Suggestions for a tow car please?
I am at a crossroads... My Mitsubishi Outlander is almost 3 years old and I am considering either replacing it with another (it's a diesel automatic) Or changing to another make. According to the matching service its a less than perfect match for my new Swift Conqueror which is 1430 kg MTPLM however I have just completed over 600 miles with little or no difference obvious from the Abbey at 1366 kg MTPLM. Being Solo I don't need a huge car although it must have space for 2 largish dogs in the back.
Today I popped into a Subaru dealership and looked at the Forester and the Outback no more Diesel engines in Subarus. The Forester appeals I think but the Outback looked hugely long although I need to check the size.
When buying the caravan I was told all was ok on a different matching service and that the Club one I used went on the car being empty which mine never is! I have been towing for more than50 years which helps but I noticed a distinct improvement to the towing experience when I swapped from a Skoda Octavia Scout to the Outlander. Interestingly the Octavia is a few inches longer than the Mitsubishi.
Anyway I would be grateful for any suggestions. Money isn't too much of an issue but I don't want or need to be too much more extravagant!
Comments
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Good point DD and my dogs don't do a lot to the value of a tugger! I am somewhat aware of the clock ticking though and feel like enjoying new things while I can! I can't have so many years left to enjoy a caravan. According to my Bank Manager I can expect to leave this earthly coil in about 12 years!
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Brilliant towcar,easy to drive (despite it,s size) dependant on model...lots of toys...reasonably economical,loads of room in boot for dogs etc.plus 7 years peace of mind.(I am on my 4th Sorento since 2003) and I have never been brand blind in 40 odd years of towing!
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I have done old cars before - but peace of mind is high on my list now - I don't fancy breaking down off the beaten track! Most notable was a Peugeot 305 with many many miles on the clock - it served me well for a long time and towed two horses in a trailer for many miles - no doubt outside the legal limits now but it always felt safe. Worst thing about it was the heater - and I was told by more than one "expert" that diesel cars don't create as much heat - rubbish the heater was faulty as I discovered when getting a lift from another owner of a car of similar age!
Thank you everyone for the ideas - plenty of food for thought.
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Hi Pippah, re recommendations its always difficult as we all want, or need, different things but we have an Audi Q5, its our second and 99% sure our next will be a Q5 as well.
I would certainly look at CARWOW when comparing prices as the savings can be significant.
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My last new car was in 1972. I object to the depreciation that "new" entails. There's also a lot of difference between replacing a 19 year old car and one that's only 3 years old - it must be barely run-in.
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Hi Pippah ,if moneys not a problem i’d Recommend BMW maybe an x4 or x5.
At least take a test drive you’ll see a big difference to the Mitsubishi .you can also get some huge deals on pre registered too .i saved £17k on my 535gt and it had 16miles on it when I picked it up 👍
also I like Volvo’s but again very pricey but rock solid and great service from Volvo.
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Sounds to me like you've a fair bit of reading and quite a few test-drives ahead of you Pippa in order to find a vehicle which suits you and your needs!
Practical Caravan magazine have recently published their 'tow car' of the year awards and they make very interesting reading and totally different opinions to those mentioned in the Club's awards.
Today there is so much choice, whereas many of us on here still remember the 60's 70's & 80's when buying a car, built for reliability, was somewhat of a lottery! Those days pretty much ended with the introduction of the Japanese manufacturing methods in the late 70's & early 80's. Of course there are still anomolies, but the latest JD Power surveys for reliability confirm their stranghold on the top spots.
Good hunting
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Easy T did you say what make your car is?
So helpful everyone thank you again. On to the test drives then! Looking round campsites it seems there are a lot of Fords being used as tow cars and I looked at a neighbour's one but his wife complained it didn't have the space of their previous Kia Sorrento.
Yes I was surprised at the Bank Manager it's all his fault I feel like spending! But it did focus the mind! A bit f realism is a good thing I think, I expect we all know people who seem to expect to live forever and don't make the best of what they have.
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- Good point via, no real problems until Kwikfit and the broken tyre pressure sensor. A few dings and scratches but nothing major. So keeping it is fairly high on the option list at the moment.
My neighbour tugs her horses with an elderly X Trail which is off the road currently but has done good service.
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We are on our third Mazda and have yet to have a warranty claim. The CX5 is highly rated as a tow car and is heavy enough for the caravan.
What I would say however is that you do far more driving without a caravan on the back so whatever you choose, the first point is will it suit your everyday needs?
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We have a Mazda CX-7 and tow a Hobby 460 at 1300kg. The car is brilliant and pulls the caravan easily. Of course being petrol miles per gallon are not as good as diesel but we knew this when we bought if.
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Take a look at the Jeep marque Pippah. We have had five in total, still got two at the moment. Pulled horses, caravans, all sorts of trailers. You get a lot for your money. Avoid the Renegade. It's a Fiat really.
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for the record, like CY I never buy new, today I am towing with a 2013 Sorento k2 2.2, brilliant. For many years lived in Scotland and explored every nook and cranny towing with a Discovery, cant deny the discovery is a brilliant tow car, but my oh my when they go wrong they go wrong £5000 for new gear box, transfer box, and lets put in a new clutch whilst we have got it all down. Discovery new approx £56,000 depending on spec of course, Sorento £36 new depending on spec and with a 7 year warranty, and it tows like a dream, what is not to like.
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