Best jeep/van for a vet

dvet

Hi all,
I already posted this on the motoring forum but someone suggested I try on here.
I'm a country/large animal vet and I'm looking for a second hand jeep or van. I intend on using it for work as well as leisure. I've previously driven a Caddy van for a few years, which served me well, but would kind of like to switch to a jeep if I can find a practical one.

Reliability and economy are the most important things on my list as I'll be doing fairly high mileage. 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 enough space in the back, and be able to tow a horsebox.

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!

Bigus

http://www.donedeal.ie/commercials-for-sale/2003-toyota-landcruzer/5142354

fits

You'd be doing massive mileage so would you be better off with an economical van for work, and an old jeep for towing?

I think that's what I would do now anyway. I have a Sorento, and its fantastic but was putting 400 euro a month into it. (I did a 60 km commute every day and a lot of towing). And that's one of the more economical 4x4s. It is very reliable.

carryharry

A second hand Nissan Xtrail Commercial 4WD would be a good purchase. 2.2lt Diesel should average 40mpg w/o a trailer and roughly 32mpg when towing.

Lizard_Moon

Sorrento commercial reliable, long wheel base with back doors for good load access. Lift up tailgate sp you don't get wet writing prescriptions. Get high spec one. Know a vet on their second.

Personally drive Landcruiser LWB, love it but heavy on juice. Miss a lift up boot though.

I am a large animal vet.
Get a bulkhead regardless of what one you drive.
Also I love my drawers, Sortimo, super organised and no sore back

fits

Its such a shame the newer Sorentos have less towing ability

blue5000

Go for the long wheel base land cruiser. Being able to get to a cow down that's in across three fields is worth putting up with the 30mpg.

blue5000

Theanswers

Land Rover Discovery 3. Very Comfortable.

Adjustable Air Suspension very handy with tranversing uneven ground with a load in the back as it keeps the 4x4 at the same height. Can also be raised or lowered depending on surface.
This feature is also very handy at loading/ unloading heavy trailers.

They average around 27mpg, that's what I got out of mine.

I've driven and owned both a Landcruiser and discovery. Would have the Disco anyday.
Try one, you will NOT go back. Look's much better than the Landcruiser too and if your worried about visabilty you can remove the panels in the rear which is great for reversing with trailers/ changing lanes.
5000-8000 will pick one up no bother.

Lizard_Moon

Landrover Disovery 3
This has a split tailgate and was reason I didn't get one. Hard enough to get at your stuff without leaning in an extra foot or more.
Also are they still doing commercial versions? Thought there was a VRT issue but I could be wrong.

I had 2001 Disco. Solid jeep but pissed me off with all the fiddly bits they needed at service time that the garages never carried. Also you had to remove the headlight completely to change a light bulb

Landcruiser goes in for service and all done.

Theanswers

Lizard_Moon wrote: »

Landrover Disovery 3
This has a split tailgate and was reason I didn't get one. Hard enough to get at your stuff without leaning in an extra foot or more.
Also are they still doing commercial versions? Thought there was a VRT issue but I could be wrong.

I had 2001 Disco. Solid jeep but pissed me off with all the fiddly bits they needed at service time that the garages never carried. Also you had to remove the headlight completely to change a light bulb

Landcruiser goes in for service and all done.

They are still do the commercial version only now you can also get a commercial with five seats option as well.
Split tailgate is very handy for putting on boots/ working at something.

I've driven both a disco 2/ 3. The three is an entirely different machine. Light years ahead.

greysides

Another vote for the LWB Land Cruiser. I have the older 3 litre TD model. While the 27-28 mpg is not what you'd want I paid 6K plus VAT for it three years ago when it was 9 years old with 104k miles on it. Had I bought a Caddy or equivalent I'd have had to pay more then and the van would be worth very little now with 60k put up. They all take diesel so, as I see it, you balance the difference in depreciation against the difference in MPG. Buying second hand could actually favour the LC. The older model may be hard to find now with moderate mileage but my TD has been very reliable....as that model is said to be. The newer models need to checked as they had known injector-related issues. A lift up tailgate is about the other thing I'd wish for..... something to shelter under as you get in/out of waterproofs.

CJhaughey

The 120 series landcruisers also give trouble with front calipers binding, best to replace them with spurious ones which are pretty reasonable compared with Toyota OEM.