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Stussm

08/10/2018 at 3:33pm
Location: Stirling
Outfit: Abbey Cardinal 315

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After a hiatus of approx 20 years myself and my wife are going to buy a caravan .The caravan is not the problem the tow car is.
My wife drives a 108 and will not drive a big car I have a works car which i drive Mom to Fri so a tow car will sit all week and only be driven when towing or weekends very little mileage.
I have been looking at Peugeot 407 hdi , various VWs and mondeos and Jag x types .
As the car will not be used alot i have budgeted for about £2000-£3000 . Would like any advice regarding the above
Thanks

JuanHuNose

08/10/2018 at 4:11pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Volvo V60 & Swift Challenger 565

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Can`t use the works car for towing?

Stussm

08/10/2018 at 4:27pm
Location: Stirling
Outfit: Abbey Cardinal 315

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No not allowed as its a nhs service vehicle .

Grampian91

08/10/2018 at 6:02pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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A well looked after MK3 Mondeo worked for me.

Be fussy and get one with a good service history.

But it depends on the choice of caravan, how heavy are you looking? Whats the gross laden caravan weight?

Colin21

08/10/2018 at 6:55pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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The caravan will definitely determine what tow car you need. Some small cars can tow small, light caravans, but for anything larger/heavier you will need a bigger, heavier, and more powerful car. Work out what you want to tow, and then find a car to match. Both the major clubs have a matching service that can help, but you need to choose a caravan first. Or have you already done so?

My personal preference is for a diesel automatic, as they are ideal for towing and good mpg when they are not.

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Best Regards,
Colin

Stussm

08/10/2018 at 7:00pm
Location: Stirling
Outfit: Abbey Cardinal 315

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It will be a 2 berth , we are looking at caravans 1150kg to 1300kg .
Want something that will tow with ease and future proof in case we get a bigger van (hopefully grand kids in the future )

richardandjo2010

08/10/2018 at 7:22pm
Location: essex
Outfit: Swift Challenger 570

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We are just going through the same as you, we are happy with our caravan but we are tempted to upgrade to newer and bigger. I have a large van for my work and oh has the car, the problem we have is the car is perfect and we love it and will be sad to exchange it. So we are thinking of getting something else to tow with and keep it. I have done quite abit of research on this and I do now lots of mechanics as my job is supply to vehicle repair trade and I have taken advise from some of them. With a small budget I believe a good choice is a Citroen C5 estate 2.0 hdi if you get the later shape there is loads under £3000 advantages are underated so cheap to buy and no they don't have air suspension that's expensive to fix unless you get the top model. Its a huge car loads of room with kerb weights around 1600kg all finished of with a nice spec even on the basic ones.

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its our imperfections that makes us perfect

SamandRose

10/10/2018 at 4:36pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart

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Get a VW Passat 2.0 TDI and provided that it has a full service history, you should be laughing - I've run them up to 140k miles + with no reliability issues at all. Skoda Superb is mechanically identical and there are plenty of either about.

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

navver

10/10/2018 at 8:56pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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The Saab 9.3 Diesels run to high mileages and are reliable and economical as well. Nice, well equipped cars too.

Skoda Bob

11/10/2018 at 8:16am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4

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Quote: Originally posted by SamandRose on 10/10/2018
Get a VW Passat 2.0 TDI and provided that it has a full service history, you should be laughing - I've run them up to 140k miles + with no reliability issues at all. Skoda Superb is mechanically identical and there are plenty of either about.

Not even run in yet , try 400 K plus , with regular oil changes

Skoda Bob

11/10/2018 at 8:16am
Location: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by navver on 10/10/2018
The Saab 9.3 Diesels run to high mileages and are reliable and economical as well. Nice, well equipped cars too.

very dodgy turbos

664DaveS

12/10/2018 at 10:55am
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

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Its a Fiat derived engine,used in GM cars too.Plenty ofhigh mileage Vauxhalls! My Saab is great.No turbo issues and its 11 years old!

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DaveMiller

12/10/2018 at 2:43pm
Location: Northamptonshire
Outfit: Lunar SB + Volvo XC70

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Good luck with getting impartial advice here.

Just to add to the confusion I wrote a short piece about our experience with this dilemma the other day that will probably be no help to your whatsoever.

http://wandering.me.uk/choosing-a-tug/

Stussm

14/10/2018 at 8:58am
Location: Stirling
Outfit: Abbey Cardinal 315

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Still deciding though i have be offered a low mileage 2006 Mondeo 2.0tdi £650 so may opt for that .

TrigGLX

18/10/2018 at 1:04pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Swift Challenger 524

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don't forget the towing ""guideline"" for a "newbie" caravan to be no more than 85% kerbweight of car. i.e. 1300 kgs van MTPLM needs a car with a kerbweight > 1530 Kgs.

before anybody criticises yes its only a guideline and not the rule, but either way its commonly over looked, as i have seen countless times this season.

Just want everyone to be safe.

SamandRose

18/10/2018 at 6:46pm
Location: Midlands
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Fair point Trig but the OP should be well within that with a Mondeo or similar.

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

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