6000£ suv

Andreasxts
Andreasxts Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi all,

I have just recently joined caravan club and bought our first towing caravan. It's a 2 berth Bailey ,perfect for my family.

Because I am at the beginning of this journey , I would like to go for a budget suv around 6000£ for towing and everyday use.

I have already set my eyes on a Freelander 2 2.2 td4, or an X-trail 2.0 d 09plate. 

Which one I should go for? Or any other alternatives?

Any help would be much appreciated. 

 

Thank you very much for your thoughts .

Comments

  • alanannej
    alanannej Forum Participant Posts: 79
    First Comment
    edited November 2017 #2

    Before you buy, check out the various reliability studies - whilst the various Land Rover versions are extremely popular, the more recent models generally seem to be around the bottom of the reliability lists!

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited November 2017 #3

    What about an estate 4x4? plenty of load / carry space in the back, Haldex traction for those muddy fields. I have the Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 2.0TDi, (mass in service 1,495kg) pulls my Compass Omega 482 (2 berth mtplm 1,318kg) with no problems at all, when towing 33-37 mpg depending on road type, solo around 60mpg. Mine is a 2012 (Euro 5) you should be able to get one for your budget.

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited November 2017 #4

    From your choices most definitely the Nissan.

    The usual suspects would be KIA Sportage, Huyundai SF, Mitsubishi Outlander.

     

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2017 #5

    I tow with a FL2 but the later SD engine model. Very capable car but like most makes not without issues, especially as they get older with higher mileage on them. the XS & HSE are better equipped and the ones to go for.

    If you do look at a FL2, apart from all the obvious things, like service history etc, when you test drive it listen for the rear diff making a droning noise as road speed increases, its a known common fault, a recon unit fitted by an independent garage is going to cost anything from £750 upwards.

    That said we have 2 of them, an 07 XS which is just used as a work horse and 13 reg HSE which is our every day & towcar, we are quite happy with both of them cool

     

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited November 2017 #6

    Are you sure you really need a SUV? Many of us were towing caravans years ago with ordinary family cars before the SUV was invented. For £6,000 you may get a more reliable low mileage saloon. I’d go for a Mondeo or similar with a good service record. How big is your present car? You could try a season with that and see how you get on.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2017 #7

    Tend to agree with TonyBurton.  A 2 berth Bailey can't be that heavy and you could get a better car for your £6K than an SUV.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited November 2017 #8

    Buy the 2009 xtrail.

    I had one over 4.5 years it was totally reliable, my model was the 171 bhp manual diesel weighing 1725kg.

    Look out for the Aventura explorer with the xenon headlights which was part of a £1500 package including satnav etc.

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