Topic: Cars with high driving positons (Read 6575 times)

tunnie · « **on:** 31 August 2006, 10:39:10 »

At my grandparents today, and my grandfather really wants to replace his car with something that has a better driving position, ie higher! much higher.

He did have a Pug 806 which he loved the height aspect, but that was dogged by leccy problems, so he now has a 406 (booooooring)
Having a quick nose under the bonnet (Y Reg 110 HDi) I was suprised to find the throttle was not fly-by-wire.

Anywho, any ideas on cheap ish cars that have a nice high up driving position? - Budget about 8k max.

Pref an Auto
High Spec
Air-Con or Climate

His millage is nothing, their little run around VW Polo did 6k miles in 3 years!

Soo on that basis, I thought maybe an second hand Range Rover?

He likes his driving, and i thought he should get something that makes the long journey to vist us a doddle.

For about 5/6k I have seen '95 ish examples with less than 100k miles for about 6grand. fully loaded to, leather, climate auto's ect...

Any thoughts, suggestions? - Are Range Rovers of that age as poor reliablity as people say?

Davey · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:42:11 »

Fiat Multipla.

Ugly as sin but a great car to drive, very high and clear driving position and cheap-as-chips as no bugger wants one.. Unless he's got loads of disposable income do not go any where near a rangey.. If you want a cheap decent 4x4 go for a Kia/Hyaundai or a Frontera.

TheBoy · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:42:58 »

Range Rover problems tend to be very expensive. Much more reliable than they used to be though. For that sort of thing, Discovery 3 is a nice motor, though not sure if you would get a 3 in that price range...

Davey · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:44:25 »

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Range Rover problems tend to be very expensive. Much more reliable than they used to be though.

Only on the newer BMW Rangeys, but they come with a MASSIVE price tag.

hotel21 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:44:31 »

Until recently, had regular use of a Ford Galaxy diesel. Not my car of choice, but there are a few badge engineered variants with various trim levels.

Driving position is reasonably high with wide doors easy to step straight into, rather than down into, the car.

Would recon prices are less than a RR.....

tunnie · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:44:35 »

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Range Rover problems tend to be very expensive. Much more reliable than they used to be though. For that sort of thing, Discovery 3 is a nice motor, though not sure if you would get a 3 in that price range...

Checked Disco's for that budget its very old ones, can't even get a Disco2.

Problem is his millage is nothing, so not a lot is going to go wrong with it, i would have thought.

Did't think about the fiat... i'll go browse AT

Davey · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:47:06 »

The Multipla is great, I drove one for a while when they first came out, once I got over the initial embarrassment it was a damn great car!

As for Discos, just as rubbish as the Rangerovers, I cant enthasise enough how much you should avoid and old Range Rover/Disco unless you have bags of cash to throw at it or have £30k+ for a newish one.

Elite Pete · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:51:05 »

If your going for a Range Rover of that age your best off with the last of the classic which is a 94/95. The first of the newer shape have poor electrics also the classics are cheap to convert to LPG I did mine for less than £300 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

TheBoy · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:51:48 »

I drove a Multipla a few years ago when they were new. Horrible piece of junk.

I guess any MPV will do almost as well I would have thought. Fronteras seem to suffer reliability.

I did St Tropez to Verona (and back again a couple of days later) in a Citroen Picasso thingie. Wasn't too bad, but wouldn't want to own one myself. Though being a hire car, it was probably base spec.

One of my brothers has owned Espace and Galaxies (and now Merc A2) and all been not bad.

HTH a little...

TheBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:54:40 »

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If your going for a Range Rover of that age your best off with the last of the classic which is a 94/95. The first of the newer shape have poor electrics also the classics are cheap to convert to LPG I did mine for less than £300 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Sounds like the mileage is so low that lpg not worth it...

I agree, as soon as BMW started fiddling with Rover/Landrover, silly reliability issues crept in - but thats the result when smaller family owned car companies try to become a mass producer without the know-how.

TheBoy · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:55:43 »

Sticking with landrover at the moment, what about Freelander, or do they need the extra size?

Davey · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:59:07 »

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I agree, as soon as BMW started fiddling with Rover/Landrover, silly reliability issues crept in - but thats the result when smaller family owned car companies try to become a mass producer without the know-how.

Its the complete opposite really, the BMW Range Rover is basically a jacked up BMW 7 Series, hence the monocoque. The old Rangey with its bizarre dog leg transfer system used to eat gearboxes and suffered from various electrical and engine related catastrophes.

tunnie · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 August 2006, 10:59:38 »

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If your going for a Range Rover of that age your best off with the last of the classic which is a 94/95. The first of the newer shape have poor electrics also the classics are cheap to convert to LPG I did mine for less than £300 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

£300!! tell me more!

Are the late classic shape really much more reliable than the first of the newer shapes??

This is what i was looking at:

6grand and fully loaded

He should enjoy his motoring when he can.

Looked at Galaxys, but he did't like the shape

Citreon Picasso type things were on the cars, but their driving position is not that much heigher...

tunnie · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:02:10 »

Quote

Quote
I agree, as soon as BMW started fiddling with Rover/Landrover, silly reliability issues crept in - but thats the result when smaller family owned car companies try to become a mass producer without the know-how.

Its the complete opposite really, the BMW Range Rover is basically a jacked up BMW 7 Series, hence the monocoque. The old Rangey with its bizarre dog leg transfer system used to eat gearboxes and suffered from various electrical and engine related catastrophes.

Oh ok, maybe not the above then.

Go for classic? - AT's freelanders

Hillper · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:04:14 »

tunnie · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:05:56 »

freelanders seam cheap! very cheap.

Thats given us a few ideas, when the freelander was built, did Ford own landy?

nixoro · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:23:16 »

Have you looked at the Zafira I always thought that the drivers height was quite high up, nearly went for one last year.

Elite Pete · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:23:36 »

Quote

Quote
If your going for a Range Rover of that age your best off with the last of the classic which is a 94/95. The first of the newer shape have poor electrics also the classics are cheap to convert to LPG I did mine for less than £300 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

£300!! tell me more!

Are the late classic shape really much more reliable than the first of the newer shapes??

This is what i was looking at:

6grand and fully loaded

He should enjoy his motoring when he can.

Looked at Galaxys, but he did't like the shape

Citreon Picasso type things were on the cars, but their driving position is not that much heigher...

The ones to look for are the softdash models and if you have the space an LSE which is a 4.2 engine, 8" longer and much more sought after than a normal range rover and all the space is for the rear seat passengers. The last of the classics has the air suspension which you can raise and lower to ease getting in and out which can be troublesome but you will find that after 10 years most of the problems have already been sorted and its cheap enough to replace the suspension air bags with springs and shocks. The other major problem is rust, top and bottom tailgates, rear crossmember, front edge of bonnet and inner sills but again most cars can suffer this if not looked after. The LPG was in kit form from a block in Newport, was easy to install and it only took me a weekend to fit. I had my LSE for about 18 months and bought it off ebay off a headmaster of a local school. When i spoke to him he said it was in excellent condition so I asked if he would end the auction early which he did. As I work away I sent him a cheque for the car after all if you cant trust a headmaster who can you trust. My face must have been a picture when I picked it up it must have been the most abused Range Rover i have ever seen. I replaced the bonnet, lower tailgate, rear cross member and plated the inner sills for the next MOT but saying that it only once let me down and that was a sticking thermostat and I cover about 600 miles a week. I swapped it for my meega as although it was fully loaded, Memory leather heated seats, aircon, heated front screen, cruise control it wasnt as comfy on the long runs as my previous meega. Just as a note there are loads of people that break these and second hand parts are quite cheap. The 4.6 engine in the newer Range Rovers had problems with the liners moving and overheating which is an engine rebuild.

Davey · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:57:23 »

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freelanders seam cheap! very cheap.

Thats given us a few ideas, when the freelander was built, did Ford own landy?

Seriously pre-bmw Land Rovers (Discos), Range Rovers ARE A JOKE.. And the later stuff is over-priced

Get him to go and drive a Fiat Multipla, Hyaundai Tuscan and a Kia Sportage (or Sorrento if he wants a BIG 4x4).. The later two are VERY reliable and stupidly cheap second hand.

Davey · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 August 2006, 11:58:23 »

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Just as a note there are loads of people that break these and second hand parts are quite cheap. The 4.6 engine in the newer Range Rovers had problems with the liners moving and overheating which is an engine rebuild.

Lets not forget the random snapping oil pump chains!

tunnie · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 August 2006, 12:24:57 »

cheers for all that, not getting a RR now

TheBoy · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 August 2006, 12:37:22 »

Quote

Quote
freelanders seam cheap! very cheap.

Thats given us a few ideas, when the freelander was built, did Ford own landy?

Seriously pre-bmw Land Rovers (Discos), Range Rovers ARE A JOKE.. And the later stuff is over-priced

Get him to go and drive a Fiat Multipla, Hyaundai Tuscan and a Kia Sportage (or Sorrento if he wants a BIG 4x4).. The later two are VERY reliable and stupidly cheap second hand.

Pre BMW LRs are OK ish, but dated. RR from this era will probably be rusted away now.

BMW LRs have the BMW reliability, ie crap. The new transfer box fitted to RRs in this era are weak and hugely, hugely expensive, and difficult for dealers to obtain.

Ford rejigged LRs are a million times better, but obviously that much newer, and expensive. Retain price well as (rightly) sort after.

Personally, I really didn't like the Multipla (about 4 or 5 years ago when I drove one). A mate had the Tuscan for the day and said decent motor. Dunno about the Kia.

tunnie · « **Reply #22 on:** 31 August 2006, 12:58:15 »

he does't like the idea of 3 seats in the front, also the fact its a people carrier and got all these extra seats he does't need!

Various reasons for changing, he'd like an auto and higher position. But i am trying to perswade him onto a megga

Elite Pete · « **Reply #23 on:** 31 August 2006, 12:59:56 »

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he does't like the idea of 3 seats in the front, also the fact its a people carrier and got all these extra seats he does't need!

Various reasons for changing, he'd like an auto and higher position. But i am trying to perswade him onto a megga

Ahhh trying to off load the project

tunnie · « **Reply #24 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:36:34 »

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Quote
he does't like the idea of 3 seats in the front, also the fact its a people carrier and got all these extra seats he does't need!

Various reasons for changing, he'd like an auto and higher position. But i am trying to perswade him onto a megga

Ahhh trying to off load the project

Ssshhhh

Seriously though I am begining to think she should't bother changing. His 406 HDi does 50+ mpg easily, and only has 38k miles on the clock.

TheBoy · « **Reply #25 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:37:25 »

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he does't like the idea of 3 seats in the front, also the fact its a people carrier and got all these extra seats he does't need!

Various reasons for changing, he'd like an auto and higher position. But i am trying to perswade him onto a megga

not a green mreg elite estate?

how about a n reg cd saloon...

Elite Pete · « **Reply #26 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:41:02 »

Quote

Quote
he does't like the idea of 3 seats in the front, also the fact its a people carrier and got all these extra seats he does't need!

Various reasons for changing, he'd like an auto and higher position. But i am trying to perswade him onto a megga
not a green mreg elite estate?

how about a n reg cd saloon...

Just think if you remove the sunroof place a fish tank on top and raise the seat 12" job sorted [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Davey · « **Reply #27 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:44:45 »

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Ford rejigged LRs are a million times better, but obviously that much newer, and expensive. Retain price well as (rightly) sort after..

I think your getting the wrong end of the stick, BMW currently own RR..

Quote

Personally, I really didn't like the Multipla (about 4 or 5 years ago when I drove one). A mate had the Tuscan for the day and said decent motor. Dunno about the Kia.

The Kia and Hyaundai's are the same thing basically

I drove a Sorento TDi a few weeks back and I was very impressed.

TheBoy · « **Reply #28 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:46:57 »

Ford own Landrover (and obviously Range Rover).

Elite Pete · « **Reply #29 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:49:04 »

Ford own Range Rover hence the Jaguar V8 engine in them

tunnie · « **Reply #30 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:51:14 »

Quote

Quote
Ford rejigged LRs are a million times better, but obviously that much newer, and expensive. Retain price well as (rightly) sort after..

I think your getting the wrong end of the stick, BMW currently own RR..

Quote
Personally, I really didn't like the Multipla (about 4 or 5 years ago when I drove one). A mate had the Tuscan for the day and said decent motor. Dunno about the Kia.

The Kia and Hyaundai's are the same thing basically I drove a Sorento TDi a few weeks back and I was very impressed.

Sorento's are impressive went in one in the off road course at the Birmingham motorshow few years ago, very impressive.

But as TheBoy says, Land Rover & Range Rover are basically are the same company are owned by Ford.

Ford also own: Jaguar, Mazda, Volvo

TheBoy · « **Reply #31 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:52:04 »

Remember one of the reasons for BMW buying Rover in the early 90s was to get the 4 x 4 technology that their own engineers had struggled to get to work properly.

tunnie · « **Reply #32 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:55:41 »

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Remember one of the reasons for BMW buying Rover in the early 90s was to get the 4 x 4 technology that their own engineers had struggled to get to work properly.

And still do struggle...

X3 is about as good off road as an Omega

As for the X5....

TheBoy · « **Reply #33 on:** 31 August 2006, 13:58:47 »

Yeah, my brother is on his 2nd X5. After telling him that it was no good off road, and he should have bought a proper 4x4, I pmsl when he rang me to say he'd got it stuck

. Admittedly, he did have road tyres on it, but even so. And he knows how to drive 4x4s as well, so wasn't being a prat...

tunnie · « **Reply #34 on:** 31 August 2006, 14:02:21 »

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Yeah, my brother is on his 2nd X5. After telling him that it was no good off road, and he should have bought a proper 4x4, I pmsl when he rang me to say he'd got it stuck . Admittedly, he did have road tyres on it, but even so. And he knows how to drive 4x4s as well, so wasn't being a prat...

The X5 with off road tyres and a propper 4x4 setup is not too bad...

The X3 is pointless, I remember clarkson saying about it. You can get a BMW 525 for the same price as an X3 2.0 Diesel, why on earth would anyone buy an X3?

Davey · « **Reply #35 on:** 31 August 2006, 14:19:47 »

Sorry my mistake, chassis is now Ford, but engine is still Beemer:

http://www.rangerovers.net/rrmkiii.htm

Ford (Jag) engines only came in last year.

tunnie · « **Reply #36 on:** 31 August 2006, 14:25:32 »

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Sorry my mistake, chassis is now Ford, but engine is still Beemer:

http://www.rangerovers.net/rrmkiii.htm

Ford (Jag) engines only came in last year.

Its difficult to keep track of who owns who!!

I belive Nissan and Renault are on the verge of merging into one company!

Hope the get it the right way round this time, Japanese engines and french looks...

TheBoy · « **Reply #37 on:** 31 August 2006, 14:29:17 »

Landrover have been trying to move away from BMW engines for ages (emissions are a huge problem, and likely to fail the new standards required soon), but taken a while to redevelop and test the Jag motors.

Del Boy · « **Reply #38 on:** 31 August 2006, 15:29:13 »

What about a mercedes a/class quite high not bad spec drove 1 it was a nice drive aswell ??
or 1 of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-T-MERCEDES-ML-320-AUTO-BLACK-LEATHER-CRUISE_W0QQitemZ300020954212QQihZ020QQcategoryZ9855QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

nixoro · « **Reply #39 on:** 31 August 2006, 15:34:06 »

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What about a mercedes a/class quite high not bad spec drove 1 it was a nice drive aswell ??

Supposedly they are no good at speed nice car though.

tunnie · « **Reply #40 on:** 31 August 2006, 15:43:24 »

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Quote
What about a mercedes a/class quite high not bad spec drove 1 it was a nice drive aswell ??

Supposedly they are no good at speed nice car though.

Think it needs to be a little bigger, they already have a little VW Polo for running around town shopping and other bits.

His replacement would be used for longer runs to see us, holidays ect...

Del Boy · « **Reply #41 on:** 31 August 2006, 15:46:38 »

Tunnie have a look at the ML merc link it's nice and well equipped

tunnie · « **Reply #42 on:** 31 August 2006, 19:35:28 »

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Tunnie have a look at the ML merc link it's nice and well equipped

Just taken a look, seams interesting. It is high spec, but why does it have a grey bumper?? Thought i would be body coloured on a 320..

He's impressed at the value i got from my Omega, I have shown him the level of trim you can get from an elite, he was very impressed

Paul M · « **Reply #43 on:** 31 August 2006, 20:22:37 »

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Tunnie have a look at the ML merc link it's nice and well equipped

I've heard nothing but bad, bad, bad news about these. Apparently they're built in the Americas somewhere, and build quality is terrible.

Personally I wouldn't have any off-roader unless I was a farmer or similar, although some people do quite enjoy looking like a complete pillock (hence why there's a market for X5s and the travesty that is the cayenne - what a dog sh1tting on an otherwise admired badge).

It does make me wonder... the classic comparison is the X5 verses an equivalent engine/spec 5-series wagon. In every point the 5-series is better: faster, more economical, better handling, more space, looks (subjective, but I think the only person who ever liked the look of the X5 was stevie wonder!), cheaper.... Although if you're a drug dealer then there's a definite cred involved with the X5

News:

Author Topic: Cars with high driving positons (Read 6575 times)