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Hi All

We pick up our Bailey Ranger 550/6 on Wednesday and need to change our car before then.

So the question is - on a budget of approx 7k - what should I buy that meets the following:

• sufficient space for 5 people
• capable of towing 1350kgs with ease
• preferably a 4x4 (my wife has this as a preference)
• not too old. (3-4 years ideally)

oh and if anyone wants to buy a 1.6 zafira with less than 10k miles on clock - let me know.

Thanks

Paul

Hi,

Just a few thoughts....do you really need a 4x4?

I thought that I did, then drove one and was pleased I took a test drive.!

Apart from the obvious issues with fuel consumption the body roll was apalling. Clearly they are what they are....at their best off road.

If you only tow for 1000 or so miles a year why compromise the other 90% of your driving. I am more than happy with my Mondeo diesel (kerb weight 1593 I think) which will still out accelerate young chav in his Saxo with our van on the back and tow with authority on the motorway.

Oh and I forgot...my 54 plate Mondeo 130 ps with 45k on the clock has a "bottom book" of £7000...so similar is  in budget.

regards

Mr Ulti-Mate

we have a trooper 3.1d

lwd 7 seater, and she isnt that bad on the juice, and she is great at pulling anything!

this is my first 4x4 and I love it

Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 04/6/2006

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Hi,

Just a few thoughts....do you really need a 4x4?

I thought that I did, then drove one and was pleased I took a test drive.!

Apart from the obvious issues with fuel consumption the body roll was apalling. Clearly they are what they are....at their best off road.

If you only tow for 1000 or so miles a year why compromise the other 90% of your driving. I am more than happy with my Mondeo diesel (kerb weight 1593 I think) which will still out accelerate young chav in his Saxo with our van on the back and tow with authority on the motorway.

Oh and I forgot...my 54 plate Mondeo 130 ps with 45k on the clock has a "bottom book" of £7000...so similar is  in budget.

 

 

 

regards

 

Mr Ulti-Mate

 

---

QFA

paulvshaw

A bit off the point but how long ago did you order your Bailey Ranger?  We ordered a Ranger 460/4 last weekend and have to wait until September for it - not due to be manufactured until late August.  This seems a very long time is this normal?  Also are the dates given by the dealers accurate or works of fiction!

Fat Bum

Hi all

Thanks for all your comments - Fat Burn, our Bailey was a private sale - and it is two years old. We would have had to wait until October to buy a new one so we decided to save 3k and have a 2004 model (complete with awning and annex).

We have done a deal today on a replacement for our Zafira    -------   A 2.4 Hyundai Santa Fe GSI. A diesel may have been better but this still offers better fuel consumption than the Zafira and it feels very luxurious. Again a 2004 model and at 9k I am hoping that we have a good deal.

Lets hope all weekends are not as expensive as this one.

Thanks again

Paul

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/classads/forsale/view.asp?ad=6-6-4-10767&subj=****KIA+SEDONA***FANTASTIC+TOW+CAR****

Not too late to buy my Sedona you know Paul!!

yep , agree with the Mondeo comments. more than surprised a few folk with its acceleration, even with the van on the back. 30 + mpg towing as well. 225 miles over the weekend , 90 towing , used under half a tank of diesel.

should get a 4 year old top spec mondy for well under 6k now