Recommendations for a cheap tow car?

[stripped fred]

I have my Astra now (thread will follow I promise) and I'm keen to use it as my daily. Only thing is if I sell my Alfa I won't be able to tow my caravan, family and all our stuff to the New Forest in August. The Astra does have a tow bar but I'm not sure it will have enough grunt (60hp) for the job and it requires welding under the back which supports the tow bar. So I'm thinking of selling the Alfa then getting something else in August for the holiday. That means a lot of buggering about with changing insurance. So, any recommendations on what to get for use for a couple of weeks? Also, does anyone know of any insurance policies where they don't penalise you too much when you change cars? In my experience this is where they make their money!

 

I know i'm ranting but i feel better for it and I know you lot have experience on these matters. Thanks in anticipation...

[Honey Badger]

Omega has to be the cheapest decent tow car going, didn't John K have one for sale recently.

 

Apart from that any big automatic with a tow bar will do, Legend, GS300, Camry, A6.

 

You could buy a Di transit and pretend to be a pikey, do you have a dag?

[Cavcraft]

Vectra CDTi.

[Junkman]

Lanz Bulldog.

[skattrd]

Renault 5

[MarvinsMom]

rover 75 diesel?

 

it all depends on how heavy your caravan is. the last van my parents had wasn't especially l.arge, but it was too heavy for the mark 1 Mondeo that my father was running about in to tow.

 

he ended up changing the ford for an x-trail.

 

basically i think i would be looking for something heavy with a diesel engine, if possible.

 

so that would be a 75, vauxhall omega, ford granada type thing.

[twosmoke300]

Saab 9-5 . 1600kg towing limit . 90 quid remap , bosh!

[Bren]

Vectra CDTi.

Make sue AA send big enough recovery truck for car and caravan.

[MarvinsMom]

a normal sized one would do,

 

just make sure that the recovery truck has a ball hitch on the back for the van...

[stripped fred]

Some good suggestions there thanks. It's a 1992 Swift 5 berth but light by today's standards. I think you'd probably get away with a medium car but bigger woukd be better as I also need the luggage space.

 

Any reason why people prefer auto's rather than manuals for towing?

[stripped fred]

Any comments on shite friendly insurance policies for those that like to change their chod on a regular basis?

[sierraman]

Omega 2.5 diesel, Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Shogun - heavy on diesel however expect no more than 21-22mpg.

[wuvvum]

Omega 2.5 isn't that economical either tbh.  Mondeo not a bad bet but not the most reliable motors about.  My choice for a "normal" towcar (if you can track one down) would be a Rover 825D.  They really are brilliant.

[Taff]

Audi TT coupe, or even better the cabriolet FTW!

[stripped fred]

I looked at mondeo's before but was put off by dmf and injector problems with the diesels. Also thought about a v70 but they're a bit pricey. Ideally would only want to spend £600ish. The 75 appeals and a vectra if I can find a good one. Knowing me it will turn into a keeper so 35+ mpg would be nice but mainly reliable and easy to fix with plenty of space. Am I asking too much?

[warren t claim]

I recall my Rover 800 had a max towing weight of only 1000kg due to it being an auto.

[Honey Badger]

Just a thought, instead of buying a tow car you could use the money to stop in Holiday accommodation that does not require you to muck out once a day?

 

Mitsi Galant might be a good call, you can get V6 versions for well under a grand.

[Cavcraft]

Vauxhall Frontera 2.4LWB. A blue one.

[stripped fred]

I recall my Rover 800 had a max towing weight of only 1000kg due to it being an auto.

My caravan weighs about 900kg so that would be fine.

[stripped fred]

Vauxhall Frontera 2.4LWB. A blue one.

I'd rather stay at home!

[stripped fred]

I think my problem is I'm trying to plan ahead. Might just see what you shiters have available at the time. I think we should all pool our cars so there's always something available for whatever the occasion. Like a large rental fleet of chod.

[stripped fred]

Just a though, instead of buying a tow car you could use the money to stop in Holiday accommodation that does not require you to muck out once a day?

 

Mitsi Galant might be a good call, you can get V6 versions for well under a grand.

I like your suggestion. It's paid for though. Never thought of a Mitsubishi. I think I'm going to be busy in the classifieds later.

[forddeliveryboy]

SsangYong Rhinocerous. Made by the company who made the Panther Kallista, styled by the Englishman who was responsible for the 90s Bentley Continental, fitted with the toughest engine known to man - Mercedes' OM602 -  sat amidst a heavy 4x4 chassis. Made in Russia, Iran, Vietnam, Indonesia and Korea, so matter how far you stray from the New Forest there'll be a scrappy with one in if one of the rear springs breaks.

 

It's f-ing horrible in some respects but as a tow vehicle, bloody sensible. Understressed and solid - perfect for a cheap towcar. Runs on waste veg too.

 

[red5]

Vauxhall Frontera 2.4LWB. A blue one.

You wish it was a 2-4...

 

[sierraman]

I'll be honest looking for diesel for £600 to tow a caravan on your holidays has disaster written all over it. A lot get sold at that age when there's impending expense around the corner, a sign if grief to come is usually a bill for recalibrated injectors. If £600 is your budget an old Volvo or something weighty.

 

Finding a Rover 825d would be a tall order these days!

[stripped fred]

I'll be honest looking for diesel for £600 to tow a caravan on your holidays has disaster written all over it. A lot get sold at that age when there's impending expense around the corner, a sign if grief to come is usually a bill for recalibrated injectors. If £600 is your budget an old Volvo or something weighty.

 

Finding a Rover 825d would be a tall order these days!

Good of advice. Maybe I should look for a cheap large engined petrol just for the holiday.

[sierraman]

Last thing you want is a car expiring in the M5 with caravan and family in tow.

[stripped fred]

Last thing you want is a car expiring in the M5 with caravan and family in tow.

No, that wouldn't go down well. She already can't see my fascination with old cars and that wouldn't help!

[stripped fred]

I know what I need, a xantia!!!

[eddyramrod]

Volvo 240/740/940, preferably estate and preferably 2.3 petrol auto.  No shortage within budget, most will already have towbar fitted, Bob is your mother's brother.

 

In fact, 740 saloon just appeared in the ebay thread!  Go!