Commuter, 4x4, occasional tow car - what are my options?
Discussion
Hoping to tap into a wealth of PH knowledge with this post. I've done some searching, but nothing quite hitting the nail on the head. Bear with me, and link me to other posts if I'm covering old ground here.
I currently run a Mk8 (2019) Fiesta ST-3 as my daily runner / commuter. A change in jobs at the end of April, and what was a nice 34k on the clocks, is now sitting just under 44k. The PCP costs me £275 each month, tax is £165 for the year, and I'm averaging 42-44mpg with it. For me, it does everything I need it to, but now I'm doing longer commutes, it is just not comfortable enough (ST Recaros, road noise etc) for me. Work pays back my mileage and I also get a monthly car allowance which more covers the PCP and pro-rata tax for me. I'd wager I've got about £3-4k equity in it without digging out my paperwork and getting a settlement figure.
The plan is to move the Mrs out of her 20 year old Td5 in which she does ~20 miles a day, and into a posh-shed with a hatch good enough for a Frenchie, a Pomeranian and some "stuff". I'll then move into a larger vehicle, more comfortable on my commute, 4x4 for when we need it (countryside, winter, outdoorsy, dogs, horses etc), and can tow roughly 2T upwards (track car duties).
So down to the crux of it all - what would be your choice of car with say a £5k deposit, up to £400 a month on the repayments, 20k mileage, and it needs to be 2018 onwards to keep my work allowances. Bonus points if it sticks around the 40mpg mark on a long run. Ideally I'd like to swap to an automatic.
I'm not a fan of a diesel, but won't rule it out (only diesels we have are a Td5 Disco, and I used to have an L200..both rather, tractor-like!).
Volvo XC60
Audi A4 Avant All-Road
Possibly a BMW X3..?
It doesn't need to be an SUV, but Mrs would prefer that over an estate for some reason. And I've already got an E91 335i, albeit it off the road for engine woes currently.
Alternatively, swap the Td5 out for something a bit more modern, with better MPG, that has a 2T tow capacity, and I'll swap the ST out for another small car but with a higher grade of comfort - but I'm drawing a blank on that option...
Over to the PH gurus!
I currently run a Mk8 (2019) Fiesta ST-3 as my daily runner / commuter. A change in jobs at the end of April, and what was a nice 34k on the clocks, is now sitting just under 44k. The PCP costs me £275 each month, tax is £165 for the year, and I'm averaging 42-44mpg with it. For me, it does everything I need it to, but now I'm doing longer commutes, it is just not comfortable enough (ST Recaros, road noise etc) for me. Work pays back my mileage and I also get a monthly car allowance which more covers the PCP and pro-rata tax for me. I'd wager I've got about £3-4k equity in it without digging out my paperwork and getting a settlement figure.
The plan is to move the Mrs out of her 20 year old Td5 in which she does ~20 miles a day, and into a posh-shed with a hatch good enough for a Frenchie, a Pomeranian and some "stuff". I'll then move into a larger vehicle, more comfortable on my commute, 4x4 for when we need it (countryside, winter, outdoorsy, dogs, horses etc), and can tow roughly 2T upwards (track car duties).
So down to the crux of it all - what would be your choice of car with say a £5k deposit, up to £400 a month on the repayments, 20k mileage, and it needs to be 2018 onwards to keep my work allowances. Bonus points if it sticks around the 40mpg mark on a long run. Ideally I'd like to swap to an automatic.
I'm not a fan of a diesel, but won't rule it out (only diesels we have are a Td5 Disco, and I used to have an L200..both rather, tractor-like!).
Volvo XC60
Audi A4 Avant All-Road
Possibly a BMW X3..?
It doesn't need to be an SUV, but Mrs would prefer that over an estate for some reason. And I've already got an E91 335i, albeit it off the road for engine woes currently.
Alternatively, swap the Td5 out for something a bit more modern, with better MPG, that has a 2T tow capacity, and I'll swap the ST out for another small car but with a higher grade of comfort - but I'm drawing a blank on that option...
Over to the PH gurus!
Octavia Scout - 4x4, raised ride height, 50mpg, good performance with a remap, comfy, loads of space.
Not sure about towing 2t though......I have used ours for towing more than that on occasion easily enough, but I think it may be legally limited to 1800kg?
Edited to add....not many sub 2019 ones available.
Skoda Karoq can tow up to 2100kg
Not sure about towing 2t though......I have used ours for towing more than that on occasion easily enough, but I think it may be legally limited to 1800kg?
Edited to add....not many sub 2019 ones available.
Skoda Karoq can tow up to 2100kg
Edited by alfabeat on Tuesday 13th September 13:42
christhreadgill said:
Hoping to tap into a wealth of PH knowledge with this post. I've done some searching, but nothing quite hitting the nail on the head. Bear with me, and link me to other posts if I'm covering old ground here.
I currently run a Mk8 (2019) Fiesta ST-3 as my daily runner / commuter. A change in jobs at the end of April, and what was a nice 34k on the clocks, is now sitting just under 44k. The PCP costs me £275 each month, tax is £165 for the year, and I'm averaging 42-44mpg with it. For me, it does everything I need it to, but now I'm doing longer commutes, it is just not comfortable enough (ST Recaros, road noise etc) for me. Work pays back my mileage and I also get a monthly car allowance which more covers the PCP and pro-rata tax for me. I'd wager I've got about £3-4k equity in it without digging out my paperwork and getting a settlement figure.
The plan is to move the Mrs out of her 20 year old Td5 in which she does ~20 miles a day, and into a posh-shed with a hatch good enough for a Frenchie, a Pomeranian and some "stuff". I'll then move into a larger vehicle, more comfortable on my commute, 4x4 for when we need it (countryside, winter, outdoorsy, dogs, horses etc), and can tow roughly 2T upwards (track car duties).
So down to the crux of it all - what would be your choice of car with say a £5k deposit, up to £400 a month on the repayments, 20k mileage, and it needs to be 2018 onwards to keep my work allowances. Bonus points if it sticks around the 40mpg mark on a long run. Ideally I'd like to swap to an automatic.
I'm not a fan of a diesel, but won't rule it out (only diesels we have are a Td5 Disco, and I used to have an L200..both rather, tractor-like!).
Volvo XC60
Audi A4 Avant All-Road
Possibly a BMW X3..?
It doesn't need to be an SUV, but Mrs would prefer that over an estate for some reason. And I've already got an E91 335i, albeit it off the road for engine woes currently.
Alternatively, swap the Td5 out for something a bit more modern, with better MPG, that has a 2T tow capacity, and I'll swap the ST out for another small car but with a higher grade of comfort - but I'm drawing a blank on that option...
Over to the PH gurus!
I'd say that if you want a 4x4 & are doing 20k a year then a diesel is the only way to go but make sure it's a 3.0d it'll make it a nicer experience.I currently run a Mk8 (2019) Fiesta ST-3 as my daily runner / commuter. A change in jobs at the end of April, and what was a nice 34k on the clocks, is now sitting just under 44k. The PCP costs me £275 each month, tax is £165 for the year, and I'm averaging 42-44mpg with it. For me, it does everything I need it to, but now I'm doing longer commutes, it is just not comfortable enough (ST Recaros, road noise etc) for me. Work pays back my mileage and I also get a monthly car allowance which more covers the PCP and pro-rata tax for me. I'd wager I've got about £3-4k equity in it without digging out my paperwork and getting a settlement figure.
The plan is to move the Mrs out of her 20 year old Td5 in which she does ~20 miles a day, and into a posh-shed with a hatch good enough for a Frenchie, a Pomeranian and some "stuff". I'll then move into a larger vehicle, more comfortable on my commute, 4x4 for when we need it (countryside, winter, outdoorsy, dogs, horses etc), and can tow roughly 2T upwards (track car duties).
So down to the crux of it all - what would be your choice of car with say a £5k deposit, up to £400 a month on the repayments, 20k mileage, and it needs to be 2018 onwards to keep my work allowances. Bonus points if it sticks around the 40mpg mark on a long run. Ideally I'd like to swap to an automatic.
I'm not a fan of a diesel, but won't rule it out (only diesels we have are a Td5 Disco, and I used to have an L200..both rather, tractor-like!).
Volvo XC60
Audi A4 Avant All-Road
Possibly a BMW X3..?
It doesn't need to be an SUV, but Mrs would prefer that over an estate for some reason. And I've already got an E91 335i, albeit it off the road for engine woes currently.
Alternatively, swap the Td5 out for something a bit more modern, with better MPG, that has a 2T tow capacity, and I'll swap the ST out for another small car but with a higher grade of comfort - but I'm drawing a blank on that option...
Over to the PH gurus!
Grand Cherokee Summit these will have the balance of their 5 year warranty too, which is a nice bonus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207117...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147...
Overland:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207107...
Maserati Levante it should still have the balance of the warranty left:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205316...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...
F Pace S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207228...
Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...
GLE350d Premium Plus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209079...
Touareg R Line Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204064...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...
SEL Tech:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208128...
If you do want a 2.0d then I'd take a good look at the Ford Edge:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208259...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208319...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
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