4x4

[Sean Kelly]

I’m seriously thinking of buying a 4x4 for work. My Golf is just too small for carrying tools/adhesive etc. I have been looking at the Nissan X-Trail (about 7k worth), and about 6 years old. Can’t go for a van because of the kids. Most jobs are local and I do about 30 miles a day. Does anyone have a 4x4 and is it practical for tiling? Cheers Sean

 

[Stewart]

I've got a couple of Landrovers, and only use my defender for work in extreme weather. Doug has an L200 for work but I think he uses a trailer too. Guess it depends on what you want to carry, but if you've used a golf befor it will seem massive.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

hi Sean

although I don't need a 4x4 for work (i'm not a tiler) I did consider a 4x4 to help me to get to work over moorlands and country lanes during the bad weather. the thing I've found though is that 4x4 prices are still on the up. people are still concerned that we will have another snowbound winter and so prices remain high or continue to increase on the most popular models and older models are also really holding their value.

I would say if you need the off roading capability of a 4x4 then go for it. The X-trail was on my list, as was Freelanders and Discovery's. But if you don't need it to go off road, I'd definitely say consider having an estate car. For the same money, you'll get a younger estate car, probably with better fuel economy and emissions and therefore you'll be paying less on RFL and fuel over the length of time you keep the car.

Just my twopenneth speaking from months of trying to decide what the best thing for me to do was :lol: I now have an 8 year old Volvo saloon for pootling around in and a Vauxhall Vectra hatchback for the family car with big boot capacity.

 

[enduro]

I have a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 but i wouldnt use it for work due to the height of the back from the ground...Backs are two small, and a nightmare when you need something right at the back, you have to get up onto the tailgate to get it. You will say that will be ok, but once you have done it half a dozen times you will get fed up with it. If you get one get a box trailer. Or get a van like a vauxhall vivaro and get an extra set of seats fitted in the back. A mate of mine did cost him about £800. This has to be done professionally as you will need a certificate to comply for mot. His are on runners and you can remove them. Or find one already done, just make sure they have been fitted correctly.

 

[White Room]

My brother has had 2 Xtrails, he likes em.

 

[Del W]

Why not get a van with a seat conversion.

 

[enduro]

Why not get a van with a seat conversion.

I have already said that!!! Ha Ha

 

[Saltire69]

I have Rava 4 that i use. Only problem with them is you got to change tools all the time depending on what job your doing. It does me fine and i aint had a problem with it in 4 years i've had it. (w reg).

 

[Sean Kelly]

Some good points from you that I have not even thought of - Thanks. I just thought that a 4X4 would be strong enough & big enough to carry a heavy load, as my golf is really beginning to 'squeak' with all the weight in the boot. My main complaint about the golf is that I quite often have to make 2 trips with tools etc. There would be no off roading in a 4x4 as I live just inside the M25 So I guess that's a point knocked off the 4x4. I will have to double check 4x4 prices with estates. Again, I had thought that the prices of 4x4's would be going down due to running costs etc, and I thought I would get a lot of car for my money. I just did a search on the vivaro (with an extra seat fitted). Not too practical, with having a 7 & 5 year old!.......I see it also comes in a minibus version, which again would not be too practical. Cheers again for all yr comments.

 

[diamondtiling]

Get one of these BIGFOOT® 4x4, Inc. - The Original Monster Truck®


Not good on petrol but who cares!!

 

[Daz]

You want something like this then??

Used VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER TDI SWB PLUS 2 CREW VAN NO VAT Diesel Vans | Van Trader UK

 

[Sean Kelly]

Thanks Daz. There are a few nice combi vans on that site.

 

[Gall.B]

I use a Mazda double cab pick-up (ford ranger) cheap parts decent on fuel, loading area is good, I only carry tools not materials.managed to get to work everyday in the snow. Read some reviews put me right of the Mitsi & Nissan. Wouldnt go back to a van now.

 

[White Room]

Worth checking to see what the tax thing is on the 4x4's for work.

 

[Rob Z]

My experience with the two 4wd trucks I have owned is that they were maintenance hogs. They ate front brakes and went through tires faster. I decided when the weather got bad enough I'll use it as an excuse to stay home.:smilewinkgrin:

I will admit they were fun to drive on the beach in North Carolina!

 

[Gall.B]

mines is same to tax as transit, roughly same m.p.g, carry same weight, just as cheap for parts & safer with the kids in.

 

[wayne]

i have a ford ranger and wouldnt swap it for anything else. i only carry what tools i need so dont pile everything in it like the van i had. gets me to london and back on a tank of diesel (from leeds) so not too bad on fuel.nice and comfy as well and kids love travelling in it. only problem i have found is chrome trims have to be strapped to ladder rail as they dont fit in cab

 

[doug boardley]

I've got an L200 that I use for work and love it! all the dust etc is contained in the pick up section so the cab can easily be kept clean. I also have a covered trailer that can transport wet cutters, tx1200, plasterboarbs etc. I bought it as a compromise as I knew we were going to buy a touring caravan so I wanted a dual purpose vehicle, I'd struggle to go back to a conventional van now

 

[Stewart]

I just bought this new toy today as my defender blew it's head gasket last week.... As my apprentice has recently finished his second year, he can now take the transit home and have the responsibility of loading and unloading the van at the store giving me more time to chill. I pick it up next week......

 

[doug boardley]

niiiiiiiceeee!!

 

[Sean Kelly]

Thanks for your help everyone. I bought this today! I pick it up this Friday. I put £70 worth of petrol in my car yesterday............the one I am part exchanging on Friday! - Doh

 

[grumpygrouter]

Why don't you look at a medium to large state car? I have used my 3series BMW for 4 years and it ain't that big. A Mondeo or Vectra would seem like an aircraft hangar to me but would be cheaper to run than a big 4x4.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Grumpy, my 9 year old Golf served me well, but it was always a tight squeeze with tools etc. Apart from my tiling tools I have to carry plumbing tools too (inc. pipe benders & gas torches etc). Then there is my undercut saw for doors. I just felt that I should go the whole hog and get something much bigger than I need. I wanted full leather too (easier to clean for when I use the car for my family). I wanted a strong car that could take the weight. I wanted a car that made me look more successful than I actually am! I wanted a car that was a pleasure to drive. I probably won't be too pleased when I'm always driving to the petrol station! I did look at a Volvo estate, but when I started looking at the X-Trails I fell in love. It's a bit of a treat to myself too.

 

[White Room]

I just bought this new toy today as my defender blew it's head gasket last week.... As my apprentice has recently finished his second year, he can now take the transit home and have the responsibility of loading and unloading the van at the store giving me more time to chill. I pick it up next week......

Seen a lot more guys using them for work lately.

 

[Gall.B]

I’m seriously thinking of buying a 4x4 for work. My Golf is just too small for carrying tools/adhesive etc. I have been looking at the Nissan X-Trail (about 7k worth), and about 6 years old. Can’t go for a van because of the kids. Most jobs are local and I do about 30 miles a day. Does anyone have a 4x4 and is it practical for tiling? Cheers Sean

What did you eventually go for Sean? heres mine.


Was going out this morning but didnt know what car to take.