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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006   
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Hi. As part of planning for all the potential fallout from my old man going into hospital for a serious hip operation we are looking at an alternative to the defender, one that he can actually get in and out of. Ultimately the sacrifice is going to be towing but the reward will be economy. So given that the freelander2 is not the most economic of its competitors should I give serious consideration to a diesel forester, a tiguan and a kuga? all 2.0diesel and 4x4.
Any thoughts or other alternatives? Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon. |
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8th Oct 2013 8:29pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16933  
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If towing is an issue how about a Ford Ranger DC, one of few vehicles with the same towing capacity as the Defender? I am not sure how easy ingress/egress is though, since I haven't tried the latest incarnation of the Ranger. Earlier ones were quite car-like to get in or out.
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9th Oct 2013 10:34am |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19651
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Ranger is cramped IMO much worse than a Defender IMO floor is too high roof to low and seat to close to the floor, I'm sure you can see what I mean by that. So not good for comfort room etc, saying that the new one is probably re designed.
The Nissan Quasquai might be worth looking at also. They are 2.0 I think and should be not too bad to get in and out of.and comfortable for him. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
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9th Oct 2013 10:45am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6266 
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mr clarkson likes the yeti (skoda)
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9th Oct 2013 10:51am |
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| pjb Member Since: 08 Apr 2009 Location: Sunny Oxford Posts: 1244 |
Hi LTF
We have a Tiguan at work 2.0 tdi sport 50k miles auto 4x4 hi spec that we will be selling end of month when the drivers new car arrives. It is more a car that is a 4x4 rather than a 4x4 that is a car, so ground clearance not brilliant but pretty luxury interior. Probably too far away for you but if you wanted to see & try it just to get an idea of what a soft roader is like you are more than welcome  2020 P300 HSE |
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9th Oct 2013 10:56am |
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471 
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OH seems to like and get on ok with her Yeti, same with the CRV she had before that. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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9th Oct 2013 11:49am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240 
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My inlaws have a Yeti and it is pretty good. Given the sort of things you've described using your Defender for though, any of those sorts of vehicles is going to be a huge compromise. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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9th Oct 2013 1:39pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2664
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My Dad had a recent Hip Op and had to swap his 3-series Saloon for an X3 (he's a BMW man).
The Freelander2 was his 2nd choice (would have bought the FL2, had it not been for him being a BMW man). Wifey's Evoque is the same...fits him well but he doesn't like the style of the Evoque. he also finds my XC70 pretty good - it's quite a bit higher than a standard saloon/estate. Auto gearbox was a big bonus for him after the hip op... The in-laws went for a GOLF PLUS (Automatic again) after the hip op, that's a very good choice  Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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9th Oct 2013 2:21pm |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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Ok ta. Lots to think about. He likes yeti's but they don't really tow. Big dc pickups are out as they just don't fit the farm. I would have an automatic transmission in a heart beat but he won't give them house room more's the pity. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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9th Oct 2013 5:35pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5428 
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If the only reason to rule out the hippo is the fuel economy, then I would buy a hippo. Ours is great, with remap better, even the fuel economy. And most manufacturer published mpg's are BS anyway.
Andy |
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9th Oct 2013 7:31pm |
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| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785 
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It may not suit all needs but what about a 2.0l diesel passat alltrack with 6 speed dsg auto box? Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
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9th Oct 2013 7:43pm |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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We were talking about this in some detail yesterday and whilst it is all totally dependent on how his hip op goes (he might have his licence pulled yet and that is a whole lot more fun) the issue could be that we end up with a fleet of car cars all of which will be very nice but not really appropriate for the farm. It is almost as if there is nothing out there to fill our niche. The majority of smaller vans are not 4x4 and can't really tow that much, the smaller 4x4 s are cars and the 4x4 pickups are all huge. We had looked at the Isuzu as they will tow 3.5 tonnes and while they are the smallest of the pickups they're still over 5m and to get the tow capacity means buying new which does not sit well with him. Yes as a farm truck the 90 is the best but if only I can used it ie get In it then all that practicality really counts for nought. By the same token though if he comes back in no fit state to do anything then I will not need to change anything but it pays to have a plan. It's looking like I need to get the welder out and make something
  Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon. |
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10th Oct 2013 7:27am |
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| Lou Sparts Member Since: 15 Apr 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 1501 
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Would a set of side steps make access to the Defender easier for your dad ?
As you say there,s not anything to fill your needs,the old Subaru pick up they used to make was very popular with the farming fraternity years ago but they all seem to have disappeared now. I guess you,ll have to wait and see how complete his recovery is before making a decision. 2005 Td5 90 XS Steve |
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10th Oct 2013 8:24am |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006
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I have steps already and they help but not enough. Brats were amazing we must have had nearly 7 or 8 in quick succession pity that they rotted so bad. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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10th Oct 2013 10:17am |
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