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Subject Topic: Car advice please
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Personsandbach68
16/2/2016 at 10:07pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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Hi all. My husband and I have recently separated and he has the car we used for towing our caravan. I am looking to get a new car that would be suitable for towing, my Fiat Punto frankly won't cut it. I have an old girl, a 1981 Eccles Amethyst. Please could you advise on the kind of car I need to be looking at to tow her safely? I may either lease through the NHS or buy second hand, depending which works out best.
Thanks so much.


PersonRob and Tina
16/2/2016 at 10:39pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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The first thing you need to know is the max weight (MTPLM) of the caravan. As your van dates from 1981 I expect it will be a lot lighter than more modern versions.

What sort of mileage do you do? Is it all short journeys or is it a mixture of roads and journey lengths? Do you need an automatic? Did you pass your test before 1997?

Come back with some more information and we'll be able to make some sensible suggestions.

Rob


Personsandbach68
16/2/2016 at 10:46pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry but I'm not sure of the Max weight. I'll try to find out but have already failed in sourcing a manual. Would it be on the van anywhere?
I don't imagine I'll be travelling more than 150 miles in one go and most trips will be much less. I unfortunately passed my test well before 1997 and I don't need an automatic.
Thanks again.


PersonRob and Tina
16/2/2016 at 10:55pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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What about your day to day use? If you are towing a diesel is usually better but if you do a lot of short journeys a petrol car may well be better for you to avoid all the dpf problems.

I expect your caravan is around 1000 kg but check the plate on the chassis or by the door to make sure. At that sort of weight something like a 1.6 diesel Focus would do the job and be fairly cheap to lease.

Passing the test before 97 is a good thing because you are not restricted in what you can tow. After 97 you are restricted to a gross train weight of 3500 kg unless you pass the towing test, this rules out big 4x4 cars towing big caravans.

Rob


Personsandbach68
16/2/2016 at 11:04pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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Day to day I do quite a lot of mileage, a motorway commute and then lots of short journeys, I'm a community nurse. I imagine a diesel would be the most suitable overall. I'm encouraged that something like a 1.6 diesel focus may be an option. Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.


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Personissym
17/2/2016 at 9:30am
 Location: Cambridgeshire
 Outfit: Outfitless!!!Vauxhal View issym's Profile View Profile   Reply to issym Reply   Quote issym Quote  
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Look at a new Vauxhall, they can offer 7% for NHS workers, we had to fight for it but we got it.

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Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.


Personsandbach68
17/2/2016 at 12:57pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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Thank you. I was thinking of going through my trust with a lease car but I'm open to all suggestions, I'll check Vauxhall out.


Personrichardandjo2010
17/2/2016 at 8:26pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 View richardandjo2010's Profile View Profile   Reply to richardandjo2010 Reply   Quote richardandjo2010 Quote  
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I had one of those once I think it was 875kg but not certain however I wouldn't think im far out anyway, with that in mind theres plenty of choice may be Focus or Astra diesel make a better towcar but petrol cars can be ok too


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its our imperfections that makes us perfect


Personcheckley1973
17/2/2016 at 10:48pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by sandbach68 on 16/2/2016
Hi. Thanks for your reply. Sorry but I'm not sure of the Max weight. I'll try to find out but have already failed in sourcing a manual. Would it be on the van anywhere?
I don't imagine I'll be travelling more than 150 miles in one go and most trips will be much less. I unfortunately passed my test well before 1997 and I don't need an automatic.
Thanks again.


There should be a plate or sticker somewhere on the caravan, could be on the draw bar or in the gas locker.


PersonAVON EAGLE
18/2/2016 at 8:12am
 Location: Blackpool
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Kia are offering 0% finance on new models now - If a new car is not an option then there should be a part ex cars available.


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PersonSkoda Bob
18/2/2016 at 1:08pm
 Location: None Entered
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look for a small plate near the door or on the drawbar for the weights put both on here unladen and max


Personsandbach68
21/2/2016 at 4:01pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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I've had a look and the plate says max weight 900kg. Does anyone have a Skoda Octavia? They are a really good price on my NHS lease scheme.
Thanks again


Persondiesel steve
21/2/2016 at 4:10pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
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you can't get a better alround car than a skoda octavia. i currently run a octavia 4x4 diesel estate,brilliant car.


Personsandbach68
21/2/2016 at 4:15pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: 1981 Eccles Amethyst Ci View sandbach68's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandbach68 Reply   Quote sandbach68 Quote  
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Thanks diesel Steve, that's really useful to know, I've never had a Skoda. What size engine do you have? I'm looking to get a diesel but didn't know if the 1.6 would be enough or I'd be better going for the 2.0.
Thanks.


Personcheckley1973
21/2/2016 at 7:35pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
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1.6 fine for that size van. I use a 2.0 to tow 1600 van.


Persondiesel steve
21/2/2016 at 8:58pm
 Location: fife
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my 1 st octavai estate was a 1.9 tdi 105 bhp. it towed a swift weighting 1350 kgs down to spain.my other 2 have been octavia scout models, 140 bhp, and 4x4. they can tow upto 1600 kgs. great on fuel solo,over 50 mpg. my partner has a new style octavia estate and daughter has a fabia. all fantastic cars.



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