Unfortunately, i need a medium size SUV, tiguan, qashcai, CRV or similar?

[grey golfster]

X1, maybe X3 at a pinch, XC60 etc...roads here are really narrow!
Mazda seems to have some good deals on CX 3 & 5...

Seen a nice diesel auto tiguan here, but unbelievably expensive! Apparently because "it's so rare sir"...no shortage of them on auto trader...

I really have no experience of this segment, other than very occasional rentals...when i was very impressed with the new Qashcai (no idea how to spell it!) But that was a manual.
Oh, and Just to be more awkward, I'm fairly sure I need an auto....

Can anybody give me the benefit of their experience?
Thanks guys.

[garrardrj]

I have had a 2009 Freelander 2 HSE for 2 years. I think it pretty good and proper off road ability, do you need that ? Many bits for it are Ford so quite cheap to run. 2.2 diesel does about 30 mpg.

[grey golfster]

Thanks for that, but not planning offroad. A soft roader is really all I need.

[Frodo-anni]

Do you want it to be 4x4/ 4 motion or 2wd? As this may alter your option choices.

[skard]

I have had a Tiguan for three years, originally it was a Golf on stilts though more recently it has got its own identity a bit more. I love it, but are you looking at buying older? I have had a lot of age related things go (rear diff, Haldex ECU rotted, stuck caliper etc).

It wasn't until late 2010 I think that the Tig fitted DSG, until then it was a conventional torque converter.

[grey golfster]

Do you want it to be 4x4/ 4 motion or 2wd? As this may alter your option choices.

I could perhaps get away with 2wd suv type thing, but if i am going to do this, might as well go the 4 motion, 4wd type route?

Reason is 2 things...
1. My lane is now being used by farmer/ builders (there will be a site ongoing for some time it seems...) and the ammount of mud n sh1te is unbelievable, even for remotest cornwall! My eddy can now only make it up the steep hill, given a run up, if i stop that's it- stuck!
2. An old injury to my left leg is giving me gip, and the HD clutch now fitted in the eddy is now killing me.

Perhaps a 4x4 DSG performance golf is the answer? Would that then be a 6 or 7 R?

[grey golfster]

I have had a Tiguan for three years, originally it was a Golf on stilts though more recently it has got its own identity a bit more. I love it, but are you looking at buying older? I have had a lot of age related things go (rear diff, Haldex ECU rotted, stuck caliper etc).

It wasn't until late 2010 I think that the Tig fitted DSG, until then it was a conventional torque converter.

That's helpful, thanks. I will research this a bit more.
Looking at 2010 or newer

[dan930]

What's your budget mate?

[Degudodger]

Subaru Forester 2.5XT?

[grey golfster]

What's your budget mate?

Not enough for a Macan, sadly....perhaps £15k ish?

[dan930]

What's your budget mate?

Not enough for a Macan, sadly....perhaps £15k ish?

Ahh ok,Was going to suggest a sq5

[grey golfster]

Subaru Forester 2.5XT?

Had one of these a few years back as a firms car...great, but wouldn't want to fund it out of my own pocket! Fuel economy horrendous when tramping on, to the extent that the limited range was an issue, even with "free" fuel!

[grey golfster]

Some useful ideas here, thanks.

Q5 an X5 not viable due to physical size in the Cornish lanes even if in budget. Cayenne for size too....thats bigger than a bl00dy transit!
Have tried brother's Volvo XC 90, but that too big as well (they do seem to be good value tho?).

The Tiguan i looked at was 2009 and £12k! No leather or climate!! Was 4x4 tho. From the look of the stick it was an old style/conventional auto, as the lever did not look like in a golf DSG. I would think they would look the same?
Any else got any experience of these?

Reading about..the Newer Qashcai is getting some stick for poor quality/reliability issues, any experience?
TBH similar quality issues (as well as prices) put me off audi Q3, any thoughts?

Might spend a bit more dosh if it was something i actually wanted, rather than needed. Afraid i view this sort of thing as a utility rather than a pleasure...hence struggling to make headway with choices.

[garrardrj]

Try the Freelander , i was very impressed and had never been in one before. In HSE spec they are really excellent. The 4wd is a bit like 4motion anyway. You can get one like mine 2009 for about £12k with 70k.

[Biano44]

Not sure if this helps but I've just bought an 2009 XC60 with lots of toys on it for £11.5k so your budget would get you an even better one. It's a only done 60k miles too. And although this isn't for everyone, the D5 engine maps to 240bhp.