Range Rover Sport (or similar)

=adrian=

I don't see anything wrong with 300  BHP Could be worse. My wife would be quite happy in 10BHP car so that we go slow and don't "endanger ourselves". Try to explain it to her...

gizlaroc

The Q7 is a funny one, the older one was basically the Porsche Cayenne and VW Toureg, the Toureg did the comfort and waft so much better than the Audi and the Porsche managed to add fun to it as well.
I wanted to like the Q7 but didn't, and everyone I know who bought one got rid if it within months too.

2010 BMW X3 is one of the best cars we have owned.
Interior was a joy, handling was superb, and I never felt it looked bland.
It was also amazingly comfy.
We bought it as our second car, and decided as they only offered diesel to get the 20d and get as good mpg as we possibly could as we were still going to do 20k miles a year in it.

Had a DTUK tuning box on it, and rolling roaded it at 230hp, and because it was a lighter car it went really well.

Over 72,000 miles it returned 46mpg......on the OBC.
42mpg calculated, which is still very good I think.

It was sold yesterday funnily enough, after 4 years with it.

2013, 72k miles.
£11,200.

It was seriously well specced, from nav professional, dab, media interface, bluetooth advanced with audio streaming, online, adaptive xenons, Panoramic roof, fully heated sports interior, heated steering wheel, 19" M-Sport wheels with proper tyres fitted from the factory.

iCloud Photo Sharing

I get some people don't like BMWs because, well, because they're BMWs, but quite often it is writing off the best car in the segment.
I owned the RR TDV8 while we had the X3, and have to say, I would often take the X3 keys over the RR, even when going over to France or into London.
The X3 was an extremely capable car, and in the right spec a really nice place to be.
Same with the E350, would still want to take the X3 keys rather than the Merc. Just something about that combo of comfort, driving position and the way the BMW drives.

To be honest, if it had been the 30d or 35d we would still have it now.

gizlaroc

It's funny, I had the SQ5 for a long weekend, had it from the Friday to the Monday as a mate at Audi wanted me to buy one.

I found the interior bland compared to our BMW and although it was arguably the nicest Audi I had driven, and I have owned 12 maybe 15 Audis over the years, I didn't find it anywhere near as engaging as our X3.
So decided to swap the X3 for a 30d, but in the end didn't bother as the 20d did everything we wanted, well, needed it to do.

If they had offered the X3 in 35i over here we would have got that.

I nearly did a deal on an Irish Disco Sport back in 2016 which had the Si4 engine in it, that is a peach. But held off as we were told Land Rover UK would be bringing it out over here.
They have now, but I want used ones to drop down to the £25k mark.

Bl4ckGryph0n

I’ve never liked the X3, too small for what is a large car sector. And yes the 35d is an awesome engine, the car is still too small. Nothing like the Land Rovers the OP is looking at in my opinion.

For that size vehicle and having something none German it’s only British, Swedish, Japanese or American that would be a possibility I’m afraid.

Off that lot it really depends on whether it is image (Land Rover models undoubtedly) or comfortable and reliable get anywhere (Toyota Landcruiser Amazon) is more important.

Alternatively, and that could depend on work situation and remoteness. One of the many posh pickups can be nice. I had one mainly for towing the powerboat, but the whole family loved the Navara pickup truck which at the time was by far the best luxury pickup. But granted, the kind of luxury is relative to the segment

=adrian=

Thank you all. Plenty of options to consider before making the decision. Looks like another Autotrader session will need to be scheduled soon

RBZ5416

I think someone has already suggested what I was going to, two cars. IMO your budget is just too low to splash it all on an older, big, expensive motor that it potentially going to cause you serious issues with an expensive failure. You're apparently already looking at older models with a view to keeping it long term. You also want a lot of toys. As exec models get older it tends to be the toys that start to break first & cost a lot to fix.

So maybe have a sensible family car for day to day use & if really concerned about being stranded, have an old 4x4 SORN'd. If you get stranded or the primary vehicle breaks down you can tax & insure the 4x4 online pretty much instantly. May even be economical to keep it insured in the missus' name, even on a provisional licence.

Haven't looked but something old & a bit agricultural like the original Jeep Cherokee should be cheap. I had a '95 model when they were current. Quite capable on & off road, sensible size tyres & wheels & not too fancy mechanically, so less to go wrong.

=adrian=

Hmm not really considered buying 2 cars. It does make sense but limits the budget for each car. I'm still hoping I will be able to up the budget. I need to wait to see if I can though. Thanks

nvingo

It was me, I was thinking along the lines of a 4x4 just for the 'lane' to home (and, staying off road, not needing tax/MOT/insurance or comfort features), but I see you've suggested it as a roadgoing temporary backup.

RBZ5416

I would expect a 20 year old Cherokee to be dirt cheap, especially in 4.0l petrol guise. Mine used to average around 17 mpg in London! The idea being that by removing the 4x4 element the primary car becomes cheaper to buy & maintain.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Rational and agreeable

But neither makes you feel as nice as driving a Range Rover V8 so my money is on the OP deciding with his heart instead of his head and won’t drive around in an old boring normal car.