Guess your right Dawn but he left a mighty impact on my new car :-)

Pam

Hi Pam

Yes, I've settled on the X-Trail - as I won't be driving up mountains and streams etc I don't need a dedicated 4 wheel drive such as the more substantial landrovers and did not want a tank (Discovery) as the aim was to get something smaller than my van. (The salesman argued that the Discovery was much smaller so I got out a tape measure and the D. was a few inches longer and just as high and I want to be able to get into car-parks).

The Honda CRV is a 2 wheel drive that goes into 4WD if it starts to slip - you don't have any choice in it.

Jeep's - spare tyres and wheel arches took up too much of the room

Terrano/Maverick - again too big

Kia - having had a FSO in the past that blew up at 2 years old - no way was I even going to consider one of the lesser known makes

Rav 4/Freelander - too small

BMW/Merc - too expensive

X-Trail - reasonable amount of room in the boot, lots more when back seats put down and the back of the seats are hard plastic like boot floor so easy to clean. Optional drives - 2WD, 2WD+ goes into four when start to slip (like CSV) or 4WD which I want for when we get snowed in or flooded in. Large sunroof, back door opens up rather than out so is easy to drape something over it to keep dogs cool. Extra power point in rear to plug my fridge in and a lot of other little things I liked about it.

Christine

Christine,

IT sounds perfect, I will need to keep it in mind. My poor car is about 4 months old and now has about £2000 of damage. Never mind it will mend.

It is great to hear all the views on the cars as the people are the ones who try and test them to the limits really.

Good luck when you get it..

Pam

interested in this thread.

My partner bought an old Range Rover this year, had it gas converted - we now cant find anyone in the area who will work on it, as its broke down with just about every concievable problem every weekend in the last four months I find the wretched thing a nightmare:(

yes, its ideal for transporting rescue dogs and our own, when its actually on the road (which it is not at the moment), and is economical with the LPG - again when its on the road.

Wouldnt advise anyone to buy an old one though, certainly is a major drain on the old finiances:(

Lynda

PS - any experts out there? Please mail me:(

Lynda, not knowing where abouts you are, get a copy of Landrover owner magazine & I am sure you will find someone advertising in there who can help....RR are just about the easiest (after defenders!) vehicles to mend, have the easiest access to parts and are so simple to work on you shouldnt have any probs atall. maybe its the gas conv. thats putting garages off though?

Sam!!!!! Where you been, or as the chinese dustman says 'no, where you wheelie bin?'

oh gosh dont ask isabel!!!! Computer had a blip & I had no internet etc for nearly 3 weeks.....mind you it meant I had to have an enforced holiday for 3 weeks as I couldnt do any work!!! After having several "experts" try to solve it, I am back and I am here!!!!

Well not a back time of year to have a holiday :)

Hi Pam

Sorry to hear about your car - hope they can fix it and you get it back soon.

I already have it as found a second-hand one and so far I am delighted with it. It is much lower than I am used to and that is the only gripe but seeing as I wanted to be able to get under car park barriers is it somewhat of a silly one :)

I currently have two of my "house" cages in it but have a car cage on order which should arrive over the next few days and will either give me the back seats back or I can get another (double) crate to go on them so I can safely transport four of my dogs in different compartments - possibly even keeping one of the back seats (they split 1:2) but won't know this till the other crate arrives and I can see exactly how much room I will have

I bought one of those "ventlock" things so I could have the back open for air and still be secure they are brilliant - even better I showed it to my local blacksmith and he has made me up a longer one at a fraction of the cost!

The windows are heat reflective glass (and I have also had them darkened) but with the weather recently I don't exactly know how effective they are.

Christine

Brilliant Christine.

These ventlocks sound a good idea also, think I will have to have a look at these myself for my lot.

Bet your glad you did all that research.. Good luck with it.

BFN Pam

A bit late to join the chat as you have already bought one.

But I have a Discovery TD5 Auto and it is brilliant. The reliability on mine on seems to be an issue on the fancy bits.

Diesel consumption is appaulling but never mind. It can fit my two dogs in comfort in the back but I do not use cages in the car - never liked them but that is purely my opinion.

Masses of space inside, fits 5 adults comfortably plus two dogs (although you'll not have any boot space )

Can tow masses - should you need to.

More than capable off-road if you know how to drive properly.

That being said most probably will buy something different next time, as I like a change - but will always be sticking to large 4x4s unless they decide to cripple us on tax or something.

Also insurance is cheap - it was cheaper than my vectra estate to insure even though it was 3 times the price to buy.

Enjoy yours