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VW Tourag (or Range Rover, only joking) for gentle off road drives?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:46 pm
by Osprey
Hi guys,

I am considering changing my second (work) vehicle from a solid and comfortable old 97 S320 to something a bit newer and "er indoors" suggested it may be pleasant to have two vehicles which can go onto sand. Not a bad idea BUT I spend many hours on the road so need some comfort and luxury. The SWB Pajero and Patrol are out for a start


So, along with various cars which will not go off-road, I'm vaguely considering a 2004 VW Tourag and only for a milli-second, a 2003 Range Rover (probably an awful idea but a bit like the evil witch in cartoons they may look lovely but would bring bad news very quickly).

Advice gratefully accepted - as the BMW X5 and many other beasts of luxury do not work on sand, any other options on a budget of under 40K that you would suggest?

Thanks, Osprey - Jeff

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:06 pm
by Ray1
Tuareg is nice to drive, pretty capable offroad, expensive to own here as I understand it.

Depending how off road you want to go, Subaru forester could be worth a look - decent clearance (c. 8"?), 2007-2009 model (can get fully comp insurance) for 30-40k ish and a lot nicer to drive on road than pretty much any 4x4 :) some manuals have low range option.

i wish my wife would trade her coupe for another 4x4, maybe one day! (she did say once that she likes soft top wranglers..)

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:10 pm
by Ali
sorry mate but with 40 k and SWB Pajero and patrol are out you left your self with no much of choices

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:04 am
by ScaVenger
Vw toureq, great car. Had a 2006, be warned dash plastics melted with summer heat. Biggest downfall is maintanence as made extremely complicated to be fixed outside dealer for even simplest thing of changing battery or headlight lightbulb. + our version had hydraulic suspension which if failed would cost a fortune to replace. For piece of mind, a mercedes ml perhaps, or something american as easy to maintain like jap cars.

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:02 pm
by tintin
Why not go fir something like a Jeep commander or Nissan patfinder (new shape)? Could probably find one for about 40,000.

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:12 pm
by Osprey
Tintin - I got a 2005 model 3.2 V6 (for 28k aed) and with the pneumatic suspension which lifts about 10cms; it goes reasonably well off road (for gentle drives). I am thinking of changing it in June with the usual ex-pat exodus and bargains available in Dubai for a 4.2 V8 for better power to weight but 95% of the time will be onroad anyway - just planning to use it for occasional camping trips. The trusty 97 land cruiser remains the vehicle of choice for off road trips. Haven't seen you for ages boyo - Hi to the family.

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:13 am
by tintin
Bloody hell mate, I forgot I had even posted on this it was so long ago. What did you end up buying, a pathfinder or commander? I'm interested in teh Hemi commander myself for the family wagon and I've seen one or two offroad which are OK for easy trips.

I ain't been around mate, well I've been in the Dhab's, just not int he sand. Daddy duties! My eldest loves my YJ though, so once I get it back on the road I may bring him for a junior trip! :)

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:17 am
by Denasora
tintin wrote:My eldest loves my YJ though, so once I get it back on the road I may bring him for a junior trip! :)
That would be great fun, 1010! :-D