some advice on a 2nd car......

[joey]

I have just got a new job which is going to require me to do some serious mileage all year round...notably on country roads and in all weathers.

that will be fun in the summer with the top down in the Z but...

I have decided I do not want to subject my potentially mint condition and low mileage Z to this kind of treatment in all seasons so have decided to buy a second car...

here are the issues and restrictions...(most financial)

the only extra parking I have available is up a dirt track by the side of the cottage and the driving will be mostly country miles, so have decided it must be a 4x4 of some kind, I get a "car allowance of around £1000 per year and a mileage allowance of 45p per mile on top of that so have decided that for owning what will effectively be our 3rd car it must come in at around £1000 to be cost effective.

I dont mind if I buy a high mileage car and run it into the ground...my thinking is I would buy a "new one every year to 18mths and scrap it at the end of its usable life if I have too...my yearly car allowance would cover this.


so far I am looking at Honda CRV'S and Toyota rav 4's and my research suggests there are plenty of those around at 70-100k that fit the budget nicely and I feel if I do all the right mechanical checks and am careful I will be o.k..

any experience anyone has had with these cars would be be appreciated as would any other suggestions for a suitable vehicle...


thanks very much!

 

[bruce&kim]

needs a head gasket but should come below budge http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-LAND...8171857?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ecb3b87d1

 

[hard top]

For 4 x 4 you have to go Jap. Driven enough Nissans and Toyotas out in the Sahara desert and they are indestructible.

 

[joey]

thanks hardtop..and bruce and kim..

that was my conclusion, I did look at the landrover freelander and the ones with the tdi bmw engine are good, but about £500 out of my price range.

otherwise its the rover engined ones which are a little risky as a high mileage purchase

it would seem jap is the way to go on this....

it's all really about keeping my Z in best of health..

 

[zedonist]

Isuzu Bighorn 3.1, cant beat em plenty available sub £1000, and you should make money at 45p a mile

 

[joey]

just looked on autotrader,

4 of them and not one over a grand...

good shout zedonist.

next move go and test drive one..

will post pics of my purchase as and when!.

 

[stevie_a]

Volvo XC60 ??

Volvo XC70 ??

 

[GazHyde]

I had a petrol CR-V, and lord almighty did it drink fuel... Had the BMW diesel engined Freelander and lord almighty did it break down a lot...

Audi A4 Quattro is what you want

 

[miller1098]

4x4 one choice http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/news/11606/01Audi_quattro_1983RACwinner-L.jpg dont mess about

 

[Freds Dad]

I've got a CRV as a second car and it's now on 131k and still runs like a dream. It also has 4 wheel drive when you need it, so basically the car decides when 4WD is needed and switches over. I can't fault it and although it's not the cheapest for fuel it's solid and just keeps going.

Search for CRV forums and see if any members are selling theirs.

 

[joey]

some good suggestions...

but my budget is sub £1000...maybe for a really good one I would go to £1200

so the A4 Quattro is def out of my price range! as is the volvo xc 60 and 70...

at this point it is japanese all the way. Honda CRV being the front runner, followed closely by the Isuzu Bighorn then the Toyota Rav4 I would love a freelander but at my budget i will be likely to be buying problems.

am looking at these..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/6/postcode/gu24ef/radius/1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/8/postcode/gu24ef/radius/1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/8/postcode/gu24ef/radius/1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...page/15/radius/1500/postcode/gu24ef?logcode=p

CRV my current front runner

 

[GazHyde]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...page/15/radius/1500/postcode/gu24ef?logcode=p

CRV my current front runner

I loved the one I had, but only because it was a company car and I didn't pay for the fuel... Mine was a manual as well. Great spec, really comfortable motorway cruiser.

Here's a picture of my old one

 

[zedonist]

Well according to Horse & Hound, and Tarquin and Felicity should know best, its either the Fourtrack or Trooper for them as best 4x4 under a grand

 

[joey]

great pic....! channelling james hunt that day?

I do get a petrol allowance of 45p a mile and £70 a month towards "upkeep" of vehicle so if I can get it cheap enough it should work out

how juicy was it exactly gaz? often MPG quoted on spec and real world MPG is vastly different....and not good different!

 

[joey]

agreed ...tarquin and felicity do know their chelsea tractors..

however the reason I have ruled it out is it is BIG! about a 3rd bigger than the CRV and I still need it to be semi practical on occasion in urban and semi urban situations..other than that its a great shout...

 

[zedonist]

Dont forget war and zombie situations, then you need a big mother!