Hi Tim,
Tim Hobbs wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 19:07:42 +0100, Richard Savage <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> For a proper rear door you could look at the Discovery - very similar
> to the Rangie under the skin, but also taller (just shy of 2m with all
> the roof bar gubbins).
Yes but it is, as you say, too tall. It MUST go under the 6' height
restriction.
>
> If I was buying a big 4x4 today it would be (hangs head) a Nissan
> Patrol. Although once the new Discovery is on Version 1.1 I could be
> tempted... Only 33 months to go on the Volvo lease!
>
> FWIW, to make a 'sensible' decision I think you need to start by
> working out what vehicle you absolutely need. I always thought I
> needed a Discovery because I had three dogs, and it had to be V8
> because the diesel is too slow.
>
> Proper thought showed that I rarely carry more than 2 dogs at a time,
> and decent estate car can hold two biggish dogs in kennels quite
> easily. I also do mostly motorway miles, often in heavy traffic.
> Thus I needed an easy cruiser, with comfy seats and an auto box. I do
> big miles, so a new car wasn't worthwhile - it would only be new for a
> couple of weeks. But it had to be reliable, and within easy reach of
> a main dealer to look after it under warranty.
>
> Thus, it turned out that logically I needed a Volvo. And because of
> the way I reclaim my business mileage, a petrol engine worked better
> for me than the more expensive diesel. It's the sensible choice, and
> actually I like it a lot because it really does meet my needs. But
> I'll never really care about it...
Proper thought indicates that I use my 1t trailer infrequently, i.e.
when it is the only solution rather than as first choice because I can
throw all manner of c*** in the RR occasionally. I only infrequently
struggle out of sodden mine-filth clarted clothes in the pouring rain on
Welsh mountainsides. I only infrequently drive in size 12 wellies.
Ditto do I carry ladders. I only infrequently cart boots full of tools
to remote youth hostels to spend weekends bodging up the previous
volunteers bodges. Ditto do I carry bicycles.
All those infrequent uses to add up to a fairly good reason for
something like a transit van!
Every time I drive SWMBO's SAAB 95 I put my licence at risk, so a
saloon-size vehicle is probably unwise.
I am tempted by something like a Subaru Legacy tho' ;-)
> They seem to be very low in value, even in good condition. I suspect
> that if you find a good one they are excellent value, or completely
> ruinous if you don't. I'd say you'll be lucky to see more than a
> grand for it. Which makes you wonder if it is worth selling it...
>
I'm not really interested in selling it, rather I'm interested in not
spending any more time and money keeping it running. It's fast becoming
tatty - rotting top tailgate, fallen headlining, lacquer lifting off the
roof paint etc. In the last year I have replaced the wiper motor and
had the head gasket changed - both stupid sums for what I got in return.
The into-reverse-clunk on the auto box sounds as though it's getting
worse, I'm just about to replace the rear springs as one has broken.
Really I'm expecting it to deteriorate at an increasing rate. I suppose
that's the answer - continue to run it into the ground. If the o/p
shaft from the autobox strips that will be a beyond-economic-repair
fault which will force me to dump it. Annoying really as it's an
Ashcroft replacement box.
Also it really doesn't have enough headroom for me. This wasn't a
problem in the early years as I only used it for SDP but now I commute
in it 5 days a week it's getting rather boring. BUT, it's great to
drive . . . when it's working.
<sigh>
I really do like the Trooper!!! (hangs head in shame)
Richard
--
Reply to RJSavage at Bigfoot dot com
