My uncle's Senator CD 24V is having major autobox troubles and is generally been dying a death. It has been a great towcar for his huge double axle caravan with that torquey 204bhp straight 6.
However, the fuel economy was pretty dire and the towing took major strain on the tired mechanical components of the car. So now we are on the lookout for a big diesel that will tow a large caravan and still be relatively economical for day to day use. The budget is as cheap as possible. Under £4k. I have suggested Audi 100 2.5TDI and Volvo 850 TDI. Any other suggestions?
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The Senator 24v isn't actually very torquey at low revs. The autobox masks this, but if you've ever driven a police spec manual Senator 24v you will immediately feel what I mean. So I guess your uncle's torque converter has been working double time. The best towcar of the lot is a Toyota Landcruiser 4.2VX diesel. But I doubt you'll even get a ten year old one for £4k, and if you do it's likely to have already towed a big, shiny twin axle caravan to the moon and back. Daihatsu Fourtrak 2.8 diesels are also quite good towcars.
HJ
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This will probably stir people up - but how about a big old diesel XM??
www.xm-centre.com/
(I have no connection with above site- just like looking at XM's and what you get for your money - did someone say "trouble??!!)
PhilW
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How strange..
I was going to suggest the same.
Caverous estate and ideal suspension for towing, (so I understand.)
I am developing a bit of an obsession with the idea of one to replace a decaying Pug 405 for serious load-lugging.
Am I on the edge of an addictive and expensive irrational habit? I even play "spot the XM" on the M25. I saw one howling up the hill out of Hemel to the A41 with a full trailer plus a cabin full of heavy equipment the other day. And no sign of a "dipping" back end. Impressive.
See my thread of a few months ago asking for opinions of them. I think someone mentioned that they had used one for towing.
The XM Centre site seems interesting. Anyone got any feedback on service recived by them?
Moi? I tow a twin-axle c. 1800kgs with a Vauxhall Monterey (rebadged Isuzu Trooper). I am not sure if you could pick up an early Mk2 trooper for £4K.
Fourtrak is capable but basic.
Rob
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i usedto have a Citreon CX diesel absolutely perfect for towing as the Citreons hydraulic suspesion & brakes are the best!
So i will echoe the Xm Td Diesel as the others , failing that a TD Volvo six cylinder woulld be good, one point about the 4x4's. I usedto have a few Box trailers before i changed to vans andi used to have two Range rover TD's for this, the problem was that the suspension is far too soft unless you spend out on a towing spring kit which is not cheap! Another thing about the Volvo's are they have an extremely good turning circle for such a large car, which is very useful if you have to reverse a Trailer/caravan into a tight space!
Good luck
TT
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Rover 825 TD. I know several people who've used various flavours of 800s to tow with (I've used a 827 to tow a car on a trailer). They're very stable and decent load luggers in there own right. For 4 grand you could get a spanking good one. Ok, a bit low on kudos, but a late (95 to 99) model would do you right.
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Well, to follow up the story, I have seen the Senator replacement today. It is a 1992 J Audi 100 2.8 V6 Quattro. It was purchased from a guy who was clearly and enthusiast of the marque, having owned it for 9 years had a vast collection of bills and history for the car. It appears very sound with very good paintwork and clean interior.
My uncle beat this guy down from his asking price of £2100 to a bargain £1850. The economy may not be there but at that sort of price who can complain?
Anyone interested in a good condition J plate Senator 24v with a broken autobox? :)
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sounds like a great buy. Bet this puts a smile on your face fit to cut your head off!!
Let us know how you get on with it.
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On the basis that you don't tow all the time - how about a 3.0 Omega. Excellent for towing an good on fuel/performance for the remaining 99% of the time.
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