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Subject Topic: Tow car for £2k and less?
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04/4/2013 at 11:45pm
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Hi,
I have a Sterling Eccles Amethyst(2003) MTPLM of approx. 1468kg. I am looking for a car to pull it but only have around £1500 to spend may go to £2000 at a push! Can I get a decent car for this? I have been looking about, Terrano's, Frontera's, Santa FE's, even Mondeo est. What do people think? it will only be used for towing the caravan as I have another car for daily useage, do need something reliable, ideally without galactic mileage but then most I have seen do have well over 100,000 plus miles!!
Thanks


05/4/2013 at 2:29am
 Location: Midlands
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Its a dodgy price range. A lot of cars in your range are cars that people want shut of because its got a problem that cant be traced properly, Or a list of issues that will cost as much to repair or just plain knackered.

Your into common rail diesel engines where a set of injectors cost £500 - £1000.

Dual mass flywheels which add £250 onto the cost of a clutch replacement. Mondeo clutch and DMF at a dealers is £1000+. £600-£800 elsewhere.

Its easy to spend double what you paid for the car on basic maintenance.

Personally i would say a Mondeo is not heavy enough to tow that weight.

The cars gross laden weight is less than the max tow of 1800kg and the cars loaded kerbweight.
So you can load the car or tow a lot. Not both.
1800kg is with a driver only. 75kg i think.

And 100,000 miles is nothing. My old petrol car had 150,000 miles and still goes now 3 years after i sold it. My current diesel has 160,000 on it and still going strong.




05/4/2013 at 6:41am
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I think it's nonsense to say a car may be problematic just because it's in a price range. The simple answer to your question is yes you can get a good car in your price range but they need searching out a bit more.

People change cars for all sorts of reasons but mostly because they just want a change. They get rid of loads of excellent cars.


05/4/2013 at 10:20am
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We have a terrano 2.7tdi ,no problems parts cheap cheap insurance ,capable of mega miles London taxi engine fitted ,a good one can be picked up for under 1500'also look at ford maverick both post 1998 as you Get a inter cooler and extra 25bhp
Tony

-------------
If You Open Your Mind Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out


05/4/2013 at 10:53am
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Mondeo will tow it no problems. If you are a confident towing, don't worry about the 85% as it is only a guideline, however don't exceed the MIRO of the car.


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05/4/2013 at 12:10pm
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The Mondeo is a great tow car but on that budget is a lottery. If you have to change the flywheel, budget £600 minimum, double if you use a Ford dealer. Reconditioned injectors about £200 a piece, New ones are double.

A number of cars that start giving trouble get traded in leaving a lot of "bargains" around that can cost twice what you paid for the car in repairs in a few months.

I am fitting a new DMF to my Mondeo at the weekend, had an injector overhauled in January. Paid £1500 for it last year.


05/4/2013 at 3:21pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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I bought mine from a dealer who bought it from the lease companies auction.

Just under 5 years old for just over £2000. Lots of miles but i have put lots more on it in the 3 years ive owned it and all good.

You should be able to get a 2007 one now for similar money.

But i also use the club websites and the amount of people that join to ask about problems and then sell the car is quite high.
I do wonder sometimes if its the same cars being asked about.

Mileage is not an issue if the cars looked after. I bought a Rover diesel with over 200,000 miles. I towed my caravan to Cornwall and back for several years adding even more to it.
It was still going 3 or 4 years after i sold it.



05/4/2013 at 6:47pm
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Lots to think about then, would I be 'ok' towing with a petrol version of a Frontera for example?


05/4/2013 at 7:04pm
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There a lovely One Owner Full Service History including 11 stamps a ( 2001 Hyundai Sanfe Fe TD ) Superb Condition
£2,195 .00 Make a Offer                                (there is 2 offers on it)   
Contact 07930327824
THIS ON EBAY


05/4/2013 at 8:07pm
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It only has 3 months MOT!! advert states long MOT??


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05/4/2013 at 8:32pm
 Location:  lincolnshire
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It a One Owner from new and comes with full service history with 11 Stamps if i was looking i would be buying it myself this is a bargain and look at the condition . and if (it came with 3 months MOT it would not bother me one bit)
The MOT runs out in July 2013 why don"t you ask them if they give you 12 months ....
I would have brought the car first and then the caravan


05/4/2013 at 9:05pm
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Quote: Originally posted by philip 22 on 05/4/2013
It a One Owner from new and comes with full service history with 11 Stamps if i was looking i would be buying it myself this is a bargain and look at the condition . and if (it came with 3 months MOT it would not bother me one bit)
The MOT runs out in July 2013 why don"t you ask them if they give you 12 months ....
I would have brought the car first and then the caravan



We were going to get a towcar via motability as we are due to swap current motability car in July, but can't warrant putting down at least £1k down payment then giving it back in 3 years, we can't afford to keep it after that, and would have to come up with a big down payment again!! So buying a car now just for towing is I feel the better option, he would put 12 months MOT on for the asking price, but I cannot stretch to the asking price, £2k is my max at big push!!


05/4/2013 at 11:28pm
 Location:  lincolnshire
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Well good luck in your search but make sure you get one with service history otherwise anything goes wrong it be more than £195 you have to worry about. M8


06/4/2013 at 12:54am
 Location:  lincolnshire
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I just seen this 1999 Vauxhall Frontera 2.2 dti it has 12 months MOT and Taxed had a new diesel pump 18 months ago Very Good Condition only 98,000 Miles .
Starting price £1700 -- Buy it now £2,000
Reserve Price not Met (There is a Reserve Price)
It has a chip box fitted and it improves bhp to over 140 if he gets near the asking price he will leave it in
It comes with Tow Bar
His Mobile is 07830746946   
If you want to discuss anything
The choice is yours to make ....
This is on E-Bay as well


06/4/2013 at 9:06am
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Quote: Originally posted by philip 22 on 06/4/2013
I just seen this 1999 Vauxhall Frontera 2.2 dti it has 12 months MOT and Taxed had a new diesel pump 18 months ago Very Good Condition only 98,000 Miles .
Starting price £1700 -- Buy it now £2,000
Reserve Price not Met (There is a Reserve Price)
It has a chip box fitted and it improves bhp to over 140 if he gets near the asking price he will leave it in
It comes with Tow Bar
His Mobile is 07830746946   
If you want to discuss anything
The choice is yours to make ....
This is on E-Bay as well

If its the chip box from ebay, it will have had it.

Never ever fit a box from ebay they ruin your engines, always get your vehicle professionally chipped



06/4/2013 at 10:05am
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Quote: Originally posted by rickster30 on 05/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by philip 22 on 05/4/2013It a One Owner from new and comes with full service history with 11 Stamps if i was looking i would be buying it myself this is a bargain and look at the condition . and if (it came with 3 months MOT it would not bother me one bit)
The MOT runs out in July 2013 why don"t you ask them if they give you 12 months ....
I would have brought the car first and then the caravan



We were going to get a towcar via motability as we are due to swap current motability car in July, but can't warrant putting down at least £1k down payment then giving it back in 3 years, we can't afford to keep it after that, and would have to come up with a big down payment again!! So buying a car now just for towing is I feel the better option, he would put 12 months MOT on for the asking price, but I cannot stretch to the asking price, £2k is my max at big push!!



Buy a car on HP and use part of the Motability payment to pay for it. Your road tax is free so no issue there. You should be able to get a fairly decent car with payments spread of 3 years. After the 3 years the car is yours and you now have the deposit for another car.



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