2nd car for towing and tip runs
Discussion
HI all,
I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
- 2004 VW Touran 1.9 diesel with 70k £3k
- 2009 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 diesel with 80k £2.7k
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
Mk3 Renault Scenic (or Grand Scenic), which is the model from about 2009 onwards. Infinitely more reliable than the Mk2 and dare I say it more reliable than the Zafira and Touran you mentioned. Great value too. £3k should get you a decent one.
In terms of diesels, there's a 1.5 and a 2.0 and there's loads of both for sale. The former is belt-driven and the latter uses a timing chain. A 1.6 was introduced a few years later but getting a decent one for £3k might be a stretch.
Avoid the "EDC" dual-clutch auto on the 1.5dCi.
In terms of diesels, there's a 1.5 and a 2.0 and there's loads of both for sale. The former is belt-driven and the latter uses a timing chain. A 1.6 was introduced a few years later but getting a decent one for £3k might be a stretch.
Avoid the "EDC" dual-clutch auto on the 1.5dCi.
Edited by MrGTI6 on Wednesday 16th February 18:09
Buy an Ifor Williams trailer such as https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234348703033
But... check the requirements at the local tip. My tip ask my mate for his trailer pass every time he goes (you get 12 stamps per year). He tows it using a 2018 V-Class. I tow the same trailer with my 2003 BMW and they let me through almost every time without asking.
But... check the requirements at the local tip. My tip ask my mate for his trailer pass every time he goes (you get 12 stamps per year). He tows it using a 2018 V-Class. I tow the same trailer with my 2003 BMW and they let me through almost every time without asking.
Edited by WhiskyDisco on Wednesday 16th February 19:52
freeman3030 said:
HI all,
I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
Reliability on both are very good but both are about the same as a Mondeo/Vectra/Insignia estate, if this size works for you then I'd consider an estate or maybe a bigger MPV.I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
- 2004 VW Touran 1.9 diesel with 70k £3k
- 2009 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 diesel with 80k £2.7k
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
Galaxy Ghia:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...
Or if you can live with a Cat C 2.0d Ghia:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...
S Max Zetec 2.0d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202062...
Titanium:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...
If the Zafira/Touran works for you then I'd take the Mazda5 over both:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201241...
Insignia SRI Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...
C5 VTR Estate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...
Can I ask for some Galaxy info:
Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
freeman3030 said:
HI all,
I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
Either isn't a bad buy, I think the Touran won't have a DPF to go wrong, so I'd sway towards that one. I'm looking for advice regarding buying a 2nd car. We're about to start a kitchen extension, so will have lots of tip runs to do and we would also like to get a caravan. We've currently got an EV, so towing isn't an option with that currently. Ideally we would like an MPV as we can load lots in it to take to the tip and the space would be great for camping/caravanning.
I've found
- 2004 VW Touran 1.9 diesel with 70k £3k
- 2009 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 diesel with 80k £2.7k
Any thoughts on reliability on either? Or alternative suggestions?
Some other ideas
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD - electic doors could be annoying though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...
Seat Alhambra 1.9 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...
Fiat Multipla 1.9 JTD - unfortunately not the ugly one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Wednesday 16th February 20:43
Don't buy the Voyager. It will drink like a Swede on a stag night. It's also awfully plasticky inside. But it might have the clever 'stow and go' seats that fold into the floor. Not a reason in itself to buy it though.
Renault is a good shout. We have a 1.5dci just coming up to 200k. The Citroën C5 estate is cavernous. But dint rule out the obvious choice of Volvo V70.
I've run or owned all of the above and all do a job. Just avoid the Chrysler!
Renault is a good shout. We have a 1.5dci just coming up to 200k. The Citroën C5 estate is cavernous. But dint rule out the obvious choice of Volvo V70.
I've run or owned all of the above and all do a job. Just avoid the Chrysler!
Skyedriver said:
Can I ask for some Galaxy info:
Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
Fords don't seem to suffer DPF issues, the only one that does cause an issue is the fuel vapouriser otherwise they just work.Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
Powershift is to be avoided, the 2.2 diesel - in the S Max is the Aisin box which is much more durable.
stevemcs said:
Skyedriver said:
Can I ask for some Galaxy info:
Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
Fords don't seem to suffer DPF issues, the only one that does cause an issue is the fuel vapouriser otherwise they just work.Most seem to be diesel so I assume DPF problems if you just do regular short trips?
The rest are ecoboost with belts running in oil which just seems wrong.
Apparently many are auto or rather powershift or something and that box is suspect or so I have read.
(Wife has suggested on of these to replace my beloved Volvo Estate but i'm not convinced. There again I keep looking at Range Rovers and there I see reliability concerns)
Powershift is to be avoided, the 2.2 diesel - in the S Max is the Aisin box which is much more durable.
Could the TDCi be a good replacement for a Volvo 940 I wonder?
What are they like for towing?
Sorry OP I seem to have hijacked your thread, hope my questions are a help though.
I can usually cram half a house into my old Volvo Estate but that's looking good. Had a double bed in one once.
I can't find any real "love" for a Galaxy BUT it does seem to be a good practical option. Holidays (me, wife, so, two dogs) and the occasional motor sport or running event (could you use it as an overnight camper?). And a building material transporter for the OP.
I can't find any real "love" for a Galaxy BUT it does seem to be a good practical option. Holidays (me, wife, so, two dogs) and the occasional motor sport or running event (could you use it as an overnight camper?). And a building material transporter for the OP.
Just bought an '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD for exactly this - towing, tip runs, muddy dog.
It likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
It likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
kuiper said:
Just bought an '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD for exactly this - towing, tip runs, muddy dog.
It likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
I have two secondhand experiences of a JeepIt likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
1) back about 16 or 17 year ago a colleague (now deceased) bought a Jeep locally from someone he knew. Wasn't long before the power steering failed. OK so find a second hand PAS pump. Nope, there were two types and his was the rare unobtainable one. His biceps got a work out. Think the car is still stood in his wife's garden on Skye and he's been dead for more than 10 years.
2) friend and neighbour had a more modern Jeep, this was around 6 or 7 year ago. Engine trouble, the more he delved into it the worse it got, all Merc stuff but again unobtainable.
Alhambra is a good shout but at that price they will be showing signs of abuse from the many kids they've ferried about.
We had one for a few years and towed a 1500kgs van with it and it handled it with ease even with 5 of us plus canoe on the roof.
An alternative would be a CR-V.
I know it's not a MPV but it's still a decent size for the tip run and camping/caravan trips.
It will be bullet proof and tow well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112220...
We had one for a few years and towed a 1500kgs van with it and it handled it with ease even with 5 of us plus canoe on the roof.
An alternative would be a CR-V.
I know it's not a MPV but it's still a decent size for the tip run and camping/caravan trips.
It will be bullet proof and tow well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112220...
Skyedriver said:
kuiper said:
Just bought an '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD for exactly this - towing, tip runs, muddy dog.
It likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
I have two secondhand experiences of a JeepIt likes a drink, sure, but huge inside very comfortable. They can also be picked up for buttons these days and unlike the RR equivalent you won't have bits of it either in your hands or on your driveway constantly. Mostly Merc running gear, engine and gearbox.
Unlike a lot of the bland AF Volvo Estate options it's also got some real charm/soul. Hardly a sports car but there's a nice feeling tooling about in it.
I suppose £600 tax and 26mpg kinda makes it non sensical but not sure that really played a part for me, cheap, anonymous car I don't really care about.
1) back about 16 or 17 year ago a colleague (now deceased) bought a Jeep locally from someone he knew. Wasn't long before the power steering failed. OK so find a second hand PAS pump. Nope, there were two types and his was the rare unobtainable one. His biceps got a work out. Think the car is still stood in his wife's garden on Skye and he's been dead for more than 10 years.
2) friend and neighbour had a more modern Jeep, this was around 6 or 7 year ago. Engine trouble, the more he delved into it the worse it got, all Merc stuff but again unobtainable.
All in all though, if you buy carefully I think they are an excellent shout for your requirements.
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