What 4x4 Estate?

Skillie

Hi guys getting rid of my 2006 Discovery Commercial and fancy switching to a big 4 wheel drive estate instead. There are several catches though. I have had a comm. Jeep for the last couple of years as I have two dogs, one a retriever and the other a Newfoundland for those who don’t know what that is think furry shetland pony size! he’s pushing 12 stone and is 32” tall at the neck, add another 6 or 7 inches for his total height and when he sits he’s taller again.

So if I’m to get away from commercial jeep land I need an estate that he can fit into. Only looking to spend €5K max must be 4 wheel drive and not too nuts on the juice, ideally 2 litre or so.

If I don’t find a suitable estate I’m back in jeeps again so will take suggestions on these too.

Front runners for now are Forester, Outback, Legacy. Give me your suggestions and experiences with any of these motors and if you have links to ads that’s great too.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions

Matt Simis

Skillie wrote: »

Hi guys getting rid of my 2006 Discovery Commercial and fancy switching to a big 4 wheel drive estate instead. There are several catches though. I have had a comm. Jeep for the last couple of years as I have two dogs, one a retriever and the other a Newfoundland for those who don’t know what that is think furry shetland pony size! he’s pushing 12 stone and is 32” tall at the neck, add another 6 or 7 inches for his total height and when he sits he’s taller again.

So if I’m to get away from commercial jeep land I need an estate that he can fit into. Only looking to spend €5K max must be 4 wheel drive and not too nuts on the juice, ideally 2 litre or so.

If I don’t find a suitable estate I’m back in jeeps again so will take suggestions on these too.

Front runners for now are Forester, Outback, Legacy. Give me your suggestions and experiences with any of these motors and if you have links to ads that’s great too.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions

For those dogs you do need a big estate and I suspect all the models you listed are smaller than an E39 BMW Touring. I also had an Audi Allroad (A6 chassis), big but the BMW is definately bigger. I have 5 large dogs...

Top Dog

First thought was Forester. But, if you could find one (since you stipulated 4wd)





1996 Toyota Estima Lucida Emina 2.2 Turbo Diesel automatic 4wd

Advert is 49 days old though so may well be sold, but there's bound to be others about.

Skillie

Matt Simis wrote: »

For those dogs you do need a big estate and I suspect all the models you listed are smaller than an E39 BMW Touring. I also had an Audi Allroad (A6 chassis), big but the BMW is definately bigger. I have 5 large dogs...

ya i love e39 touring but 4wd is a neccessity where i live. wouldn't get near an allroad for 5K.

that toyota fits the "big" and 4wd bill but wouldn't be for me, its estate car or jeep for me (and by jeep i mean the usual SUV, MPV, 4x4, ATV whatever you wanna call it)

Top Dog

Soft-roader maybe? 2.0 (I think) so shouldn't sting too much on tax or fuel, and plenty room in the back for the Newfie



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1615640

Skillie

Ya the missus had one up till last year and it was a great machine and not that soft for a softroader either. Never gave an ounce of trouble and my dad has had it a year now and its going like a train. If I was going for one of those I’d prob get a comm. Diesel one but they are on the list alright.

Matt Simis

Skillie wrote: »

ya i love e39 touring but 4wd is a neccessity where i live. wouldn't get near an allroad for 5K.

Maybe not the (not very good) TDI, but you could get the much nicer petrol version (2.7T) for that. My old '00 one resold for EUR3000 and it had new transmission, turbos, everything. Killer price, I would have re-bought it had I known thats what he was selling it for.

However coming from a Commercial 4x4, you may have tax allergy.

Skillie

would like the bhp though!!

Matt Simis

Skillie wrote: »

would like the bhp though!!

Yeah that particular one was about 315bhp, sounded good too!

Skillie

Matt Simis wrote: »

Yeah that particular one was about 315bhp, sounded good too!

sweet jesus, afraid to ask the mpg?

ToxicPaddy

Another option.. granted it may be a bit heavy on juice though..

Volvo V70 R

Big Nasty

RS6 Avant may be a bit OTT but I wouldn't mind me an A6 Avant S-Line Quattro. Failing that the Legacy's are great!

ToxicPaddy

or...

something classic..

1977 LR Defender

with a diesel conversion, cheap to tax and insure as its a classic..

A little bit of work and yer off.. will go anywhere..

MarkoC

The common sense in 4wd estates is:

F*** the rest Audi is the best

But its hard to find aanything in your budget

Here is one 3.0 version im talking about
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1715044

But if you keep your eyes open, you might find late 90's A6 Quattro with smaller engine.

Anan1

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

or...

something classic..

1977 LR Defender

with a diesel conversion, cheap to tax and insure as its a classic..

A little bit of work and yer off.. will go anywhere..

Probably comfier (and quicker) to ride around on the Newfoundland's back. If it were me, i'd be thinking a good older Forester.

Skillie

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

or...

something classic..

1977 LR Defender

with a diesel conversion, cheap to tax and insure as its a classic..

A little bit of work and yer off.. will go anywhere..

I'm not tough enough for that, bit old and agricultural for me!

MarkoC wrote: »

The common sense in 4wd estates is:

F*** the rest Audi is the best

But its hard to find aanything in your budget

Here is one 3.0 version im talking about
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1715044

But if you keep your eyes open, you might find late 90's A6 Quattro with smaller engine.

had seen that alright very nice but 3.0 tax and thirsty engine

Anan1 wrote: »

Probably comfier (and quicker) to ride around on the Newfoundland's back. If it were me, i'd be thinking a good older Forester.

haha forester is still sitting high on my list

MarkoC

Skillie wrote: »

had seen that alright very nice but 3.0 tax and thirsty engine

So older version would suit you ?

2.5 TDI
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-AUDI-A6-TDI-QUATTRO-SPORT-estate-5-cyl-AEL-engine-/280616029318?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item415604cc86

Have same shell but 2.2T petrol estate, its also for sale but too thirsty for you i presume, 25 mpg average with my heavy foot

Matt Simis

Skillie wrote: »

sweet jesus, afraid to ask the mpg?

21-24mpg, 380miles to a tank.

Skillie

MarkoC wrote: »

So older version would suit you ?

2.5 TDI
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-AUDI-A6-TDI-QUATTRO-SPORT-estate-5-cyl-AEL-engine-/280616029318?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item415604cc86

Have same shell but 2.2T petrol estate, its also for sale but too thirsty for you i presume, 25 mpg average with my heavy foot

thats a bit thirsty alright.

Skillie

Legacy, cheap

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1786191

Overature

audi estate, 572 horse power, awesome

Anan1

Skillie wrote: »

Legacy, cheap

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1786191

There's a bit of a rough smell off that car, and the seller's a trader. It is cheap, though - to buy, at least.

MarkoC

Skillie wrote: »

Legacy, cheap

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/1786191

I really hate these salesmen who put the tags like he did ...

If im looking for a golf, this car comes up ...

Cmar-Ireland

You might be able to haggle one of these down a bit....

Allroad TDi

Allroad 2.7

Matt Simis

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Allroad 2.7

Im 90% sure thats my old Allroad!? I was told it was exported, the previous price I was mentioned was the price the guy I sold it to said it re-sold at. I sold it to him for less than the current price too..

MarkoC

Just wondering here now, if the OP said 25 mpg is too much for him, why people still linking cars with big engines or with high HP or over 5K euros, as the OP said 5K MAX here

Reason:
I presume im not the only one who has poor english LOL

Skillie

ideals would be

30+mpg
4x4
boot at least 32" tall
diesel (again ideal)
2 litre or under
€5K spend post haggle

if i don't find a suitable estate then its back to the commercials prob a landcruiser, or xtrail or something. had a 97 cruiser before and it was fantastic, tough as could be. thirsty mind but i loved it

E39MSport

Skillie wrote: »

ideals would be

30+mpg
4x4
boot at least 32" tall
diesel (again ideal)
2 litre or under
€5K spend post haggle

if i don't find a suitable estate then its back to the commercials prob a landcruiser, or xtrail or something. had a 97 cruiser before and it was fantastic, tough as could be. thirsty mind but i loved it

With you on the 90 series cruiser - excellent machine. Still a good few knocking about in great condition.

Skillie

E39MSport wrote: »

With you on the 90 series cruiser - excellent machine. Still a good few knocking about in great condition.

ya mine was a low mileage uk auto passenger in mint condition. i commercialised it, €50 vrt and it was the cleanest lowest mileage comm in the country. guy took my arm off for it last year for €5.5k

Cmar-Ireland

What about this ?

I've had 3 and never had any problems. Selectable 4wd so a bit easier on fuel than the landcruisers.

Skillie

E39MSport wrote: »

With you on the 90 series cruiser - excellent machine. Still a good few knocking about in great condition.

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

What about this ?

I've had 3 and never had any problems. Selectable 4wd so a bit easier on fuel than the landcruisers.

i'm a fan of the surfs alright, rare though

peasant

I'm not aware of any estate car that would comfortably accomodate a sitting Newfy, they all tend to be too low ...particularly so for Volvos and Subarus.

Oddball choices (outside the usual "Jeep" suspects) could be a Renault Kangoo 4x4 (if you can find one) or an ex-ESB VW Transporter Syncro.

I once saw a car containing two Newfies, happy out in their own blanket filled paradise ..it was a Toyota Yaris Verso with the rear seats folded ...great doggy mobile. Low load height made it easy for the dogs to get in too ...but unfortunately these don't come in 4x4

peasant

Just remembered another one ...

This yoke here has been for sale for about a year now (used to be 7k ) ...I'd say the time is ripe to drive a hard bargain


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=200844190663992&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Toyota%20Noah%2C%20with%20photos%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=3814166&CFTOKEN=56869702

That could make a great allround dog mobile (and it's 4WD)

Funfair

Matt Simis wrote: »

For those dogs you do need a big estate and I suspect all the models you listed are smaller than an E39 BMW Touring. I also had an Audi Allroad (A6 chassis), big but the BMW is definately bigger. I have 5 large dogs...

Matt I think this is what you need for those dogs

ToxicPaddy

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

or...

something classic..

1977 LR Defender

with a diesel conversion, cheap to tax and insure as its a classic..

A little bit of work and yer off.. will go anywhere..

Yeah it was a bit of longshot alright.. but the 2 x boys would have plenty of room in the back and would be happy out..

jspuds

Shoot the dogs and buy a MX5?

*No animals were harmed in making this suggestion*
American Humane Association (AHA):D

MarkoC

jspuds wrote: »

Shoot the dogs and buy a MX5?

*No animals were harmed in making this suggestion*
American Humane Association (AHA):D

Why dont you shoot yourself ?

Skillie

peasant wrote: »

I'm not aware of any estate car that would comfortably accomodate a sitting Newfy, they all tend to be too low ...particularly so for Volvos and Subarus.

Oddball choices (outside the usual "Jeep" suspects) could be a Renault Kangoo 4x4 (if you can find one) or an ex-ESB VW Transporter Syncro.

I once saw a car containing two Newfies, happy out in their own blanket filled paradise ..it was a Toyota Yaris Verso with the rear seats folded ...great doggy mobile. Low load height made it easy for the dogs to get in too ...but unfortunately these don't come in 4x4

think i'd have to shoot myself if i had to drive a verso or a kangoo they are a bit "Noddy" car for my liking, no disrespect to anyone who owns and loves them but too much of a fall from grace for me! once the dog can get in and stand a little and lie down that would be ok he doesn't sit up in the Disco now he's either standing or lying down. The estate i get wouldn't have to fit them in the boot section, i'd drop the seats.

Its annoying that the big brute holds so much sway over the choice of vehicle i can own but thats life with a giant dog! its hard to get away from "jeeps" really with the forester still being the best option i'd say. also possibility of getting a commercialised Delica or the like just for dog walking and something nicer for myself but then you're adding second insurance policy etc.

Pity we can't get the Honda Element over here its like the perfect dog mobile, looks good, fold away seats, low load area, rubber floors, 4wd. importing would be costly.

langdang

The Forester looks boxier and higher (clearance AND head room wise) than the Legacy/outback, dunno if it is. I know it's drifting away from car type estates but maybe Honda CRV? 5k would pick up a decent one (petrol 2L tho). I've heard they'll take 2 mountain-bikes (my unit of measure) standing up with wheels on, but check the dimensions yourself..

EDIT - nice dogs by the way, know a lad with two - the male would give you a fair fright when he stands up against the patio door - looks like a black bear staring in at you.... (doesn't need 4wd so he just uses a van btw)

Skillie

langdang wrote: »

The Forester looks boxier and higher (clearance AND head room wise) than the Legacy/outback, dunno if it is. I know it's drifting away from car type estates but maybe Honda CRV? 5k would pick up a decent one (petrol 2L tho). I've heard they'll take 2 mountain-bikes (my unit of measure) standing up with wheels on, but check the dimensions yourself..

EDIT - nice dogs by the way, know a lad with two - the male would give you a fair fright when he stands up against the patio door - looks like a black bear staring in at you.... (doesn't need 4wd so he just uses a van btw)

test drove CRV petrols couple of years ago when buying teh xtrail we had. liked the drive and there was decent room in there only reason we went with the xtrail over it was the fact that the CRV has 4wd on demand, i.e. not selectable just kicks in when slipping.

see the offender attached, this is about a year ago so he's a little bigger now, that island is 1.1m tall btw!

Wedgie

I saw a Honda Element a few weeks ago, I didn't know what it was at first.

We have a Toyota Lucima, and our three dogs (two large & one medium) can comfortably sit in the boot. On longer trips we lay the back row flat, and they've a large area to get comfortable in.

langdang

Haha - get a second newfoundland and you wouldn't need 4wd at all -harness em up and they'd pull you out

Fey!

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

What about this ?

I've had 3 and never had any problems. Selectable 4wd so a bit easier on fuel than the landcruisers.

I'm with Cmar on this; I'm on my second one, and I love them. You'd pick up a very clean 3rd generation one (chassis starts with KZN185) for about 4k sterling, nad clear it as a commercial for about e300 (passenger c. e1,000).

Here's a specialist: Hilux Surf Sales
www.roughtrax4x4.co.uk do most of the parts you'd need for it, with a very quick delivery time.

Loads of info on Surfs here: Hilux Surf Forum

I bought my first one on ebay, and the second one on donedeal.

This one could suit you well...



Your dog is probably the same height as the girl!!

Skillie

the shortlist for now is Forester, Rav4, CRV

had them in the fathers xtrail passenger with the seats down last week and that was even tight in that so an estate car is out. don't like the thoughts of CRV's and Ravs but they are low enough to the ground for getting the big newf in and the seats fold away or can come out altogether.

test drove a forester non turbo auto last week and was a lovely drive and back is just about tall enough for the newf.

very beige choices i know but they fit the needs so if the cap fits i suppose!

redsteveireland

Skillie wrote: »

think i'd have to shoot myself if i had to drive a verso or a kangoo they are a bit "Noddy" car for my liking, no disrespect to anyone who owns and loves them but too much of a fall from grace for me! once the dog can get in and stand a little and lie down that would be ok he doesn't sit up in the Disco now he's either standing or lying down. The estate i get wouldn't have to fit them in the boot section, i'd drop the seats.

Its annoying that the big brute holds so much sway over the choice of vehicle i can own but thats life with a giant dog! its hard to get away from "jeeps" really with the forester still being the best option i'd say. also possibility of getting a commercialised Delica or the like just for dog walking and something nicer for myself but then you're adding second insurance policy etc.

Pity we can't get the Honda Element over here its like the perfect dog mobile, looks good, fold away seats, low load area, rubber floors, 4wd. importing would be costly.

Man those cars are ugly in real life. They have a lot of them in Nigeria, steering wheel would be on the wrong side for you though if you imported.:D

Skillie

not if i imported from japan. they are mad dear anyway. there is one on carzone under CRV's for sale its 03 2.4 petrol and they want 12K for it. off their heads

Anan1

Skillie wrote: »

the shortlist for now is Forester, Rav4, CRV

had them in the fathers xtrail passenger with the seats down last week and that was even tight in that so an estate car is out. don't like the thoughts of CRV's and Ravs but they are low enough to the ground for getting the big newf in and the seats fold away or can come out altogether.

test drove a forester non turbo auto last week and was a lovely drive and back is just about tall enough for the newf.

very beige choices i know but they fit the needs so if the cap fits i suppose!

Have you driven a turbocharged Forester yet?:)

John_Rambo

I am in the market for a 4x4 Estate too, dogs and awkward sports stuff... There isn't much of a choice to be honest, I don't want a SUV. Has anyone even seen the Skoda Scout in Ireland?

Anan1

John_Rambo wrote: »

I am in the market for a 4x4 Estate too, dogs and awkward sports stuff... There isn't much of a choice to be honest, I don't want a SUV. Has anyone even seen the Skoda Scout in Ireland?

There are very few of them around, but a regular poster here (can't remember who)has one and likes it a lot. Manual only, though.

Skillie

Anan1 wrote: »

Have you driven a turbocharged Forester yet?:)

only an older 99 model my dad owned. would love a 2003/2004 one but mpg is a bit sore compared to the NA version. deff considering it though

jaapbond

We have a 2003 octavia estate 1.8t 4x4 estate ... don't know if it would suit but we like it very much... Our dogs are not quite as big as yours though ....