Well since am now doing 50-60miles a day for work I'm not so keen on my original plan for buying a cento to get back into the Fiat fold. As we have use of a 1500kg caravan for holidays am now considering buying a car that is better suited to towing than the thirsty X3 (28mpg*) would be.

Having researched a bit and heard from other owners, the Fiat Croma (38mpg*) is the optimum choice and can be had for about 2k. But what else could be considered as an alternative? I've considered a Volvo V70 T5/R, Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5SE and a Subaru Forester S-Turbo. Wasn't looking to go all out 4x4 as I'd be as well using the X3 but considering a fast car which could be equally thirsty but far more fun.

Cheers

* 1.9/2.0l Diesels fully loaded towing 1500kg caravans

I know you'll kill me for even suggesting it, but Derv grande?

Martyn said:

I know you'll kill me for even suggesting it, but Derv grande?

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lol, no ah won't. But the 1.9MJ Grande is 458kg to light to tow the caravan, it's a big 6 berth beast. Even a 1.9MJ 150 Bravo is 158kg to light hence the Croma being ideal.

Vw touran 170 sport.. nuff said

Stuart said:

Vw touran 170 sport.. nuff said

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i was behind one of them being driven pretty enthusiastically in the bmw a couple of nights ago, they are surprisingly f***ing quick!, first roundabout i came off in third, foot down, would be enough to take 90% of cars under acceleration but that thing pulled away from me, second roundabout i thought "f*** this" dropped to second and floored it off, the bloody vw still had the legs on me until i started to reel him back in rapid once he was clearly out his torque range and all my power being high up in a petrol.

I mean, my car needs a service so is down on power and that van looked modified so had probably been mapped, but still.... was a bit humbling having a van do that to a straight 6 bmw :laugh:

If your gonna tow just stay away from petrols to much strain on them unless is designed for it but another fiat option I spoke to mrcento about a couple weeks ago was I was looking at the fiat sedici 1.9mjet can pick them uo for 3k now and supposedly a great off roader

Totally agree, need torque for moving big caravans, didnt think of the sedici, or what about a doblo low roof?

Mrcento said:

i was behind one of them being driven pretty enthusiastically in the bmw a couple of nights ago, they are surprisingly f***ing quick!, first roundabout i came off in third, foot down, would be enough to take 90% of cars under acceleration but that thing pulled away from me, second roundabout i thought "f*** this" dropped to second and floored it off, the bloody vw still had the legs on me until i started to reel him back in rapid once he was clearly out his torque range and all my power being high up in a petrol.

I mean, my car needs a service so is down on power and that van looked modified so had probably been mapped, but still.... was a bit humbling having a van do that to a straight 6 bmw :laugh:

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Wouldnt be surprised if it was standard, they are seriously good engines that pull all the way thru the rev range, ive only got the 140 and its seriously quick.

stilo MW?

Stuart said:

Vw touran 170 sport.. nuff said

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My parents had a 140 touran and upgraded thinking that it wouldn't be powerful enough to tow it. Still a consideration though.

abyss113 said:

fiat sedici 1.9mjet

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258kg to light

steve119 said:

doblo low roof

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158kg to light

Clock34 said:

stilo MW?

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158kg to light


Giving up the search till the new year, got my favourite time of year approaching :shout:

get the x3 mapped

Get the touran 170 and get it mapped to 210 fxk knows how much torques it is but its fappin quick

X3 would tow it to be honest, can have tow bar fitted for 400quid iirc. Most of the cars av looked at have towbars fitted so can put that money towards the car.