Best choice for a country vet

dvet

Hi all,
I'm a country/large animal vet and I'm looking for a jeep or van. I intend on using it for work as well as leisure. I've seen one other thread on this topic but my budget is a bit lower and my requirements maybe a small bit different, so your help would be appreciated!

Reliability and economy are the most important things, as high mileage is BIG part of my job. I know no jeep is great on economy, but some advice on what would be the best of a bad bunch would be appreciated.

Besides that, ideally it would have to have a fair bit of space in the back, and be able to tow a horsebox (which might put a van out of the running - what do you think?)

My budget is about 5-6k at the moment. Obviously I have no problem getting something that is a few years old.

All advice appreciated!

coolisin

You would need too be looking at a 4x4.
As a country vet surely you'll be sent up fields at any stage also.

Landrover defender while not comfortable as a car is extremely functional.

Then the usual suspects of Toyota landcrusier and Mitsubishi pajaro.

The likes of the Subaru outback or forester could work also.

mb1725

VW Golf vans or swb Land Cruisers appear to be the wagons of choice for vets around here.

dvet

I used to drive a Caddy van for a few years and know one or two other vets with them, I was very happy with it in terms of reliability etc, and it was also surprisingly good in fields/bumpy lanes! But iI'm thinking the towing issue might make a jeep a better option this time. That being said, I never actually attempted to tow anything with the caddy?

dvet

mb1725 wrote: »

VW Golf vans or swb Land Cruisers appear to be the wagons of choice for vets around here.

I do like the look of land cruisers. But economy would worry me a lot, I've heard they're particularly bad on fuel? And again, would consider a van, but only of it could tow reasonably well?

pred racer

Any of the decent sized vans will tow a double/ mare and foal box easily.
Ie transit, ducato, trafic etc. lots of room in the back too. Btw get one with sliding doors on both sides it makes a big difference.
I find the transporter/ hiace a bit small, if you shelve them out, there isnt much space left.

We have an 06 ducato that does everthing we need. My father has a garden centre and concrete works and my uncle is a farmer who dabbles quite a bit with the Gee Gees.

Tbh the fuel economy of 4x4's (and other running costs like suspension and tyres) would put me off. Load up a hilux or pajero with stuff and stick a trailer behind it you would be lucky to get mpg in the high teens! (i used to have a lwb pajero and juice for a days hunting would be significant)

Hope that helps.

Bpmull

4 motion transporter. Plenty of space well able to tow a trailer and 4wd for fields etc. They should be good on diesel compared with a jeep. Only problem I can see is the budget may be a bit tight.

jomoloney

I'm a farmer and a client of a large vet practice

their vehicles
2 toyota landcruisers
2 hyundi santa fe
1 toyota hi lux
1 isuzu trooper
1 ford connect van



I'd be looking at the connect, caddy, santa fe , puegot expert

road_high

Skoda octavia estate? Good solid workhorse and very economical and lots of space for equipment etc. maybe the odd 4*4 model knocking around or imported. Same for the passat.
I'd avoid a tradionational 4*4 if economy is a big consideration.

pete4130

You're looking for something big, reliable, 4x4 and economical for €5-6K. It's not going to happen. 4x4's are hard on fuel. Anything big is going to be hard on fuel.

If you don't need 4x4 then it opens up a lot of options for you.
If you do need 4x4 then look into a Subaru Forester. Again it depends if you want to tax it commercial or privately. Again it depends if you'll ever want/need more than 2 people in the vehicle at any time.

You won't beat a Landcruiser or Nissan Patrol off road really. The Landrovers are really good but do have more frequent issues regarding reliability.

It might be worth looking at a Hilux Surf (5 seater estate style hilux). They are a bit older now but well below budget. Really good off road and loads of space.

kaahooters

Landrover defender.

hi5

You should ask the same question over here too.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1068

TrailerBob

dvet wrote: »

I do like the look of land cruisers. But economy would worry me a lot, I've heard they're particularly bad on fuel? And again, would consider a van, but only of it could tow reasonably well?

Landcruisers will do 30 mpg easily enough, so not as hard on fuel as some may think. Add reliability and comfort into the mix and you have an ideal vets vehicle. Lots of 03 & 04 around for that money too

jomoloney

road_high wrote: »

Skoda octavia estate? Good solid workhorse and very economical and lots of space for equipment etc. maybe the odd 4*4 model knocking around or imported. Same for the passat.
I'd avoid a tradionational 4*4 if economy is a big consideration.

octavia are literally on the ground, the reps don't even use them any more

best install a good sump guard,

saw 1 vet buy a polo van , think it last 6 months and he had it raised

griffin100

Volvo xc70 d5 2.5l diesel? Will be an older model for that budget though and with high mileage but I woudn't let that bother me. Loads of room and good mpg. High tax though.

Matt Simis

The Audi allroad 2.7Turbo I had was owned by a Vet in the UK. He ran it for like 5 years and clocked 150k miles. For all the scaremongering people do on them here, it was a good example of how good servicing = reliability.

He clearly ran it through fields and hedges as there were gouges out of the plastic (replaceable for this reason) wheel arches and grass through the undercarriage. That gen (C5) and the slightly softer looking current gen A6 Allroad are both Torsen AWD systems with height and comfort adjustable air suspension. They lower themselves at motorway speeds and can be raised to 4x4 road clearance. Current model has the rather good 3.0TDI engine available in it.

TooMuchAtOnce

Nissan X trails are great, will easily pull a horse box, do about 45miles to the gallon, are comfortable and reasonably cheap.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-xtrail-commercial-2007/5286314

Tea 1000

Matt Simis wrote: »

The Audi allroad 2.7Turbo I had was owned by a Vet in the UK. He ran it for like 5 years and clocked 150k miles. For all the scaremongering people do on them here, it was a good example of how good servicing = reliability.

He clearly ran it through fields and hedges as there were gouges out of the plastic (replaceable for this reason) wheel arches and grass through the undercarriage. That gen (C5) and the slightly softer looking current gen A6 Allroad are both Torsen AWD systems with height and comfort adjustable air suspension. They lower themselves at motorway speeds and can be raised to 4x4 road clearance. Current model has the rather good 3.0TDI engine available in it.

But do you know how much he had to replace on it?