Is it that much dearer to run a 4 x 4

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swampdonkey

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Hi all, my hubby has said we can swap our renault laguna for a Nissan Terrano so that we can hire a trailer occasionally so I can get out and about. Hooray :)
But then we looked into running costs and it says it only does 38 mpg whereas our diesel renault does 62 mpg. Is it really going to be double the fuel costs?
Unfotunately this would mean it would be out of the question as we need to use it as our everyday car too, doing at least 50 miles a day.
Hoping people will tell me that they aren't that bad on fuel and I can continue with my dream of being able to get out and compete.
 
We have a petrol 1600cc renault Grand Scenic, which wasn't that great on fuel, and now have a beast of a Kia Sorento diesel 4x4 2.5l and have noticed no difference in the fuel x
 
Oops...lol,
...ago. It now costs me less to do the same distance even though fuel is dearer, admittedly I have a very cheap small car now but even my Volvo 940 was noticeably cheaper than the Trooper.
Sorry I know its not the answer you are after.
I ended up opting for the cheap car and a lorry as it is definately cheaper for me than a 4x4 again ( although I miss my Trooper:-( )
 
I have a Shogun Sport and it costs me an absolute fortune for diesel to commute to work. I do about 40 miles each weekday to work and then a bit extra to get the the yard. I am planning on changing it for something smaller in the next month or two as putting £90 of desel in the tank each time is getting too depressing.
 
wow Devonshire dumpling i am surprised at that, my kia is doing 21mpg its a thirsty ******, way worse than my jeep grand cherokee
 
I'd have to say yes as well. I sold mine because it was costing me £500 a month. OH still has his and it costs MORE than twice as much as my Fiat to fill up, and does about half the mpg. They're both diesel.

Admittedly I hate that Fiat and will be glad when it goes, but I won't be buying another 4x4!
 
Honestly I wouldn't buy a 4x4 unless you need one anyway and own a trailer which you use regularly.

If you just want to compete occasionally and will be hiring a trailer anyway there is not much point.

For not much more you can hire one of the small horseboxes for the day. There never used to be any around who did this, but recently loads are springing up.
 
swampdonkey said:
Hi all, my hubby has said we can swap our renault laguna for a Nissan Terrano so that we can hire a trailer occasionally so I can get out and about. Hooray :)
But then we looked into running costs and it says it only does 38 mpg whereas our diesel renault does 62 mpg. Is it really going to be double the fuel costs?
Unfotunately this would mean it would be out of the question as we need to use it as our everyday car too, doing at least 50 miles a day.
Hoping people will tell me that they aren't that bad on fuel and I can continue with my dream of being able to get out and compete.
Click to expand...

Ive got a terrano and yes you will have big fuel bills! Same as any big 4x4 really. What will you be towing? I have a ifor williams 510 and tow up to 2 horses which is why i have the terrano but if you would be using a smaller trailer and only towing ponies or 1 horse im sure you would be able to get something more economical like a x trail or something similar?
 
If you are just going to be taking one horse, have you thought about doing some research in to decent estates instead? I know Audi diesels for one are pretty good on fuel so this would be fine for when not towing. I am sure there are some estates out there that can tow yet aren't as thirsty as a 4x4 engine.

Having had a quick look on http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/index.htm

some of the Audi models an Volvos can tow 1800kgs. Don't know if this is enough?
 
rockysmum said:
Honestly I wouldn't buy a 4x4 unless you need one anyway and own a trailer which you use regularly.

If you just want to compete occasionally and will be hiring a trailer anyway there is not much point.

For not much more you can hire one of the small horseboxes for the day. There never used to be any around who did this, but recently loads are springing up.
Click to expand...

That is very true. If only very occasionally, this may be the best option for you.
 
Not likely to be cheap, and in my experience of both petrol and diesel 4x4s - brilliant vehicles, but hideously expensive. Hire a little horsebox with the money you will save by not having the gas guzzling, expensive road tax, ditto insurance, parts, tyres that all go along with these lovely vehicles!
 
looks like no new 4x4 for me then. Glad I looked into it tho, although disappointed.
Don't think anyone near me hires out small 2 horse lorries although this sounds the best idea.
Maybe I should buy one of those and hire it out to others :) my new business enterprise!
Thanks for all replies
 
We need our landy, because of the weather, the bad lanes, towing our trailer, etc. But I have to say it costs a fortune. It would be CHEAPER to put my pony on full livery than it is to go DIY to the yard twice a day. :o

Currently, it's broken, so pony's on FL and we are SAVING money ! I'm going stir crazy though. We are both very attached to our Disco.
 
Could you hire a 4x4 ? If its only occasionally it would make sense to hire one .I have a thirsty nissan navaro ,I have just bought a cheap £500 van for running around & going to work ,with the insurance & tax thats about £900 ,it is saving me £40 a week in fuel so will pay for itself & save wear& tear on 4x4 hopefully .
 
swampdonkey said:
Hi all, my hubby has said we can swap our renault laguna for a Nissan Terrano so that we can hire a trailer occasionally so I can get out and about. Hooray :)
But then we looked into running costs and it says it only does 38 mpg whereas our diesel renault does 62 mpg. Is it really going to be double the fuel costs?
Unfotunately this would mean it would be out of the question as we need to use it as our everyday car too, doing at least 50 miles a day.
Hoping people will tell me that they aren't that bad on fuel and I can continue with my dream of being able to get out and compete.
Click to expand...

I own a Terrano and i don't get 38 to the gallon, more like 28 to the gallon and that is good for a big heavy vehicle, it does tow well though and is nice to drive. So in answer to your question yes it will cost that much more to run.
 
I'm furiously doing similar sums at the moment

My theory is to sell my A Class, buy a cheap Fiesta for my 120 mile a day commute and a 4x4 for snow days and show days
 
Its way cheaper to run a car than a 4x4, but not nearly so much fun. Or as much confidence in the wet.... and the horse dont fit in the boot of a 206, I tried. Nor did she fit in the boot of the astra that I replaced the 206 with.

but I do miss my terrano - far and away the best 4x4 Ive ever had, one day I'll go back to one - if only beause everything seem to be getting wetter and wetter and I love the confidence of going through floods in a 4x4 !!!
 
Yes! I found that out very quickly. Always wanted one and have just traded it in for something much smaller. The guilt was killing me - everytime I drove it I watched the fuel guage move down towards empty and it was pretty stressful. Doubled my fuel costs without a doubt. I would spend 75 quid a week in the 4x4 and 35 quid a week in the new car........
 
Hi,

Unless you're doing shows s/s each weekend then a 4x4 and a trailer is going to be a false investment - it would be cheaper to hire a 'man with a horse box' if you're only looking at fortnightly or monthly shows or even hiring a self-drive. Or go halves with someone else at the yard.

If you really need something to tow - look for a family car I.E. Mondeo or Volvo Estate (Volvo does a 4x4 version) - check out caravaning websites - they can offer the best advice for good tow cars - granted a family saloon could only really tow a single box but is far cheaper to run and tax than a 4x4. :D
 
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