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Been playing with getting a new vehicle for about a year now and it's doing my head in...
I do a lot of sports (as most probably do on here).. Windsurfing, sailing, MTB. Some of the places I go require something with decent clearance/suspension (ie a 4x4 maybe). I also often tow caravan or boat. So my vehicle has to accomodate all these things. Fuel economy is slightly important as I sometimes have to run the kids about too (uni etc) To add to the problem, I also have a couple of very smelly large dogs that love nothing more than rolling around in crap then jumping about the back of my car.
One more thing.. the missus will be using it to commute and refuses to drive a van 🙁
I can only have the one vehicle. After MUCH deliberation I finally decided that a decent 4x4 such as a disco etc would get trashed by the dogs and quickly ruined by my wet gear so settled on a Mitsubishi L200 with cab on the back for dogs, wet gear etc. It's not ideal as my windsurf board will have to go on the roof 🙁 and I cant get an insurance quote for less than double my current insurance due to it coming up as a van/pickup.
Very much clutching at straws here but anyone offer an alternative?
Subaru Outback ?
Following the Subaru theme - you might want to consider a Forester as an alternative to an Outback? The fast ones tend to be bit thirsty though... 🙂
I believe new Berlingos (Berlingae?)cars have a means of carrying a board inside the car above the passengers.
Skoda Yeti?
2 cars? Something nice and economical for the missus to commute in and something a bit older but 4x4 for you and the dogs? eg an older Disco?
Nissan Pathfinder? Effectively Navarra in SUV form, which may be easier to insure for not being a commercial.
3000kg towing capacity, big flat boot with the seats folded. Else something like an XC90 might work, maybe Grand Espace or one of the other big MPVs - just take the seats out when you need the room.
All the windsurfers I usually see on the south coast have vans though, presumably because it's so much easier to just chuck everything in.
tbh You've dogs, just accept they trash the interior but when you come to sell - a good valet will recover it.
We've a Freelander, will do everything you need.
Do you mean new new car? 62 reg type of thing, or will a used one do?
If used, reading your list of wants/needs n desires, I'd suggest you take a look at an E-Class estate, 320 CDi. They're huge inside, storage/load area is as long as most mpv's. 320cdi does a fuel average way better than a scooby estate (except their diesel). Comfy, quick yet relaxed. And are an absolute 2nd hand bargain for the most part. Find a good independent to keep it serviced with genuine MB bits and they last for years.
EDIT - Just read your op again. Sod all ground clearance with the Merc. Apologies. It does have self levelling suspension though.
An old defender 130 would be perfect, and with the 1000's u save on a new one you can buy bikes for the wife and kids