Moving to the UK Looking for a LC

[grimmcruiser]

We are possibly relocating to Wales later this year. I would like to pick up a Land Cruiser to use as the primary family traveling and exploring vehicle. We would go hiking in the Brecon Beacons and exlpore Scotland etc while there. That being said, I relalize the 99 100 series that we have now (LC Amazon?) would be a horrible choice there due to size and economy. So, what would be a good opiton, in diesel as opposed to petrol, for a UK application. I do have three children under 12 and this would have to fit them plus some amount of gear. I really don't want to go to the dark side and get Land Rover, but who knows. What do you think?

[canucksafari]

You could even go to the darker side and get a Patrol/Safari. I guess it depends on how big your family is. I think a diesel 70 series would be sweet and small enough to get around on their narow lanes.

[american psycho]

If you have time and can travel to pick it up there's always something popping up here:

The European Marketplace for Cars

This is one of my favorites:

Mini Landcruiser

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by american psycho

If you have time and can travel to pick it up there's always something popping up here:

The European Marketplace for Cars

This is one of my favorites:

Mini Landcruiser

Pretty sweet. Unfortunately, I need a comfortable, reasonably efficient LC or "equivilant" to be able to transport the family and some gear across the UK and into some fun stuff. I am working to adjust my concept of size, having always been a Suburban / Excursion family before getting our 100 series.

I have been considering at LR Freelander or Mitsubishi but I would much prefer to stay with a Toyota. Really looking for some thoughts here as I know I would get the diesel there for fuel economy.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

We are possibly relocating to Wales later this year. I would like to pick up a Land Cruiser to use as the primary family traveling and exploring vehicle. We would go hiking in the Brecon Beacons and exlpore Scotland etc while there. That being said, I relalize the 99 100 series that we have now (LC Amazon?) would be a horrible choice there due to size and economy. So, what would be a good opiton, in diesel as opposed to petrol, for a UK application. I do have three children under 12 and this would have to fit them plus some amount of gear. I really don't want to go to the dark side and get Land Rover, but who knows. What do you think?

The diesels are very popular wherever they sell them. Otherwise the English have their petrol models converted to run on LPG which is about half the cost.
IMO you are better off with the diesel preferably the turbo model.

You could also get a Prado but they are smaller and with 3 kids probably too small

[MattF]

There are plenty of Surf's across here. Petrol/Diesel, depends what you want. Diesel is more expensive than petrol at the moment. With the Toyota's, there's a half decent choice. Best place to look for an idea of what you might want would be the autotrader website:

Auto Trader UK - Buy & Sell New & Used Cars, Car Loans, Car Insurance

Edit: Btw, can we pretend you didn't say Land Rover?

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by MattF

There are plenty of Surf's across here. Petrol/Diesel, depends what you want. Diesel is more expensive than petrol at the moment. With the Toyota's, there's a half decent choice. Best place to look for an idea of what you might want would be the autotrader website:

Auto Trader UK - Buy & Sell New & Used Cars, Car Loans, Car Insurance

Edit: Btw, can we pretend you didn't say Land Rover?

I will refrain from saying that horrible word again! What is the largest LC version that is comfortable driving and parking over there? We will also be spending some time in the Republic and I know driving there is even more of an adventure! We are looking at diesel merely based on fuel economy.

[canucksafari]

Okay. I am really going to tempt you over to the dark side with more than milk and cookies. Try this sweet rig out for space: Autotrader - NISSAN PATROL 4.2D SE 5dr Auto Gr Station Wagon=

Not a clue why I think it so nice.

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by canucksafari

Okay. I am really going to tempt you over to the dark side with more than milk and cookies. Try this sweet rig out for space: Autotrader - NISSAN PATROL 4.2D SE 5dr Auto Gr Station Wagon=

Not a clue why I think it so nice.

Nice looking vehicle. Any idea of fuel economy etc?

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

Nice looking vehicle. Any idea of fuel economy etc?

Nissan claims 10L/100L. After a pump rebuild and new injectors I got 9.8L/100L on my 1991. However, I think you can count on somewhere bewteen 10L-13L/100 kms depending the terrain and weight and of course if you are running winter or summer diesel.

This truck is obviously a Nissan Safari GQ. I beleive the models sold new in the UK all had the smaller 2.8 L engine. The models sold in the Middle East and Mediterranian had the 4.2 L options. The 4.2L high roof Patrol is used by the Irish Army as a troop carrier and for towing gun trailers, etc. More info here: Nissan Patrol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I would also look at a diesel 80 series. They are the same size as the patrol and are turbo charged. So, they have more get-up and go. Many of the Patrols and Safaris are naturally aspirated. A non-turbo diesel can be a pretty big change if you are use to driving gasoline powered V8s.

[MattF]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

What is the largest LC version that is comfortable driving and parking over there? We will also be spending some time in the Republic and I know driving there is even more of an adventure! We are looking at diesel merely based on fuel economy.

Couldn't honestly say. Depends what you're happy with personally, more than anything. Unless you're planning on finding the narrowest streets in existence, I can't imagine size being too important an issue. For specific LC info over here, might be worthwhile having a peek here:

Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club (UK) :: Index


In all truth, the way we get screwed over here, the main considerations tend to be M.P.G and emissions, as the price of fuel is extortionate, and newer vehicles get taxed respective to their emissions. Plus, if you go down into London, the Loon has the congestion charge, which is again based on emissions.

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by MattF

Couldn't honestly say. Depends what you're happy with personally, more than anything. Unless you're planning on finding the narrowest streets in existence, I can't imagine size being too important an issue. For specific LC info over here, might be worthwhile having a peek here:

Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club (UK) :: Index


In all truth, the way we get screwed over here, the main considerations tend to be M.P.G and emissions, as the price of fuel is extortionate, and newer vehicles get taxed respective to their emissions. Plus, if you go down into London, the Loon has the congestion charge, which is again based on emissions.

Thanks for the input. I would imagine a trip to London would involve either the train or the commuter box car we would get. I understood size to be more of an issue for parking than anything else. Most of the driving would be rural Wales and maybe into Ireland and Scotland.

[MattF]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

I understood size to be more of an issue for parking than anything else. Most of the driving would be rural Wales and maybe into Ireland and Scotland.

They tend to make more of an issue from parking over here than it actually is, as such. Granted, our roads probably aren't quite as spacious as yours, but the largest of LC's should be fine unless you manage to find the narrowest street possible. The size thing is just another excuse they try to use for screwing even more money out of us. The parking/traffic wardens are sadistic sods over here.

Rural locations wise, apart from the odd extremely narrow country road, again, it shouldn't be an issue as such. If the country roads are that narrow, you're usually going down one that leads nowhere anyhow.

Btw, I just realised what a pessimistic picture I paint of this country above.

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by MattF

They tend to make more of an issue from parking over here than it actually is, as such. Granted, our roads probably aren't quite as spacious as yours, but the largest of LC's should be fine unless you manage to find the narrowest street possible. The size thing is just another excuse they try to use for screwing even more money out of us. The parking/traffic wardens are sadistic sods over here.

Rural locations wise, apart from the odd extremely narrow country road, again, it shouldn't be an issue as such. If the country roads are that narrow, you're usually going down one that leads nowhere anyhow.

Btw, I just realised what a pessimistic picture I paint of this country above.

Thanks for the input. We are looking at Porthcawl as a possible base. I realize that the driving and parking issues are less there than in London or even Cardiff. We want to be able to explore the country and this will be our primary vehicle for that, so I am looking for comfort, economy, and off road/ foul weather performance. I have read horrible things about LR reliabiliy and I am just not familiar with many of the models of other SUV's there. Any help is appreciated.

[MattF]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

I have read horrible things about LR reliabiliy and I am just not familiar with many of the models of other SUV's there. Any help is appreciated.

We make the L.R's and even we take the mick out of 'em. They always say that the parts are so cheap because you need so many of them. With regards to other vehicles, can't say as I've any personal experience with other makes. The main problem though is the size factor, by the sounds of it. Very few vehicles will have the size you need, other than the large Isuzu's, Toyota's or the Mitsubishi whatever it's name is. Land Rover wise, their larger vehicles are notoriously low in reliability stakes, whenever you do a lookup on how many recalls and stock faults they have, so to suggest one of those would be somewhat sadistic of me. Granted, they are capable, but reliability wise.... As someone else mentioned, the Nissan is also another option, but they aren't something I can honestly say I see many of over here, personally. (Translates to practically zero).

[grimmcruiser]

Originally Posted by MattF

We make the L.R's and even we take the mick out of 'em. They always say that the parts are so cheap because you need so many of them. With regards to other vehicles, can't say as I've any personal experience with other makes. The main problem though is the size factor, by the sounds of it. Very few vehicles will have the size you need, other than the large Isuzu's, Toyota's or the Mitsubishi whatever it's name is. Land Rover wise, their larger vehicles are notoriously low in reliability stakes, whenever you do a lookup on how many recalls and stock faults they have, so to suggest one of those would be somewhat sadistic of me. Granted, they are capable, but reliability wise.... As someone else mentioned, the Nissan is also another option, but they aren't something I can honestly say I see many of over here, personally. (Translates to practically zero).

I was thinking about the larger Mitsubishi, which looked kind of nice and had good economy in the diesel. I know I wont be doing hard core wheeling, but I would like to be able to go to Scotland etc and explore and not worry about the weather. It would be good to know how the larger TLC or Prado (Colorado?) stacks up to that for performance, economy etc and the all present taxes! I have about decided to stay away from the Land Rover as all the reviews I find that they suck for reliability but perform well for function.

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by grimmcruiser

I was thinking about the larger Mitsubishi, which looked kind of nice and had good economy in the diesel. I know I wont be doing hard core wheeling, but I would like to be able to go to Scotland etc and explore and not worry about the weather. It would be good to know how the larger TLC or Prado (Colorado?) stacks up to that for performance, economy etc and the all present taxes! I have about decided to stay away from the Land Rover as all the reviews I find that they suck for reliability but perform well for function.

If you are thinking of the lighter built 4x4 like the Prado, Pajero/Montero diesels, I would also consider the Delicas. They are sweet Mini-Van with tons of room, 4x4 with low range and the same running gear as the Pajero.

Mitsubishi Delica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here is a newer one with a few mods: