Anyone have a 4x4 they just use for towing?

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Jingleballs

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And a smaller car for everyday driving?

I bought a SWB 3.2 Di-d shogun in December having previously had an xtrail.

It is pretty thirsty even just for day to day driving - takes £70 to fill and only get about 320 miles out of a tank and I do about 140 miles per week so have about £125 diesel costs per month before towing. Also costs just under £60 per month to insure.

I'd considered getting a 3.5 tonne lorry instead and selling the 4x4 and trailer but was thinking today I could just buy a small car and run that as my day to day car - talking 1 litre, 3rd party insurance job that will cost all of £50 to fill the tank and last for weeks.

Does anyone do this? Do you still have your 4x4 insured fully comp and how often do you need to run it to keep it ticking over?

I can afford to run the Shogun but I just grudge the cost - with the £125 diesel costs I could afford to insure and run a smaller second car and only use the shogun the 2 - 3 times a month that I tow!

Welcome any thoughts!
 
I run two cars. I have an Isuzu Trooper that I use for towing, and I also have a VW Golf as an 'everyday' car. It's cheaper than running a car and a truck.
 
I'm in the same boat at the mo.

I've got a Discovery 3 which I currently use for everyday and for towing, but it costs me £100 a week in diesel doing school runs alone. I'm looking seriously at buying a much smaller car for everyday. I worked out the small car would pay for itself in a relatively short space of time, and the Disco's value would benefit from a much reduced mileage, but now the problem is finding something reliable and economical - they seem like hen's teeth round here.

I shall keep the Disco for towing, fully comp, taxed etc, as I will use it to tow every weekend and during the week if we go to the gallops for example. I think that I'd have to start it up every couple of days, and take it for a short spin, if I wasn't 'working' it, just to keep it ticking over.
 
Yes I do - well mainly!

I have a Toyota Landcruiser that costs me over £90 a week in fuel if I use it for everyday use. My husband works abroad and is away for roughly 8 months a year so whilst he is away I only use his car unless I am towing in which case I obviously use my Landcruiser. This way I only spend about £20 a week on fuel plus any towing expenses. Both cars are insured fully comp as my Landcruiser is only a few years old & worth too much to be insured only 3rd party IMO.

I have also toyed with the idea of getting ride of the 4wd and trailer and getting a small lorry but I don't think I'd save any money by the time I've taxed & insured the lorry. The other thing that plays on my mind is the fact my Landcruiser has been an absolute godsend this winter & got me to the stables, my dogs out, friends to yards etc etc when nobody elses car could even get off our estate! I'd hate to have another winter like this one and not be able to get down to my horses - I don't think I'd be so pleased to have a lorry instead at that point!
 
I've got a 1.2 55 plate Clio and an 2.8 M reg Fourtrak. The least i use the fourtrak is once a week to go a couple of miles for lessons and even in winter 'touch wood' have no problems.

Tax is my main bugbear but ive managed to get them so the tax are due a couple of months apart on each car (and the same with the MOT's) so at least i dont have 2 due at once.

I'd love to have just one newer 4x4 but i live 15 miles from my yard and although this doesnt sound far i worked it out to be far less economical to have one car so this is why i have the 2.
 
Thanks - currently having a debate with my OH about it.

I've spotted some nice, low mileage, 1 litre nissan micras near my - had them before and know they are great.

Insurance would be £20 a month, car would be fully paid for (only £700) and it would cost me £40 a month max to put fuel in - saving me up to £60 in my 4x4 running cost.

OH says it's a waste though to pay £60 a month in insurance and £200 odd a year in tax for a 4x4 that sits doing nothing 28 days a month!

He doesn't seem to be getting my logic!

Yes I imagine the insureance/tax/mot could be an issue but I'd be buying something with a years tax and mot anyway!
 
We do. OH has a van for work, I have a runabout car, and we have a 4Life which is only used for towing or when my car is in use and we need another, or OH is going to pick up something in it. It's far cheaper that way, as mine does a good 50mpg, and does more miles, the 4Life only does about 1-2K between MOTs.

ETA 4Life being so low mileage always sails through MOT with minimal cost, mine's the one that needs headlights/indicator stalks and brakes doing.
 
I think unless you need the 4x4 or only do a tiny mileage a lorry and a small car makes more sense I have lorry tax is £165 fiesta diesel tax is £20 does 60 mpg and there is less to look after and a lorry is nicer than a trailer with the living and storage as fuel goes ever upward Im so glad I have an economical car.. you have to do the sums what suits one person might not work for others...
 
I have a Jeep and its very thirsty, its our everyday car. I used to run two and should probably get another small car but with tack for 5 horses, 3 dogs and two teenagers a small car just isnt big enough!!
 
I have Tommy Trooper for towing :D - and I drive around in it at weekend to pick up feed etc to keep it ticking over. I have a company car for work so it is my back up in the event I change jobs etc as I live on a farm in the middle of no where so don't want to get stuck without a car or in the snow, floods etc with Tommy as my 'spare' for towing etc I am always mobile so can get to shops etc. I only put £20 or £30 in every 3 to 4 weeks so not to bad.:)
 
i do .have a vauxhall monterey purely for towing,collecting feed etc which i use at least once a week often more for daughter to compete ,lessons,collect hay etc. and have a mini clubman for work.every day use.couldnt afford to run 4 x 4 for everyday as am a community nurse and do big mileage.
 
I have a BMW mini and share a Fourtrak with my bro, although I have driven the 4x4 non stop since the winter, with the mini just sat on the drive. Have now decided that I really prefer the 4x4, especially now I have passed my towing test. Made the decision to sell the mini and get my own 4x4 (Kia sorento possibly) as I love the freedom of being able to tow whenever and TBH there isn't a huge difference in mpg. (mini not that great on fuel). If I had a very thirsty 4x4 I would prob get a cheap runabout but 1 car (4x4) is making sense for me at the moment
 
Yep have 19yr old Disco for towing, have fully comp but limited mileage insurance
other car is 206 soon to be swapped for a Aygo
Disco gets driven once a fortnight or so for towing, have to remeber to drive it just for the sake of it in winter and to check it will start if snow is mentioned.
 
I have a diesel Astra for everyday trips and a diesel Landrover Defender for towing. I use my no claims on the Astra and the defender is on a cherished car limited milegage policy which I think is 3000 miles a year which is loads in a defender!!. I don't do much towing atm but would hate not to have the option also it was invaluable in the snow as it just ploughed through everything.
I think the Astra has low tax but Landy is full whack at nearly £200.
 
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