terzo123]

Wk Jeep Grande Cherokee.

For the money compared to the ones you've listed, you will get newer, lower milage and better condition.

Interior won't be as nice, but it is harder wearing and easy to maintain.

Edited yo add, sorry just noticed the bit about Jeeps being vetoed.

[Roger Irrelevant]

Lexus RX400? If it's reliability you're after then that's the one. They do look a bit odd from some angles (e.g. the angle that the first photo on every Autotrader advert is taken from), but it'd be well worth taking one for a test drive to see what you think from behind the wheel.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your annual mileage i'd say petrol is the only way to go.

Grand Cherokee 5.7

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rallyeS2]

We used to have an RX300 which was pretty good so wouldn’t rule out a RX400H. Only
Worry at that age is the hybrid bits really as I’m not sure how long the batteries last...

Jeep is a definite no I’m afraid, I found it weird that in the same budget you could only get into an 06/07 Jeep vs an newer RRFF... I’m sure the Jeep would be cheaper to maintain but think I’d prefer to get as new as poss...

I may look at the Jeeps when I’m due to change; possibly stick a lift kit on and have a nice and capable off roader for shooting etc...

[Benbay001]

rallyeS2 said:

We used to have an RX300 which was pretty good so wouldn’t rule out a RX400H. Only
Worry at that age is the hybrid bits really as I’m not sure how long the batteries last...

Jeep is a definite no I’m afraid, I found it weird that in the same budget you could only get into an 06/07 Jeep vs an newer RRFF... I’m sure the Jeep would be cheaper to maintain but think I’d prefer to get as new as poss...

I may look at the Jeeps when I’m due to change; possibly stick a lift kit on and have a nice and capable off roader for shooting etc...

The price oh hybrid batteries has dropped a lot. (I don't know specifically about the lexus though)