help choosing

[pclarke82]

Hi All, im buying my first 4x4 this weekend. I have 2 kids and do a lot of camping so need a largeish car with decent space. The only need for 4x4 will be muddy fields and snow.

i want a diesel for economy and reliability. i have about 1600 spare. I have seen i can buy pretty much either a 99-01 dti lwb or RS Sport with around 100k

Firstly is the milage ok or would you steer cleer,
secondley is either model better than the other?

Hope to hear from you soon and become a regular poster

[Roo]

Hi
As my Children have flown the nest, I have a Sports Fronty, but think If you have children then a LWB just gives you that extra room, specially if you want to go off camping etc and its easier I think getting Children into a 4 door vehicle than a 2 door one..The LWB fronty I think there is 5 seats, with a larger boot, and the sport has 4 seats, The sport has hardly any boot space, so If I need the room then I have to put the back seats down. so only the 2 seats in the front are available..
Good luck
Cheers
Roo

[pclarke82]

reliability wise?

[Roo]

I'm Sure someone with more technical knowledge will be able to advice you better on that score , but what ever vehicle you drive there are pros and cons to them all..
I personally love the Sport and wouldn't buy a LWB, but that's my personal preference

Cheers
Roo

[fudge]

if you are going for a 2.2dti, you need to know if the fuel pump has been changed.
if not stay clear

but it may be worth you looking at a 2.8td lwb a, they have a bomb proof engine and are very nice to drive (driving norses 2.8lwb, got me hooked)
but the 2.3td is also a good work horse.
and if a swb is ok for space, as tbh they are quite small on the boot space, but then there is also a roof rack, you can use. i would look at a 2.0.
again nice simple and the c20's are bomb proof again.

but if you like the styal of a B (curver one) and fuel isnt too much of a prob, i would look at the 3.2 v6

[pclarke82]

lol um so pretty much anyone then. i like the b series without a doubt, and to be honest like the aut0 4x4, dont like the idea of reversing after.

petrol is an issue, im not rich! so 3.2 no chance, i was told to steer clear of 2.0 petrols, that they are noisy and slow?

apparently on the one im going to see tonight the fuel pump was changed 2 years ago. reckon all is good?

[mickh]

I've got a sport and believe me getting in the back is more than a struggle especially if you have to strap the little blighters in. As mentioned space behind the rear seat is very small. They are basically a small van with a couple of make do seats in the back.

[fudge]

well i can say they are not noisy or slow. so i dont know where you hurd that from.

but as long as the fuel pump was changed it should be all good, but ask for proof of the change

[snapper]

For what it's worth...

2.8 lwb as a general reliable run-about it would (and does) get my vote. Mine gets dragged around the local area to the tune of about 500 miles/week with no real problems. Okay, it's not fastest thing off the block but hey, it goes through hedges well when you meet the loon in a corsa while nipping through the odd rural highway between jobs, dunno where the corsa ended up, I didnt stop to look, just drove through the hedge for a bit then back on the road. anyway we didnt touch and he was over in my half of the lane as I came round the corner.

It tows the caravan okay, the mirrors are really good to check if the van is still following too and I can get z loads of gear in the back and the two grandkids all without dropping the back seats. Oh and it returns about 30 to 34 mpg too..... I'm so happy with it that I'm looking for another one (2.8 lwb) for a toy.

Now, if you want to do a bit of bullying in traffic (or is it you aint cutting me up again style driving?) then a 3.2 would be the choice but round here I would have to fit a gas kit to it so I could actually make the next petrol station down the road.

Stuck for choice too myself really, I need another truck for a spare/toy do I go down the 2.8 route or get a 3.2 Or do both?

[RatCav]

3.2 on LPG would be a good compromise. Though expect to pay slightly more upfront for the gas conversion.

[Dannyboy]

My v6 wasnt that bad on fuel to be honest, way better than the 2.0 i got and i found it better than the 2.2 too. SWB V6 would be my choice.

[BoxCleva]

I agree with Fudge.

Buy a Dti for £1000 without proof of recent pump change and save the £600 for when it goes or pay £1500 for one with a very recent pump.

There are loads of Dti's in that price bracket.

[MrTom]

Below is my 2.0l it's not too noisy and goes where pointed. Back seats were that good i removed them. LWB for you

[Drift]

Remember though, the B series sport has a lot more boot room than the A series sport as the rear seats are a lot further forward

[MrTom]

You know your beans fella

[BoxCleva]

And the good news is that you can own a B series Sport now without being a qualified hairdresser





















Gonna get burned for that one

[Drift]

[MrTom]

Oh dear Si....

[Dannyboy]

Or gay.....

[Big Dav]

For family accessibility the award has to go to the LWB. That said, I have a SWB and have gone on expeditions (using the term very lightly!!) for the kids. With the fours seats in position the boot can still accomodate a folded adult wheelchair - with the space between the spars and frame utilised for smaller items, add a roof rack/box and loads tent(s) and associated gear then hitch the trailer loaded with whatever other equipment is needed and go exploring!