Daily driver suggestions?

[Alex B]

I'm looking at my options for when I change my car, as I like to do lots of research and planning I thought I'd start now!

I should have 'about' £7k, depending what I decide to buy.

I need it to tow a caravan, only about 1.25ton so not a problem.

I'd like it to tow my S14a drift car, our current trailer is 3.5t MAM, but after loading it for the first time today I'm seriously thinking about getting a proper car one, so may be 2-2.7t MAM.

I'd like over 30mpg round town and 40+ on the motorway.

Needs to be easy to drive, (in the way my stripped out, caged, welded diff S14 isn't), fun/interesting. I drive a 3.5t crew cab tipper for work and have had 21' long American trucks in the past, so size isn't a concern, though the practicalities of everyday use need to be considered, (finding big enough parking spaces, getting into multi-storeys etc)

I currently have a '97 Volvo V70 diesel.

Some of the cars I'm considering:

* 54 plate onwards V70, 185bhp diesel, only tows 1.8t though.
* '07 onwards BMW 530d, manual, tows 2t, economical and fast, pushing the budget unless I get ex-police.
* About 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, tows over 3.5t, loads of room, I like Americans, has to have LPG and still not terribly economical
* About 2002 Range Rover 4.4V8 on LPG, tows 3.5t, roomy, bit posh, not sure what they're like to live with, motorway cruising speeds etc?
* BMW X5 4.4V8 on LPG, tows 2.3t, can look nice

Anyone got experience of any of these or other ideas?

Any input welcome :-)
Alex B

[Chriscooke]

530d has to be the winner of that list tbh. X5's are good but must be a slight compromise. Does an Audi a6 avant fit in to the same towing/price bracket?

[Alex B]

Oh yeah, gotta be able to transport 2 dogs which will ideally be kept separate, so a big boot is a must :-)

I did look at the A4 S-Line awhile ago, not so keen on the A6, will have a look though :-)

A;ex B

[Alex B]

A6 is 1.8t towing capacity, economy is ok, slow though! Not taken by them :-(

Alex B

[Alex B]

Anyone got experience of Range Rovers? Quite tempted by them at the moment.

Alex B

[s14rob]

My daily is a 3.0d x5 and i love it ! 30 mpg round town tad more on a run

[rd_jon]

I have just bought an Audi A4 s-line for towing my s14a

[SX Sam]

I have an 04 530D as a daily, I like it, does over 30mpg, it's quite quick and is really good at towing, I also abuse the crap out of it and it never seems to break!

I would imagine an 07+ would be even better