Sorry I have upset you Bob but you don't know how much stuff I take away with us so need to cut down for next hols and also thinking of getting a motor mover put on as seem to make positioning the van much easier. We usually end up arguing about this before we even start the holiday. Thanks DaveS I think I worry about things too much so will take your advice. Thanks again.
Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 12/4/2012
Well all I can say is we told you that you don't need a 4x4 to tow your van but if your insistent on massive service and fuel bills go ahead
You will not be faced with massive bills. Ive ran 4x4s for several years and yes theyre more expensive than my last "conventional" car in some respects but in others theyre tremendous value , cheaper and very easy to work on.
For starters a canny shopper can get a 4x4 at a real knock down price because so many people perpetuate the silly rumour that theyre way expensive.
The absolute icing on the cake of course is the absolutely unbeatable all round tow ability.
Had the same dilemma to get a 4x4 or not! went through all the cars I could think of and my outcome is a mercedes e class estate 2nd hand of course, e270 or e320 on your swift is 83% didn't check the 320. Does seem to tick all the boxes, however I wont be using it for a everyday car just a standby motor ( however i wouldn't be scared of the fuel costs to use it everyday) main use will be for towing and looking forward to it, on paper looks promising weights and economy, so thats what i am now after.. but each to there own
Hi Simon just looked on autotrader, mercedes looks nice, have never looked at one of these cars before and would be suitable weight wise but too expensive for us to buy. Feel a bit happier with Dogruffs comments and looking forward to getting the car soon. Happy Holidays! SH
I know you have settled on the Volvo but thought I would let you know of running costs of Santa Fe.(2010 model 2.2 diesel)
My main Hyundai dealer did a full service for £200 this year.
Diesel cost for running- currently getting around 30 to the gallon ( mainly round town runs) , on long runs have got 40+ MPG.
Costs me less to run than a Zafira I had!
I run it because I can and have a choice ( and to be honset , also getting sick of listening to the " skoda's are the best you dont need anything else blah blah blah!"), and I must admit its the best vehicle I have owned, and have had a few in the 20 odd years I have been driving.Also has nearly 200 bhp and enough torque to pull a house down if needed.
Towing a Coachman Amara fully laden- the Santa Fe drives like it isnt there, and would fully recomend running a 4x4.
I live in Siberia ( I mean Yorkshire!) and with the winter weather have not struggled despite severe winters we have had recently.
Hi Duckjam Thank you for your reply Finally got the XC90 yesterday. Hubby was very pleased with it. Felt bigger than I remember when we test drove it a few weeks ago but went for the manual one as thought it might be a bit better on fuel costs. Keep reaching for the handbrake but on the manual one it is on the floor. Will have to get used to driving before we start towing. Hope I will be able to manage it but it looks stunning. I did like the Santa Fe but would have not been able to go for a newer one due to the cost. Will let you know how we get on. Just need to book hols for May now so hoping there are places available. Thanks SH
Plus 1 for Duckjam's quotes, i had never had a 4 x 4 until my new santa and it is as cheap as my audi A6 was, slightly higher fuel costs levelled out by cheaper servicing and better warranty.
Duckjam, was your service a 12 month or 24month service. i have been quoted £256 by one dealer and £442 by another for the 24 month identical service. Wonder which one will get my business!!
It was the first 12 month service.But I have also been told they will do it for the same price. plus it needs fuel filter at 24 months, but they said due to the low mileage ( i do around 10000 miles a year,they will do it the same.Still get the full Hyundai warranty, which I must say so far excellent as it had a slight knock on suspension, which was booked in, free courtesy car for the day and fixed within a few hours
Quite happy with the service so far from the dealer.
Its also worth asking if they will match the cheaper price, depends which dealer you prefer.I have a main Hyundai dealer about 5 miles from home.they were slightly cheaper however from previous dealings wasnt too keen
.The one I went to is abut 3 miles further away ( on a national speed limit road, so literally a few minutes away !)
Hi Duckjam, I paid £210 for my 12 month service but already done 16000 miles but have since changed jobs so only do 10k per year now. The dealer i am using is 6 miles further but all country roads so no big deal and while i could ask the other to price match i don't like the fact they tried to rip me off with a £440 quote in the first place the other offered their best deal first time so will stick with them.
had no need to use warranty yet but good to hear. My mate has the same car but manual and he went into the back of a van (insurance scam actually) and he is having to wait 5 weeks for parts which is a bit of a blow but service still good.
My Santa Fe is at the garage being serviced as I write! Cost is £165 (+VAT) plus front brake pads. This is for its annual service, it's a 56 reg & has done 34,000 miles.
When we bought it last May it had 6 months remaining warranty which we put to use straight away as the rear seat wouldn't fold forward! Unfortunately warranty has now expired but if I'm ever in a position to buy new I wouldn't hesitate!
------------- 2012
June - Swiss Farm, Henley
July: Heathland Beach, Suffolk
July: Clippesby, Norfolk
August: Lincoln Farm Park, Oxfordshire
August: Trevella Park, Newquay
Our Hyundai Santa Fe replaced our Kia Sorrento, the new Sorrento is overpriced and also saved nearly £2000 by buying a pre-registered Santa Fe, I sometimes get 40mpg on a long run and around 30 when towing depending on the number of hills, we pitch a lot on farmers fields where a 4x4 is a must, its not funny watching people struggle with front wheel drive tow cars.