ramblingsue

We are moving back to the UK soon and looking for recommendations for a sensible-sized, sensible-priced, non gas-guzzling type car (not big 4 wheel drive thingy!). It would be our only vehicle , but we also need it to tow to a regular-sized caravan/trailer .

If anyone could recommend a caravan, preferably fixed bed, that would be great as well . ( 2 people only, not family).
Thanks

chris955

My recommendation would a mid sized (around 2 litre) diesel. We are actually looking at a Jaguar diesel estate, plenty of power but good economy as well. If you are looking at doing any amount of serious towing then a diesel is a must really. With todays cars and reliability it really just comes down to whatever brand or model you like the look of.

dunroving

You would probably do best with a diesel (high torque at low revs). A Subaru (e.g., Legacy estate, or the mini-SUV - Forester?) might be a good option.

I had a bog standard Legacy estate petrol engine and it was great to drive, had AWD, reliable, etc.

A little on the expensive side to insure and expensive to repair, but I think that would probably be the case for any car that can tow a caravan.

A colleague has a caravan and tows it with a Volvo so that's another option.

ramblingsue

Is diesel better because of the price or is it more fuel efficient ? There is only the 2 of us , so we are looking for a small car but that will still tow.

dunroving

Diesel is actually more expensive than petrol these days (by about 5 pence per litre).

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient (more miles per gallon) because they run at a lower engine revolution for a given speed (because of the higher torque, you can shift up a gear at lower revs).

Which? magazine recently ran a guide on choosing between diesel and petrol. Overal, because of the higher diesel costs, to recoup the higher cost of a diesel car, you need to drive a lot of miles and keep the car for a long time.

Advantages of diesel cars are a) better fuel efficiency, b) greater engine torque allows you to tow.

Disadvantages are a) higher maintenance costs, b) higher purchase price, c) higher fuel costs.

ceges

We had a Bailey Senator (fixed bed at back) and started with a Kia Sportage; slightly underpowered so changed it for a Carnival. This was brilliant. We have found Kia really reliable and the Carnival could have pulled the largest caravan up the steepest of hills

chris955

We had a Carnival from new and apart from being very thirsty I couldnt fault it. Unfortunately the diesel wasnt available in Australia and that would have been a much more economical option.

holly_1948

A diesel is more suited to towing.
More torque. Or simply put, more powerful at low speeds such as muddy fields.
Definitely go for a diesel if you will be towing.

windsong

My SO has a 6-berth Bailey Ranger caravan and loves it. He tows it with a big Landrover (diesel).

ceges

I should have said that the Carnival we had was diesel.

ramblingsue

Thanks for all the info , we are still thinking about some options.

Tockalosh

Look at a mondeo diesel

I have a 2007 tdi 130, stacks of torque and constantly returns 51 plus mpg.

Good towing capacity

brits1

Hi I drive a 1 Series BMW 118D, its great on insurance and road tax is only 30 pounds a year, great on running and we bought it at an excellent price (we paid cash) but there are plenty of fantastic offers at the moment on most of the cars (and such a choice). I would google and have a look at the cost of running a car, insurance and road tax (if your wanting to look after the pennies) we found Cars here in the UK a heck of a lot cheaper than when we lived overseas so hopefully you might think so as well. Good luck