Best Well Priced 4x4 (that doesn't cost the earth to insure)

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trickivicki

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Hi All,

Having sold the lorry.

I am now looking to upgrade to a 4x4 (from my Punto) and trailer (after I pass the test).

What would people recommend? (in the £2000- ish region)

At present I am quite keen on the Mitsubishi Pinin and Suzuki Vitara and am very un-keen (if that is a word) on the Freelander.

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I think you will struggle to tow a trailer, certainly with a Vitara (I don't know about the Pinin but I would imagine it'd be similar). I have seen a new LWB Vitara towing one horse in a trailer but I would say that would be the max. I actually love the Vitaras as think they are fab off-road but I wouldn't be convinced towing any real weight.

You could though look at the older Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorrento - you are likely to be able to get a newer model for your money and you get quite a bit spec wise. Again though, check the towing ability!

There is actually a W reg Vitara for sale on autotrader currently for under £2000 (£1750 I think), it is very smart by the looks of it but is a 2.5L V6 and is LWB with a tow bar so would not be cheap to insure or tax!!

I think from a previous post on here it'd also be worth your while looking at Isuzu Troopers but you will probably be looking a older models than the Hyundai/Kias and also consider the pick up type vehicles (Nissan Navaras etc) as I think they are classed as commercial vehicles in most cases so are cheaper to insure. Not sure about the tax though!!!
 
I love my Nissan Terrano, I use it as my everyday car as well as for towing. It was actually cheaper to insure than the Renault Scenic I had before it! Gutted Ive got to sell it :( but moving to a town and need to raise funds after split from (ex)OH :)
 
ladyt25 said:
I think you will struggle to tow a trailer, certainly with a Vitara (I don't know about the Pinin but I would imagine it'd be similar). I wouldn't be convinced towing any real weight.
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I agree that Vitara (and the Pinin) lack power and both have max towing weight of 1.5tonne, so if your trailer weighs a tonne, doesn't leave much for the ponies unless they are anorexic!

Santa Fe not a bad idea, or maybe a Nissan Terrano or Isuzu Trooper.

Unfortunately, cheap, good towing vehicle and low insurance will be hard to find in one vehicle!!

Avoid old Land Rovers, Discovery - likely to be unreliable and Freelander (having towed with one) not great!

Make sure you get something with 200+ Torque! :)

Good luck though!
 
Cheers Guys!

Particularly for the Santa- Fe shout, have checked with my insurers and they are happy with me to drive one of them (at 20 they are a bit protective about what I am allowed!!).

(if anyone is selling anything suitable PM me!!)

V x
 
I would highly recommend the terrano/ford maverick for towing. We have an Isuzu too which is good but I much prefer the maverick, it feels like you are not towing if you know what I mean! The diesel engine is good for 500k miles so higher mileage ones are not a problem and they are cheap and very reliable!
 
What about looking for a pick up truck. I tow a fautras trailer and 2 large horses with a Mazda B2500 double cab and it is fab - has got me out of fields when Landrovers were stuck. Should be able to get one in your budget. Classed as commercial so some insurers wont do them, mine is insured with NFU and is not too dear.
 
Kia Sorrento all the way for me (although I have a discovery and love this), on your budget its deffo what i'd be aiming for.

My friend has one, we go out with the trailer often and it never fails. Alot of car for your money and I think they're nice looking too.
 
Another vote for the Teranno best vehicle I have ever owned I have had mine 6 years now with no major mechanical faults, always sails through its MOT. Insurance isn't to bad but then we have it on a multi car policy with an Audi A4 s-line.

It tows like a train
 
FayeFriesian said:
Kia Sorrento all the way for me (although I have a discovery and love this), on your budget its deffo what i'd be aiming for.

My friend has one, we go out with the trailer often and it never fails. Alot of car for your money and I think they're nice looking too.
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agree totally

I have a 54 plate its brilliant for everything and very comfy!:D
 
Kirsty+Java said:
agree totally

I have a 54 plate its brilliant for everything and very comfy!:D
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Me too (Kia Sorrento) - brought one 2 weeks ago after researching on this forum. Huge towing capacity, drives like a range rover and not too juicy. The 2010 ones (apart from being £30K) only have a 2.2 engine and I dont think that's quite enough for my monsters.
 
If you can get a friend who knows what they are looking for you can actually get a decent landrover for not a lot of money. Dads got a defender and it can tow 3.5ton and is great on insurance and a friend had a discovery. The disco was more comfy for day to day and has more space in and if you are really lucky you may be able to find one with LPG conversion so its cheaper to run.
 
Kirsty+Java said:
agree totally

I have a 54 plate its brilliant for everything and very comfy!:D
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I have a Kia Sorrento and think its brill. Will tow 3.5ton so you are not likely to have a problem towing a fully loaded double trailer. It is not too juicy and if you manage to get hold of a manual is cheaper to insure than the automatic.
 
trickivicki said:
What are the opinions on a Kia Sportage?
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A Kia dealer told me not to even consider towing a caravan with a Sportage. They're designed for "lady about town doing the school run" rather than anything useful apparently.

I love my 55-plate Sorento but at 100,000 miles it's getting a bit less fuel efficient than I'd like (down to about 27mpg). Am contemplating swapping to a 59 plate one (newer, less miles on the clock) or possibly a Hyundai Santa Fe.
 
well Santa Fe purchased and picked up last night.

Love It!!! just need to get the trailer and trailer license and then i'm away again
 
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