At present we drive a 1996 3.0L Toyota HiLux Surf auto with 80,000 miles on the clock. It is used mainly to tow our 1800kg caravan, but suffers on really steep hills like Fish Hill and Birdlip Hill when towing the caravan and sometimes we wonder if we are going to come to a stop. Recently on a visit to Wales a queue of cars formed behind us on one steep hill. On flats like motorways I have to watch my speed as it is quite easy to go over 60mph and it doesn't feel as if you a re towing the caravan.
We have looked at and taken for a test drive a 2002 Toyota LC D4-D VX auto which we found to be very comfortable and easy to park and good to drive. However not too keen on the seats right at the rear and don't know if they can be taken out altogether. This vehicle has 120,000 miles on the clock, but comes with a good service history. Same owner since 2007. Concern here is that we have read a number of reports of the radiator failing causing over £1000 in damages. As we are retired £1000 does not come easily and we would prefer to avoid that sort of situation.
The other vehicle we have looked at is a 2006 (56) Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Limited which has the Mercedes 3.0 engine. Does about the same mpg as the LC. Obviously the Jeep is more modern and it also felt good to drive, but put your foot down and this thing takes off like a rocket. Really impressed. However although it has parking sensors etc difficult to judge the front and rear distances. Also spare wheel appears to be under floor in the rear which is not a good idea if you need to change the wheel and have a boot full of luggage A lot of car for the price and much newer as it has only got 53,000 miles on the clock and has a full service history. Don't like the handbrake being situated to the left of the central console though.
In this case there is a difference of about £3000 between the two vehicles. We have always bought Toyota due to reliability. Still very undecided which way to go as Jeep really impresses, but Toyota although it has a few minor dings shouts robust but mileage is quite high.
Any thoughts people? Thanks.
We have looked at and taken for a test drive a 2002 Toyota LC D4-D VX auto which we found to be very comfortable and easy to park and good to drive. However not too keen on the seats right at the rear and don't know if they can be taken out altogether. This vehicle has 120,000 miles on the clock, but comes with a good service history. Same owner since 2007. Concern here is that we have read a number of reports of the radiator failing causing over £1000 in damages. As we are retired £1000 does not come easily and we would prefer to avoid that sort of situation.
The other vehicle we have looked at is a 2006 (56) Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Limited which has the Mercedes 3.0 engine. Does about the same mpg as the LC. Obviously the Jeep is more modern and it also felt good to drive, but put your foot down and this thing takes off like a rocket. Really impressed. However although it has parking sensors etc difficult to judge the front and rear distances. Also spare wheel appears to be under floor in the rear which is not a good idea if you need to change the wheel and have a boot full of luggage A lot of car for the price and much newer as it has only got 53,000 miles on the clock and has a full service history. Don't like the handbrake being situated to the left of the central console though.
In this case there is a difference of about £3000 between the two vehicles. We have always bought Toyota due to reliability. Still very undecided which way to go as Jeep really impresses, but Toyota although it has a few minor dings shouts robust but mileage is quite high.
Any thoughts people? Thanks.
