What car?

[ChrisJ]

Just looking for a little input, within the next six months I will need to change my car currently a Hyundai coupe 1.6, only criteria is it needs to have enough ground clearance for farm tracks, and fit in a standard size garage as no parking by house, Hyundai Tucson seems to fit the bill, possibly petrol as I hear diesels are going to be clattered next year emissions, budget about £4500, I know you lads and lasses are switched on and appreciate any input, thanks, Chris.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

We just off loaded my wife's 2006 Tuscon, 112,000 miles and it had diesel pump, injectors and ECU problems.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Hyundai Tucson best avoided like a dose of the plague.

The clutch is a Duel mass flywheel and will fail and will cost a arm and a leg, just for parts.
Rear diffs with run the shims and whine, by the time you hear the noise it is too late. Replacements are hard to find.

Fuel tank straps rust faster than s Lancia in the 1980's.
The anti theft device in the fuel filler dislodges and makes filling hard and slow.

The dash electrics are designed to make you bold. You will pull your hair out.
Seat electrics are not. They are brittle and will break.
Rear tail gate will leak.

Engines are good, but look for oil leaks.
Coolant leaks are a bad sign.

Brakes, are good. But watch the rear adjusters.

I speak from experience with a friend Hyundai Tucson. They are a list of his issues he has had in 3 years of ownership.

 

[fixedfixer]

Currently running a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010. Nice 2.4 petrol, diff lock, not to big, I manage 32mpg. Very good off road, ok on road but no sports car. I think you'll find something in budget. Avoid the diesels - they are the 1.9 Renault unit which is a total dog.

 

[EmmaS]

A daihatsu terios. Little beast of a car. We used one on the yard (horses). Yard owner had an x5 and in winter he wouldn't bother driving it because it was hopeless. The terios is a little soldier though and never failed us. It took some thrashing as well as heavy loading (feed and carrots!) and never got stuck in muddy fields etc. They are skinny things as well. This is like the one we had. The newer ones are more attractive mind you.

Never mind I can't seem to post a link

 

[ChrisJ]

Thankyou fellas this is the kind of honest guidance I was looking for and funnily enough was just looking at the Suzuki vitaras.

 

[ChrisJ]

A daihatsu terios. Little beast of a car. We used one on the yard (horses). Yard owner had an x5 and in winter he wouldn't bother driving it because it was hopeless. The terios is a little soldier though and never failed us. It took some thrashing as well as heavy loading (feed and carrots!) and never got stuck in muddy fields etc. They are skinny things as well. This is like the one we had. The newer ones are more attractive mind you.

Never mind I can't seem to post a link

Thankyou Emma, that helps

 

[fixedfixer]

A neighbour has a 1.6 petrol Grand Vitara but it is rather gutless. Don't know about 2.0 ltr petrol.

 

[EmmaS]

We had an older style one in a blue-ish purple colour. There is one om autotrader at the moment for £995. I'll be honest I don't know the ins and outs of the car, so would definitely so a bit of homework on them if you do consider one. Just based on my experience it was an unbreakable car. I would have had one myself but I have two massive, older dogs and I drive a big diesel signum. Nice and comfy loads of space, and low-slung at the back if I ever need to take them places. It's a thirsty hoor though.

 

[dobbslc]

Honda CRV £4.5K will get you a very nice one pre 2008 ish when the new shape came out.
2.0 petrol engine, timing chain so no belts to go twag! Pretty bomb proof I had one for 5 years and it only needed bulbs, a battery and servicing.
Tons about, loads of spares not that you'll need them and they can do a bit of light off roading too.

 

[Robotstar5]

Currently running a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010. Nice 2.4 petrol, diff lock, not to big, I manage 32mpg. Very good off road, ok on road but no sports car.

That's good, I've got the same model and only manage 24 mpg average maybe because it's an auto?, and no, I don't thrash it everywhere

 

[fixedfixer]

That's good, I've got the same model and only manage 24 mpg average maybe because it's an auto?, and no, I don't thrash it everywhere

I do mainly long runs, not much in town. Mines manual and I have a very light right foot.

 

[Mee]

Kia Sorento has good reviews, several people I know have them and they are very reliable, several of them tow and they are really rated for towing.

 

[wookie]

Kia Sorento has good reviews, several people I know have them and they are very reliable, several of them tow and they are really rated for towing.

Funnily enough a friend called to see me this weekend and he was driving one, it looked alright and he used to regularly tow a caravan with it.

Hopefully it's better designed/built than the Kia Sedona, I know a couple of owners of them and neither has a good word to say about them.

 

[fixedfixer]

That's good, I've got the same model and only manage 24 mpg average maybe because it's an auto?, and no, I don't thrash it everywhere

If you have the 2010 LWB model with rear discs I would advise you do a annual strip down of the slider bolts. Mine had seized in on nearside and if you take a look for the price and availability of new rear calipers for the 2.4 you'll see why I'm now paranoid about keeping them well lubricated.

Apart from that the car has caused me no bother and is a lot easier to work on than the previous BMW's I've owned. @Robotstar5 Do you have any tips on things you have had to service on your Suzzie that I should keep my eye on?

 

[Robotstar5]

Do you have any tips on things you have had to service on your Suzzie that I should keep my eye on?

I decided I was too old to roll around on the drive servicing cars so a local garage does the annual service, does about 3000 miles a year. Had the rear discs replaced last year at 43k.

I assume it's a LWB, 5 door SZ5 model?.

 

[fixedfixer]

I decided I was too old to roll around on the drive servicing cars so a local garage does the annual service, does about 3000 miles a year. Had the rear discs replaced last year at 43k.

I assume it's a LWB, 5 door SZ5 model?.

Yes that's the one. Been very pleased with it. Get fair big of snow out this way. The BMW's even on winter tyres just couldn't cope. Diff lock system seems to help. Never had cause to use low ratio in anger - hope I never have to.

 

[Mee]

Yes that's the one. Been very pleased with it. Get fair big of snow out this way. The BMW's even on winter tyres just couldn't cope. Diff lock system seems to help. Never had cause to use low ratio in anger - hope I never have to.

It is better to find a patch of grass and use low range and all the other settings periodically as they tend to become tight on these and other vehicles and fail when you most want them, most do it monthly.

 

[fixedfixer]

It is better to find a patch of grass and use low range and all the other settings periodically as they tend to become tight on these and other vehicles and fail when you most want them, most do it monthly.

Cheers @Mee I'm sure there will be more white stuff, we've already had some. If not can go up the local track onto the moor. Good info - thanks.