Looking for a Suitable Vehicle – Gardener in Rural Location
Discussion
I’m a gardener living in a rural area, and I need a reliable vehicle that can handle narrow lanes, rough terrain, and country roads in poor condition. I plan to remove all seats except the two front ones to maximise space for my equipment, which includes extendable poles (one over 2 metres long).
Key requirements:
• Four-wheel drive (or very capable off-road ability) – essential for muddy lanes and rough tracks.
• Spacious interior – must fit all my gardening tools, machinery, including long extendable poles up to 200cm.
• Tight turning circle – necessary for navigating narrow driveways. (not essential)
• Rear parking sensors and possibly a reverse camera – helpful for tight spaces. (reverse camera not essential)
• Rugged enough for pothole ridden country roads – must cope with rough terrain.
• Budget: £15,000 – looking for the best option within this price range.
• Not a pickup – I don’t want any form of pickup truck.
• Must retain the passenger seat – my dog comes with me to work, so removing it isn’t an option.
If anyone has suggestions on suitable vehicles, I’d really appreciate your input.
Key requirements:
• Four-wheel drive (or very capable off-road ability) – essential for muddy lanes and rough tracks.
• Spacious interior – must fit all my gardening tools, machinery, including long extendable poles up to 200cm.
• Tight turning circle – necessary for navigating narrow driveways. (not essential)
• Rear parking sensors and possibly a reverse camera – helpful for tight spaces. (reverse camera not essential)
• Rugged enough for pothole ridden country roads – must cope with rough terrain.
• Budget: £15,000 – looking for the best option within this price range.
• Not a pickup – I don’t want any form of pickup truck.
• Must retain the passenger seat – my dog comes with me to work, so removing it isn’t an option.
If anyone has suggestions on suitable vehicles, I’d really appreciate your input.
sirpiston said:
I’m a gardener living in a rural area, and I need a reliable vehicle that can handle narrow lanes, rough terrain, and country roads in poor condition. I plan to remove all seats except the two front ones to maximise space for my equipment, which includes extendable poles (one over 2 metres long).
Key requirements:
• Four-wheel drive (or very capable off-road ability) – essential for muddy lanes and rough tracks.
• Spacious interior – must fit all my gardening tools, machinery, including long extendable poles up to 200cm.
• Tight turning circle – necessary for navigating narrow driveways. (not essential)
• Rear parking sensors and possibly a reverse camera – helpful for tight spaces. (reverse camera not essential)
• Rugged enough for pothole ridden country roads – must cope with rough terrain.
• Budget: £15,000 – looking for the best option within this price range.
• Not a pickup – I don’t want any form of pickup truck.
• Must retain the passenger seat – my dog comes with me to work, so removing it isn’t an option.
If anyone has suggestions on suitable vehicles, I’d really appreciate your input.
Here you go.Key requirements:
• Four-wheel drive (or very capable off-road ability) – essential for muddy lanes and rough tracks.
• Spacious interior – must fit all my gardening tools, machinery, including long extendable poles up to 200cm.
• Tight turning circle – necessary for navigating narrow driveways. (not essential)
• Rear parking sensors and possibly a reverse camera – helpful for tight spaces. (reverse camera not essential)
• Rugged enough for pothole ridden country roads – must cope with rough terrain.
• Budget: £15,000 – looking for the best option within this price range.
• Not a pickup – I don’t want any form of pickup truck.
• Must retain the passenger seat – my dog comes with me to work, so removing it isn’t an option.
If anyone has suggestions on suitable vehicles, I’d really appreciate your input.
Toyota RAV4. 4 wheel drive and reliable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
I've no idea if they are actually any good, but the Shogun Sport is a bit like a van
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
Height of tail gate might be a consideration if you're loading and unloading big stuff like lawnmowers. Most 4x4s have a high floor in the back. That's good for hand tools as you don't have to stoop. But for things like mowers it's a pain.
FWIW, we had a Hilux Surf for this kind of thing. Cost buttons, went on forever, would go anywhere and you could chuck loads of crap in the back.
FWIW, we had a Hilux Surf for this kind of thing. Cost buttons, went on forever, would go anywhere and you could chuck loads of crap in the back.
With fairly modern SUVs, like the RAV4 or XC70 suggested above, will removing the rear seats cause issue with sensors / electronics? I presume you would have to leave the seatbelt & buckles in, but the seat cushions have weight sensors in?
Also, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
Also, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
Matt_T said:
With fairly modern SUVs, like the RAV4 or XC70 suggested above, will removing the rear seats cause issue with sensors / electronics? I presume you would have to leave the seatbelt & buckles in, but the seat cushions have weight sensors in?
Also, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
ThisAlso, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
If you're going to strip out the interior and turn it into van, you may as well buy a van.
A Freelander + trailer + roof box (long things) wouldn't be a bad shout.
Edited by Huzzah on Tuesday 22 April 12:32
Matt_T said:
With fairly modern SUVs, like the RAV4 or XC70 suggested above, will removing the rear seats cause issue with sensors / electronics? I presume you would have to leave the seatbelt & buckles in, but the seat cushions have weight sensors in?
Also, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
The answer is to buy the commercial version, e.g the Shogun Sport mentioned above is available as a 2 seater.Also, where does insurance stand with removing rear seats? I presume you have to declare this as a modification, but you are converting the car to a commercial vehicle?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202502219...
Smint said:
Subaru Forester (pre 2009 SG9 is a small rectangular narrow car but tardis like inside load area especially, change from £5k), or Outback of any year, Forester is a nimble car ideal for country roads.
Avoid turbo and H6 engines unless you don't mind high VED band.
The Forester [or an Outback] would be my choice too. The SG9/SG5's are incredibly agile, tough as old nails and superbly reliable. With a £10-15k budget you could also take a good look at the later Forester with CVT, or buy an SG9/SG5 enabling spare money for future gardening tools/pension/holidays +++Avoid turbo and H6 engines unless you don't mind high VED band.
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