Well my 06 Jeep Grand Cherokee has succumbed to the inevitable 'rear diff made of cheese' and I'm looking at £2.5k+ to replace the diff, with no more than a 2yr guarantee for the replacement from Jeep. Second hand diffs are rare as rocking horse poop, given this is a common problem.

That's got me thinking towards selling it and replacing with something different. Requirements are that it must be able to occasionally carry a muddy dog, occasionally the family (though we have other cars for that), more importantly I need to be able to load it up for a weekend of racing, and be able to tow 2+ tons with ease (Brian James Shuttle trailer & Westfield).

Budget - £10k-£12k.

Any suggestions?

 

My Mondeo cost me £1750 (including the new bits I stuck on it)and does all that with ease - Air con, heated screen, 30mpg whilst towing at 70leptons

Yeah it looks a bit tatty but mechanically it has 150bhp, ST220 shocks and doesn't use any oil. I've had it 2 years so far and the only major work it has had is when the Mrs ran over a wall with it ripping half the sil off.

Best thing is bits are so cheap. A new set of shafts - £55. New brakes all round - £100. New rear hub + ABS sensor £35. New rear brake calipers £66 for the pair. Heater fan seized so it was £15 and 10 mins fitting for a replacement.

It has even been around Oulton Park

I understand it's not for everyone because people are worried about their image, but as a utilitarian vehicle it's amazing.

£6k would get you a nice Mk4 estate.

 

I would not tow with anything smaller than a truck personally.

Look at an L200 Warrior Rich.

Mine towed as well as the Range Rover does, pulls like a train!

 

 

Ron, I think the Mondeo would struggle with the towing weight, as I'll be at 2 tons with the trailer / car / wheels etc.

Off to look at a Navara and a Pathfinder later. Pathfinder is the same chassis, but I could sleep in the back if needed.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-4-ford...item20f545e003


Just for the left field.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-LAND-...item3f466ff753

Or similar, got to be buyable for under £10K

 

No Gad - I think he meant something to tow with and not vice versa.

 

I've been warned off a few Disco 3's. Issues with air suspension etc can get very costly indeed.

Pity as one of those would be perfect round here.

 

I know two people who have them and the cars have been fine. Can you not look at one where the problem has been recently fixed?

How much of this is internet talk? At any point to point or shoot the car park is full of them. I know an S2000 will kill you if CG don't do the bushes and that E39 M5s' engines coke up (right...) but I wasn't aware of collapsing Discoverys or have ever seen one.