I have an on going 309gti track car project but i've recenty got a 206gti to use until the 309 is done but have been looking at my vrs and thinking its nt really the best car to be using to drag either about on a trailer.

We are also doing house up at moment and have alot of stuff to move, eg soil, brickes etc so have been thinking of getting a little 4x4 to use as a cheap towing vehicle for abit to save knocking back out of my vrs,

Been looking at mk2 2.0 suzuki vitaras as there a more classic style with seletable 4x4,

Just wondered if anybody had had experiances of them or anything similar

Although I have never towed with it, I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 petrol 3Dr and gather they do tow well. The bad bits are they are rather thirsty beasts and I reckon it would probably average around 25mpg with a trailer. Also the gear change is a bit rubbery. The Good bits are they are pretty cheap for what they are and the 5 door is quite big too. As you probably already know there are 1.9 Diesels and 1.6 petrols in the range too (although the 1.6 doesn't get the low range diff lock). I don't know what your budget is, but would think the diesel would be the best bet for towing. Having driven my Suzy in very deep snow and some pretty muddy soft roading, I can testify that the 4x4 is tremendous (better than my previous Sedici 4x4 -a Suzuki SX4 clone) and the low ratio box might well be useful to you too at some point.

On the subject of Sedicis, they are great value for money. most of the 1.9 diesels are 4x4 and they have an electronic locking centre diff too, which really will help drag a trailer out of mud. I used to get around 43mpg as I bombed about on the motorway and the only issue I ever had with it was first gear can be a bit tricky to engage in mid winter, at least until the oil warms up a tad. great little cars and a decent, if slightly noisy diesel too.

Mum used to have a V6 Grand Vitara, S reg so not sure what mark. Very capable but not too bad a drive and decent enough equipment and capable off road to a limit. Very thirsty on a run though but that was the V6 mind. For towing I'd go for diesel for the extra torque.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/owners-reviews/suzuki/grand-vitara/estate-1998/review/20120505110055/

I'd have thought the requirements for a tow vehicle would be a decent slug of torque and enough weight relative to what your towing that the "tail doesn't wag the dog". I appreciate 4x4's tend tick both those boxes but wouldn't have thought 4x4 was a prerequisite. If it was just cheap and good for towing I'd probably consider an old Audi, Beemer, Merc, Volvo etc. Something with a decent size diesel up front.

There are plenty of B5 Audi A4 2.5 TDI Quattros about for not a lot of cash!

I need the ground clearence to get down my mates yard where i store my car trailer as a normal car just wont get down,

Ive had a couple of smaller volvos and they were great for towing but just dont have enough ground clearence

Probably a proper 4x4 is for the best then. Unless some of the cross-overs are in price range? A4/A6 Allroad, Volvo XC90?

What sort of budget are you looking at,

& what is the plated weight of the Transporter or trailer that you are going to tow.?

Maybe look at a Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee..

Isuzu Trooper.

Newer Suzuki Grand Vitaras are full time 4x4, not part time AWD.

george

A Mitsi works for me as a tow barge, 'Much Cheapness', and the LWB suits better for camping etc.

Best to find one that the engine has already failed in & been repaired properly.

& check the weight it can tow.

http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/11692-pajero-2500-swb

Not found the plate on it yet (anybody know where brian james trailer chassis plates are) but hitch say max of 1700kg and my tip trailer says 1300kg so neither are massive weights hence the idea for a smaller 4x4 rather than say a older disco or shogun.

Thinking of a couple of grandish and train weight wont be an issue as i have my trailer test booked for middle of next month

My brother really likes his diesel Vitara but due to getting a van for work he can't afford to run both so this will be up for sale shortly, I will be advertising it on here for him when he is ready and gives the go ahead.

Matthew