Commuter/Workhorse or Two Cars?

5ub

Hello gents, looking for a little bit of help here.

I sold a 06 Landcruiser commercial on Friday, only had it a few weeks and it was a great yoke workhorse down here but it just wasn't suited to my midweek commute (travelling to Dublin from Kilkenny and back daily ~ 120-ish km each way) for work.

I'm driving a cousin's Landrover Defender at the minute and its a great machine. Does everything, and I was thinking of making him an offer on that (I could get it cheap) but I know already that it certainly wouldn't be near as good as the Landcruiser on my midweek commute,

which brings me to my dilemma. Do I a) find something that offers the best of both worlds or b) make an offer on the Defender and buy something for going to Dublin midweek.

My issue with (a) is obviously finding something that will be able to offer comfort, power etc during the week and take a trailer and ragging on the weekends and my issue with (b) is just trying to keep two cars legal.

I'd prefer to have one car but with a budget of about 10k I can't really find anything that suits. With a second car I could spend about 3-4k, could be diesel or petrol, just needs cruise control and anything after that is a bonus.

Maybe I'm missing something, but would appreciate any in put or suggestions. Cheers

bazz26

The Defender is a great workhorse off road but I could not see it being any better or more comfortable than a Landcruiser for commuting.

I'd say you will struggle to find something that will do both.

5ub

No - I know that hence why I'll look for a second car if I do buy it.

But in the interest of just sticking to one car I've been thinking of something like an A8 TDI Quttro. Best of both worlds (almost)

kay 9

What size/weight is the trailer? Do you really need a 4x4

5ub

4x4 is no deal breaker. Drawing anything up to a twin axle transporter though

Lellostag

What about a Volvo XC70 (or just the V70), it should be enough for pulling the trailer although can't say for sure?

bazz26

Audi Allroad:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Audi/Allroad/TDI-QUATTRO/201522233755760/

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-allroad/9989624?offset=7

Fiskar

bazz26 wrote: »

Audi Allroad:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Audi/Allroad/TDI-QUATTRO/201522233755760/

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-allroad/9989624?offset=7

Nice find!

Dr.Rieux

Slightly over the 10K budget, but a Volvo XC90?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-xc-90-2-4-diesel-auto-new-nct/10289957?offset=8

5ub

I looked at the old shape Allroads before I bought the Landcruiser, but couldn't find one that needed nothing doing. I should be looking at one, because the tick all the boxes, but after the nightmare of trying to find one before I'll probably be waiting a while for one worth buying. And the Volvos are nice, the above XC90 in commercial would be the job. I'd nearly go for a passenger one too tbh, don't know what they're like though

bazz26

Does it have to be diesel? You could get a Subaru Outback or Forester but only the petrol versions will be in your budget.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Subaru/Outback/2.5-5DR/201535236375257/

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Subaru/Forester/XT-SPORTSHIFT/149314256604883040/

Or maybe a BMW X5 Commercial?

5ub

As an allrounder a diesel makes more sense now, weekly commute amounts to about 1200 km. I'm coming from an I6 petrol but I was staying in Dublin during the week. X5 commercial is one I haven't given much thought to, sorta what I want really but would they be a bit soft then on the farm?

kay 9

X5 scream £££ when Smth goes wrong. Not my cup of tea. The volvo xc70 as mentioned above are a good machine with plenty of toys but not over complicated.

AMKC

What about a Skoda Superb.

http://www.autotrader.ie/browse-used-cars/skoda/superb/used-2009-skoda-superb-hatchback-fermanagh-fpa-201214408116505030

Might do the jobs. Maybe there might be a 4x4 one around but harder to find. There is estate versions of this car too just none under 11 thosand on Autotrader.

Red Kev

Option b)

What weight are you pulling in the trailer and what are you carrying?

From experience there's a huge difference between pulling something heavy with a Landcruiser/Defender and a SUV/car.

If you're pulling livestock that have a tendency to move around then the LCR/Defender is what I'd go for. You can do a lot more with it around the farm and you won't be as worried if it gets scratched or dented or covered in sh1te.

If you know the Defender is good, I'd get it. Better the devil you know etc.

I'd also get a car or estate with 2.0, Auto and cruise control for the trip. You can get a good, later SAAB 9-5 for under €3000. The oil sump issues have been fixed and you'll look long for a car as comfortable as it on the commute.

Or an Audi A8 diesel/ Skoda Superb diesel/VW Passat diesel for and save a few quid on fuel.