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Subject Topic: Replacement tow car
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15/8/2018 at 4:41pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Been looking for ages now for a replacement for our ageing Volvo V70 without much luck. I need a car with plenty of room in the back for a dog cage and holiday gear, but as economical to run as the diesel automatic Volvo, ie, 38mpg around town. Apart from the age of the car the main reason for change is that I want something with a higher driving position due to back problems. the Volvo is a lovely car to drive, but I'm starting to struggle a bit getting out of it. I'm unlikely to want to tow anything over 1200kg, and our current caravan is much less than this. Choices so far are Kia Sportage 2003 - 2010 model, Honda CRV of similar age, or a Nissan X trail 2007/8 model. Our budget is £2,500, but would possibly be able to go to £3,000 for something really special. We don't really need 4WD, but such vehicles tend to be that bit higher. Must be automatic as I don't like driving manuals in traffic any more. Any ideas? There don't seem to be any of our current choices in East Anglia at any price! We have found a few in our budget, but they all seem to be 300 miles away or more.

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Best Regards,
Colin


15/8/2018 at 8:25pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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What about a Focus CMAX? Taller, nice boot space for a dog cage very economical.



15/8/2018 at 9:18pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 15/8/2018
What about a Focus CMAX? Taller, nice boot space for a dog cage very economical.





Might be worth looking at, thanks.

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Best Regards,
Colin


15/8/2018 at 9:30pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 15/8/2018
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 15/8/2018
What about a Focus CMAX? Taller, nice boot space for a dog cage very economical.





Might be worth looking at, thanks.



Just taken a quick look on ebay. Not a single one anywhere with an automatic gearbox. Thanks anyway.



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Best Regards,
Colin


15/8/2018 at 9:48pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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I suggested a C Max when you asked about cars a few months ago. There are diesels out there but most of the cheaper autos tend to be petrol versions. Have a look on Autotrader, you can filter by gearbox, fuel etc and by distance from home.


Rob


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15/8/2018 at 9:58pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Thanks Rob. I have no problem with petrol, as long as it will tow my caravan and will do 38 to 40 mpg during my normal day to day driving, as my Volvo will. Must be an automatic though, as I had enough of clutches and gearboxes during many years of coach driving.

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Best Regards,
Colin


15/8/2018 at 11:57pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 560
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Our previous car was a Hyundai ix35 which is very similar to the Kia Sportage you mentioned. We loved it and I was sad when it finally had to go. Ours wasn’t automatic but we got good mileage out of it and it towed our 1249 caravan really well.

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Pixie


16/8/2018 at 1:31pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Thanks Pixie. The ix35 is much too new (expensive) for me unfortunately, and seems to be more like the most recent Sportage. It's the earlier Sportage that appeals to me. I like the look of it better, and it's more affordable, if only I could find one that isn't 300 miles away. I think Hyundai did make a model very similar to the earlier Sportage, and I would certainly consider it if one came up within a reasonable distance.

The only trouble with buying older cars as I have to is that they vary so much in condition. One person's idea of "excellent condition" is another's "pile of junk". I have travelled many miles before to view cars described as excellent, only to find a rusting heap when I got there.

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Best Regards,
Colin


16/8/2018 at 3:49pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
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what about a citroen grand picasso, Or even the non grand version ? your caravan is light and they have a very popular auto box

plenty of 08 for £2200

Bessie example

Post last edited on 16/08/2018 15:54:07


16/8/2018 at 4:06pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
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Or a c4 picasso, also has a tow bar fitted

c4 picasso

Post last edited on 16/08/2018 16:16:59


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16/8/2018 at 5:56pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Hi Bessie, that's a couple I hadn't considered. Those links don't seem to work, but I'll look them up anyway. Thanks.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


16/8/2018 at 9:07pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
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Hi Colin the second link that hasn’t work was a c4 with 60k on the clock I think around 60 miles from your area for £2700

Bessie


16/8/2018 at 9:57pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
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https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808079225473?maximum-mileage=700........


17/8/2018 at 8:02pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Just been notified of a 2007 Hyundai Tucson 2WD diesel auto. Its a 2ltr CRTD GSI. Any thoughts? Do they make good tow-cars?

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


22/8/2018 at 6:12pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5
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Afraid I have to disagree: the car may be ok but the Citroen auto box is a dog.

An auto-clutch rather than a true auto, it will wear its friction components when creeping, or stood at lights, or reverse-manoeuvring caravans.

It also has a terrible gearchange.

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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.



22/8/2018 at 9:02pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I have found a 2007 Hyundai Tucson diesel automatic which looks like it will do just fine, and I've put down a deposit on it. It's a "proper" automatic with a torque converter, hopefully I have made the right choice.

I'll be sorry in many ways getting rid of the Volvo. It has served us well for the past 9 years.



-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



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