My dad is looking for a new car.

It has got to be diesel, and got to be an estate.

He was looking at the new Subaru Outback, but think I may have talked him into a Octavia.

But which.

He pulls a Caravan, which is a large, twin wheel one. (IS WITHIN TOWING LIMITS - WE'VE CHECKED)

He is thinking of a 4x4 for the above reason.

All opinions welcome.

I'd go for the l&K just for the toys. I'm not sure i the towing weights are any different for the 4x4 scout though.

The scout is the 4x4 and will pull a caravan with ease .....if remapped it will easily get to 170 bhp and a lot of torque.....then you will have to watch how fast you are doing with the van on the back.

but even with 140 bhp the van will be no problem

The towing weights are the same for each model varient.

So that is not the problem.

He likes the L&K, (as I have a mk1 L&K) so we know how good they are)

But he is thinking 4x4, as he doesn't want to get stuck in a field with a 2wd model.

For your dad's needs, just go for the Scout or a normal 2.0 PD 140 4x4.

If you are just looking for traction then the normal will do just fine. Not additional plastics needed.

Would go for the Scout.

Seem to remember the Scout has a maximum tow weight of 1600kg

and the others are 1400kg

Scout or L&K 4x4, really depends on what image he is looking for, for me it would be the Scout, it just looks that bit better & I would have thought its price will hold up better.

Ive had a scoob & an Octy 4x4, both older models but might be worth looking at the Insurance group, you might find the Octy cheaper. Also once the car gets on a bit Subaru parts are silly expensive

I'd go for the L&K 4x4 personally

Didn't think there was an L&K 4x4 available in the UK? Let me know if there is now because I'd really like one too.

You can not get a 4x4 L&K, well not in the UK anyway.

I have had a Scout TDi for 4 weeks now and simply love it. The standard 140 bhp engine is powerful enough to tow my caravan with ease. The weight of the caravan is approx 1250kg.

The Scout is lovely to drive - refined with positive steering feel and a surprisingly comfortable ride. It is very well kitted out but could be specced up almost to L and K specifications with a factory order.

One recent development is that there is now a detachable towbar option available in the UK - I'm due to get mine fitted in the next week or so.

One recent development is that there is now a detachable towbar option available in the UK - I'm due to get mine fitted in the next week or so.

I've been quoted about £800 for it by local dealership... :eek:

When I ordered my Scout in December I was quoted £595 for a detachable towbar with twin electrics (13 pin) and duly paid that when I got the car. However it transpired that the detachable towbar available in December was only suitable for the standard 4x4 and the Scout rides a bit higher than that. Apparently dealers have been fitting the existing detachable to Scouts in error. Mind you it is probably only a problem if you have a twin axle caravan where the ride height of the towbar is particularly important.

Anyway I got a written guarantee that when the proper towbar became available I would get the fixed one swapped for the detachable one free of charge and that's what happening next week if all goes well. The fixed one is okay but looks pretty naff on such a nice car - and I've bruised my shins twice on it already!

1.9 tdi engine to noisey, best avoided.

The 1.9TDI isn't in the equation.

I would go for the Scout as it looks the part on top of the reassurance of 4 wheel drive if needed.

The spec of the Scout is good as well. Get it remapped to produce 160BHP/350NM and you are laughing.

Don't discount the vRS for towing. Mine is great, albeit with only 1175Kg on the hook. No traction issues with it on any sites so far.

My dad is looking for a new car.

It has got to be diesel, and got to be an estate.

He was looking at the new Subaru Outback, but think I may have talked him into a Octavia.

But which.

He pulls a Caravan, which is a large, twin wheel one. (IS WITHIN TOWING LIMITS - WE'VE CHECKED)

He is thinking of a 4x4 for the above reason.

All opinions welcome.

As an Octavia II driver myself who's recently test driven the new diesel Legacy / Outback, got to say, if I was of more average height (I'm 6'7") I'd have already ordered a Subaru. The way they drive is fantastic and ~48mpg from a full time 4wd is great. Only thing that stopped me was the leg room isn't as good as my current car.