Please recommend me an economical 4x4

[Faro]

I know this subject has been covered many times before, but the list of threads to read through is rather long. If all goes well, I hope to be able to purchase a 4x4 in October time. Max budget will be £3K so am obviously looking at an older vehicle. Have full B&E license so no problems there, and would be towing an older Bahill trailer (like a Rice) with only ever one horse (600Kg) at a time. Was thinking of something around the 2.5 litre size?? As this would also be my day to day vehicle, I was hoping for some ideas of those which are more economical on fuel - and if you could give me an idea of the insurance group also, that would be really useful. Recommendations and experience please anyone?

 

[Pale Rider]

There isn't one, basically its expensive, very expensive and too expensive, lol.

 

[WestCoast]

The problem is that if they are economical they tend to be gutless - more power = higher fuel consumption. Modern engines are much more fuel efficient and often have lower emissions and a lower tax group but are stonkingly expensive to buy.

Paula

 

[Herts05]

I have a BMW X3 3 litre diesel which gives me 36 miles to the gallon.
You will need to check whether you can tow with it though).

 

[Wildforestpony18]

Don't know the max tow limit but our Nissan Xtrail is reasonably economical and tows our 375 kg (ish) pony x

 

[Nicnac]

Economical and 4x4 is a contrasting pair. It cost me £95 to fill up today and I do that once or twice a week.....

 

[Wheels]

I've just bought a 1995 grand Cherokee for well under half of your budget. It's a 4l petrol so it definitely doesn't do many mpg but it is also converted to run on lpg which is only around 70p per litre which is not quite so eye watering when you hit the pumps. It will probs work out that I am getting the equivalent cost per mile as something that does high 20s to the gallon.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Don't know the max tow limit but our Nissan Xtrail is reasonably economical and tows our 375 kg (ish) pony x

Petrol manual x trail is best mileage of that type of price range. I think the MAM is about 2000kg kernel weight (pm ROG, he knows his stuff). The automatic version of anything drops towing capacity dramatically. The new CRV has extremely disappointing mph.

LPG is your best bet for towing economically, IMO, but ensure you buy a vehicle with a common conversion type so you haven't got to travel flipping miles to get it serviced and check the size of the LPG tank or you could be filling up every few days.

 

[Dora5]

I have a land rover disco 2, does 30mpg, tows 3.5tonne braked trailer. I used to toe with my old disco too, I have found them very good and my newish one (V reg) is nice to commute in